National Herald case, Bengaluru rains, Harvard foreign enrolment ban and more: The week in 5 charts
(1) India's global outreach on Operation Sindoor
The Centre on Saturday (May 17, 2025) released the list of seven all-party delegations, spanning a total of 59 MPs from various political parties, that would travel to key partner countries, including members of the United Nations Security Council and the European Union, to convey India's message of zero tolerance against terrorism following the Pahalgam terror attack and Operation Sindoor.
The first three multi-party delegations, as shown in the graphic (comprising all seven delegations below, to global capitals will started their journey on Wednesday (May 21, 2025) and Thursday (May 22, 2025)
The first three teams were briefed by Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri on Tuesday (May 20, 2025). These three teams will also visit Japan, Republic of Korea, Singapore, Indonesia, Malaysia, the United Arab Emirates, Democratic Republic of Congo, Sierra Leone, Liberia, Russia, Slovenia, Greece, Latvia, and Spain. Other delegations started their journeys on May 24 (Saturday) and May 25 (Sunday).
(2) Enforcement Directorate makes submissions in National Herald Case
The ED laid out a case of money laundering based on prima facie evidence against Congress leaders Rahul Gandhi and his mother Sonia Gandhi on Wednesday (May 21, 2025) in front of a Delhi court. The development is the latest in a decade-long case dubbed the National Herald case.
According to the ED, the two Congress leaders and others were involved in masking illegal proceeds of crime worth around 85 crores through a dubious purchase of a company called Associated Journals Limited. The graphic below shows the key transactions involved in the case, and how they enabled money laundering according to the ED.
The purchase of a company worth around 2,000 crores for a mere 50 lakh was one of the key contentions brought out by the ED. The defence has argued that YIL is a not-for-profit company, meaning its shareholders do not receive dividends. Moreover, it has argued that while YIL owns most of AJL, AJL's assets remain the property of AJL itself, and were never used in any other capacity by the Congress leaders and associated persons.
(3) Bengaluru floods after pre-monsoon downpour
Bengaluru recorded the highest 24-hour rainfall for May in recent years on Monday (May 19, 2025), with 105.5 mm of rainfall. IMD Bengaluru's director said that this extent of rainfall was rare for the month. Seen cumulatively, Bengaluru's May rainfall was the highest this year at 307.9 mm
Bengaluru's rainfall patterns show a peak in May, followed by elevated rainfall levels through October, with September's rainfall being the highest. Localities that are known for frequent flooding - like Sri Sai Layout, S.T. Bed Layout and Trinity Fortune Layout - were inundated again.
(4) Trump pushes for domestic iPhone manufacturing
U.S. President Donald Trump said that iPhone manufacturer Apple will face tariffs on its iPhone up to 25% if they are made in another country. Mr. Trump pushed again for domestic manufacturing of those iPhones that were sold in the U.S.
A Reuters report said that iPhone prices could increase anywhere from 30% to 43% for different models, if Apple chooses to pass the tariff onto consumers. The U.S., along with Canada, plays a significant role in Apple's net sales. The Americas (Canada and U.S.) constitute around 42% of Apple's net sales in the quarter ended March 29 this year, according to the company's financial statement.
As of 2023, Apple's supplier list includes more than 20 countries with primary manufacturing locations for Apple's products. This includes 14 locations in India (not all owned by Indian companies).
(5) Federal Judge blocks Trump administration's decision to disallow foreign enrolment at Harvard
A federal judge on Friday (May 23, 2025) blocked the Trump administration from cutting off Harvard's enrolment of foreign students, an action the Ivy League school decried as unconstitutional retaliation for defying the White House's political demands.
In its lawsuit filed earlier Friday (May 23, 2025) in federal court in Boston, Harvard said the government's action violates the First Amendment and will have an 'immediate and devastating effect for Harvard and more than 7,000 visa holders.'
In the academic year of 2024-25, a total of 6,793 international students were enrolled in Harvard, which comprised 27.2% of the University's total enrolment.
The Department of Homeland Security announced the action Thursday (May 22, 2025), saying Harvard has created an unsafe campus environment by allowing 'anti-American, pro-terrorist agitators' to assault Jewish students on campus. Without offering evidence, it also accused Harvard of coordinating with the Chinese communist party.
The administration revoked Harvard's certification in the Student and Exchange Visitor Program, which gives the school the ability to sponsor international students to get their visas and attend school in the United States.
After the federal judge's suspension of the action, U.S. President Donald Trump defended on Sunday (May 25, 2025) his administration's move to block foreign students at Harvard. '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.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Time of India
44 minutes ago
- Time of India
Telangana govt to issue clear norms on formation of new panchayats
Hyderabad: The Telangana govt has decided to frame clear and streamlined guidelines for the creation of new panchayats, citing the need to balance administrative feasibility with community benefit. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Officials said that upgrading villages with populations below 500 into independent panchayats has proven to be a financial burden without offering significant public advantages. Since the Congress govt came to power, the panchayat raj department has received nearly 250 proposals from across the state, primarily pushed by ministers, MLAs, MPs, and other elected representatives. Most of these leaders are keen to fulfil promises made during the assembly election campaign, where commitments were made to grant panchayat status to smaller settlements. Sources said the department has compiled data on the requests. Of the 250 applications, only 37 villages meet the minimum population requirement of 500, as mandated under the Panchayat Raj Act. The rest fall short — in some cases, by a wide margin. In one instance, a village with just 90 families has been recommended for panchayat status. According to current norms, a village must have at least 500 people and be located at least three kilometres away from the nearest existing panchayat to be eligible for upgradation. Given these legal stipulations, officials have currently put all proposals on hold. They also clarified that the formation of new panchayats is unlikely before the upcoming local body elections. Apart from legal hurdles, the govt is also wary of the financial implications. New panchayats require infrastructure, staff, and budgetary support — all of which place a strain on state resources, especially when created without adequate population base or planning. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now The previous BRS govt had created over 3,000 new village panchayats, including many small hamlets and tribal thandas, drawing criticism for bypassing norms. Most of these were established at the behest of MLAs and other leaders, ignoring the demographic and economic viability of such administrative units.
Hindustan Times
an hour ago
- Hindustan Times
Congress top brass summons Siddaramaiah, Shivakumar in Bengaluru stampede case
The Congress high command on Monday issued summon to chief minister Siddaramaiah and deputy chief minister DK Shivakumar to Delhi in the wake of the stampede near Bengaluru's M Chinnaswamy Stadium that killed 11 people and injured scores of people. This comes amid signs of a widening rift between the two leaders, with Siddaramaiah indirectly shifting blame toward Shivakumar for the mishap during the IPL victory celebration while the CM pointedly distanced himself from. 'CM Siddaramaiah will meet party leadership in Delhi and will brief them on the latest developments,' a statement from the chief minister's Office said. Both leaders have been asked to meet Rahul Gandhi on Tuesday morning. While Shivakumar is already in the national capital for a government programme, Siddaramaiah is scheduled to fly to Delhi in the morning. ALSO READ | Siddaramaiah deflects Bengaluru stampede blame, says 'no connection to stadium' The stampede occurred on June 4 evening outside the Chinnaswamy Stadium during an event organised to celebrate Royal Challengers Bengaluru's win in the IPL. The chaos left 11 people dead and more than 56 injured. Siddaramaiah did not attend the event at the stadium, which began around 6.10 pm and was attended by Shivakumar. The CM was at the celebration at Vidhana Soudha. Speaking to reporters in Mysuru on Sunday, Siddaramaiah said he became aware of the deaths only at 5.45 pm, nearly two hours after they were reported at the hospital. 'I came to know the deaths happened at 5.45pm. At 3.50pm, deaths were reported at the hospital, but I came to know about it only at 5.45pm. Until that point, I was not aware of deaths taking place due to the stampede. I have taken action against whoever has done wrong,' he said. Distancing himself from the event and its planning, he said: 'The incident happened near the cricket stadium. I have no connection with that. It should not have happened.' He explained that the event was organised by the cricket association. When asked about any planning meetings or involvement of top leaders, he denied any knowledge. He told reporters, 'Neither the Deputy Chief Minister…', then corrected himself saying, 'no, neither the Home Minister, nor I know about it (planning of meetings).' His remarks have been interpreted by leaders within the party and outside as an attempt to subtly assign responsibility to Shivakumar, who was present at the stadium and has been more closely associated with organising public events. Meanwhile, deputy CM Shivakumar on Monday accused the BJP and Janata Dal (Secular) of politicising the tragedy. 'The BJP and JD(S) are politicising over dead bodies. I feel sorry for them,' he said. On the chief minister's comments, he offered a cautious response: 'I am the deputy CM. Already my CM made some decisions which are best for the future.' Shivakumar also indicated the government is working on long-term crowd management reforms. 'We will come out with an act for crowd management. We will come out with a policy,' he said. Home minister G Parameshwara said: 'The high command has asked us about what happened, and we have provided information over the phone. The high command has not called me either to Delhi or Mumbai.' He also rejected the speculation that he had asked for a change in his ministerial portfolio. 'I have never demanded any specific portfolio from the chief minister. I am clarifying. I have not asked for anything, and no discussion has been held. It is false,' he said. When asked about the police warning prior to the stampede and the role of the suspended officials, he said, 'We have handed over the probe to the one-man justice commission. Until the probe is complete, if we make statements in the media, it will become sub judice.' He also refrained from commenting on whether he was excluded from the event's planning. 'If I say anything now, it might change the direction of the investigation,' he said.
NDTV
an hour ago
- NDTV
US Military To Deploy 700 Marines To Los Angeles As Protests Intensify
Los Angeles: The U.S. military will temporarily deploy about 700 Marines to Los Angeles until more National Guard troops can arrive, marking another escalation in President Donald Trump's response to street protests over his aggressive immigration policies. A U.S. official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said a battalion would be sent on temporary duty until more National Guard troops could reach the scene. For now, the Trump administration was not invoking the Insurrection Act, which would allow troops to directly participate in civilian law enforcement. The official added the situation was fluid and could change. U.S. Marines have been deployed domestically for major disasters such as Hurricane Katrina and the September 11, 2001, attacks. They are known for being "first in, last out" in U.S. military interventions abroad, but it is extremely rare for U.S. military troops to be used for domestic policing matters. Using them for police matters is certain to raise further objections from Democrats, who have accused Trump of unnecessarily escalating tensions in Los Angeles. Earlier on Monday, Trump said he would support the arrest of California's Gavin Newsom, after Newsom vowed to sue the federal government over the deployment of National Guard troops to Southern California, calling it an illegal act. As Los Angeles faced a possible fourth day of protests over immigration raids in the city, Democrats and Republicans clashed over what has become the biggest flashpoint in the Trump administration's aggressive efforts to deport migrants living in the country illegally. Trump deployed the National Guard after street protests on Friday that turned violent over the weekend. He said on Monday he felt he had no choice but to order the deployment to prevent the violence from spiraling out of control. California officials called the deployment an overreaction to events on the ground. Newsom said on Monday that Trump's actions were an "unmistakable step toward authoritarianism." "We are suing Donald Trump," Newsom said on X. "This is a manufactured crisis. He is creating fear and terror to take over a state militia and violate the U.S. constitution." California Attorney General Rob Bonta said in a release that his office had sued. Reuters could not immediately confirm that a lawsuit had been filed. Federal law allows the president to deploy the Guard if the nation is invaded, if there is "rebellion or danger of rebellion," or the president is "unable with the regular forces to execute the laws of the United States." California's suit accuses Trump of exceeding his authority under the statute and asks a court to declare his actions as unlawful. Returning to the White House on Monday after a night at Camp David, Trump was asked by a reporter whether his border czar, Tom Homan, should arrest Newsom. Homan has threatened to arrest anyone who obstructs immigration enforcement efforts, including the governor. "I would do it if I were Tom. I think it's great," Trump replied. "Gavin likes the publicity, but I think it would be a great thing." The White House and congressional Republicans contended the protests were a further reason for Republicans in Congress to pass Trump's "One Big Beautiful Bill" that would increase border security and military spending. The bill, now in the U.S. Senate after clearing the U.S. House of Representatives, would also slash taxes, cut Medicaid benefits and do away with green-energy initiatives. "We need the One Big, Beautiful Bill to pass ASAP!" White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt posted on X. ON GUARD U.S. Northern Command said 300 members of the California National Guard had been deployed to three spots in the Los Angeles area. The Department of Homeland Security said the Guard's mission was to protect federal buildings. On Monday, law enforcement officers stood at intersections surrounding the Edward R. Roybal Federal Building, which houses the detention facility where many detained immigrants were sent after ICE actions in Los Angeles neighborhoods. Some National Guard troops stood at the vehicle entrance to the detention center. Anti-ICE graffiti covered walls and windows of the federal building and teams worked to cover the slogans with paint. Hundreds of protesters gathered near Los Angeles City Hall for a rally in support of detained union leader David Huerta. They waved placards calling for Huerta's release and chanted in Spanish "we are all David Huerta." Trump has pledged to deport record numbers of people who are in the country illegally and to lock down the U.S.-Mexico border, setting the ICE border enforcement agency a daily goal of arresting at least 3,000 migrants. For Democrats, lacking leadership since Trump won the presidential election last November, the Los Angeles protests have served as a rallying point, allowing them to find some political footing while standing up to the administration's policies.
