Sun May 25 02:11:17 UTC 2025: **NEWS ARTICLE: Key Developments from Around the World and India (May 24-25, 2025)**

**New Delhi, May 25, 2025:** A mixed bag of news emerged over the weekend, with developments spanning public health, international relations, film, sports, and domestic affairs.

**COVID-19 Updates:** India has detected one case of the NB.1.8.1 and four instances of the LF.7 COVID-19 variants, both classified as Variants Under Monitoring by the WHO. These strains are reportedly driving the recent surge in cases in China and other parts of Asia. Locally, Thane Municipal Corporation reported one COVID-19 death and eight new infections, leaving 18 active cases in the city, mostly under home isolation and in stable condition.

**Global Affairs:** Russia continues its advance in eastern Ukraine, capturing settlements in the Donetsk and Sumy regions. India has resumed granting visas to Afghan citizens in several categories, five years after suspending the service following a change in regime in Afghanistan. Trade talks continue between India and the European Union, with Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal meeting with European Commissioner for Trade Maros Sefcovic in Brussels.

**Arts & Culture:** Iranian filmmaker Jafar Panahi’s “It Was Just an Accident,” a film made after government relented from a 20-year filmmaking ban, secured the Palme d’Or at Cannes, a political victory, for its maker, but also for U.S. distributor Neon, now six-for-six in Cannes’ top prize.

**Sports:** Novak Djokovic claimed his 100th career singles title at the Geneva Open. In the IPL, Delhi Capitals defeated Punjab Kings in a high-scoring match.

**Domestic News:** In Manipur, the Coordinating Committee on Manipur Integrity (COCOMI) launched a civil disobedience campaign against President’s Rule administration, stemming from the masking of the words ‘Manipur State Transport’ on a bus carrying journalists. Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta outlined her roadmap for a “developed Delhi” at a NITI Aayog meeting, focusing on Yamuna river clean-up, infrastructure development, and tap water provision. The Supreme Court set aside a life imprisonment sentence in a murder case, citing “reasonable doubt” due to possible insanity. Additionally, Elon Musk-owned X (formerly Twitter) experienced a major outage impacting users across India and other countries. The Union Railway Ministry approved a new train service between Agartala and Guwahati.

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