Virat Kohli's unexpected retirement from Test cricket has left the cricketing world in shock. Former BCCI President Sourav Ganguly expressed surprise at Kohli's decision, especially ahead of the crucial five-match Test series against England starting June 20. Kohli concluded his illustrious Test career with 9,230 runs at an average of 46.85, including 30 centuries and seven double centuries, and led India to 40 victories as captain. His retirement follows closely after Rohit Sharma's, leaving India without its two senior pros for the England tour. Ganguly acknowledged the selectors' challenge in appointing a new captain, with Shubman Gill emerging as the frontrunner and Rishabh Pant likely to be named deputy. (PC: Hindustan Times)

Bangladeshi actor Nusraat Faria was arrested at Dhaka airport on Sunday. She was caught while heading to Thailand. Police say she is linked to an attempted murder case from the July 2024 protests against then-PM Sheikh Hasina. Faria had played Hasina in the 2023 film Mujib: The Making of a Nation. She was taken to Vatara police station and later moved to the Detective Branch office in Dhaka. Faria, 31, began her career as a radio jockey. She acted in several Bangladeshi and Indian films. Her arrest follows protests that led to Hasina stepping down and fleeing to India. (PC: India Today)

On May 17, 2025, Israeli airstrikes across the Gaza Strip killed over 100 Palestinians, including women, children, and journalists, according to Gaza health authorities. The Israeli military is intensifying its campaign in Rafah, signaling a potential ground invasion. These developments coincide with renewed ceasefire negotiations in Doha, mediated by Egypt, Qatar, and supported by the U.S. Hamas has offered a two-month truce in exchange for releasing hostages and Palestinian prisoners, but Israel insists on the release of all hostages without agreeing to end the war, prolonging the humanitarian crisis. (PC: Reuters)

Ashoka University associate professor Ali Khan Mahmudabad was arrested in Delhi on Sunday following a complaint by a BJP Yuva Morcha leader. The arrest stems from his social media remarks on Operation Sindoor, particularly his critique of the media briefing led by Colonel Sofiya Qureshi and Wing Commander Vyomika Singh. Mahmudabad questioned the authenticity of the representation, suggesting it would be "hypocrisy" if not reflected in real-world actions. The Haryana State Commission for Women had earlier issued a show-cause notice, interpreting his comments as disparaging to women officers and promoting communal disharmony. Mahmudabad defended his statements, asserting they were misunderstood and aimed at highlighting the importance of genuine representation and unity in diversity. He also challenged the commission's jurisdiction over the matter. The arrest has ignited debates on academic freedom and the boundaries of free speech in India. (PC: Ashoka Education)

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has imposed 11 new conditions on Pakistan for the release of the next tranche of its bailout programme. Key stipulations include parliamentary approval of a Rs 17.6 trillion budget, increased debt servicing surcharges on electricity bills, and lifting import restrictions on used cars. Additionally, provinces must implement new agriculture income tax laws by June. The IMF warned that escalating tensions with India could jeopardize the programme's fiscal, external, and reform objectives. The report noted a 12% increase in Pakistan's defence budget, exceeding IMF projections. Recent hostilities between India and Pakistan, including Operation Sindoor and subsequent retaliations, have raised concerns over regional stability and the success of the bailout plan. (PC: Bloomberg, Facebook & Shutterstock)

On May 17, 2025, the Mexican Navy’s tall training ship Cuauhtémoc crashed into the Brooklyn Bridge in New York while leaving Manhattan. The ship’s 147-foot masts struck the underside of the bridge, snapping all three. The accident killed two people and injured 19 others, including two critically, among the 277 on board. Emergency responders rescued crew members who were left dangling from the rigging. Thankfully, no major structural damage was reported to the bridge. Preliminary investigations suggest possible mechanical failure. The incident is under official review by both U.S. and Mexican authorities. (PC: AFP)  

Jyoti Malhotra, a travel vlogger from Hisar, Haryana, was arrested for allegedly sharing sensitive information with Pakistani officials. Her father, Haris Malhotra, defended her actions, stating she visited Pakistan for content creation and questioned, "If she has friends there, can't she call them?" He mentioned that she had obtained necessary permissions for her travels. Police, acting on specific inputs, arrested Jyoti under the Official Secrets Act and BNS 152, recovering suspicious materials from her devices. Investigations revealed her meetings with Pakistani officer Ahsan-ur-Rahim in Delhi and subsequent travels to Pakistan, where arrangements were made for her interactions with Pakistani security and intelligence agencies. (PC: HT Print)

In May 2025, the United States rejected 15 shipments of Indian mangoes at major entry points including Los Angeles, San Francisco, and Atlanta airports. The rejections were due to discrepancies in the PPQ203 form, which certifies irradiation treatment—a mandatory requirement for mango exports to the US. Although the mangoes were treated at USDA-approved facilities in Mumbai, errors in documentation led to their denial. Exporters, unable to afford re-shipment or storage, chose to destroy the consignments, resulting in losses exceeding $500,000. The incident highlights the need for strict compliance in export documentation. (PC: The Economic Times)

Two former jihadists, Ismail Royer and Shaykh Hamza Yusuf, have been appointed to the White House Advisory Board of Lay Leaders under former President Donald Trump's administration. Royer, a convicted terrorist with documented ties to Lashkar-e-Taiba, Hamas, and the Muslim Brotherhood, served 13 years in prison after pleading guilty to aiding terrorism. He reportedly attended a Lashkar-e-Taiba training camp in Pakistan in 2000 and participated in terrorist activities in Kashmir, including firing at Indian positions. Yusuf, co-founder of Zaytuna College, is accused of promoting jihadi ideology and has alleged links to Hamas; he was questioned by the FBI post-9/11. Their appointments have raised concerns about the vetting process for such sensitive advisory roles. (PC: India Today & Blog do PCO)

A devastating fire broke out in a mixed-use building located in Gulzar Houz, near the historic Charminar in Hyderabad, resulting in the deaths of at least 17 people and injuries to several others. The blaze rapidly engulfed the structure, which housed both residential apartments and commercial spaces, leading to a major emergency response. The incident has caused significant concern, highlighting safety challenges in densely populated and multi-use buildings in urban areas. Authorities are likely to investigate the cause of the fire and assess building safety conditions in the vicinity to prevent such tragedies in the future.