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)

On May 17, 2025, the National Investigation Agency (NIA) arrested two fugitives, Abdullah Faiyaz Shaikh and Talha Khan, at Mumbai Airport upon their arrival from Jakarta. Both are accused of being members of an ISIS sleeper cell involved in a 2023 case concerning the fabrication and testing of improvised explosive devices (IEDs) in Pune. The duo had been evading authorities for two years and were apprehended based on intelligence inputs. They, along with eight others already in custody, allegedly conspired to commit terrorist acts aimed at disturbing India's peace and communal harmony, intending to wage war against the Government of India in furtherance of ISIS's agenda. Investigations are ongoing to uncover further links and evidence related to the broader network and plans. (PC: Swarajya)

On May 18, 2025, the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) faced a significant setback as the PSLV-C61 mission failed to deploy the EOS-09 satellite. The launch from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre began as planned, with the first and second stages functioning nominally. However, ISRO Chairman V. Narayanan confirmed that a sudden drop in chamber pressure during the third stage caused the satellite to fall short of its intended orbit. A Failure Analysis Committee has been formed to investigate the anomaly. Despite the failure, ISRO remains committed to future missions and technical advancements. (PC: ANI)    

On May 17, 2025, during the first direct peace talks in over three years held in Istanbul, Russian negotiators demanded that Ukraine withdraw troops from Donetsk, Luhansk, Kherson, and Zaporizhzhia as a condition for a ceasefire. Russia also sought international recognition of its control over these regions and Crimea, Ukrainian neutrality, and a mutual renunciation of war compensation claims. These terms, delivered verbally, were rejected by Ukraine as unrealistic. While a prisoner exchange was agreed upon, the talks ended without a ceasefire. U.S. President Trump plans follow-up calls with both leaders. (PC: Reuters)  

In a significant diplomatic initiative following Operation Sindoor, the Indian government has dispatched seven all-party delegations comprising 51 political leaders—including parliamentarians and former ministers from both ruling and opposition parties—to 32 countries and the European Union headquarters in Brussels. This outreach aims to present India's unified stance against terrorism and garner international support. Each delegation, assisted by former diplomats, includes seven to eight members. Notable leaders such as Shashi Tharoor, Ravi Shankar Prasad, and Supriya Sule are part of this mission to strengthen India’s global diplomatic presence. (PC: PTI)  

On May 18, 2025, the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) faced a major setback when the PSLV-C61 mission failed to deploy the EOS-09 satellite. The launch began successfully from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota at 5:59 AM IST, with the first and second stages performing normally. However, an anomaly occurred during the third stage, resulting in mission failure. EOS-09, a 1,696 kg radar imaging satellite with C-band Synthetic Aperture Radar, was intended for all-weather Earth observation. ISRO has launched a technical investigation to determine the cause of the failure. (PC: The Hindu)

On May 18, 2025, the Trump administration appointed two former jihadist operatives, Ismail Royer and Shaykh Hamza Yusuf, to the White House Advisory Board of Lay Leaders, sparking major controversy. Royer was convicted in 2004 for aiding individuals to join a Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) training camp in Pakistan and engaging in terrorist activities in Kashmir; he served 13 years of a 20-year sentence. The move drew backlash from Trump ally Lara Loomer, who called it “insane.” The appointments raise serious concerns about vetting, national security, and implications for U.S.-India relations. (PC: Britannica)