Top news of the day: May 28, 2025

The Hindu

28-05-2025

More than 40 MLAs say ready to form new government in Manipur, converge at Imphal Raj Bhavan
More than 40 MLAs are ready to form a new government in Manipur and converged on Wednesday (May 28, 2025) at the Imphal Raj Bhawan to meet the Governor. The conflict-scarred State has been under President's Rule since February 13. According to PTI, BJP legislator Thokchom Radheshyam Singh claimed that 44 legislators were ready to form the government, after his meeting with Governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla. Mr. Singh, along with nine other MLAs, met the Governor at the Raj Bhavan.'Forty-four MLAs are ready to form a government as per the wishes of the people. We have conveyed this to the governor. We also discussed what solutions can be there for the issue,' he said.
Series of earthquakes strike Manipur
A series of earthquakes struck Manipur on Wednesday, the strongest one being 5.2 magnitude, according to the National Centre for Seismology. 'The earthquake of 5.2 magnitude struck Churachandpur district at 1.54 a.m.,' it said. 'A second one of 2.5 magnitude hit Noney district at 2.26 a.m., while a third one of 3.9 magnitude struck Churachandpur at 10.23 a.m.,' it added. 'No casualties or damage have been reported so far,' officials said.
Ashoka University professor's interim bail extended; SC says he has right to speech but can't comment on FIRs
The Supreme Court on Wednesday told Ashoka University professor Ali Khan Mahmudabad, accused of making contentious social media posts on Operation Sindoor, that there was no impediment on his right to speech and expression, but he can't post anything online with respect to the cases against him. A partial working day Bench of Justices Surya Kant and Dipankar Datta refused to modify as of now, the interim bail condition imposed on him on May 21 that he will not write any online post, article or make any oral speech related to either of the two online posts, which are subject matter of the investigation.
Supreme Court collegium recommends transfer of Chief Justices of Rajasthan, Tripura, Jharkhand and Madras High Courts
The Supreme Court Collegium has recommended the transfers of four Chief Justices from the High Courts of Madras, Rajasthan, Tripura and Jharkhand. The Collegium, headed by the Chief Justice of India, has proposed the transfer of Madras High Court Chief Justice K.R. Shriram to Rajasthan. In return, Rajasthan Chief Justice Manindra Mohan Shrivastava was recommended to head the Madras High Court. The Supreme Court Collegium has recommended the transfers of four Chief Justices from the High Courts of Madras, Rajasthan, Tripura and Jharkhand.
Supreme Court continues stay on arrest of M.P. Minister Vijay Shah
The Supreme Court on Wednesday extended the operation of its interim order protecting Madhya Pradesh Minister Kunwar Vijay Shah from arrest. Mr. Shah is facing criminal proceedings for his derogatory remarks against Colonel Sofiya Qureshi, who briefed the media during Operation Sindoor. The Minister has repeatedly apologised for the remarks.
Indian Embassy in Iran says taken up missing Indians' case with Iranian authorities
The Indian Embassy on Wednesday said it has strongly taken up with Iranian authorities the case of three missing Indian citizens, all from the same family, who went missing after reaching Iran. 'Family members of three Indian citizens have informed the Embassy of India that their relatives are missing after having travelled to Iran,' the Embassy said in a post on X. The Embassy did not, however, clarify when and where the three Indians went missing in Iran.
Congress leader Udit Raj dubs Shashi Tharoor 'super spokesperson of BJP'
Congress leader Udit Raj on Wednesday criticised his party colleague and Lok Sabha MP Shashi Tharoor over his statement in Panama as part of the multi-party delegation and called him a 'spokesperson for the publicity stunts of the BJP'.Mr. Raj further accused the Central government of taking credit for the actions of the Indian Armed Forces. 'Does he (Tharoor) even know what the earlier governments used to do? They (the Central government) are taking credit for the Indian Armed Forces. Shashi Tharoor has become the spokesperson for the publicity stunts of the BJP,' Mr. Raj said.
Kamal Haasan sparks outrage with 'Kannada came from Tamil' claim, BJP demands apology
Actor and politician Kamal Haasan has ignited a political firestorm with his recent statement claiming that the Kannada language 'was born out of Tamil.' The remark, made during the audio launch of his upcoming film Thug Life in Chennai, has drawn fierce backlash in Karnataka, particularly from the BJP and pro-Kannada groups who demanded an immediate and unconditional apology. While sharing the stage with Kannada actor Shivarajkumar, Haasan opened his speech with 'Uyire Urave Tamizhe' ('My life, and my family, is in Tamil language'), before making the now-controversial remark: 'Your language (Kannada) was born out of Tamil, so you too are included.' Intended perhaps as a gesture of cultural unity, the comment has since instead stirred accusations of linguistic arrogance and disrespect.
Haryana to conduct drills under 'Operation Shield' across all 22 districts on May 29
The Haryana government will conduct a civil defence exercise, named Operation Shield, on Thursday (May 29), across all 22 of the State's districts to vet its emergency preparedness. Scheduled to take place between 5 p.m. and 9 p.m., the drill is being organised under the guidance of the Union Ministry of Home Affairs, to simulate critical incidents such as air raids, drone attacks, and other wartime scenarios in the light of current national security concerns, an official said.
Cabinet approves two multi-tracking railway projects in Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh
The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA), chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, approved two multi-tracking railway projects to ensure faster transportation of both passengers and goods, the government said on Wednesday. It added that these projects include the third and fourth lines between Ratlam-Nagda and the fourth line between Wardha-Balharshah. According to a government statement, the total estimated cost of the projects is ₹3,399 crore and will be completed by 2029-30.
J&K statehood talks still alive, regardless of Pahalgam attack: Omar Abdullah
Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Wednesday said the April 22 Pahalgam attack has not stalled the conversation around the restoration of statehood to Jammu and Kashmir and that he had raised the issue at the recent meeting of the NITI Aayog governing council. 'No, not at all. If you were to take out the formal speech that circulated in the NITI Aayog meeting, you will find a categorical mention for return of statehood in that ... which was given to the Honourable Prime Minister and all the members of the governing council of the NITI Aayog,' Mr. Abdullah told reporters in this tourist resort of north Kashmir, 52 kilometres from Srinagar.
Increased outward FDI by Indian companies 'warrants attention': Finance Ministry
Even as Indian companies turn 'cautious' on investing within the country, and the global economic scenario remains uncertain, the increased outward foreign direct investment by Indian companies 'warrants attention', the Ministry of Finance has noted in a new report. The Hindu had previously reported how the Reserve Bank of India's data showed that, in 2024-25, Indian companies invested a total of $29.2 billion in other countries, 75% higher than the previous year, which was a major contributor towards India's net foreign direct investment (FDI) figure falling 96% to just $0.4 billion.
'Using every tool to vet', says U.S. amid reports of new student visa interviews freeze
The U.S. said it is using 'every tool in our tool chest' to vet those coming into the country, including students, amid reports the Trump administration is ordering its embassies and consular sections abroad to halt scheduling new student visa interviews as it considers social media vetting for such individuals. 'The Trump administration is weighing requiring all foreign students applying to study in the United States to undergo social media vetting,' a news report in Politico said.
Israeli forces fire on crowd gathered at Gaza aid site; one killed, 48 injured
The Gaza Health Ministry said Wednesday that one person was killed and another 48 wounded when Israeli forces opened fire on crowds overrunning a new aid distribution site in Gaza. The melee happened on Tuesday (May 27) at a new site established by an Israeli and US-backed foundation. A U.N. official had said earlier that 47 people were wounded, mostly by gunfire. Ajith Sunghay, the head of the UN Human Rights Office in the Palestinian territories told reporters in Geneva: 'There are about 47 people who have been injured', adding that 'most of those injured are due to gunshots', and that 'it was shooting from the IDF'.
South Korean students warned over social media posts amid Trump administration crackdown
President Donald Trump's administration is raising scrutiny over the social media posts of South Korean students in the United States or who plan to study there,' the students and agencies that support them said. That has triggered concerns for parents of students studying or planning to study in the United States. South Korean students are the third-largest among international students in the U.S., behind those from India and China.
Punjab Kings, RCB aim to take a step closer to the summit
In previous IPL seasons, the overarching themes linking Punjab Kings and Royal Challengers Bengaluru were achingly similar. They plunged from one season to another without ever getting a chance to hoist the glittering trophy, engulfed by tears, heartbreak and anguish that turned into deep-rooted emotions. They have struck an analogous chord in the 18th edition too. But in a refreshing departure from years gone by, both teams can savour being among the standout teams this time and not allowing past baggage to weigh them down. Irrefutable evidence lies in their top-two finish, which has earned them rightful spots in Qualifier 1 at the Maharaja Yadavindra Singh Stadium.