The Hindu Morning Digest, February 22, 2025

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 … Read more

Chinese researchers find bat virus enters human cells via same pathway as COVID

A newly discovered bat coronavirus uses the same cell-surface protein to gain entry into human cells as the SARS-CoV-2 virus that causes COVID-19, raising the possibility that it could someday spread to humans, Chinese researchers have reported. representative image | Photo Credit: Freepik A newly discovered bat coronavirus uses the same cell-surface protein to gain … Read more

Zelensky says Europe must ‘do much more’ to achieve peace

Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky gives a press conference in Kyiv on February 19, 2025, amid the Russian invasion of Ukraine. | Photo Credit: AFP Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said on Friday after a flurry of phone calls with leaders of allied countries that Europe must do “much more” to bring about peace. After speaking to … Read more

No decision yet from LA district attorney in Menendez brothers’ resentencing case

Erik Menendez, left, and Lyle Menendez. | Photo Credit: AP The Los Angeles district attorney said Friday he hasn’t yet made a decision on whether Lyle and Erik Menendez should be resentenced in their 1996 conviction for the murder of their wealthy parents at their Beverly Hills home. The proposed resentencing for the brothers will be taken … Read more

North Korea says it sees more U.S. ‘military provocations’ under Trump

North Korea’s defence ministry said “military provocations” by the United States and its allies were becoming more “pronounced” under the current Trump administration, according to state media. File photo of Kim Jong Un. | Photo Credit: AP North Korea’s defence ministry said on Saturday “military provocations” by the United States and its allies were becoming … Read more

Judge clears way for Trump administration to pull thousands of USAID staffers off the job

People hold placards, as the USAID building sits closed to employees after a memo was issued advising agency personnel to work remotely, in Washington, D.C., U.S., February 3, 2025. | Photo Credit: REUTERS A federal judge on Friday cleared the way for the Trump administration to pull thousands of U.S. Agency for International Development staffers … Read more

Luigi Mangione makes first court appearance since his arraignment in UnitedHealthcare CEO’s death

Luigi Mangione, accused of fatally shooting the UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson in New York City and leading authorities on a five-day search is scheduled, confers with attorney’s during a court hearing, Friday, Feb. 21, 2025, in New York. | Photo Credit: AP The man accused of fatally shooting the CEO of UnitedHealthcare in New York City … Read more

The Associated Press sues three Trump administration officials, citing freedom of speech

President Donald Trump speaks at the Governors Working Session in the State Dining Room of the White House in Washington, Friday, Feb. 21, 2025.  | Photo Credit: AP The Associated Press sued three Trump administration officials Friday over access to presidential events, citing freedom of speech in asking a federal judge to stop the 10-day blocking of its … Read more