Chief Justice of India Sanjiv Khanna, in a key hearing on the Waqf Amendment Act, 2025, urged the Centre to clarify its position on several contentious issues, including the removal of "waqf by user" and the exclusion of inter-faith board members. The CJI also noted that while misuse exists, genuine cases must not be ignored. The court questioned the removal of legal protections for waqf properties and discussed inheritance rights under the Act. Balancing both sides, the bench acknowledged some “good aspects” of the law and urged a nuanced approach. Justice Khanna retires on May 14 with 18 working days left.

China has strongly responded to Donald Trump’s announcement of up to 245% tariffs on Chinese imports, warning, “If the US continues to play the tariff numbers game, we will pay no attention to it.” The sharp retaliation came after the White House cited China’s export bans on key high-tech materials, including gallium and rare earth metals, as a threat to global supply chains. Beijing slammed the move as damaging to global trade and the multilateral system. This escalation deepens the ongoing US-China trade war, with both nations imposing steep tariffs amid rising economic and geopolitical tensions.

Following India's 1-3 series defeat in the Border–Gavaskar Trophy against Australia, the BCCI has sacked batting coach Abhishek Nayar, fielding coach T. Dilip, and strength & conditioning coach Soham Desai. Appointed just eight months ago, Nayar’s exit follows India's inconsistent batting displays. Interim changes have been made, with Ryan ten Doeschate taking over fielding duties and Adrian Le Roux stepping in as fitness coach. These shifts come ahead of India’s crucial five-Test home series against England starting June 20. With pressure mounting, BCCI’s swift actions signal a strategic reset under new head coach Gautam Gambhir. (Getty Images)

The Supreme Court of India, while hearing petitions challenging the Waqf (Amendment) Act, 2025, raised key concerns over two major changes: removal of the 'waqf by user' provision and the inclusion of non-Muslims in Waqf Boards. The court warned that derecognizing long-practiced religious sites without documents could lead to widespread issues, especially with historic mosques. It also questioned the rationale behind allowing non-Muslims in Waqf management, asking if the reverse would be acceptable for Hindu trusts. The Centre defended the amendments, stating they were passed after full parliamentary debate. Further hearings are expected. (PC: OpIndia)

India has expressed concern over recent trade measures taken by Bangladesh, including the closure of three key land ports and a ban on the import of yarn from India. These actions have disrupted long-standing trade ties between the two countries. While some perceived India's suspension of a transshipment facility for Bangladeshi goods as retaliatory, New Delhi clarified that it was due to port congestion. With Dhaka also resuming direct trade with Pakistan, India remains cautious and is prioritizing diplomatic dialogue over retaliatory action to resolve the tensions. (PC: Times of India)

West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee addressed over 10,000 Imams and Muslim community members at the Netaji Indoor Stadium in Kolkata during an Imam Conference. In her 46-minute speech, she strongly opposed the Waqf Amendment Act and repeatedly referenced the Constitution (25 times), Hindu (20), Muslim (17), Waqf (16), peace (13), and riot (12). She criticized the BSF’s role but delayed addressing accountability for the recent Murshidabad riots. The speech focused on promoting peace and defending minority rights, while carefully navigating around contentious issues until the end. (PC : Zee news)  

The Trump administration has warned Harvard University it could lose the ability to enroll foreign students unless it complies with federal demands to share information on certain visa holders. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS), led by Secretary Kristi Noem, also announced the termination of two grants worth $2.7 million. This move follows Harvard's rejection of administration demands amid a broader crackdown tied to pro-Palestinian protests, which Trump has labeled antisemitic. Additionally, over $2 billion in federal funding to Harvard has been frozen, sparking outcry from human rights advocates over threats to free speech and academic freedom.( PC: Reuters)  

Gauri Khan’s upscale Mumbai restaurant, Torii, faced backlash after influencer Sarthak Sachdeva alleged they served him "fake paneer." He posted a video on Instagram expressing disappointment with the quality of food. The video quickly gained traction, prompting Torii’s management to respond in the comments. They defended their food quality, assuring that only premium, authentic ingredients are used. The team emphasized their commitment to maintaining high culinary standards. Owned by Shah Rukh Khan’s wife and renowned designer Gauri Khan, Torii is a celebrity hotspot and has rarely faced such public criticism before. (PC : ZOOM)  

The Supreme Court, led by Chief Justice Sanjiv Khanna, raised concerns over the Waqf (Amendment) Act, 2025, which permits the nomination of non-Muslim members to the Central Waqf Council and state waqf boards. During the hearing, the bench strongly reacted to the Centre's analogy suggesting that, by the same logic, Hindu judges shouldn't hear Waqf-related cases. CJI Khanna remarked, “When we sit on the bench, we lose our religion,” emphasizing judicial neutrality. The court is scrutinizing the Act's provisions and their implications on religious autonomy and minority rights. ( PC: Hindustan Times)

Krish Isserdasani, a 21-year-old Indian undergraduate at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, along with three other international students, has filed a federal lawsuit against the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. The suit challenges the abrupt revocation of their student visas without proper explanation or due process. Isserdasani’s visa was canceled despite charges against him being dismissed. Emergency court orders have temporarily halted deportations, while legal experts argue the students’ constitutional rights are being violated. The case highlights growing concerns over inconsistent visa enforcement and the legal vulnerability of international students in the United States. (PC: AP)