Dhaka University has introduced special admission privileges for the families of those killed or injured during the July 2024 quota reform protests in Bangladesh. These benefits apply to spouses, children, or, in their absence, siblings of officially recognized victims. The decision was approved by the university's Deans' Committee and will take effect in the 2025–26 academic session. The protests erupted in opposition to the reinstatement of a 30% government job quota for descendants of freedom fighters. Critics argue that the new policy mirrors the quota system the movement sought to dismantle, sparking debate over reform consistency. (PC: The Print)  

  Russian President Vladimir Putin has outlined conditions for ending the war in Ukraine, including a written commitment from Western leaders to cease NATO's eastward expansion and the lifting of certain sanctions against Russia. Sources indicate that Putin's demands also encompass Ukraine's neutrality and protections for Russian-speaking populations. Despite agreeing with U.S. President Donald Trump to draft a peace memorandum, Kyiv and European leaders accuse Moscow of stalling negotiations while expanding militarily in eastern Ukraine. Trump, critical of Putin's recent escalation, has warned of further U.S. sanctions. Sources say Putin remains committed to territorial claims in four Ukrainian regions and may escalate military actions if diplomacy fails. (PC: Reuters)

Dozens of people were hurt at a Gaza aid site on Tuesday. Crowds overwhelmed the US-backed Gaza Humanitarian Foundation’s distribution centre in Rafah. The UN says 47 people were injured, mostly by Israeli gunfire. Gaza’s health ministry reports one death and 48 injured. The Israeli military says it fired only warning shots into the air. The aid site is under Israeli military control and bypasses the UN. The UN and other agencies have criticized the system for safety concerns. Gaza faces severe hunger after a long Israeli blockade, recently eased. (PC: Reuters)

On Saturday, May 24, 2025, a Delta Air Lines flight from Minneapolis-Saint Paul International Airport to Madison, Wisconsin, faced unexpected delays due to two pigeons aboard the aircraft. The first pigeon was discovered walking under seats and was removed by a baggage handler before takeoff. As the plane began taxiing, a second pigeon took flight inside the cabin, causing commotion among passengers. One traveler attempted to catch the bird with a jacket amidst the chaos. The pilot announced a "wildlife situation" and returned the plane to the gate. Both birds were safely removed, and the flight resumed after a brief delay. Delta apologized and commended staff and passengers for handling the situation calmly.

Thames Water has withdrawn plans to award substantial executive bonuses from a £3bn emergency loan after intense scrutiny from MPs and media. Environment Secretary Steve Reed announced the reversal, highlighting that the original bonus scheme attempted to bypass a new government ban under the Water (Special Measures) Act 2025, designed to prevent payouts to executives at failing water firms. Thames Water’s chair, Adrian Montague, admitted he may have "misspoken" when he told Parliament creditors "insisted" on these bonuses; court documents and the loan agreement indicated it was a board decision, not a creditor demand. The company now plans to pause the retention scheme, pending guidance from the regulator Ofwat. (PC: The Guardian & Reuters)

Congress MP Shashi Tharoor, leading a multi-party delegation post-Operation Sindoor, strongly criticized Pakistan’s role in terrorism while addressing global forums in Panama. He emphasized India's bold counter-terror strikes beyond the LoC and international border, presenting a unified Indian stance. However, his remarks praising India's recent military actions sparked internal backlash. Congress leader Udit Raj called Tharoor the “BJP’s super spokesperson,” accusing him of echoing Prime Minister Modi’s views. Party leaders also questioned his version of India’s military history. Despite not being Congress's original choice for the delegation, Tharoor’s diplomatic presence has reignited internal party tensions. (PC: News18)

The Trump administration has directed US embassies to halt new student visa appointments as it prepares stricter social media vetting for international students. A State Department memo from Secretary Marco Rubio instructed diplomatic posts to cancel unscheduled appointments, though existing ones may continue. The policy shift follows President Trump’s clash with top universities like Harvard, which he accuses of fostering antisemitism and left-wing bias. Universities rely heavily on international students, who pay higher tuition. Critics warn the move undermines academic freedom and infringes on free speech. The expanded vetting could significantly impact the ability of foreign students to study in the US. (PC: BBC)

Germany has issued its strongest condemnation yet of Israel's military actions in Gaza, signaling a significant shift in its traditionally unwavering support. Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul warned that Germany would not export weapons used to violate humanitarian law, while Chancellor Friedrich Merz described the Israeli airstrikes as "no longer comprehensible" and disconnected from legitimate counterterrorism efforts. This change reflects growing domestic and international disapproval, with recent polls indicating that over half of Germans oppose arms shipments to Israel. The German leadership emphasized that historical responsibility should not justify actions causing humanitarian harm, as the Gaza conflict has resulted in over 54,000 Palestinian deaths and widespread suffering. (PC: Reuters)  

Presiding over Canada’s Parliament opening for the first time in nearly 50 years, King Charles III delivered a subtle rebuke to US President Donald Trump, urging Canada-US relations to be grounded in “mutual respect.” The statement came amid rising tensions and trade friction between the two nations. In his Speech from the Throne, King Charles emphasized Canada’s shift toward reliable global alliances and reiterated plans to cap temporary residents at 5% of the population by 2027. Prime Minister Mark Carney’s new government also pledged to cut middle-class taxes, reduce crime, and balance the budget within three years. (PC: Reuters)

The US has paused new student visa interviews to expand social media checks, according to a report by Politico. Secretary of State Marco Rubio signed the order. It affects F, M, and J visa categories. The move could delay visa processing and hurt US universities that rely on international students. Over 1.1 million foreign students studied in the US in 2023-24, contributing $43.8 billion to the economy. The Trump administration says the step is to fight terrorism and antisemitism. Critics fear this may target students linked to protests. Further guidelines are expected soon. (PC: Reuters)