A knife attack at Hamburg Central Station left 18 people injured, several critically, on Friday evening. The suspect, a 39-year-old German woman, was arrested at the scene. Authorities believe she acted alone and was in a state of mental distress, with no political motive. The incident occurred between platforms 13 and 14, during peak rush hour. Emergency services treated victims on-site, including inside trains. Four platforms were closed, disrupting travel. The homicide division is investigating the motive. German Chancellor Friedrich Merz called the attack “shocking” and praised the swift emergency response at one of Germany’s busiest transport hubs. (PC: Reuters)

Actor Mukul Dev, known for his versatile roles in films like Son of Sardaar and Yamla Pagla Deewana, passed away on May 23 at the age of 54 after a brief illness. He was shifted to the ICU days before his death and is survived by his brother, actor Rahul Dev. Colleagues Vindu Dara Singh and Deepshikha Nagpal mourned his sudden passing, remembering him as a private and kind-hearted person. Mukul began his career in 1996 with the TV show Mumkin and worked across multiple Indian film industries. He was awarded the Amrish Puri Award for excellence in acting. (PC: India Today)

Describing it as a historic first, Dr. Walter Ladwig of King’s College London said Operation Sindoor marks “an undiscovered country” in nuclear-age warfare. Speaking to NDTV, he noted, “We do not have an example of two nuclear arms states who have engaged in reciprocal airstrikes like this.” Ladwig praised India's calibrated response to the Pahalgam attack, calling it an evolution in its military policy. “If you fail to deny terrorists space to operate, that is enough,” he said. He also warned that this cat-and-mouse game will push terror groups into deeper concealment, complicating future intelligence and counterstrikes. (PC:  NDTV)

The southwest monsoon has arrived over Kerala eight days earlier than its usual onset of June 1, marking its earliest appearance in 16 years. This early onset, last seen in 2009, has triggered heavy rains across Kerala, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, and Telangana, with alerts for extremely heavy showers on May 25–26. The India Meteorological Department forecasts above-normal rainfall this season, offering a major boost to India’s agrarian economy and timely sowing of Kharif crops. With neutral El Niño conditions, experts remain optimistic. The four-month monsoon season contributes over 75% of India's annual rainfall, vital for millions of farmers. (PC: News18)

TMC MP Abhishek Banerjee, speaking in Tokyo as part of an all-party Indian delegation under Operation Sindoor, strongly condemned Pakistan for sponsoring terrorism. Addressing the Indian community, Banerjee said, “If terrorism is a rabid dog, Pakistan is a wild handler,” calling for global unity to counter cross-border terror. The delegation, which includes MPs from BJP, CPI(M), and JD(U), aims to expose Pakistan’s role in the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack. Banerjee emphasized that India acted with restraint while targeting nine terror bases without civilian harm, and accused Pakistan of shielding groups like Lashkar-e-Taiba behind proxies like The Resistance Front. (PC: HT)

India is witnessing a resurgence of Covid-19 cases, mainly driven by the JN.1 sub-variant of Omicron. Kerala leads with 273 cases, followed by Mumbai (95), Delhi (23), and Karnataka (35), including a nine-month-old infant. Most infections are mild, with no reported fatalities. Authorities have urged hospitals to ensure bed, oxygen, and medicine availability. Delhi hospitals are uploading daily ILI and SARI data, while masks are now mandatory in Kerala hospitals. Maharashtra’s Thane and cities like Noida and Ghaziabad have also reported new cases. Though the WHO hasn't flagged JN.1 as a variant of concern, states remain vigilant amid rising numbers. (PC: India Today)

India strongly criticized Pakistan at the United Nations, citing over 20,000 Indian lives lost to terror in four decades. Ambassador Parvathaneni Harish defended the suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty after the Pahalgam terror attack, linking it to cross-border terrorism supported by Pakistan. He called Pakistan the “global epicentre of terror,” emphasizing its repeated treaty violations and obstruction of infrastructure upgrades. India demanded credible steps from Pakistan to end terror support. The suspension follows India’s “Operation Sindoor” targeting terror camps in Pakistan. The UN address escalates tensions post the Pahalgam attack, as India reinforces its right to self-defense and regional stability. 

A U.S. judge has temporarily blocked the Trump administration’s move to revoke Harvard University’s ability to enrol international students. The decision follows a lawsuit from Harvard, which called the action a “blatant violation” of law and academic freedom. “With the stroke of a pen, the government has sought to erase a quarter of Harvard’s student body,” the university argued. President Trump accused Harvard of harboring anti-American views, while Harvard President Alan Garber condemned the action as retaliation. The case will be heard next on May 29. Thousands of foreign students remain in limbo, uncertain about their education and immigration status. (PC: Reuters)

Speaking at the German Council on Foreign Relations, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar said the Pahalgam terror attack was “meant to create a fear psychosis, destroy the tourism economy of Kashmir, and sow religious discord.” He emphasized that the assault was part of a larger pattern targeting not just Jammu and Kashmir, but other regions in India as well. Highlighting India’s strong response under Operation Sindoor, Jaishankar stated, “Our campaign is against terrorism… and in this case, the terrorists happen to be located in the country next door.” Germany condemned the attack and affirmed India’s right to self-defence. 

As India prepares to announce its Test squad for the England series, reports suggest Yashasvi Jaiswal and KL Rahul will open, with Shubman Gill likely moving to No. 4. The No. 3 spot may go to Sai Sudharsan or Karun Nair, both rewarded for consistent domestic performances. This series marks a new era post the retirements of Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma from Tests. Meanwhile, Mohammed Shami is unlikely to be selected due to insufficient red-ball workload, despite playing in IPL 2025. A final call on his inclusion will depend on a medical report following an assessment in Lucknow. (PC: BCCI)