The Janata Dal (United) MP Sanjay Jha-led delegation arrived in Indonesia’s capital city, Jakarta, on Wednesday after successfully wrapping up the Singapore visit, conveying India’s unequivocal stance against terrorism.
“The All-Party Parliamentary Delegation, led by Sanjay Kumar Jha, arrived in Jakarta as part of India’s diplomatic outreach on Operation Sindoor. India stands committed to fighting terrorism in all its forms and manifestations. Through this outreach, India sets out to seek understanding and support of its historic friend and Comprehensive Strategic partner,” the Indian Embassy in Jakarta posted on X.
During the course of their stay in Jakarta, the delegation will engage with members of the Indonesian government, parliamentarians, leaders of political parties, the ASEAN Secretary General, resident ambassadors, think tanks, academia, media, and a cross-section of the Indian community in Indonesia.
The delegation led by Jha includes BJP MPs Aparajita Sarangi, Brij Lal, Hemang Joshi, and Pradan Baruah, Trinamool Congress MP Abhishek Banerjee, CPI(M) Rajya Sabha member John Barittas, senior Congress leader Salman Khurshid and Former Indian Ambassador to France Mohan Kumar.
After successfully completing their engagements in Singapore, South Korea, and Japan, the delegates will now highlight the significance of Operation Sindoor and India’s continued fight against Pakistan-sponsored cross-border terrorism to the Indonesian leadership.
Earlier on Tuesday, the Indian parliamentarians met Singaporean Ministers Edwin Tong, Sim Ann and Janil Puthucheary and reaffirmed India’s unwavering commitment to combat terrorism in all its forms.
They also engaged with Singaporean Members of Parliament, senior business and community leaders, representatives of think-tanks, academia, media, and the Indian diaspora.
“During the interactions with Singaporean interlocutors, the delegation conveyed India’s stance on the events since the terror attack in Pahalgam, Operation Sindoor, and the new normal in India’s strategy against terrorism,” the Indian High Commission in Singapore said in a statement.
“They briefed about the new benchmark in India’s fight against terrorism; India will give a fitting reply if there is a terrorist attack on India, India will not tolerate any nuclear blackmail, and India will not differentiate between the government sponsoring terrorism and the masterminds of terrorism. The delegation requested continued support from Singapore in the fight against terrorism,” the statement added.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to make a significant visit to Bihar on Thursday and Friday, inaugurating and laying the foundation stones for a slew of major development projects aimed at transforming the state’s infrastructure and boosting economic growth.
On 29 May, the Prime Minister will inaugurate the newly constructed passenger terminal at Patna Airport, a state-of-the-art facility built at a cost of approximately Rs 1,200 crore. The new terminal is designed to handle up to one crore passengers annually, marking a significant upgrade in air travel infrastructure for the region. In addition, Modi will lay the foundation stone for the civil enclave at Bihta Airport, worth over Rs 1,410 crore. This development is particularly crucial as Bihta is rapidly emerging as an educational hub near Patna, home to institutions such as IIT Patna and the proposed NIT Patna campus, promising improved connectivity and accessibility to this growing center of learning.
The following day, on 30 May, Prime Minister Modi will inaugurate, lay foundation stones, and dedicate to the nation several key projects worth over Rs 48,520 crore in Karakat, Bihar. A major highlight will be the foundation stone laying for the Nabinagar Super Thermal Power Project Stage II in Aurangabad district, a massive venture valued at nearly Rs 29,930 crore. With a capacity of 3×800 MW, this power project is expected to strengthen energy security not only for Bihar but for the entire eastern region of India. It promises to spur industrial growth, generate employment opportunities, and provide affordable electricity to the population.
Alongside the power sector developments, the Prime Minister will also launch important road infrastructure projects to enhance connectivity and trade within the state. These include the four-laning of the Patna–Arrah–Sasaram stretch of National Highway 119A and six-laning of the Varanasi–Ranchi–Kolkata highway (NH-319B), as well as the Ramnagar–Kacchi Dargah section of NH-119D. A new bridge over the Ganga River between Buxar and Bharauli will also be constructed to further facilitate seamless travel and commerce. Additionally, Modi will inaugurate the four-laning of the Patna–Gaya–Dobhi section of NH-22, a project worth Rs 5,520 crore, along with improvements on the elevated highway and at-grade roads in Gopalganj on NH-27.
Prime Minister will also dedicate to the nation the third rail line between Son Nagar and Mohammad Ganj, a project costing over Rs 1,330 crore, which is expected to ease rail traffic and boost freight and passenger movement.
An all-party Indian parliamentary delegation led by Shiv Sena MP Shrikant Eknath Shinde has successfully concluded its diplomatic mission to the Democratic Republic of Congo (DR Congo), emphasising India’s firm stand against Pakistan-sponsored cross-border terrorism and garnering the African nation’s support for its anti-terror stance.
The visit marks a significant outreach in the aftermath of the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack, in which 26 innocent tourists were killed.
On Tuesday, the Indian MPs met senior Congolese leaders, including President of the Committee of Foreign Affairs of Congo’s National Assembly Berthold Ulungu, Deputy President Christophe Bowulu, President of Sub-Commission in-charge of Foreign Affairs Jethro Muyombi Tshimbu, and Committee Member Igwabi Mushengezi Pauline.
The meetings highlighted India’s decisive action against terrorism through Operation Sindoor and conveyed its commitment to a zero-tolerance policy towards terror networks operating from across the border.
The delegation underscored the gravity of the Pahalgam attack and shared details of India’s Operation Sindoor, carried out to neutralise terror infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK).
In a symbolic show of solidarity, Berthold Ulungu strongly condemned the Pahalgam attack and extended condolences on the behalf of the Committee to victims’ kin.
“Berthold Ulungu condemned the Pahalgam terrorist attack and conveyed that DRC shares the pain and grief of the people of India who are facing these atrocities. He conveyed condolences on behalf of the Committee to the families of the victims of the terrorist attack,” the Indian Embassy in Congo said in a statement.
As a mark of respect, a moment of silence was observed during the meeting to honour those who lost their lives in the attack. Shrikant Shinde expressed gratitude for the gesture and the unequivocal condemnation of terrorism by the Congolese leadership.
The delegation also engaged with the local media, where they briefed journalists on Operation Sindoor, India’s evolving approach to national security, and the country’s resolve to eliminate cross-border terrorism.
Shinde provided insights into the fruitful discussions held with Congolese officials and appreciated the expressions of support and empathy received from the DRC government.
“The meetings were productive and reaffirmed the growing global understanding of India’s new normal in dealing with terrorism. We are thankful for the solidarity shown by Congo and its leaders during this critical time,” Shinde told reporters.
The diplomatic outreach in Congo is part of a broader Indian initiative to raise international awareness and support in its battle against cross-border terrorism, particularly from Pakistan-based networks.
Following the Congo visit, the delegation will now visit Sierra Leone, continuing India’s diplomatic efforts to garner support from the Global South in its fight against terrorism.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy is expected to arrive in Berlin on Wednesday for talks with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, the German government said, part of a diplomatic drive to end the war in Ukraine.
Merz will receive Zelenskiy with military honours at the federal chancellery at noon (1000 GMT), a government spokesperson said in a statement.
“The focus of the visit will be on German support for Ukraine as well as efforts to achieve a ceasefire,” he added.
Ukrainian and Russian officials met this month for their first face-to-face negotiations since Russia’s full-scale invasion of its former Soviet neighbour in 2022, under pressure from U.S. President Donald Trump to end the war.
The talks failed however to produce a ceasefire agreement and Russia unleashed three nights of massive aerial attacks on Ukraine over the weekend.
With Trump signalling wavering support for Ukraine in recent months, Germany could play an increasingly important role as the country’s largest military and financial backer after the United States.
Merz, a conservative who took office this month, has vowed to take more of a leadership role in ensuring support for Ukraine than his Social Democrat predecessor Olaf Scholz.
He visited Ukraine with other European leaders within days of becoming chancellor and on Monday endorsed Ukraine’s right to launch long-range missile strikes into Russian territory – in contrast with Scholz’s cautious rhetoric on the issue.
Merz on Tuesday dampened hopes for a quick resolution to the war. “Putin and Russia clearly have at the moment no interest in a ceasefire, or a peace deal,” he said.
“This means, as a consequence, that Ukraine must continue to defend itself — and that we must actually intensify our efforts to enable Ukraine to do so.”
The war, Merz said, was not just about Ukraine’s territorial integrity.
“The political order that we jointly established with Russia after 1990 is being fundamentally called into question,” he said.
Germany is not expected, however, to announce new weapons deliveries to Ukraine given that the new government has said it would no longer publicly detail what arms it is sending Ukraine, preferring a stance of “strategic ambiguity.”
Russia accused Ukraine on Tuesday of significantly increasing drone and missile attacks on Russian territory over the past week using Western-supplied munitions.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi is scheduled to visit four states — Sikkim, West Bengal, Bihar, and Uttar Pradesh — on the 29 and 30 of May, where he will inaugurate and lay foundation stones for multiple infrastructure and development projects worth over ₹69,000 crore.
Sikkim: marking 50 years of statehood
On May 29, the Prime Minister will reach Sikkim and take part in the Sikkim@50 celebrations at around 11 AM. The programme, themed “Where Progress Meets Purpose and Nature Nurtures Growth”, marks 50 years since Sikkim attained statehood.
As part of the celebrations, the Prime Minister will lay the foundation stone and inaugurate several key development projects. These include a 500-bedded District Hospital in Namchi worth over ₹750 crore, a passenger ropeway at Sangachoeling in Gyalshing District, and a statue of Bharat Ratna Atal Bihari Vajpayee at Atal Amrit Udyan in Gangtok District.
He will also release a commemorative coin, souvenir coin, and stamp to mark the occasion.
West Bengal: boost to gas infrastructure
Later the same day, at around 2:15 PM, PM Modi will visit Alipurduar in West Bengal to lay the foundation stone of a City Gas Distribution (CGD) project for Alipurduar and Cooch Behar districts. The ₹1,010 crore project will provide Piped Natural Gas (PNG) to over 2.5 lakh households and set up 19 CNG stations, contributing to a cleaner and cost-effective energy ecosystem in the region.
Bihar: major development initiatives
In the evening, the Prime Minister will inaugurate the newly constructed passenger terminal at Patna Airport, built at a cost of ₹1,200 crore. He will also lay the foundation stone for a new civil enclave at Bihta Airport, worth ₹1,410 crore, aimed at supporting the growing educational hub near Patna.
On May 30, PM Modi will be in Karakat, Bihar, where he will inaugurate and lay foundation stones for projects worth over ₹48,520 crore. Among them is the Nabinagar Super Thermal Power Project, Stage-II, in Aurangabad district. The ₹29,930 crore project will generate 2,400 MW of power, strengthening energy security and boosting industrial development.
Road infrastructure will also receive a major push, with the launch of four-laning and six-laning projects on NH-119A, NH-319B, NH-119D, and a new Ganga bridge between Buxar and Bharauli. Other key projects include the inauguration of NH-22 (Patna–Gaya–Dobhi section) and improvements in Gopalganj on NH-27.
In the rail sector, the Prime Minister will dedicate the third rail line between Son Nagar and Mohammad Ganj, developed at a cost of ₹1,330 crore.
Uttar Pradesh: strengthening infrastructure and power supply
Later on May 30, PM Modi will visit Kanpur Nagar in Uttar Pradesh. At around 2:45 PM, he will inaugurate and lay the foundation stone for development works worth approximately ₹20,900 crore.
He will inaugurate the Chunniganj to Kanpur Central Metro stretch under the Kanpur Metro Rail Project, which includes five new underground stations and improves urban connectivity.
In the power sector, he will inaugurate the 660 MW Panki Thermal Power Extension Project (₹8,300 crore) and three 660 MW units of the Ghatampur Thermal Power Project (₹9,330 crore). Substations at YEIDA and Greater Noida worth ₹320 crore will also be inaugurated.
Key road projects include the widening of Gauria Pali Marg and improved connectivity to the Kanpur Defence Corridor, supporting regional growth and industrial logistics.
The Prime Minister will also inaugurate two rail overbridges in Panki and a 40 MLD Tertiary Treatment Plant at Bingawan, promoting sustainable water reuse.
Further, he will distribute certificates and cheques to beneficiaries of central schemes such as PM Ayushman Vay Vandana Yojana, National Livelihood Mission, and PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana.
Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News
British underdog Cameron Norrie delivered the biggest upset of the 2025 French Open so far in a nail-biting five-set win over former world No. 1 Daniil Medvedev on Tuesday.
Ranked 81st in the world, Norrie knocked out 11th seed Medvedev 7-5, 6-3, 4-6, 1-6, 7-5 after three hours and 53 minutes on court.
“It was a crazy match,” said Norrie. “I was really happy with how I handled the match and how I had to fight literally every point to have a chance with him. It was just pure emotion at the end and pure instinct. It was a good throw.”
The 29-year-old Briton, who won the 2021 Indian Wells title and reached the Wimbledon semifinals in 2022, called it “one of [his] best wins.”
“For me, outside of [Carlos] Alcaraz, [Jannik] Sinner and Novak [Djokovic], [this] would be probably the fourth-toughest draw for me in terms of matchups and players. Extremely good win, especially my record with [Medvedev] No. 11, in a Slam, beating him in five sets is impressive for me.”
Novak Djokovic returns a shot during the men’s singles first round match between Mackenzie Mcdonald of the United States and Novak Djokovic of Serbia at the French Open tennis tournament at Roland Garros, Paris, France, May 27, 2025. (Xinhua/Li Jing)
While Norrie stole the spotlight, other top seeds advanced with convincing wins. Novak Djokovic, fresh off securing his 100th career title, eased past American Mackenzie McDonald 6-3, 6-3, 6-3. Third seed Alexander Zverev of Germany also cruised through with a 6-3, 6-3, 6-4 win over American Learner Tien.
Not all seeded players progressed. Bulgaria’s 16th seed Grigor Dimitrov was forced to retire from his match against American qualifier Ethan Quinn. Dimitrov had taken a two-set lead (6-2, 6-3) before losing the third 2-6 and withdrawing due to injury.
In the women’s draw, second seed Coco Gauff breezed past Australia’s Olivia Gadecki 6-2, 6-2. The American will next face 18-year-old Czech qualifier Tereza Valentova.
Russia’s sixth-seeded Mirra Andreeva also advanced with a composed 6-4, 6-3 win over Spain’s Cristina Bucsa.
In women’s doubles, China’s Yuan Yue and New Zealand’s Lulu Sun earned a hard-fought first-round victory, defeating Anna Blinkova and Mayar Sherif 6-2, 5-7, 6-3 after more than two hours.
A Textile Advisory Group (TAG) meeting was chaired by Union Minister of Textiles Giriraj Singh on Cotton and MMF to review the progress of initiatives aimed at strengthening the entire textile value chain. The Union Minister underscored the critical need to enhance productivity and quality under Mission for Cotton Productivity to match the 5F vision of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
He underlined that innovation and collaboration will be key to boost farm productivity and ensure that benefits are received at all levels of the value chain.
Giriraj also suggested that data mapping will ensure a more targeted and data-driven approach to policy interventions and he called upon all stakeholders to conduct a comprehensive gap analysis across the demand-supply spectrum of the industry.
Minister of State Pabitra Margherita appealed to all industry stakeholders to work together to achieve Vision 2030 in a cohesive manner, enhance value returns to farmers by adopting sustainability in farming and augment supply of good quality cotton to the industry by adopting best of technology and processing practices.
Textiles Secretary Neelam Shami Rao emphasized that all stakeholders should work together to strengthen the entire textile value chain and urged industry leaders to develop a comprehensive roadmap, including integration across the value chain and adoption of advanced technologies.
Industry leaders welcomed Union Minister’s vision, while appreciating the government’s proactive approach in fostering technology adoption, promoting sustainable fibres, and strengthening farmer-industry partnerships.
The meeting was attended by senior officials from the Ministries of Textiles, Agriculture & Farmers’ Welfare, Commerce and Industry, among others.
An all-party Indian parliamentary delegation, led by DMK MP Kanimozhi Karunanidhi, arrived in Athens, Greece, as part of India’s global diplomatic initiative to reinforce its unwavering stance on anti-terrorism.
The visit marks a continuation of India’s strategic outreach to garner international support against cross-border terrorism.
The Indian Embassy in Greece confirmed the delegation’s arrival in a post on X, stating: “An all-party delegation led by Member of Parliament @KanimozhiDMK arrives in Athens, Greece, underscoring the nation’s commitment to counter-terrorism.”
Upon arrival in Athens, the delegation was received by India’s Ambassador to Greece, Rudrendra Tandon, and welcomed by officials from the Indian mission.
The visit is part of a larger diplomatic effort involving seven multi-party delegations sent by India to 33 global capitals, aimed at conveying India’s position on Pakistan-sponsored terrorism and the country’s new normal of zero tolerance against cross-border terrorism.
Before arriving in Greece, the delegation concluded a successful leg of their mission in Slovenia, where they engaged with senior officials and opinion-makers.
The Indian Embassy in Slovenia described the visit as impactful, stating on X: “A successful Mission concludes. The all-Party delegation led by MP Kanimozhi concluded its useful and highly productive visit to Slovenia. Extensive engagements and effective public messaging garnered support & appreciation for India’s new normal of zero tolerance against cross-border terrorism.”
The delegation includes a diverse mix of political leaders from various parties: Rajeev Rai (Samajwadi Party), Captain Brijesh Chowta (Retd.) (BJP), Prem Chand Gupta (RJD), Ashok Kumar Mittal (AAP), and Ambassador Manjeev Singh Puri, former Deputy Permanent Representative of India to the United Nations.
After Slovenia, the delegation is expected to hold high-level meetings in Greece with parliamentarians, government officials, and civil society leaders, reaffirming India’s message that terrorism in all its forms and manifestations must be condemned without exception.
An all-party Indian parliamentary delegation led by Congress MP Shashi Tharoor began its official engagements in Panama with a visit to the Indian Cultural Centre in Panama City, where they offered prayers at a local temple.
The visit was marked by a powerful moment of interfaith harmony as members from different religious backgrounds joined together in devotion.
Taking to social media platform X, Tharoor posted, “The multi-party MPs’ delegation visited the Indian Cultural Centre in Panama City and offered devotions at the beautiful temple there. It was moving to see our Muslim colleague Sarfraz Ahmed join his Hindu and Sikh colleagues at the temple. As he later told the audience, “jab bulane walon ko koi aitraaz nahin, toh jaane walo ko aitraaz kyon hoga?”
The delegation arrived in Panama on Tuesday, to begin a key leg of its international outreach. Upon arrival at the airport, the delegation was warmly received and welcomed by India’s Ambassador to Panama, Dr. Sumit Seth, and members of the Indian diplomatic mission.
The visit carries a significant diplomatic message, with the delegation tasked with conveying India’s firm stance of zero tolerance towards terrorism.
The delegation also held high-level meetings with Panama’s President of the National Assembly, Dana Castañeda, along with senior members of Parliament Edwin Vergara and Julio de la Guardia, the latter a former Ambassador to India.
Tharoor noted that he explained the purpose of the delegation’s visit and received “strong assurances of understanding and support for India’s war against terror.”
The visit included signing the visitors’ book and a tour of the main hall of Panama’s National Assembly.
“A positive start to our Panama visit,” said Tharoor, summing up the day’s events.
Earlier, Ambassador Dr Sumit Seth briefed them on various facets of India-Panama bilateral relations, as well as key areas of cooperation.
The delegation’s visit to Panama is part of India’s wider outreach, aiming to bolster diplomacy and cooperation in the global fight against terrorism.
U.S. President Donald Trump’s administration plans to terminate the federal government’s remaining contracts with Harvard University, according to a letter sent to federal agencies on Tuesday.
The letter, from the U.S. General Services Administration (GSA), directs all federal agencies to review and potentially terminate or reallocate their contracts with Harvard, which an official valued at about $100 million.
Harvard did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
The move marked the latest instance of the Republican administration attempting to undermine the financial stability and global standing of the oldest and wealthiest U.S. university after it pushed back on government demands for vast policy changes.
The government has already terminated nearly $3 billion in federal research grants for the Ivy League school and moved last week to revoke its ability to enroll international students. Those roughly 6,800 students make up about 27% of Harvard’s total enrollment.
A federal judge in Boston on Friday temporarily blocked the U.S. Department of Homeland Security from revoking foreign student enrollment ahead of a Thursday hearing. During a brief hearing on Tuesday, a U.S. Department of Justice lawyer said the administration is complying with that order and was weighing its options.
Even so, the Trump administration has ordered its missions abroad to stop scheduling new appointments for student and exchange visitor visa applicants.
Several hundred demonstrators, including Harvard students and teachers, gathered at the university on Tuesday to show support for foreign students and protest the Trump funding cuts.
Following graduation events led by Harvard President Alan Garber, one of the protesting students, Jacob Miller, climbed onto a makeshift stage and said the ban on international enrollments had nothing to do with combating antisemitism, which was given as one of the official reasons for the crackdown on foreign students. “We will not allow our identities to be invoked to destroy Harvard,” said Miller, who is Jewish. “If there is anything to learn from the Jewish history, it’s that when we push people out of our schools because of their identity, it’s a symptom of a morally bankrupt politics.”
Another protest organizer, Harvard student Rae Trainer, said many international students were afraid to demonstrate because they risk deportations. Some international students recorded statements to be read by classmates who are U.S. citizens.
The GSA’s letter accused the school of engaging in discriminatory admissions practices even after the U.S. Supreme Court, in its 2023 decision ending affirmative action in higher education, rejected Harvard’s use of race as an admissions factor to boost campus diversity.
The letter from Josh Gruenbaum, commissioner of the GSA’s federal acquisition service, also accused Cambridge, Massachusetts-based Harvard of discriminatory hiring practices and of failing to protect Jewish students from harassment.
The GSA sent the letter to federal agencies Tuesday morning, said an administration official familiar with the matter. The letter directs agencies to submit a list of contract cancellations by June 6 and says contracts for critical services would be transitioned to other vendors.
Harvard, which is suing to challenge the administration’s actions, has argued that its rush to punish the school has run afoul of various procedures and violates free speech rights under the U.S. Constitution’s First Amendment by trying to assert control over its staff, curriculum and enrollment.
Garber, the Harvard president, said in an NPR interview released on Tuesday that despite campus problems that it needs to address, the administration’s decisions to cancel grant funding were “perplexing.”
“As long as there has been a United States of America, Harvard has thought that its role is to serve the nation,” he said.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday paid homage to former Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister and legendary actor Nandamuri Taraka Rama Rao (NTR) on his birth anniversary.
In a post on X, the Prime Minister remembered NTR for his contribution to public life and his enduring legacy in cinema and governance.
“I pay homage to NTR Garu on his birth anniversary. He is widely admired for his efforts to serve society and empower the poor and downtrodden. His cinematic works also continue to enthral audiences. We are all deeply inspired by him,” the Prime Minister said.
Prime Minister Modi also highlighted that the NDA Government in Andhra Pradesh, led by N. Chandrababu Naidu, is committed to fulfilling NTR’s vision for the state.
N. T. Rama Rao, popularly known as NTR, was a towering figure in Telugu cinema and politics. He founded the Telugu Desam Party (TDP) and served as the Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh. His welfare-oriented initiatives and charismatic leadership left a lasting impact on the people of the state.
Novak Djokovic began his 2025 Roland Garros campaign in trademark fashion on Tuesday, defeating American Mackenzie McDonald 6-3, 6-3, 6-3 in a confident and composed first-round performance on Court Philippe-Chatrier. The victory came just three days after Djokovic captured his 100th tour-level title at the Geneva Open.
Playing his first ATP head-to-head match against McDonald, Djokovic was in full control throughout the one-hour, 58-minute encounter. The windy conditions early in the match added some unpredictability, but the roof was closed midway through the second set due to rain. By then, the Serbian had already seized momentum, having won six of seven games from 2-2 in the opening set.
The win extended Djokovic’s perfect record in Roland Garros first-round matches to 20-0. He has not dropped a set in an opener at the clay-court major since 2010, when he overcame Evgeny Korolev in four sets.
“I try to enjoy every moment on this very special and beautiful court,” said Djokovic in French in his on-court interview. “I feel good, clearly, even more here because I’m reliving the memories of last year’s Olympics, the last time I played on this court. [They are] beautiful emotions.
McDonald fought to stay competitive and managed one break of serve to narrow the gap in the second set, but Djokovic immediately broke back and closed it out. The 24-time Grand Slam champion converted five of nine breakpoints, according to ATP Stats, and maintained consistent depth from the baseline to stifle McDonald’s offense.
Djokovic, ranked No. 6 in the ATP Rankings, reached the quarter-finals at Roland Garros in 2024 before a knee injury forced his withdrawal. He returned later in the year to win Olympic gold on the same court.
“History in this sport has given me everything in my life, it means a lot to me. I always try to make history where I can… In all the tournaments I play, all the practises, all the matches, and especially during the biggest tournaments in the world. There is an opportunity to make more history, and that is one of the biggest motivations I have for competitions, for continuing to work and better myself,” the Serbian added.
Djokovic will next face either Corentin Moutet or qualifier Clement Tabur in the second round.
Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi on Wednesday paid homage to Vinayak Damodar Savarkar on his birth anniversary, describing him as a “true son of Mother India” and a symbol of indomitable courage.
In a post on X, the Prime Minister said that Veer Savarkar’s unwavering spirit in the face of severe hardships and his contribution to India’s freedom struggle remain an inspiration.
“Respectful tributes to Veer Savarkar ji, a true son of Mother India, on his birth anniversary. Even the harshest tortures of the foreign government could not shake his devotion towards the motherland. The grateful nation can never forget the saga of his indomitable courage and struggle in the freedom movement. His sacrifice and dedication for the country will continue to be a guide in the creation of a developed India,” the Prime Minister said in his message.
Union Home Minister Shri Amit Shah also paid his respects. In a post on X, he recalled Veer Savarkar’s efforts to eradicate untouchability and foster unity in Indian society.
“Swatantryaveer Savarkar ji, who crossed the pinnacle of courage and restraint for the freedom of the motherland, made an unforgettable contribution in making national interest an all-India consciousness. On his birth anniversary, on behalf of the grateful nation, we offer our heartfelt tributes to Veer Savarkar Ji, who devoted his whole life to freeing the Indian society from the scourge of untouchability and binding it in a strong thread of unity,” the Home Minister said.
Born on May 28, 1883, in Nashik, Maharashtra, Vinayak Damodar Savarkar was a freedom fighter, lawyer, writer, and political thinker. He is credited with coining the term ‘Hindutva’ and was a prominent figure in the Hindu Mahasabha.
Savarkar’s early association with revolutionary movements began during his student days and continued during his time at Fergusson College in Pune and later at India House in London, where he joined groups like the Free India Society.
He is also known for his historical work “The Indian War of Independence”, which presented the 1857 uprising as India’s first struggle for freedom. The book was banned by British colonial authorities.
An all-party Indian Parliamentary delegation led by MP Supriya Sule interacted with members of the Indian community in South Africa, reaffirming India’s strong and unified stance against terrorism.
“All-party delegation led by Hon’ble MP Supriya Sule interacted with Indian community in South Africa. They emphasised India’s national consensus and collective resolve against terrorism in all its forms. Commended the wholehearted support of Indian diaspora to eradicate the scourge of terrorism,” the Indian High Commission in South Africa posted on X.
The community interaction in Johannesburg marked the beginning of the delegation’s official engagements in South Africa.
According to the High Commission of India in Pretoria, the delegation conveyed India’s zero-tolerance policy towards cross-border terrorism and reiterated the country’s commitment to counter-terrorism without escalating regional tensions.
The delegation briefed the community about Operation Sindoor, India’s recent calibrated and proportionate response to a terror incident, which underscores the country’s firm yet measured approach to safeguarding national security.
The MPs stressed the importance of dismantling terrorism infrastructure that has been used for decades against India and called for a global end to differentiating between terrorists and their sponsors.
Earlier in the day, the delegation was welcomed by High Commissioner Prabhat Kumar, who briefed them on the key dimensions of the India-South Africa bilateral relationship and the upcoming engagements.
The delegation is scheduled to continue its South Africa visit in Cape Town on May 28 (Wednesday), where meetings with members of the South African Parliament and government ministers are planned.
The delegation includes prominent MPs from across the political spectrum: Supriya Sule, Rajiv Pratap Rudy, Vikramjeet Singh Sahney, Manish Tewari, Anurag Singh Thakur, Lavu Sri Krishna Devarayalu, Anand Sharma (former Minister of Commerce & Industry), V. Muraleedharan (former Minister of State for External Affairs), and Syed Akbaruddin (former Permanent Representative of India to the United Nations).
At the invitation of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the President of Paraguay, Santiago Peña Palacios, will pay a State Visit to India from the 2nd to the 4th of June. This marks President Peña’s first visit to India and only the second-ever visit by a Paraguayan head of state to the country.
The visiting dignitary will be accompanied by a high-level delegation comprising ministers, senior government officials, and business representatives. In addition to engagements in the national capital, President Peña will also visit Mumbai before concluding his visit on June 4.
During the visit, President Peña is scheduled to hold delegation-level talks with Prime Minister Narendra Modi on June 2. The leaders will undertake a comprehensive review of the entire spectrum of bilateral relations. Prime Minister Modi is also expected to host a lunch in honour of the visiting President.
President Peña will also call on the Hon’ble President of India, Droupadi Murmu, who will host a banquet in his honour. The Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar and the External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar are also expected to meet the visiting leader during his stay in New Delhi.
India and Paraguay share warm and friendly ties since the establishment of diplomatic relations on September 13, 1961. The bilateral partnership spans across a range of sectors including trade, agriculture, healthcare, pharmaceuticals, and information technology. Paraguay is considered an important trading partner for India in the Latin American region.
Indian companies, particularly in the automobile and pharmaceutical sectors, have a growing presence in Paraguay. Similarly, Paraguayan firms — including those operating through joint ventures — have expanded their footprint in India, contributing positively to the economic engagement between the two nations.
India and Paraguay also share converging views on a range of global issues, including United Nations reforms, climate change, promotion of renewable energy, and the fight against terrorism.
During his visit to Mumbai, President Peña is scheduled to interact with state-level political leadership, business and industry representatives, startups, and leaders from the technology and innovation sectors.
The Regional Meteorological Centre (RMC) has forecast continued rainfall across Tamil Nadu, with an orange alert issued for five districts as a low-pressure area formed over the northwest Bay of Bengal off the Odisha coast is expected to intensify over the next 48 hours.
Several districts, particularly in southern Tamil Nadu, which have already experienced above-normal rainfall due to a previous low-pressure system over the Arabian Sea, are likely to receive more rain until May 30. The system is expected to move slowly northward toward Bangladesh and Myanmar in the coming days, bringing significant rainfall to parts of Tamil Nadu. A brief pause in rainfall activity is expected from June 1.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued an orange alert for the ghat areas of Coimbatore, Tirunelveli, Tenkasi, Theni, and Nilgiris districts, indicating the likelihood of heavy to very heavy rainfall and urging residents to remain alert for potentially disruptive weather.
Heavy rain is also expected in Tiruppur, Dindigul, and Kanyakumari districts.
From March 1 to May 27, Tamil Nadu has recorded 96% excess rainfall. According to the IMD’s latest forecast, the state is likely to receive above-normal rainfall during the ongoing southwest monsoon, while daytime temperatures in June are expected to remain below average.
The early onset of the monsoon, coupled with frequent thunderstorms, has brought relief from the intense summer heat. Notably, Chennai has so far avoided crossing the 40°C mark this year. Temperature data indicates that most of May—the peak summer month—has remained below normal across the state.
The all-party Indian parliamentary delegation led by BJP MP Ravi Shankar Prasad arrived in Italy early on Wednesday (Indian time) following a successful visit to France, conveying India’s strong anti-terror stance.
The parliamentarians were received by India’s Ambassador to Italy Vani Rao on their arrival in Rome.
“The All-Party Parliamentary Delegation led by Ravi Shankar Prasad, MP, arrived in Rome for wide-ranging interactions. They were received by Ambassador Vani Rao. The delegation will convey India’s firm and united message against cross-border terrorism in the context of Operation Sindoor,” the Indian Embassy in Rome posted on X.
The nine-member delegation includes: Ravi Shankar Prasad (BJP), Daggubati Purandeswari (BJP), Priyanka Chaturvedi (Shiv Sena-UBT), Ghulam Ali Khatana (BJP), Amar Singh (Congress), Samik Bhattacharya (BJP), M. Thambidurai (AIADMK), former Union Minister M.J. Akbar and former Ambassador Pankaj Saran.
In Italy, the delegation will meet several top leaders, academia, think tanks and community members to brief them about Operation Sindoor and India’s ‘new normal’ message against terrorism.
During their engagements in France on Tuesday, the delegation held interactions with senior journalists from leading French and international media outlets.
The conversation focused on India’s firm and unwavering stance against terrorism. The delegates conveyed that India remains resolute in its efforts to counter terrorism and called for greater international solidarity on this critical global challenge.
“Following the media interaction, the delegation held meetings at the French National Assembly with Members of Parliament led by Thierry Tesson, President of the France-India Friendship Group. Later, at the French Senate, they met with Senators from the France-India Friendship Group led by Vice President Jacqueline Eustache-Brinio, along with members of the Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs and Defence,” the Embassy said in a statement.
Throughout the meetings, the Ravi Shankar Prasad-led MPs underlined India’s deep commitment to combating terrorism in all its forms and manifestations.
“The French parliamentarians expressed strong solidarity with India’s position, and support in the fight against terrorism, and reaffirmed the shared values that underpin the France-India strategic partnership,” the statement added.
Ravi Shankar Prasad on Tuesday took to social media, mentioning the details of the interaction in Paris, in which they highlighted designated terrorists taking shelter in Pakistan and India’s response following the April 22 Pahlagam terror attack.
“Today, along with my delegation colleagues, I interacted with the French media in Paris. We briefed them about India’s actions against Pakistan-sponsored terrorism. Yesterday, we had a wonderful interaction with a think tank. We also spoke to a large number of Indians staying in Paris and other parts of France. They heard with a great degree of pain about the unfortunate tragedy of innocent Indian lives being killed in a barbaric manner, and the way India has responded. On the issue of terrorism, the whole world needs to speak in one voice,” Prasad posted on X.
Prasad highlighted that there are several UN-designated terrorists in Pakistan, out of whom many were killed during India’s precision strikes. He said that the delegation conveyed India’s message in “very unmistakable terms.”
“This time, we have responded very conclusively with lethal power, attacking terrorist camps and their air force installations. As a result, Pakistan has asked for peace,” Prasad said.
President Donald Trump’s administration has ordered its missions abroad to stop scheduling new appointments for student and exchange visitor visa applicants as the State Department prepares to expand social media vetting of foreign students, according to an internal cable seen by Reuters on Tuesday.
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said in the cable that the department plans to issue updated guidance on social media vetting of student and exchange visitor applicants after a review is completed and advised consular sections to halt the scheduling of such visa appointments.
The move comes as the Trump administration has sought to ramp up deportations and revoke student visas as part of its wide-ranging efforts to fulfill his hardline immigration agenda.
Several hundred protesters, including Harvard University students and professors, demonstrated in support of foreign students at the Harvard campus on Tuesday, while also protesting Trump administration efforts to cut off funding to the university.
In the cable, first reported by Politico, Rubio said appointments that have already been scheduled can proceed under the current guidelines, but available appointments not already taken should be pulled down.
“The Department is conducting a review of existing operations and processes for screening and vetting of student and exchange visitor (F, M, J) visa applicants, and based on that review, plans to issue guidance on expanded social media vetting for all such applicants,” the cable said.
A senior State Department official confirmed the accuracy of the cable.
State Department spokesperson Tammy Bruce declined to comment on reports of the cable, but said the U.S. will use “every tool” to vet anyone who wants to enter the United States.
“We will continue to use every tool we can to assess who it is that’s coming here, whether they are students or otherwise,” Bruce told reporters at a regular news briefing.
The expanded social media vetting will require consular sections to modify their operations, processes and allocation of resources, according to the cable, which advises the sections going forward to take into consideration the workload and resource requirements of each case before scheduling them.
The cable also advises consular sections to remain focused on services for U.S. citizens, immigrant visas and fraud prevention.
Trump administration officials have said student visa and green card holders are subject to deportation over their support for Palestinians and criticism of Israel’s conduct in the war in Gaza, calling their actions a threat to U.S. foreign policy and accusing them of being pro-Hamas.
Trump’s critics have called the effort an attack on free speech rights under the First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution.
A Tufts University student from Turkey was held for over six weeks in an immigration detention center in Louisiana after co-writing an opinion piece criticizing her school’s response to Israel’s war in Gaza. She was released from custody after a federal judge granted her bail.
Last week, the Trump administration moved to revoke Harvard’s ability to enroll international students. Those roughly 6,800 students make up about 27% of Harvard’s total enrollment.
The Republican president’s administration has moved to undermine the financial stability and global standing of the nation’s oldest and wealthiest university after it pushed back on government demands for vast changes to its policies.
SpaceX’s Starship rocket roared into space from Texas on Tuesday but spun out of control about halfway through its flight without achieving some of its most important testing goals, bringing fresh engineering hurdles to CEO Elon Musk’s increasingly turbulent Mars rocket program.
The 400-foot tall (122 meter) Starship rocket system, the core of Musk’s goal of sending humans to Mars, lifted off from SpaceX’s Starbase, Texas, launch site, flying beyond the point of two previous explosive attempts earlier this year that sent debris streaking over Caribbean islands and forced dozens of airliners to divert course.
For the latest launch, the ninth full test mission of Starship since the first attempt in April 2023, the upper-stage cruise vessel was lofted to space atop a previously flown booster – a first such demonstration of the booster’s reusability.
But SpaceX lost contact with the 232-foot lower-stage booster during its descent before it plunged into the sea, rather than making the controlled splashdown the company had planned.
Starship, meanwhile, continued into suborbital space but began to spin uncontrollably roughly 30 minutes into the mission. The errant spiraling came after SpaceX canceled a plan to deploy eight mock Starlink satellites into space – the rocket’s “Pez” candy dispenser-like mechanism failed to work as designed.
“Not looking great with a lot of our on-orbit objectives for today,” SpaceX broadcaster Dan Huot said on a company livestream.
Musk was scheduled to deliver an update on his space exploration ambitions in a speech from Starbase following the test flight, billed as a livestream presentation about “The Road to Making Life Multiplanetary.” Hours later, he had yet to give the speech and there was no sign that he intended to do so.
In a post on X, Musk touted Starship’s scheduled shutdown of an engine in space, a step previous test flights achieved last year. He said a leak on Starship’s primary fuel tank led to its loss of control.
“Lot of good data to review,” he said. “Launch cadence for next 3 flights will be faster, at approximately 1 every 3 to 4 weeks.”
SpaceX has said the Starship models that have flown this year bear significant design upgrades from previous prototypes, as thousands of company employees work to build a multi-purpose rocket capable of putting massive batches of satellites in space, carrying humans back to the moon and ultimately ferrying astronauts to Mars.
RISK-TOLERANT
The recent setbacks indicate SpaceX is struggling to overcome a complicated chapter of Starship’s multibillion-dollar development. But the company’s engineering culture, widely considered more risk-tolerant than many of the aerospace industry’s more established players, is built on a flight-testing strategy that pushes spacecraft to the point of failure, then fine-tunes improvements through frequent repetition.
Starship’s planned trajectory for Tuesday included a nearly full orbit around Earth for a controlled splashdown in the Indian Ocean to test new designs of its heat shield tiles and revised flaps for steering its blazing re-entry and descent through Earth’s atmosphere.
But its early demise, appearing as a fireball streaking eastward through the night sky over southern Africa, puts another pause in Musk’s speedy development goals for a rocket bound to play a central role in the U.S. space program.
NASA plans to use the rocket to land humans on the moon in 2027, though that moon program faces turmoil amid Musk’s Mars-focused influence over U.S. President Donald Trump’s administration.
MISHAP PROBE
Federal regulators had granted SpaceX a license for Starship’s latest flight attempt four days ago, capping a mishap investigation that had grounded Starship for nearly two months.
The last two test flights – in January and March – were cut short moments after liftoff as the vehicles blew to pieces on ascent, raining debris over parts of the Caribbean and disrupting scores of commercial airline flights in the region.
The Federal Aviation Administration expanded debris hazard zones around the ascent path for Tuesday’s launch.
The previous back-to-back failures occurred in early test-flight phases that SpaceX had easily achieved before, in a striking setback to a program that Musk, the billionaire entrepreneur who founded the rocket company in 2002, had sought to accelerate this year.
Musk, the world’s wealthiest individual and a key supporter of U.S. President Donald Trump, was especially eager for a success after vowing in recent days to refocus his attention on his various business ventures, including SpaceX, following a tumultuous foray into national politics and his attempts at cutting government bureaucracy.
Closer to home, Musk also sees Starship as eventually replacing the SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket as the workhorse in the company’s commercial launch business, which already lofts most of the world’s satellites and other payloads to low-Earth orbit.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday attended the Civil Investiture Ceremony-II held at Rashtrapati Bhavan, where the prestigious Padma Awards were presented to distinguished individuals from various fields.
In a post on X, the Prime Minister said, “Attended the Civil Investiture Ceremony-II, where the Padma Awards were presented. The Padma awardees have made notable contributions to our society. The life journeys of those who were conferred the Padma are deeply motivating.”
Vice-President Jagdeep Dhankhar, Union Ministers Amit Shah, S. Jaishankar, Pralhad Joshi, Jitendra Singh, G. Kishan Reddy, and several other dignitaries were present on the occasion.
The Padma Awards—Padma Vibhushan, Padma Bhushan, and Padma Shri—are among the highest civilian honours in the country and are conferred in recognition of exceptional service in various disciplines, including art, literature, education, medicine, social work, science, public affairs, and sports.
This year, the government had announced a total of 139 Padma awardees on the eve of Republic Day.
Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri met with US Under Secretary Jeffrey Kessler in Washington on Tuesday to discuss convening the India-US Strategic Trade Dialogue at an early date and to explore deeper cooperation in critical and emerging technologies.
The meeting is seen as a step forward in bolstering high-level collaboration between India and the United States in strategically vital sectors. Discussions focused on reinforcing existing institutional frameworks and accelerating joint initiatives in technology and trade.
The Indian Embassy in Washington posted on X, stating, “Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri met Under Secretary Jeffrey Kessler to advance India-US cooperation in critical & emerging technologies. They also discussed early convening of the India-US Strategic Trade Dialogue to deepen tech & trade collaboration.”
Misri is currently on a three-day visit to the US, during which he will engage with senior members of the Trump administration. According to the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), the visit follows up on Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s official trip to the US in February 2025.
That visit marked the launch of the ‘India-US COMPACT’—Catalysing Opportunities for Military Partnership, Accelerated Commerce and Technology—a strategic framework introduced by PM Modi and US President Donald Trump to expand collaboration in defense, trade, and technology.
It was Modi’s first trip to the US since Trump’s second inauguration in January 2025. He was among the first world leaders invited by the new administration, visiting within three weeks of the swearing-in.
The visit also comes amid President Trump’s recent remarks claiming credit for mediating a ceasefire agreement between India and Pakistan earlier this month. However, Indian officials have strongly refuted the claim.
New Delhi maintains that the ceasefire came about due to Pakistan’s appeals following intense Indian military operations during Operation Sindoor, which targeted Pakistani air bases. Officials have underscored that the pressure from India’s offensive left Islamabad with little choice but to seek de-escalation.
External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar clarified last week that while the US had reached out to India between May 7 and 10, it was not acting alone, and multiple countries had engaged with New Delhi during the period.
Regarding your editorial “A Sanctions Message to Putin—and China” (May 21): Since taking office, President Trump has earnestly sought to bring Ukraine and Russia together to achieve a just and honorable peace, ensuring global stability. That is more important now than ever. America’s shameful withdrawal from Afghanistan didn’t merely damage our reputation; it set in motion aggression across the world. If the U.S. continues to lead decisively on bringing the Russia-Ukraine war to an end, that could change. Mr. Trump can restore our reputation—and end the bloodbath.
Yet peace requires willing partners. While Ukraine has made clear it is ready for such an end, Russia has made more excuses than the market can bear. President Trump has asked Vladimir Putin to provide a term sheet outlining the requirements for a cease-fire, bringing the roadblocks to peace to a head. Depending on how Russia responds, we will know which course to take.
The Senate is prepared either way. I have coordinated with the White House on the Russia sanctions bill since its inception. The bill would put Russia on a trade island, slapping 500% tariffs on any country that buys Moscow’s energy products. The consequences of its barbaric invasion must be made real to those that prop it up. If China or India stopped buying cheap oil, Mr. Putin’s war machine would grind to a halt.
The sanctions bill has 82 co-sponsors. As Sen. Thune said last week, if Mr. Putin continues to play games, the Senate will act. I’m hoping for the best, but when it comes to the thug in Moscow, we should all prepare for more of the same.
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Fei Gao, Lecturer in Taxation, Discipline of Accounting, Governance & Regulation, The University of Sydney, University of Sydney
Tech giants like Google, Facebook and Netflix make billions of dollars from Australian users every year. But most of those profits are not taxed here.
To address this tax gap, some countries have introduced a new kind of tax called the digital services tax, or DST. It applies to revenue earned from users in a country, even if the company has no physical operations there. Some European Union member countries, the UK and Canada have all introduced such a tax.
In Australia, it is estimated the five largest tech giants recorded A$15 billion in revenue in Australia last year, but combined they paid only $254 million in tax.
Australia has never contemplated imposing a similar tax. New Zealand tried but backed down last week after the United States threatened to impose higher tariffs on New Zealand goods.
So what’s holding Australia back?
How 20th-century tax treaties create 21st-century problems
To understand why Australia thinks its hands are tied on the taxation of the multinational tech giants, we need to step back in time.
About 100 years ago, Australia and other developed nations decided to tax residents on all their income earned worldwide, while non-residents were taxed only on income earned locally.
After the second world war, Australia entered into tax treaties so foreign companies selling to Australian customers would no longer be taxed here. Instead, those companies’ home countries would tax all their profits.
As the world moved to digital products this century, it became easy for giant multinational enterprises offering advertising on social media (such as Facebook and Instagram), advertising on search platforms (Google), and streaming services (Netflix) to provide those services from abroad. Little or no activity is conducted through local branches.
But countries where the sales are made have increasingly questioned the wisdom of having forfeited their taxing rights over income by foreign providers.
The rise of the digital services tax
The obvious solution would have been to renegotiate the treaties. This would restore the right of countries like Australia to tax foreign companies’ profits made from local customers or users.
However, treaty renegotiation is slow and complex. So several European countries, beginning with France in 2019, came up with a short-cut solution.
They introduced a discrete new tax on sales of digital services, called digital services taxes (DSTs). While the specific design varies by country, most DSTs apply a low tax rate, typically between 3% and 5%, on revenue rather than profits. They target large digital platforms that earn money from users within the taxing country, regardless of the company’s location.
Because DSTs are levied on revenue and are structured as separate from income tax, governments argued they could be introduced without breaching income tax treaties.
The new taxes quickly became popular and spread widely.
In Australia, the Greens have called for a DST, but both major parties have remained steadfast in their objection to a new tax. This is due to the concern that the US may impose retaliatory tariffs on Australian goods.
US tech bosses at the inauguration of President Trump: (from left to right) CEO of Meta Mark Zuckerberg, Lauren Sanchez, Amazon founder Jeff Bezos, CEO of Google Sundar Pichai and X CEO Elon Musk. Julia Demaree Nikhinson/AFP
How big is the tax loss?
Australians are enthusiastic consumers of digital products. Depending on which companies are included in the calculation, the annual revenues vary between $15 billion and $26 billion a year, but only a fraction of that is taxed here.
At a time when the federal budget is forecasting deficits for the foreseeable future, Australia is foregoing potentially millions in lost revenue from these digital giants.
While Australia has avoided a DST as a solution to the income tax loss, it has been willing to regulate and tax foreign digital companies in other ways.
Australia collects 10% goods and services tax, or GST, on digital services provided to Australian companies, including streaming platforms and app subscriptions.
This helps ensure foreign providers are taxed similarly to domestic ones when it comes to the GST.
Australia has also imposed non-tax obligations on digital giants such as the requirement that digital platforms pay Australian media outlets for using their news content.
In February, the Trump administration described DSTs as tools used by foreign governments to “plunder American companies” and warned retaliatory tariffs would be imposed in response.
The accompanying White House fact sheet singled out Australia and Canada, arguing the US digital economy dwarfs those countries’ entire economies. It suggested any attempt to tax US tech companies would not go unanswered.
Six weeks later, the US imposed a 10% tariff on most Australian exports to the US and a 25% tariff on steel and aluminium exports.
The US sees its penal tariff plans as a useful negotiating tool to pressure trading partners into retreat on a broad range of peripheral complaints, including the digital services tax.
To date, only two countries have retreated: New Zealand and India. Other countries are standing firm.
In Australia, the Greens have called for the adoption of a DST, but the current and previous governments remain firm in their opposition. There is concern about antagonising the US at a delicate time when our broader trade relations are under scrutiny.
For the foreseeable future, the digital giants will continue to earn billions from Australian users. Most of those profits will remain beyond the reach of Australian tax law.
Richard Krever receives funding from the ARC
Fei Gao does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.
Coco Gauff forgot to take her rackets to the court but reminded her rivals of her French Open title ambitions with a commanding first-round win, while Daniil Medvedev was unable to string out his journey beyond the first round on a wet and windy Tuesday.
Three-times champion Novak Djokovic overcame the difficult conditions to begin his bid for a record 25th Grand Slam title with a victory after last year’s finalist Alexander Zverev got off to a flier in his hunt for an elusive maiden major trophy.
Former Roland Garros runner-up Gauff provided some early comic relief as the second seed grinned sheepishly and showed her empty bag to her entourage, who scampered to reunite her with her equipment before she beat Olivia Gadecki 6-2 6-2.
“The most important thing is to play with a racket,” said Gauff, who jokingly posted a photo on X later of a to-do list that had ‘put tennis rackets in bag’ unchecked.
“It probably relaxed me going into the match, because it was such a funny thing. I’m just happy to get through. I’ll remember my rackets next time.”
The Madrid and Rome finalist made up for a slightly delayed start to her match on Court Philippe Chatrier by easing through the first three games and wrapped up the opening set with a brave hold after dropping serve earlier.
There was no looking back from there as Gauff tightened her grip on the contest and booked a clash with Tereza Valentova.
On the men’s side, third seed Zverev sealed a comprehensive 6-3 6-3 6-4 victory over Learner Tien, avenging a defeat by the 19-year-old American in Acapulco earlier this year.
Medvedev was not as efficient, losing eight consecutive games after taking a 3-1 lead in the opening set against Cameron Norrie and his frustrations boiled over in a series of animated gestures towards his team during a 7-5 6-3 4-6 1-6 7-5 loss.
Norrie enjoyed every bit of the Russian’s meltdown.
“Every time I played Daniil, he’s never snapped. He’s never said anything. He’s just completely locked in and chops me every time,” Norrie said.
“It was quite nice in the first set to see him freaking out and talking to his box and trying to look for answers.”
Fellow Briton Jack Draper found all the answers after dropping the opening set against Mattia Bellucci, as the world number five prevailed 3-6 6-1 6-4 6-2 after 17th seed Andrey Rublev kept his cool to beat Lloyd Harris 6-4 4-6 6-3 6-1.
SPIRITS LIFTED
Earlier, Dusan Lajovic crashed out 6-2 6-4 7-6(4) to Kazakh lucky loser Alexander Shevchenko while Laslo Djere fell 6-3 6-4 7-6(6) to Australian ninth seed Alex De Minaur, much to the disappointment of the Serbian fans.
Sixth seed Djokovic lifted their spirits, though, as the 38-year-old wrestled Mackenzie McDonald into submission with a dominant 6-3 6-3 6-3 win on the same court where he captured singles gold at the Paris Olympics last year.
“It’s great to return here a year later. I don’t know how many Grand Slams I have left but this is special,” he said.
“I feel good and here even better because I can relive the Olympics. Today it was a solid match throughout all three sets.
“I know I can play at a better level than today but I’m satisfied. There’s the chance to make further history and that is the biggest motivation to work, improve and be here.”
It was the end of the road for Bulgarian veteran Grigor Dimitrov after the 16th seed pulled up with a left thigh injury during his match against Ethan Quinn to exit a fourth straight Grand Slam due to retirement.
In the women’s draw, former runner-up Sofia Kenin advanced to the second round after a 6-3 6-1 win over French number one Varvara Gracheva while Hailey Baptiste beat 2023 semi-finalist Beatriz Haddad Maia 4-6 6-3 6-1.
Former world number one Victoria Azarenka became the oldest woman in the professional era since 1968 to win a singles Grand Slam main-draw match with a 6-0 6-0 scoreline, after the 35-year-old dished out a double bagel to Yanina Wickmayer.
Marketa Vondrousova, the 2023 Wimbledon champion, breezed past Oksana Selekhmeteva 6-4 6-4 while sixth seed Mirra Andreeva beat Cristina Bucsa 6-4 6-3 to underline her title credentials after a run to last year’s semi-finals.
Andreeva’s idol Ons Jabeur suffered a shock first round defeat by Magdalena Frech on Court Simonne Mathieu, as the twice quarter-finalist went down 7-6(4) 6-0.
Source: United States Senator for New Mexico Martin Heinrich
WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) released the following statement in commemoration of Memorial Day:
“Today on Memorial Day, we honor all those who have sacrificed their lives in service to our country. We reflect on their boundless courage, their proud legacies, and their steadfast commitment to serving the greater good — often at great sacrifice to themselves and their families.
“In 1942, 29 members of the Navajo Nation joined the U.S. Marine Corps to pioneer what would become one of the most impactful programs of World War II: the Navajo Code Talkers. These 29 Diné recruits helped change the tide of the war.
“During Iwo Jima, over 800 encrypted messages were sent by six code talkers, without anything written down. Navajo Marines deciphered and coded each line in real time, on the front lines and under fire. By the end of World War II, almost 400 Diné Marines were serving around the world as Code Talkers, in addition to yet other Tribal members, including the Hopi Code Talkers in the U.S. Army.
“From the Long Walk and forced relocations to the tragic legacy of Indian boarding schools, the United States has inflicted horrific harms on the Diné and Hopi people. But when the time came to mobilize against authoritarianism, these brave men stepped forward and helped the world prevail against hate.
“This year, I especially want to recognize the long record of service to our nation by people who call New Mexico home. Though many of the Code Talkers are no longer with us, their sacrifice will never be forgotten. In their name, we will stand up for what is right, against hate, and in service to this country and to each other.”
The global cost of disasters is growing but, just as the costs of disasters have been under-estimated, so have the benefits of investing now to reduce disaster risk.
Drawing on dozens of positive examples from around the globe, the below case studies are selected from the full GAR report and show how effective disaster risk reduction (DRR) investment can accelerate both sustainable development and economic stability at a time when catastrophic risk is increasing globally.
The boundaries and names shown and the designations used on this map do not imply official endorsement or acceptance by the United Nations.
Dotted line represents approximately the Line of Control in Jammu and Kashmir agreed upon by India and Pakistan. The final status of Jammu and Kashmir has not yet been agreed upon by the parties.
Final boundary between the Republic of Sudan and the Republic of South Sudan has not yet been determined.
A dispute exists between the Governments of Argentina and the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland concerning sovereignty over the Falkland Islands (Malvinas).
In recent years, extreme heat has become the leading cause of reported weather-related deaths.
The number of people exposed to extreme heat is growing in all world regions, with deadly implications: heat-related mortality for people over 65 years of age increased by approximately 85% between 2000–2004 and 2017–2021.
Between 2000 and 2019 studies show that approximately 489,000 heat-related deaths occurred annually, with 45% of these in Asia and 36% in Europe. Of these, an estimated 61,672 heat-related excess deaths occurred in the summer of 2022 alone.
However, many heat action plans remain focused on response rather than transformation, with limited emphasis on reducing risk before extreme heat events occur. Compounding this challenge, extreme heat is still not widely recognized as a disaster by many countries, leading to significant underreporting and masking the true scale of its impacts.
A heatwave is a marked warming of the air, or the invasion of very warm air, over a large area; it usually lasts from a few days to a few weeks (WMO, 1992).
Extreme heat is also a serious environmental hazard and a major risk to people’s health at work, which puts at risk around 2.4 billion workers—70% of the planet’s working population
Extreme costs of extreme heat
The costs of extreme heat are also increasing. Between 2000 and 2023, extreme temperature events caused economic damages close to USD 73 billion. The most notable peaks were in 2003 and 2008, when total costs of USD 20.7 billion and USD 31 billion were recorded. In 2021, extreme heat led to when USD 6.3 billion in damages occurred in North America alone.
The indirect impacts of extreme heat not only disrupt everyday life, but also lead to long-term economic and social costs. Extreme heat events in Europe contributed to an extra USD 2.8 billion in annual losses due to increased hospital admissions and diminished labor productivity. Extreme heat increases energy demand, reduce work productivity and strain healthcare systems due to a rise in heat-related illnesses. In urban areas, extreme heat events cause maintenance and repair costs to surge by 12–15%, resulting in an extra cost burden of about USD 4.5 billion annually in major cities, posing significant challenges for sustainable urban planning.
On the agriculture sector, the past 30 years have seen an estimated loss of USD 3.8 trillion in crops and livestock production due to disaster events, translating to an average annual loss of USD 123 billion per year, or 5 percent of global agricultural GDP.
According to IPCC predictions, with 1.5°C of warming, 67 cities will experience over 150 days a year of temperatures greater than 35°C – a figure rising to 197 cities with 3°C of warming.
The agricultural sector, where over 940 million people – including many of the world’s poorest citizens – earn their livelihoods, is already being disrupted by the effects of extreme heat as higher temperatures push workers to the limits of their endurance and threaten crops with drought. Without resilience building, this can result in lost labour, smaller harvests and higher prices for consumers.
During the 2012 heatwave in the United States, maize yields dropped by 13%, resulting in a sharp increase in global corn prices because the country supplies 40% of global production. In the short term, the food price volatility resulting from these weather events puts low-income countries, particularly those with high crop import dependency ratios, at risk of food insecurity.
In some areas of India, for example, the effects of shifting weather conditions on agriculture and other sectors are projected to result in a 9% fall in living standards by 2050 if no action is taken, affecting hundreds of millions of people and reversing vital progress in terms of poverty reduction.
For the big five major hazard groups (earthquakes, floods, storms, drought and heat) the recorded direct economic costs came to over USD 195.7 billion in 2023, constituting 0.015% of global GDP that year.
