The UK economy grew 0.7% in the first quarter of 2025, surpassing forecasts and marking a strong start to the year, according to the Office for National Statistics. Growth in March alone hit 0.2%, defying expectations of no change. Finance Minister Rachel Reeves highlighted the UK’s performance as stronger than the U.S., Germany, and other G7 nations. However, rising employer taxes and new U.S. trade tariffs pose challenges ahead. Business investment rose by 5.9%, the highest in two years, while consumer spending also increased. Analysts warn the growth may be short-lived as global uncertainty and fiscal pressures build. (PC: Reuters)

Following a ceasefire agreement on May 10, Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif expressed willingness to initiate peace talks with India. The ceasefire came after a deadly terror attack in Pahalgam killed 26 civilians, triggering India's Operation Sindoor against terror camps in Pakistan and PoK. While Sharif signaled openness to diplomacy, India's External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar firmly stated that talks will be limited to terrorism. “The only talks with Pakistan will be on terror,” said Jaishankar, adding that Pakistan must dismantle its terror infrastructure. India has also suspended the Indus Waters Treaty until cross-border terrorism is irreversibly stopped. (PC: HT)

After President Donald Trump told Apple CEO Tim Cook, “I don’t want you building in India,” Indian officials responded, saying Apple will realise the value of manufacturing here. “India has become a significant player in smartphone production… companies will see the benefits,” a source said. Apple has no plans to change its India investment, executives told PTI. Most iPhones for the US market will be made in India from June. AirPods are also being produced in Telangana. In 2025, iPhone exports from India reached ₹1.5 lakh crore. Experts say shifting all production to the US would be costly and complex. (PC: NDTV)

India and Pakistan have agreed to continue their pause on cross-border military actions. The decision came after the DGMOs of both nations spoke on May 10. Officials said both sides will keep building trust and reduce alert levels. This follows days of heavy fighting, drone attacks, and shelling earlier this month. The clashes began after India launched Operation Sindoor on May 6-7, hitting terror camps in Pakistan. The Indian government said 100 terrorists were killed. With tensions easing, both sides are now focused on avoiding more conflict and maintaining peace along the border. Further updates will follow as talks continue. (PC: India Today)

3 terrorists were killed in a gunfight with security forces in Awantipora, Jammu and Kashmir, on Thursday. Drone footage showed them hiding in a broken shed before the encounter. Earlier, they took shelter in a house. This was the second such clash in 48 hours. On Tuesday, three more terrorists were killed in Shopian. These back-to-back operations come after the April Pahalgam terror attack that killed 26 people. India later launched Operation Sindoor, striking terror camps in Pakistan. Prime Minister Modi said the operation marked a “new normal” in India’s fight against terrorism. A ceasefire was reached after US mediation. (PC: NDTV)

Actor and BJP MP Kangana Ranaut deleted a post about US President Donald Trump after BJP chief JP Nadda asked her to. In her now-deleted post on X, she linked Trump’s remarks on Apple’s India plans to jealousy of Prime Minister Modi. She later wrote, “I regret posting that very personal opinion.” Trump had told Apple CEO Tim Cook he didn’t want the company to expand in India, citing high tariffs. Kangana’s post compared Trump to Modi, calling the Indian PM “the father of all alpha males.” She removed the post from both X and Instagram after Nadda’s request. (PC: India Today)

At least 103 people were killed in Israeli air strikes across Gaza on Thursday, said the Hamas-run Civil Defence. In Khan Younis, 56 died as bombs hit homes and tents sheltering families. In Jabalia, 13 were killed, including in a strike on a health clinic and prayer hall. More deaths were reported in Beit Lahia and Deir al-Balah. A mother in Gaza said her two baby sons died in their sleep. Israel has not commented but said it is targeting Hamas. Aid groups warn of starvation, as no supplies have entered Gaza for 10 weeks. Ceasefire talks are still ongoing. (PC: Reuters)

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar said the India-US trade deal must be fair to both sides. “Any trade deal has to be mutually beneficial; it has to work for both countries,” he said. He also noted, “These are complicated negotiations. Nothing is decided till everything is.” Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal will visit the US on May 17 for another round of high-level talks. He will be joined by India’s Chief Negotiator and other officials. The goal is to push forward a bilateral trade agreement and address tariff issues. India hopes to grow trade with the US to $500 billion by 2030. (PC: News18)

A 5.1 magnitude earthquake struck Turkey on Thursday at 3:46 pm, according to the EMSC. The quake hit 14 km northeast of Kulu and was felt strongly in the capital, Ankara. No damage or injuries have been reported so far. Iran’s Mehr news agency confirmed there were no immediate casualties. Just a day earlier, a 6.1 magnitude quake hit near Fry, Greece, with tremors felt across Egypt, Israel, Lebanon, and Turkey. Turkey often experiences earthquakes. In 2023, powerful quakes in Turkey and Syria killed over 67,000 people. Thursday’s tremor was much smaller and caused no known harm. (PC: AFP Files)

On May 15, 2025, the Indian government revoked the security clearance of Celebi Airport Services India Pvt. Ltd., a Turkish ground-handling firm, due to national security concerns. The move follows Turkey's vocal support for Pakistan amid recent India-Pakistan tensions, including the Pahalgam terror attack and Operation Sindoor. Celebi, which operates at nine major Indian airports including Delhi, Mumbai, and Chennai, handles key operations like cargo and passenger services. The Bureau of Civil Aviation Security issued the revocation, effective immediately. Airports have been instructed to arrange interim services and initiate fresh tenders for ground-handling contracts. (PC: India Today)