The Hindu Morning Digest, February 22, 2025 Today Sports News

The BJP dismissed media reports claiming that the $21-million USAID fund allocation in 2022 was for Bangladesh and accused the Congress party of being involved in “anti-India” activities.
| Photo Credit: AP

India an emerging global powerhouse, needs world-class leaders across all sectors for accelerated growth: PM Modi 

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday (February 21, 2025) called India an emerging global powerhouse that required world-class leaders who can find solutions to global needs and complexities in every sector. At the same time, these leaders must keep the country’s interest at the forefront for an accelerated growth momentum, he added. 

BJP, Congress spar over USAID fund allocation

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Friday (February 21, 2025) dismissed media reports claiming — as a “cover-up attempt” — that the $21-million USAID fund allocation in 2022 was for Bangladesh and not for India, and accused Leader of Opposition (LoP) Rahul Gandhiand the Congress party of being involved in “anti-India” activities.

India, China worked hard to protect G-20, says Jaishankar

India and China have “worked hard to preserve” the G-20 organisation, said External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar on Friday (February 21, 2025) during talks with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi on the sidelines of the G-20 Foreign Ministers’ meeting at Johannesburg in South Africa. 

Indian languages have always accepted and enriched each other without hostility: PM

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday said the shared cultural heritage of Indian languages would give a befitting reply to those making efforts to create divisions in the country in the name of languages.

ED issues order levying penalty of over ₹3.44 crore on BBC World Service India for alleged FEMA violations

The Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Friday (February 21, 2025) issued an adjudication order levying a penalty of over ₹3.44 crore on BBC World Service (WS) India, along with a fine of ₹5,000 per day after October 15, 2021, till the date of compliance, for the alleged violation of the Foreign Exchange Management Act (FEMA) provisions, according to agency sources.

Nepali KIIT student death: A death in hostel and a campus on the boil 

On February 16, a Nepali student was found dead in her room. Angry students began protesting on campus, demanding justice for her and alleging that the university had ignored complaints of harassment. When tensions escalated, the university evicted more than 500 Nepali students from the university.

Hadai Matar, who stabbed Salman Rushdie, found guilty of attempted murder

A New Jersey man was convicted Friday of attempted murder and assault for stabbing author Salman Rushdie multiple times on a New York lecture stage in 2022. A jury found Hadi Matar, 27, guilty after a little less than two hours of deliberations following a trial in Chautauqua County Court.

Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia hosts mini-Arab summit to create united position on Gaza crisis

In a bid to convey a united position regarding the Trump administration’s plans for solving the Gaza crisis, Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman on Friday hosted the leaders of the six Gulf Cooperation Council member states and Jordan and Egypt. Riyadh has been decked up with many Saudi flags on the occasion of the Saudi Founding Day that will be marked on February 22, and the ‘mini Arab summit’ is being presented as a sign of carrying forward traditional Saudi commitment to peace and regional stability.

Harmanpreet & Co. spoil RCB’s homecoming

The Garden City rarely misses an opportunity to turn up in numbers for a Women’s Premier League match. And so it did on Friday, filling the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium to the brim. Unfortunately, it had to return home disappointed as its beloved Royal Challengers Bengaluru lost to Mumbai Indians by four wickets.

Ganguly bats for India to win it all in the Champions Trophy

Former captain Sourav Ganguly thinks the current Indian team is not only better than Pakistan but is also the favourite to win the ongoing Champions Trophy. Ganguly, who played a lot against Pakistan, said the neighbouring country would need some special effort to beat India in their Group-A engagement on Sunday (February 23, 2025).