In a landmark moment for Indian literature, Heart Lamp, a collection of 12 Kannada short stories by Banu Mushtaq, translated into English by Deepa Bhasthi, has won the 2025 International Booker Prize. This is the first time a Kannada work and a short story collection have received the honor. The book explores the inner lives of Muslim women in southern India, addressing themes like faith, caste, and gender. Judges praised the work’s emotional intensity and cultural richness, while commending Bhasthi’s radical and inventive translation that retained the original’s linguistic nuances. (PC: Getty Images)

Recent satellite data reveals that warm ocean water is penetrating beneath Antarctica’s Thwaites Glacier—nicknamed the “Doomsday Glacier”—causing unprecedented ice loss. This glacier currently contributes about 4% of global sea level rise. The warm seawater displaces freshwater melt, fueling a continuous cycle of accelerated melting. This newly observed process was previously missing from climate models, indicating that future sea level rise projections may be significantly underestimated. The findings highlight urgent needs for improved monitoring and updated climate models to predict and mitigate severe impacts on coastal cities worldwide. (PC: Getty Images)

Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) have criticized the timing of the IPL’s extra time rule following their rain-washed match against Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) on May 17, 2025. The game was abandoned without play, and both teams shared a point, effectively ending KKR’s hopes of making the playoffs. KKR officials feel the rule’s implementation at this stage of the tournament unfairly affected their qualification chances. The mid-season introduction of this rule has sparked debate among teams and cricket fans alike. (PC: ANI)  

On May 20, 2025, Israeli airstrikes in Gaza killed at least 55 Palestinians, including civilians in homes and a school. The conflict has now caused over 53,000 deaths in Gaza since October 2023. Despite partial easing of Israel’s blockade, humanitarian aid remains blocked, worsening the crisis. Global condemnation is growing, with the UK suspending trade talks and the EU reviewing agreements with Israel. Ceasefire talks in Qatar have stalled amid mutual accusations. The escalating violence and humanitarian crisis continue to draw intense international scrutiny and calls for peace. (PC: Reuters)

Following the Pahalgam terror attack and Operation Sindoor, India is dispatching seven all-party delegations to 25 global capitals from May 23. This diplomatic outreach aims to highlight Pakistan’s role in cross-border terrorism and present a unified political front. Countries were chosen based on strategic global influence and participation in forums like the UN Security Council. Delegates, including leaders like Ravi Shankar Prasad and Shashi Tharoor, will carry country-specific dossiers exposing Pakistan's terror links. The move also seeks to justify India’s pause on the Indus Waters Treaty as part of its tougher counterterror stance. (PC: Getty Images)

Following Operation Sindoor, which targeted terror camps in Pakistan, Indian cities like Amritsar faced missile and drone threats. The Indian Army successfully intercepted these using air defence systems. However, reports claimed that guns were stationed inside the Golden Temple premises. The Army strongly denied this, stating no deployment occurred within the sacred site. Head Granthi Giani Raghbir Singh also dismissed the reports, confirming no Army interaction regarding weapons. The clarification comes amid growing misinformation, aiming to preserve the religious sanctity of the Golden Temple during heightened Indo-Pak tensions. (PC: PTI)

YouTuber Jyoti Malhotra, recently arrested for alleged espionage links with Pakistan, is under investigation by Indian intelligence agencies. Her personal diary, recovered by Haryana Police, reveals her emotional connection to Pakistan during a 10-day trip, describing it as “full of love” and “colourful.” She expressed concern for temples and families separated by the 1947 partition. Malhotra, known as ‘Travel with Jo’ on YouTube, reportedly had contact with Pakistani High Commission staffer Ehsan-ur-Rahim, who introduced her to security officials. Authorities are scrutinizing her communications, travel logs, and digital data for further evidence. (PC: Instagram)  

UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer announced a "hat-trick of deals" with India, the US, and the EU, emphasizing that these agreements signify the UK's revitalized presence on the global stage. He stated that the deals would protect thousands of jobs and benefit businesses financially. The recently signed UK-EU agreement reduces trade barriers for agricultural and food products while granting extended fishing quotas to European ships in British waters. Despite criticism from Conservatives, who claim the UK conceded too much—particularly regarding fishing—Starmer defended the deal, highlighting improved market access for British fishers and potential British participation in the EU’s €150bn defence fund. (PC: The Guardian)

On May 20, 2025, the European Union and United Kingdom jointly imposed new sanctions on Russia, targeting its "shadow fleet" of oil tankers circumventing Western embargoes. The EU sanctioned 189 ships, while the UK targeted vessels and entities linked to Russia’s military supply chains, disinformation networks, and financial institutions aiding sanctions evasion. This coordinated action follows a failed ceasefire discussion between U.S. President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen announced the 17th sanctions package, with an 18th underway. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy accused Russia of stalling to prolong the war. Russia dismissed Western ultimatums, asserting that the initiative for peace talks rests with Ukraine. (PC: Al Jazeera)

On May 14, 2025, in Austin, Texas, 31-year-old Indian national Deepak Kandel fatally stabbed fellow Indian Akshay Gupta on a public bus. According to the Austin Police Department, Kandel, seated beside Gupta, stabbed him in the neck without provocation and calmly exited the vehicle. Emergency responders pronounced Gupta dead at the scene. Kandel was apprehended shortly after and confessed to the murder, stating he acted because Gupta resembled his uncle. He has been charged with first-degree murder and is held at Travis County Jail. This incident adds to the concerning statistic of 86 attacks on Indian nationals abroad in 2023, with 12 occurring in the United States. (PC: Mathrubhumi English & Hindustan Times)