Category Archives: Uncategorized

LONDON, 21 MAY

UK net migration dropped sharply in 2025, with Indian nationals leading the exodus.

The Office for National Statistics reported around 51,000 Indians left for study, 21,000 for work, and 3,000 for other reasons, followed by 46,000 Chinese. Ukrainians, Pakistanis, and Nigerians also featured among the top emigrants.

The overall net migration fell to 1,71,000 from 9,44,000 under the previous government. The highest visa extensions for health and care workers went to Indians (107,306), with Indians also leading in Skilled Worker and Graduate Route visas. The decline is driven by fewer arrivals from outside the EU, and a 20 per cent decrease in total long-term immigration for 2024.

TEHRAN, 21 MAY

Iran has announced the oper-ational launch of a new regu-lulatory body, the Persian Gulf Strait Authority (PGSA), which has defined manage-ment boundaries for the Strait of Hormuz and made transit coordination and per-mits mandatory for vessels, state media and official posts on X said. According to the PGSA, the supervision zone extends from a line linking Kuh Mobarak in Iran to the south of Fujairah in the UAE in the eastern Strait, and from the end of Qeshm Island in Iran to Umm al-Qai-wain in the UAE in the west. The authority said all vessel movements within this zone “require coordination” with the waterway management body.

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Crackdown on Political Activities and Emphasis on Water, Tourism

JAIIPUR, 21 MAY

Rajasthan Chief Minister Bhajanlal Sharma on Thursday directed officials to take strict action against illegal religious conversions and government employees participating in political activities. Addressing a district-level review meeting in Banswara, he stressed the importance of accountability, sensitivity, and dedication in governance to ensure welfare schemes reach eligible beneficiaries without delay.

During the meeting, Sharma announced the development of sandalwood forests under the Hariyalo Rajasthan campaign. He said that 11,000 sandalwood saplings would be planted in each designated forest area and instructed the Forest Department to accelerate plantation drives and strengthen forest conservation efforts.

On the second day of his three-day visit to Banswara and Dungarpur districts, the Chief

Emphasising water conservation before the monsoon season, Sharma directed officials to ensure proper cleaning and maintenance of canals, ponds, reservoirs, and other water bodies. He highlighted the importance of efficiently using every drop of water from the Mahi river and reviewed projects under the Chief Minister Jal Swavalamban Abhiyan.

The Chief Minister also focused on improving school enrolment, healthcare services, irrigation projects, solar-powered schemes, road repairs, drinking water supply, and heatwave management. He stated that Banswara possesses strong tourism and development potential due to its climate and natural beauty. Sharma further highlighted government initiatives aimed at improving farmers’ livelihoods and increasing agricultural prosperity across Rajasthan.

Minister reviewed the progress of government schemes, infrastructure projects, budget announcements, and public welfare programmes. Expressing dissatisfaction with the functioning of Banswara Municipal Council Commissioner Durgesh Singh Rawal, Sharma ordered action against him, following which the commissioner was placed under Awaited Posting Order (APO).

NEW DELHI, 21 MAY

India and the African Union have postponed the India-Africa Forum Summit scheduled for 28 May to 31 May in New Delhi due to an Ebola virus outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo, which has been declared a public health emergency of international concern by the World Health Organization (WHO).

India and the African Union reaffirmed the importance of joint public health preparedness and response capacities across Africa, said the Ministry of External Affairs on Thursday.

“Following these consultations, the two sides agreed that it would be advisable to convene the Fourth India-Africa Forum Summit at a later date,” the MEA said.

India issues advisory

India has also issued a health advisory at the Delhi airport for passengers arriving from or transiting through the Democratic Republic of Congo, Uganda and South Sudan.

It has asked those with symptoms, such as fever, weakness, headache, muscle pain, vomiting, diarrhoea, sore throat and unexplained bleeding, or exposure history, to immediately report to airport health authorities before immigration clearance.

Detailed SOPs related to the matter have already been shared with all states and Union territories, said sources.

A scuffle breaks out between cops and Youth Congress members during protest against NEET leak

JAIPUR, 21 MAY

The issue of alleged restrictions on petrol and diesel sales has reached the Rajasthan High Court after the Petroleum Dealers Distributors Transporters Welfare Association filed a petition against public sector oil companies, including Indian Oil Corporation, Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited, and Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Limited. The association claimed dealers were verbally instructed to limit fuel sales and threatened with penalties. It argued such restrictions are illegal without government notification under the Essential Commodities Act, 1955. The Rajasthan High Court fixed the next hearing.