Morning Digest: BJP, Congress spar over USAID fund allocation; EAM Jaishankar says India, China worked hard to protect G-20, and more
The Hindu
The Hindu Morning Digest gives a select list of stories to start the day. Read the top news today on February 22, 2025
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday (February 21, 2025) called India an emerging global powerhouse that required world-class leaders who can find solutions to global needs and complexities in every sector. At the same time, these leaders must keep the country’s interest at the forefront for an accelerated growth momentum, he added.
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Friday (February 21, 2025) dismissed media reports claiming — as a “cover-up attempt” — that the $21-million USAID fund allocation in 2022 was for Bangladesh and not for India, and accused Leader of Opposition (LoP) Rahul Gandhiand the Congress party of being involved in “anti-India” activities.
India and China have “worked hard to preserve” the G-20 organisation, said External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar on Friday (February 21, 2025) during talks with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi on the sidelines of the G-20 Foreign Ministers’ meeting at Johannesburg in South Africa.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday said the shared cultural heritage of Indian languages would give a befitting reply to those making efforts to create divisions in the country in the name of languages.
The Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Friday (February 21, 2025) issued an adjudication order levying a penalty of over ₹3.44 crore on BBC World Service (WS) India, along with a fine of ₹5,000 per day after October 15, 2021, till the date of compliance, for the alleged violation of the Foreign Exchange Management Act (FEMA) provisions, according to agency sources.
On February 16, a Nepali student was found dead in her room. Angry students began protesting on campus, demanding justice for her and alleging that the university had ignored complaints of harassment. When tensions escalated, the university evicted more than 500 Nepali students from the university.
A New Jersey man was convicted Friday of attempted murder and assault for stabbing author Salman Rushdie multiple times on a New York lecture stage in 2022. A jury found Hadi Matar, 27, guilty after a little less than two hours of deliberations following a trial in Chautauqua County Court.
Sri Lanka issues urgent landslip warnings as Cyclone Ditwah's death toll rises to 607 amid ongoing heavy rainfall and evacuations.
EU regulators fine Elon Musk's X 120 million euros for breaching digital laws on transparency and user safety.
Indians among 171 delivery riders detained in U.K. crackdown on illegal migration as part of new government reforms.
IMF explores recovery support for Sri Lanka following cyclone Ditwah, addressing humanitarian and economic challenges faced by the nation.
Edinburgh Airport halts all flights due to IT issues; passengers should check with airlines for updates.
Odisha Minister confirms that the inquiry report into the Nepalese student's death at KIIT University is currently under examination.
Hong Kong's upcoming legislative election faces low turnout as residents mourn a devastating fire that claimed 159 lives.
Harvard professor Carlos Portugal Gouvea arrested for discharging a pellet gun near a synagogue; agrees to leave the U.S.
Macron cautioned Zelenskyy that the U.S. might pressure Ukraine into territorial concessions to Russia without security guarantees.
A Canadian national was arrested at the Indo-Nepal border for using a fake immigration stamp on his passport.
Appeals court permits Trump to maintain National Guard deployment in D.C., reversing a lower court's order to withdraw troops.
Iraq retracts its terror designation of Hezbollah and Houthis, citing an error amid regional political pressures and public backlash.
U.S. military strikes drug boats amid scrutiny over legality and rising casualties, prompting investigations and conflicting congressional testimonies.