
23 May 2025: Harvard Visa Shock, Yunus Protest Call, Heavy Rain Alert, and COVID Spike
India Today Podcasts Desk
UPDATED: May 23, 2025 18:45 IST
On today's episode of News at 7, we bring you the biggest stories of Friday, May 23. The Trump administration has revoked Harvard University's ability to enrol international students, impacting hundreds of Indian scholars. In Bangladesh, tensions rise as supporters of interim leader Muhammad Yunus call for mass protests demanding political reforms before elections. Meanwhile, the India Meteorological Department issues red and orange alerts across Kerala and several other states due to heavy rainfall, urging residents in vulnerable areas to relocate. Back in India, health officials confirm new COVID-19 cases in Gurugram and Faridabad, prompting heightened precautions in cities like Pune. Stay informed with your daily 7PM news wrap on News at 7, only on India Today Podcasts.
Produced by Prateek Lidhoo
Sound mix by Aman Pal
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Hindustan Times
23 minutes ago
- Hindustan Times
Trump signs order to double steel, aluminium import tariffs to 50%
New Delhi: A 50% tariff on steel and aluminium imports into the United States went into effect on Wednesday, doubling the previous rate as President Donald Trump cited national security concerns for the dramatic escalation in trade protections. The new tariff rates, increased from an earlier 25% rate, were announced by Trump in a statement on Tuesday. The president claimed legal authority to impose the tariffs through Section 232 of the Trade Expansion Act of 1962, which allows the president to address national security risks arising from imports. 'In my judgement, the increased tariffs will more effectively counter foreign countries that continue to offload low-priced, excess steel and aluminium in the United States market and thereby undercut the competitiveness of the United States steel and aluminium industries,' read Trump's statement released by the White House. Trump said the earlier 25% tariff rates, first announced in February and implemented on March 12, had helped America's steel industry but had not enabled companies to maintain the capacity needed to meet national defence needs. 'I have determined that increasing the previously imposed tariffs will provide greater support to these industries and reduce or eliminate the national security threat posed by imports of steel and aluminium articles and their derivative articles,' Trump said. The tariff increase comes amid broader trade disputes at the World Trade Organisation. Several countries, including India, have formally challenged the US measures, characterising them as 'safeguard measures' that violate WTO rules and threaten retaliatory action. In May, India formally notified the WTO that it viewed America's tariffs on steel and aluminium as safeguard measures and indicated it could suspend 'concessions and other obligations' given to the US and that it retains the right to enforce retaliatory measures. On May 22, America rejected India's characterisation of the tariffs as safeguard measures and refused to engage in talks on the matter. The introduction of tariffs has proven controversial within the US. The America Iron and Steel Institute, an industry group, has welcomed the increased tariffs as a necessary measure to protect domestic producers from cheaper foreign competition. However, manufacturers using steel as input for production have publicly raised concerns that more expensive steel will impact competitiveness across other domestic industries. For India specifically, the consequences are direct and substantial. According to the Global Trade Research Institute (GTRI), a New Delhi-based research group, India exported $4.56 billion worth of iron, steel, and aluminium products to the US in FY2025, with key categories including $587.5 million in iron and steel, $3.1 billion in articles of iron or steel, and $860 million in aluminium and related articles. 'These exports are now exposed to sharply higher US tariffs, threatening the profitability of Indian producers and exporters,' the GTRI said in a brief.


India.com
25 minutes ago
- India.com
India Eyes Deadliest Missile Yet: Meet R-37M That Can Obliterate Pakistan's AWACS, F-16s Before They Even Fire
New Delhi: In the escalating arms race post-Operation Sindoor, India may be acquiring a game-changing weapon that could rewrite South Asia's air warfare equation. It is Russian R-37M missile, a long-range air-to-air beast so fast and deadly that even the United States and China are known to shudder at its capabilities. Russia is said to have offered India to supply the R-37M and license its production on Indian soil. If the deal goes through, the Indian Air Force (IAF) will gain a powerful edge over adversaries such as China and Pakistan in high-stakes aerial confrontations. The R-37M is considered to be a nightmare for Pakistan's F-16s and AWACS. It is not only a missile but also a jet killer. Built to destroy enemy aircraft from beyond visual range (BVR), it can take down Pakistan's prized F-16s and AWACS surveillance aircraft before they even detect an Indian fighter jet. With speeds of up to Mach 6, six times the speed of sound, the R-37M can strike targets more than 300 kilometers away. Its mid-flight target switch capability and active radar guidance system make it almost impossible to dodge, even for highly maneuverable jets. 'It's not a missile but an airborne predator. It allows India to destroy enemy aircraft without ever entering their strike zone. That flips the entire doctrine of air combat,' said a senior defense analyst. At present, the IAF deploys R-77 missiles on its Su-30MKI jets. But the R-37M could replace the R-77 entirely, offering a dramatic leap in range, speed and precision. Designed originally to target U.S. AWACS and refueling aircraft, the R-37M's induction into India's arsenal would render Pakistan's air surveillance systems deeply vulnerable. Russia is reportedly willing to share production technology, allowing India to manufacture the missile domestically – a huge win for India's 'Make in India' defense ambitions. Built for the kill, let's know the R-37M by the numbers: speed – Up to Mach 6 (7,400 km/h); range – estimated 300-400 km; weight – 510 kg, length – over four metres; warhead – 60 kg high-explosive; designation – NATO calls it the AA-13 Axehead; and targets – fighter jets, AWACS, drones and tanker aircraft. Unlike older systems, the R-37M does not need visual confirmation. It can lock onto targets far outside the enemy's radar or weapon range, hitting them from the safety of stand-off distances. For Indian pilots, this means striking first from far and never being seen. R-37M Can Strike Across LoC The Pakistan Air Force (PAF) is heavily reliant on U.S.-made F-16s, which are considered its crown jewel. But defense experts warn that with the R-37M in play, India could shoot them down from across the Line of Control (LoC) before they even know what hit them. 'The R-37M neutralises Pakistan's aerial advantage. If deployed, this missile makes any cross-border intrusion suicidal for enemy jets,' said a retired Air Marshal. As India's defense modernisation accelerates in the wake geopolitical tensions simmer, the R-37M could soon be a centerpiece of the country's air dominance strategy – one that might keep adversaries awake at night.


Time of India
25 minutes ago
- Time of India
61 Covid cases reported in Rajkot since May 19
Rajkot: Rajkot has recorded 61 Covid-19 cases since May 19, including nine fresh cases reported on June 3, according to the Rajkot Municipal Corporation (RMC). Of these, 18 patients have recovered while 43 remain under treatment — all in home isolation with stable health conditions. Most of the infected people — aged between 26 and 57 years — had received at least two doses of the vaccine and had no recent travel history, RMC officials said. The civic body stated that the current cases in Gujarat are primarily Omicron subvariants and the XFG recombinant strain, which typically cause mild symptoms such as fever, sneezing, and cold. Patients have been advised to seek medical help if they develop breathing issues or chest pain. Those with comorbidities have been urged to wear masks and avoid crowded places. "The rise in Covid cases every six to eight months is a trend we are observing. There's no cause for panic — only precautions are necessary," a health officer said.