India has abstained from voting on the International Monetary Fund’s (IMF) proposed $1.3 billion bailout package for Pakistan, citing Islamabad’s “poor track record” in effectively utilising previous financial aid.

The decision comes amid escalating tensions between the two countries following India’s recent military strikes against terror infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir as part of Operation Sindoor in retaliation against the April 22 Pahalgam attack.

At the IMF board meeting held on May 9 in Washington, India flagged concerns over Pakistan’s repeated failure to meet conditions attached to IMF assistance.

The US Department of State in a statement on Wednesday (local time) said that the Quad partners convened at the Asia-Pacific Center for Security Studies in Honolulu, Hawaii for a Tabletop Exercise, a simulation to launch the Quad-IPLN-exercise (IPLN).

"From April 28 to May 2, the Quad partners (the United States, Australia, India, and Japan) convened at the Asia-Pacific Center for Security Studies in Honolulu, Hawaii for a Tabletop Exercise, a simulation to launch the Quad Indo-Pacific Logistics Network (IPLN)," the statement read.

"IPLN is an initiative that enables Quad partners to leverage shared logistics capabilities in the Indo-Pacific to support civilian response to natural disasters more rapidly and efficiently across the region," the statement added.

Thalassaemia still causes a lot of physical and emotional problems for children and their families in India, where the number of cases is the highest in the world. Thalassaemia is a disease related to children about which people have very little knowledge. Every year 10 thousand to 12 thousand children in India fall victim to this disease. In such a situation, 'World Thalassaemia Day' is celebrated every year on 8 May to spread awareness about this disease.

In thalassaemia, the level of haemoglobin in the body starts decreasing. Due to this, the body gradually starts lacking blood, and the child becomes helpless in walking. Dr Isha Kaul, Director, Hemato-Oncology, BMT, Max Super Speciality Hospital, explains what thalassaemia is. What are its symptoms, and what should be done to prevent it?

Thalassaemia is a genetic blood disorder that causes the body to produce less than normal levels of haemoglobin. This can lead to anaemia, fatigue, and other serious health problems. Patients with thalassaemia could potentially be treated with a stem cell transplant, in which the damaged blood-forming cells in their body are replaced with healthy cells from a donor.

On May 8 every year, World Red Cross and Red Crescent Day is observed as a tribute to the unwavering dedication of the volunteers– to the communities they serve, the principles they uphold, and the people they assist and protect.

Significance:
The date May 8 was chosen as it falls on the anniversary of the birth of the founder of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), Henry Dunant. ICRC is one of the world’s largest humanitarian networks, and it works to provide aid to people around the world. The day does not just honour the achievements but also remembers the service the volunteers provide in times of need in disasters, for their assistance in hard-to-reach areas.

AFTER the first state cabinet meeting at Chaundi in Ahilyanagar (earlier Ahmednagar), Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Tuesday announced a series of decisions centred around the legacy of erstwhile Indore queen Ahilyabai Holkar. Among the decisions taken to mark Ahilyabai’s 300th birth anniversary included development of her existing memorial at Chaundi, several welfare measures for the Dhangar community and a biographical film on her.

As soon as the CM arrived, he went to Chaundi village, the birthplace of Ahilyabai, and paid homage to her. He was accompanied by Deputy Chief Ministers Eknath Shinde and Ajit Pawar. The entire state cabinet was present for Tuesday’s meeting at Chaundi.

Speaking to reporters, Fadnavis said the cabinet took several decisions to honour the legacy of Ahilyabai and provide benefits to the Dhangar community. “Among the decisions include a Rs 681-crore plan for conservation of the Punyashlok Ahilyabai Holkar memorial,” he said.

In a historic move to celebrate the 300th birth anniversary of Ahilyabai Holkar, the Maharashtra government has announced the production of a grand biopic on the life of the legendary Maratha queen. The film will be made in Marathi and multiple regional languages, with plans to release it on Doordarshan and leading OTT platforms.

Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis made the announcement on Tuesday at Chondi in Jamkhed tehsil, Ahilyabai’s birthplace, in Ahilyanagar district. He said the project will be executed through the Maharashtra Film, Theatre and Cultural Development Corporation and that Film City in Goregaon has been tasked with overseeing the film's production.

“Since it will be a commercial film, the required expenses will be made available through the budgetary demands,” Fadnavis said.

The Culture Ministry has successfully secured the postponement of the auction of the sacred Piprahwa Buddhist relics by Sotheby’s Hong Kong, which was scheduled for today. The Piprahwa Relics were excavated in 1898 by William Claxton Peppé. These comprise bone fragments of the Historical Buddha, along with soapstone and crystal caskets, a sandstone coffer, and offerings such as gold ornaments and gemstones. An inscription in Brahmi script on one of the caskets confirms these as relics of the Buddha, deposited by the Sakya clan. The majority of these relics were transferred to the Indian Museum, Kolkata, in 1899 and are classified as ‘AA’ antiquities under Indian law, prohibiting their removal or sale. A portion of the bone relics was gifted to the King of Siam, while a selection of funerary gems retained by W.C. Peppé’s great-grandson, Chris Peppé, was listed for auction.

A high-level delegation led by Culture Secretary held discussions with Sotheby’s representatives yesterday. The delegation highlighted that the relics were not ordinary artifacts but held sacred significance for millions of Buddhists worldwide. Ministry of Culture, in collaboration with the ASI and External Affairs Ministry, will now engage all stakeholders to advance discussions on the repatriation of the relics to India.

The Government of India has launched a groundbreaking cashless treatment scheme for road accident victims across the country, ensuring swift and hassle-free medical care for those affected.

Effective from 5 May 2025, this scheme entitles every road accident victim to receive treatment worth up to ₹1.5 lakh per person, per accident, without any upfront payment.

According to the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways’ official gazette notification, the scheme applies to any individual injured in a road accident occurring on any road in India.

The Centre for Earth Sciences and Himalayan Studies (CESHS) has successfully drilled Northeast India’s first geothermal production well at Dirang in Arunachal Pradesh’s West Kameng district.

The initiative marks a major milestone in the region’s pursuit of sustainable and renewable energy sources.

CESHS geosciences division head Rupankar Rajkhowa stated that the success comes after two years of detailed geochemical and structural surveys conducted across hot spring sites in western Arunachal Pradesh.

The National Basketball Association (NBA) announced that the first-ever BUDX NBA House in India, an interactive fan event celebrating the convergence of basketball, music and culture, will take place on June 7 and June 8 at the DOME, SVP Stadium, in Mumbai, as per a release from NBA.

Held in conjunction with the 2025 NBA Finals, the two-day event will feature basketball-themed activities, live musical performances, meet-and-greets with five-time NBA champion Derek Fisher and Naismith Basketball Hall of Famer Gary Payton, photo opportunities with the Larry O'Brien Trophy, as well as performances by Sacramento Kings mascot Slamson, the Kings Dancers and the Kings' dunk team.

"The first BUDX NBA House will be a must-visit destination for the passionate NBA fans in India to come together and celebrate their love of the game amid the excitement of the NBA Finals," said NBA Asia Head of Strategy and NBA India Country Head Rajah Chaudhry, as quoted from a release by NBA