National Affairs
Politics and Governance
President Droupadi Murmu invoked Article 143 to seek Supreme Court’s opinion on Governor delays in passing bills. This rare constitutional move aims to address the ongoing friction between state governments and governors regarding bill approvals.
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh reviewed border security in Srinagar following the recent ceasefire with Pakistan. Operation Sindoor continues amid lingering tensions along the Line of Control.
India has pushed the United Nations to designate The Resistance Front (TRF), linked to Lashkar-e-Taiba, as a terrorist organization. Official talks were held with UN representatives in New York regarding this matter.
Following DGMO talks, India and Pakistan have agreed to continue confidence-building measures to maintain the ceasefire that began on May 10, 2025.
The Supreme Court has scheduled a hearing for May 20 regarding an interim relief case related to West Bengal government employees, who have been ordered to receive 25% DA within three months.
Economy and Business
The Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI) released the ‘National Accounts Statistics – 2025’ publication on May 16. This comprehensive document provides detailed data on national income, production, and expenditure aggregates of the Indian economy.
Meta India’s Country Head, Sandhya Devanathan, has been appointed to lead Southeast Asia operations following the resignation of Asia-Pacific Chief Dan Neary. Benjamin Joe will become Asia-Pacific regional vice president from July.
IndusInd Bank faces potential impacts to its core profit and business growth after an audit revealed ₹674 crore in income misreporting and ₹595 crore in unsubstantiated balances, according to brokerage reports.
The Reserve Bank of India has penalized Deutsche Bank and YES Bank ₹50 lakh and ₹29.6 lakh respectively for violating directives on credit reporting and disclosure of customer complaints.
In India’s largest cross-border banking deal, SBI and private lenders have sold a 20% stake in Yes Bank to SMBC (Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation) for ₹13,482 crore, valuing the bank at approximately $7.9 billion.
Security and Defence
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh urged the International Monetary Fund to reconsider its $1 billion loan to Pakistan, alleging that “a big portion of the money will be used for funding terror infrastructure.”
Indian security forces eliminated six Lashkar-e-Taiba terrorists in Jammu and Kashmir within a 48-hour operation, according to a statement from the Indian Army.
A Turkish firm handling security operations at Indian airports has lost its security clearance in the aftermath of Operation Sindoor, raising concerns about foreign management of critical infrastructure.
External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar reportedly had the first direct communication with representatives of the Taliban government in Afghanistan. The interaction followed Afghanistan’s rejection of Pakistan’s claims regarding Indian rocket strikes.
International Affairs
Diplomacy and Geopolitics
The Sixth European Political Community Summit was held in Albania on May 16, 2025, with 45 countries participating. The summit focused on democratic security, competitiveness, migration, and European leadership in global affairs.
Much-anticipated peace talks between Russia and Ukraine collapsed in less than two hours with minimal progress. Ukraine sent a delegation to the Istanbul talks, though President Zelenskyy did not attend.
Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif stated that his country is ready for peace talks but insisted that the Kashmir issue must be included in any discussions.
Pakistan has written to India seeking resumption of the Indus Waters Treaty, highlighting the agreement’s importance in managing river water sharing between the two nations.
The UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy met with Pakistani Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar in Islamabad to discuss the recent ceasefire between India and Pakistan.
USA and Trump Administration
Reports emerged that the Trump family allegedly holds a 60% stake in a Pakistan-based cryptocurrency firm, raising questions amid Donald Trump’s claims about brokering an India-Pakistan peace deal.
U.S. President Donald Trump advised Apple CEO Tim Cook to limit production in India despite India’s offer of a no-tariff deal, potentially exacerbating trade tensions between the two countries.
House Speaker Mike Johnson expressed support for banning congressional stock trading but remains uncertain about bringing such legislation to a vote.
Trump reportedly mocked France’s World War II victory celebrations during a speech to the Qatari army, drawing criticism from diplomatic circles.
Global Business and Technology
Qatar Airways signed a massive $200 billion deal for 160 Boeing jets during Trump’s visit to the Gulf region, representing one of the largest commercial aircraft orders in history.
Microsoft has implemented global layoffs affecting over 6,000 employees, primarily targeting middle management positions in an effort to streamline operations and reduce organizational layers.
Disasters and Incidents
An earthquake measuring 5.2 on the Richter scale hit Central Turkey, though initial reports indicated minimal damage and casualties.
A 23-year-old TikTok influencer was tragically shot dead during a livestream in Mexico, highlighting growing concerns about violence against social media personalities.
Two people were killed in a wildfire in the central Canadian province of Manitoba as authorities struggled to contain the blaze.
A chemical spill in a Brazilian park has dyed geese and killed fish, prompting environmental concerns and cleanup operations.
Sports Updates
South Africa has delayed their World Test Championship final training camp to June 3, providing IPL franchises additional time with their South African players before the tournament’s conclusion.
Despite this delay, South African cricketers may still miss the IPL playoffs as their national cricket board prioritizes preparation for the World Test Championship final against Australia.
The International Cricket Council has announced a record prize pool of $5.76 million (approximately ₹49.28 crore) for the 2023-25 World Test Championship Final to be held at Lord’s.
The BCCI is finalizing India’s departure schedule for the England cricket tour. Head coach Gautam Gambhir and the first batch of players are scheduled to depart on June 6, with remaining players joining later depending on their IPL commitments.
The upcoming UEFA Women’s Champions League Final will feature Arsenal challenging title-holders Barcelona, with anticipation building around whether the English side can upset the favorites.
The Eurovision 2025 song contest held its second semifinal, determining the final lineup of competitors for the grand finale.
Important Days (May 17, 2025)
World Telecommunication Day: Observed annually to raise awareness about the importance of telecommunications and information technology in bridging the digital divide globally.
World Hypertension Day: Dedicated to increasing awareness about hypertension (high blood pressure), its prevention, detection, and control.
Armed Forces Day: Celebrated on the third Saturday of May to honor those serving in the armed forces and acknowledge their contributions to national security.
Upcoming Events
The Seventy-eighth World Health Assembly will convene from May 19 to 27, 2025, under the theme “One World for Health,” bringing together health ministers and delegates from around the world.
The Foreign Affairs Council and Foreign Affairs Council (Defence) of the European Union are scheduled to meet on May 20, 2025.
Under-Secretary-General for Political and Peacebuilding Affairs Rosemary DiCarlo will undertake her first official visit to Kuwait on May 19 to discuss regional developments and cooperation.
The Supreme Court will hear a case on May 20 regarding interim relief related to government employee benefits.
This comprehensive GK update covers the most significant events from May 16, 2025, providing valuable information for those preparing for banking exams, UPSC, and other competitive examinations. Stay tuned for tomorrow’s update to remain informed about the latest developments in national and international affairs.
