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.

On May 17, 2025, India's Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) refuted allegations by Opposition Leader Rahul Gandhi that External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar informed Pakistan prior to Operation Sindoor. The MEA clarified that Pakistan was notified only after the operation commenced, labeling Gandhi's claim as a "misrepresentation of facts." Operation Sindoor, launched in response to the April 22 Pahalgam attack that killed 26 civilians, targeted nine terrorist camps in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir, linked to groups like Lashkar-e-Taiba and Jaish-e-Mohammed. The Indian government emphasized the operation's precision and non-escalatory nature. Additionally, India dismissed Pakistan's claims of downing Indian jets as misinformation, with the MEA urging global zero tolerance for terrorism. (PC: Sputnik India)

Former Indian opener Virender Sehwag believes Virat Kohli retired from Test cricket prematurely. Despite a dip in form, Sehwag highlights Kohli's unmatched fitness and dedication, asserting that at 36, he surpasses 90% of players in physical condition. Sehwag emphasizes Kohli's unwavering routine and hunger for runs, suggesting he could have comfortably played for two more years. Kohli concluded his Test career with 123 matches, narrowly missing the 10,000-run milestone. A planned felicitation at Chinnaswamy Stadium was postponed due to rain. Sehwag's remarks underscore the sentiment that Kohli's early retirement leaves a significant void in Indian cricket. (PC: Getty Images & India)

On May 18, 2025, the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) faced a setback when its PSLV-C61 mission, carrying the Earth observation satellite EOS-09, failed due to a technical anomaly. The launch from Sriharikota proceeded as scheduled at 5:59 AM IST, with the first and second stages performing nominally. However, during the third stage, a drop in chamber pressure occurred, preventing the mission from being accomplished. ISRO Chairman V. Narayanan confirmed the issue in a post-launch address. A Failure Analysis Committee has been constituted to investigate the cause of the third stage malfunction. The EOS-09 satellite was intended to enhance India's Earth observation capabilities. (PC: The Tribune)

In a significant diplomatic initiative following Operation Sindoor, India is sending seven bipartisan delegations comprising 51 political leaders to 33 world capitals and the EU headquarters in Brussels. These delegations, including figures like Shashi Tharoor, Ravi Shankar Prasad, Kanimozhi, and Supriya Sule, aim to convey India's firm stance against terrorism. Each team includes former diplomats and at least one Muslim representative, reflecting India's inclusive approach. While 31 members are from the ruling NDA, 20 represent opposition parties. Notably, only one of the four Congress nominees was included, prompting criticism from the party. Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju emphasized the unified message: "One mission. One message. One Bharat." (PC: X)

Haryana Police arrested 26-year-old Armaan from Rajaka village, Nuh district, on charges of espionage for Pakistan. Authorities allege he shared sensitive military information via WhatsApp and social media with a Pakistan High Commission official in New Delhi. His mobile reportedly contained conversations, photos, and videos linked to Pakistani contacts. Armaan faces charges under the Official Secrets Act and Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, with a six-day police custody granted. His family contends the allegations are baseless, citing familial ties in Pakistan. This marks the third such arrest in Haryana within a week, following the detention of travel vlogger Jyoti Rani, accused of similar offenses involving a Pakistani official. (PC: The Indian Express)

On May 18, 2025, ISRO's PSLV-C61 mission, intended to deploy the EOS-09 Earth observation satellite into a sun-synchronous polar orbit, failed due to a third-stage anomaly. The launch commenced successfully at 5:59 AM IST from Sriharikota, with the first two stages performing nominally. However, during the third stage, a drop in chamber pressure in the solid motor system led to mission failure. ISRO Chairman V. Narayanan confirmed the anomaly and announced the formation of a Failure Analysis Committee to investigate the issue. EOS-09, equipped with a C-band synthetic aperture radar, was designed to enhance India's surveillance and remote sensing capabilities. This incident marks a rare setback in ISRO's otherwise commendable launch history. (PC: ISRO)

A devastating fire erupted in a building at Gulzar Houz near Hyderabad's historic Charminar on Sunday, resulting in the deaths of at least 17 people and injuring several others. The structure, housing both residential apartments and commercial establishments, was rapidly engulfed in flames. Emergency services responded promptly to control the blaze and rescue survivors. The cause of the fire is currently under investigation by local authorities. This tragic incident has raised serious concerns about fire safety measures in mixed-use buildings within densely populated urban areas. The proximity of the fire to the iconic Charminar underscores the vulnerability of historic sites to urban hazards. (PC: Millennium post)