On May 28, 2025, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced visa revocations for select Chinese students in critical fields or linked to the Chinese Communist Party, citing national security concerns. The Trump administration also paused new visa interviews and plans stricter vetting, including social media checks. This move follows Republican criticism of Chinese access to U.S. research and earlier actions to block or deport students. Universities like Harvard face funding cuts, and many are preparing for disruptions. Critics warn the policy could harm academic exchange and discourage international students, intensifying anxiety across U.S. campuses. (PC: The Hindu)

In Riyadh, AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi criticized Pakistan's promotion of Army Chief Asim Munir to Field Marshal, highlighting a photograph showing Munir alongside US-designated terrorist Mohammad Ehsan during the ceremony. Owaisi urged Pakistan's reinstatement on the FATF grey list, citing ongoing terror financing. He emphasized Pakistan's inaction against 26/11 perpetrators despite India's evidence, noting that prior progress occurred only when Pakistan was on the FATF list. Owaisi also exposed Pakistan's false claim about Sajid Mir's death, later admitting he was alive. He asserted that terror groups thrive in Pakistan with aims to destabilize India through communal unrest. Owaisi called for international scrutiny of Pakistan's actions. (PC: Prabhat Khabar)

On May 29, 2025, Elon Musk announced his departure from the Trump administration's Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), concluding his 130-day tenure as a Special Government Employee. Expressing gratitude to President Trump, Musk acknowledged the opportunity to work on reducing government waste. However, his exit follows public criticism of Trump's "big beautiful bill," a legislative package combining tax cuts and increased immigration enforcement. Musk argued that the bill's substantial spending contradicts DOGE's mission to streamline federal expenditures and exacerbates the national deficit. His departure highlights tensions between fiscal responsibility and expansive legislative agendas within the administration. (PC: Reuters)    

The civil defence exercise "Operation Shield," initially scheduled for May 29, 2025, has been postponed in Punjab, Rajasthan, Gujarat, and Chandigarh due to administrative reasons. Punjab has rescheduled its drill for June 3. These drills, part of a nationwide initiative by the Ministry of Home Affairs, aim to enhance emergency preparedness in states bordering Pakistan, following the Pahalgam terror attack on April 22, 2025. Despite the postponements, Haryana proceeded with its statewide mock drill on May 29, simulating responses to aerial threats and implementing a 15-minute blackout near critical infrastructure. The exercises are designed to test and improve coordination between local and central agencies in real-time emergency scenarios. (PC: PTI)  

Russia's use of fibre optic drones is reshaping the battlefield in Ukraine, particularly in towns like Rodynske near Pokrovsk. These drones, immune to electronic jamming due to physical cable links, allow precise attacks and surveillance, posing a lethal threat to Ukrainian forces. Civilians are increasingly caught in the crossfire, with homes and infrastructure destroyed. Ukrainian soldiers report longer, riskier deployments, with some unable to rotate out for months. Despite limited resources, Ukraine is racing to counter this new threat. The war's human toll remains immense, with soldiers like Maksym torn between the frontlines and their families. (PC: BBC)

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced a new visa ban policy targeting foreign officials accused of censoring Americans online. The move escalates tensions with allies like the EU and Brazil over tech regulations and social media content moderation. Rubio emphasized it is unacceptable for foreign governments to influence American platforms or threaten U.S. citizens for online expression made on U.S. soil. The policy may affect officials enforcing laws like the EU’s Digital Services Act, which U.S. tech firms call censorship. Rubio declared that protecting free speech is central to America’s values and diplomatic relationships. (PC: India Today)

India is now the third-largest economy in the world by Purchasing Power Parity (PPP), a position it has held since 2009, according to IMF data. While recent claims by NITI Aayog's CEO suggest India overtook Japan to become the fourth-largest economy in nominal GDP terms, a deeper look reveals that India’s PPP-based GDP already ranks it behind only the US and China. However, India’s per capita income remains low, indicating that average prosperity still lags far behind developed nations. Experts urge shifting focus from GDP rankings to improving individual incomes and real standards of living. (PC: The Indian Express)

A mini heatwave is expected to sweep across the UK this weekend, with temperatures peaking at 24°C in London on Saturday, according to WXCharts. Southern and central regions will see the warmest weather, while northern Scotland remains cooler at around 13–14°C. Forecasters say Friday will be mostly dry, with sunshine and highs of 17–24°C. Saturday brings a mix of sunshine and rain, especially in northern and western areas. The warmth is expected to ease by next week, with cooler conditions and intermittent rain. The Met Office predicts a potential return of hotter weather and thunderstorms in early June. (PC: WXCHARTS)

UK prosecutors have authorised 21 criminal charges against Andrew and Tristan Tate, including rape, actual bodily harm, and human trafficking. The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) confirmed that Andrew faces 10 charges linked to three alleged victims, while Tristan faces 11 related to one alleged victim. The CPS made the decision in 2024 following evidence from Bedfordshire Police, prior to seeking the brothers’ extradition from Romania, where they are also under investigation. Both men deny all allegations. Known for their controversial online presence, the Tate brothers were first arrested in Romania in December 2022 and later faced additional charges in August 2024. (PC: EPA)

German prosecutors have charged three men—Ukrainian Robert A., Armenian Vardges I., and Russian Arman S.—with spying on behalf of Russian intelligence. The suspects allegedly plotted to lure a former Ukrainian soldier, now in Germany, to a Frankfurt cafe in June 2024, possibly as a precursor to an assassination. The target, aware of being followed, alerted authorities and avoided the trap. The men were arrested at the scene. Prosecutors labeled the case "particularly serious," amid a surge in Russian espionage activity since its invasion of Ukraine. Germany continues to uncover multiple plots linked to Moscow on its soil. (PC: AP)