TODAY NEWS ON March 05, 2025

News Headlines for CAT, CLAT and IPM aspirants

Source: THE HINDU

Trump’s trade war draws swift retaliation with new tariffs from Mexico, Canada, China

President Donald Trump launched a trade war Tuesday against America’s three biggest trading partners, drawing immediate retaliation from Mexico, Canada and China and sending financial markets into a tailspin as the U.S. faced the threat of rekindled inflation and paralyzing uncertainty for business. Later in the day, Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick said the U.S. would likely meet Canada and Mexico “in the middle,” with an announcement coming as soon as Wednesday.

Look into complaints of political parties, EC tells State-level polling officers

Amid complaints of anomalies in voters’ lists, the Election Commission of India (ECI) on Tuesday asked its State-level officials to hold regular interactions with political parties to resolve any issues within the existing statutory framework.

Belgium pitches defence cooperation with India amidst Russia-Ukraine turmoil, saying Europe needs ‘strategic autonomy’

Europe needs to develop its own “strategic autonomy”, Belgian Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Maxime Prévot said on Tuesday, speaking about the United States’ decision to change its course on the Ukraine war. As a result, Belgium will need to build its defence sector, Mr. Prevot said, pushing for cooperation with India.

Jaishankar meets U.K. PM Keir Starmer and Cabinet officials

External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar began his visit to the U.K. on Tuesday with a series of meetings in London with British government officials. He met with U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer, The Hindu has learnt. Mr. Jaishankar also met with Trade and Business Secretary Jonathan Reynolds to discuss the India-U.K. “free trade” deal (FTA), the Minister said on social media site X.

Debris removal from SLBC tunnel stretches on; agonising wait for kin of 8 trapped persons

There seems to be no end in sight to the agonising wait of family members of eight persons trapped under the debris about 14 km inside the Srisailam Left Bank Canal (SLBC) tunnel from February 22 morning as the debris and mud removal work to trace those trapped is stretching on, despite the conveyor belt becoming functional on Tuesday evening.

At first Manipur security review since President’s Rule, Home Minister directs restoration of damaged religious places

At a security review meeting last week, Union Home Minister Amit Shah directed the Manipur administration to restore religious places that had been damaged or vandalised during the May 2023 ethnic violence in the State, a senior government official told The Hindu.

Bengal Education Minister reaches out to parents of Jadavpur University student hit by his car

West Bengal Education Minister Bratya Basu has reached out to parents of the student who came under the wheels of his car at Jadavpur University (JU) and expressed grief about how the events unfolded at the institution. The father of the injured student, Amit Roy, a non-teaching staff at Calcutta University, said Mr. Basu had reached out to them on March 3 and expressed grief. “Mr. Basu wished my son a speedy recovery,” Mr. Roy said.

Will fight for other Indians facing similar fate on foreign land, says father of Indian woman executed in Abu Dhabi

A day after the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) told the Delhi High Court that Uttar Pradesh resident Shahzadi Khan was executed in Abu Dhabi on February 15, the family of the 33-year-old woman is now writing to the Ministry seeking details of the legal options explored by the Indian government for their daughter. The father of the woman, Shabbir Khan, said he would fight a legal battle for all Indians working abroad and facing a similar fate like his daughter.

No request for assistance from U.S. on Adani matter, says Law Ministry

The Union government denied receiving a request for assistance from the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission to serve summons papers on Gautam Adani and others in the Adani v. SEC bribery case in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of New York. In response to a Right to Information response application by The Hindu, the Ministry of Law and Justice’s Department of Legal Affairs (DLA) said “No such request has been received till date,” as of February 21.

At least 12 dead in suicide bombing attacks on cantonment in northwestern Pakistan; six terrorists killed

At least 12 persons, including four children, were killed and 30 injured as two explosive-laden vehicles rammed into the boundary wall of the main cantonment in Bannu in northwest Pakistan on Tuesday (March 4, 2025) while the Army personnel killed at least six terrorists. The suicide bombers hit the wall of Bannu Cantonment, about 200 km south-west of Peshawar, in the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province in the evening around sunset time, police said.

Zelenskyy calls for truce amid aid cut

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Tuesday said he wanted to “make things right” with Donald Trump and to work under the U.S. President’s “strong leadership” to secure a lasting peace in Ukraine. In his first public comments since Mr. Trump halted U.S. military aid to Ukraine overnight, Mr. Zelenskyy called for a “truce” in the sea and sky as a first step to securing an end to the three-year-long war.

Arab leaders endorse a counterproposal to Trump’s Gaza plan, with ceasefire uncertain

Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi said Tuesday that Arab leaders have endorsed Egypt’s post-war plan for the Gaza Strip that would allow its roughly two million Palestinians to remain in the territory. Meeting in Cairo, the leaders endorsed a counterproposal to President Donald Trump’s plan to depopulate the territory and redevelop it as a beach destination. It was unclear if Israel or the United States would accept the Egyptian plan.

Champions Trophy 2025: Kohli-inspired India breaks the Australian hoodoo

For the second time in ten days, Virat Kohli lived up to his reputation as the ‘Chasemaster’ in ODIs, scoring a fine half-century (84, 98b, 5x4) to power India into the final of the Champions Trophy with a four-wicket win over Australia in the first semifinal at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium on Tuesday.

Bombay HC stays order directing FIR against Madhabi Buch, others

The Bombay High Court stayed a Mumbai sessions court order for four weeks that directed the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) to register an FIR against the former Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) Chairperson Madhabi Puri Buch and five other SEBI and Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE) officials in an alleged stock market fraud, regulatory violations, and corruption linked to the listing of a company in 1994. A Single Bench Judge, Justice Shivkumar Dige observed that prima facie, the Special Court’s order on March 1, 2025, was passed mechanically without going into details or attributing any specific role to the applicants.

World shares decline as Trump’s tariffs on Canada, Mexico and China take effect

European and Asian shares were mostly lower after a new round of tariffs imposed by U.S. President Donald Trump took effect. China hit back at Washington's move to raise tariffs by 20% across the board with higher duties of up to 15% on U.S. farm exports.

Supreme Court urges Centre, States to frame policy to prevent exploitation of patients in private hospitals

The Supreme Court urged the Centre, and the States to frame a policy to prevent the exploitation of patients and families admitted in private hospitals which compel them to buy medicines, implants, consumable and medical devices from their own pharmacies or establishments in collaboration with them. A Bench headed by Justice Surya Kant said the governments should also be sensitised about the unreasonable charges and exploitation. However, the court also cautioned governments from taking a hardline or unreasonable stance against private hospitals. This may discourage private investors who fill the gaps in the state medical care.

Kerala Assembly passes resolution against Centre’s decision to permit offshore mining

The Kerala Assembly unanimously passed a resolution, opposing the Central government’s plans to permit offshore mining along the Kerala coast. The resolution, presented by Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, expressed grave concerns over the amendments to the Offshore Areas Mineral (Development and Regulation) Act, 2002, which now allow private participation in deep-sea mineral exploration and mining.

Functioning of RERA ‘disappointing’, observes Supreme Court

The Supreme Court remarked that the functioning of Real Estate Regulatory Authority (RERA) established under a Central law to protect the investments of homebuyers as well as promote the real estate sector have been “disappointing”. The Bench however said a regulatory body may be objected to by the States, who would raise the issue of federalism. “States will complain,” Justice Kant noted.

Jamia protest: Delhi HC stays suspension of several students for protesting in university campus

Delhi High Court stayed the suspension of several students for protesting in the University campus without prior permission. The High Court ordered the constitution of panel under supervision of Vice Chancellor to resolve the issue and asked the university to file report. The court heard a plea by one of the 17 students of Jamia Millia Islamia (JMI) against her suspension. The students were suspended earlier this month for ‘protesting without prior permission’ and ‘defacing public property.’

PM Modi inaugurates Vantara in Jamnagar, feeds lion cubs, giraffes

Prime Minister Narendra Modi recently inaugurated and visited Vantara, an animal rescue, conservation and rehabilitation centre in Gujarat's Jamnagar district. Reliance Industries Chairman Mukesh Ambani, his wife Nita Ambani, their son Anant Ambani and daughter-in-law Radhika Merchant were also present at the inauguration. During his visit, Mr. Modi explored various facilities at the centre and closely interacted with various animals that have been rehabilitated there. He also checked the wildlife hospital at Vantara and saw the veterinary facilities, which are equipped with MRI, CT scans, and ICUs among others. The Prime Minister's visit included heartwarming interactions with the centre's resident animals.

Telangana tunnel rescue | Teams hopeful of breakthrough on Day 11

Eleven days into the rescue operation at the part of the collapsed Srisailam Left Bank Canal (SLBC) tunnel in Domalapenta of Nagarkurnool district, rescue teams are hopeful of a break through by Tuesday (March 4, 2025) evening. The confidence stems up from the fact that two excavators are very much inside the tunnel now and are being operated by the Army. “The presence of the second excavator since Monday (March 3, 2025) night has expedited the work things up and the conveyor belt is expected to be up and running today,” a senior official of the rescue operation told The Hindu from the SLBC tunnel site.

Dhananjay Munde resigns as Maharashtra Minister, cites health as the reason

Maharashtra Minister Dhananjay Munde tendered his resignation, after Chief Minisiter Devendra Fadnavis asked him to. The move comes amid growing clamour seeking his resignation, after his close aide Walmik Karad being named as an accused in sarpanch Santosh Deshmukh murder case. I have accepted the resignation and have sent it to the Governor for further action, Mr. Fadnavis said in a statement. Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar said Mr. Munde has resigned on moral grounds.

Unfounded and baseless, cherry picking of situations: India slams U.N. Human Rights chief's remarks

India slammed the “unfounded and baseless” comments made by the U.N.’s human rights chief, who mentioned Kashmir and Manipur in his global update, with Delhi voicing concern over the update’s generalised remarks and “cherry picking” of situations. “As India was mentioned by name, let me begin by emphasising that the world's largest democracy continues to be a healthy, vibrant and pluralistic society. Unfounded and baseless comments in the update contrast jarringly with ground realities,” Permanent Representative of India to the United Nations and other International Organisations in Geneva Ambassador Arindam Bagchi said

Yogi Adityanath on Maha Kumbh stampede: ‘We didn’t allow the incident to be excessively highlighted as it would create panic’

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath said his government acted swiftly to control the situation after the January 29 stampede at the Maha Kumbh in Prayagraj, ensuring timely medical aid for victims while preventing widespread panic. Addressing a gathering of Indian Institute of Management (IIM) and Indian Postal Service officials in Lucknow, Mr. Adityanath said, "We did not allow the incident to be excessively highlighted as eight crore devotees and sadhus were present in Prayagraj and the Kumbh Mela area at the time and panic could have worsened the situation."

Controversy erupts over Mohan Majhi Govt’s decision to change date of Panchayati Raj day celebration

The Biju Janata Dal (BJD) has criticised the decision of the Mohan Majhi Government to shift the Panchayati Raj Diwas celebration from March 5 to April 24 terming it an evil design to systematically erase legacy of legendary Biju Patnaik. The BJD reacted sharply after CM Majhi approved proposal to change the celebration date. “Every year, Odisha observes Panchayati Raj Day on March 5, while April 24 is celebrated as National Panchayati Raj Day across India. On this occasion, awards such as the Rashtriya Gaurav Gram Sabha Award and the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act Award are presented to Panchayat representatives from various States,” said Chief Minister’s Office in a statement.

Manipur tribal body defies Centre’s bid to facilitate movement on roads

A tribal body in Manipur has decided to defy the Centre’s bid to facilitate movement on all roads linking the Meitei-dominated Imphal Valley to the country beyond. Two arterial highways and almost all other roads pass through the hills surrounding the Imphal Valley. These hills are largely inhabited by the Kuki-Zo people, caught in a now-dormant conflict with the non-tribal Meiteis since May 2023.

Apple CEO Tim Cook teases potential new MacBook Air this week

Apple CEO Tim Cook teased the potential launch of a new MacBook Air with a short video and a cryptic two-word-long comment promising more updates “this week.” The short teaser video shared by the Apple CEO on X noted, “There’s something in the AIR,” which was taken to be a possible reference to a new MacBook Air laptop that could be powered by the improved M4 chip.