Earliest monsoon in Kerala in 16 years, hits Northeast same day

A heartbreaking tragedy in Gaza—a pediatrician and mother of 10 lost nine of her children when an Israeli airstrike destroyed their home. The surviving child is now left without siblings in a conflict that continues to devastate families.

Editor’s Note: This story cuts through the noise of war statistics to show the human cost—parents losing children, professionals who heal others enduring unimaginable loss. It’s a stark reminder of how civilians, even those dedicated to saving lives, are caught in the crossfire of prolonged conflict.

The UPSC Civil Services Prelims for 2025 kick off today, May 25, with exams held in two shifts. If you're one of the candidates, double-check your bag before heading out—you’ll need a printed admit card, photo ID, and a black ballpoint pen (no exceptions). The UPSC isn’t messing around: unclear admit card photos? Bring extra passport pics. Forget your ID or show up late? That could mean disqualification. The guidelines are tight, covering everything from what you can wear to what you can’t bring into the exam hall.

Editor’s Note: This isn’t just another exam—it’s the first hurdle for lakhs of aspirants dreaming of civil service careers. The strict rules highlight how high-stakes this is, but they’re also a reminder that fairness and transparency matter. For candidates, it’s crunch time; for everyone else, it’s a peek into the rigorous process shaping India’s future bureaucrats.

Russian strikes hit multiple areas of Ukraine overnight, killing at least eight people, according to Ukrainian officials. Four of those deaths occurred in the western Khmelnytskyi region, which has been less frequently targeted than frontline areas. Meanwhile, Russia claims its defenses intercepted and destroyed 95 Ukrainian drones, though Kyiv hasn’t confirmed those numbers.

Editor’s Note: This isn’t just another headline in a long war—it’s a reminder of how the conflict keeps reaching deeper into Ukraine, even regions once considered safer. The civilian toll underscores the grim reality of daily life under constant threat, while Russia’s drone claims hint at Kyiv’s ongoing efforts to strike back. For readers, it’s a snapshot of a war that’s far from frozen, with real human costs behind every update.

The UK government is reportedly planning to scrap the cap on child benefit payments, which currently limits how much families can receive based on household income. At the same time, there are growing calls to reinstate the winter fuel allowance to help households struggling with energy costs. Meanwhile, wildfires—likely worsened by climate change—are causing havoc, adding another layer of urgency to discussions about social support and environmental policy.

Editor’s Note: This story matters because it hits two major pain points for families: financial support and rising living costs. Lifting the child benefit cap could put more money in parents' pockets, while restoring the winter fuel allowance would ease winter energy bills—both big deals in a cost-of-living crisis. The wildfire angle reminds us that extreme weather isn’t just a far-off problem; it’s twisting the knife on existing struggles. Essentially, it’s about how policy changes could (or should) respond to real-life pressures.

A nasty thunderstorm hit Delhi last night, bringing heavy rain and winds strong enough to knock over patio furniture (82 kmph, to be exact). The chaos wasn’t just limited to soggy commutes—49 flights got rerouted from Indira Gandhi International Airport, and delays are still piling up. Roads like Moti Bagh and Minto Road turned into shallow lakes, snarling traffic. While flights are back in the air, expect headaches if you’re traveling or driving through the city today.

Editor’s Note: Storms like this aren’t just inconvenient—they reveal how quickly cities like Delhi can buckle under extreme weather. Flight diversions and waterlogged roads aren’t just one-off hassles; they’re a snapshot of infrastructure straining against climate volatility. For travelers and locals, it’s a reminder to brace for more disruptions as weather patterns get wilder.