Trending News Headlines – May 07, 2025

By author getodisha May 7, 20250

Odisha

Odisha and West Bengal Clash Over Digha Temple Naming
A controversy has erupted after a Puri servitor, Ramakrishna Das Mahapatra, installed a Jagannath idol in Digha, West Bengal, without authorization, prompting Odisha’s government to order an investigation (Kanak News). The West Bengal TMC government’s decision to name the temple “Jagannath Dham” has drawn ire, with Odisha’s Law Minister Prithiviraj Harichandan threatening legal action, escalating cultural and political tensions (News Arena India). Renowned sand artist Sudarsan Pattnaik also wrote to PM Modi, highlighting the issue, making it a focal point of regional pride.

Odisha Prepares for Mock Drills in Sensitive Areas
The Odisha government is conducting civil defence mock drills in 12 sensitive locations, including Bhubaneswar, Rourkela, and Paradip, as part of a nationwide exercise on May 7 (Kanak News). These drills, aimed at preparing for potential hostile attacks amid India-Pakistan tensions, involve air-raid sirens and civilian training, reflecting heightened regional alertness.

Tragedy at KIIT University Raises Safety Concerns
The death of another Nepali female student at KIIT University in Bhubaneswar, the second such incident in 90 days, has sparked outrage and calls for a thorough investigation (OTV News). The incidents have raised serious questions about student safety on campus, with local authorities under pressure to act swiftly.

India

Nationwide Mock Drills Amid India-Pakistan Tensions
On May 7, India is conducting civil defence mock drills across over 250 districts, including major cities like Delhi, Mumbai, and Chennai, to test preparedness for potential hostile attacks (India TV). Organized by the National Disaster Management Authority, “Operation Abhyaas” responds to heightened tensions with Pakistan following the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack, which killed 26 people, mostly tourists (Hindustan Times). The drills include air-raid warnings, blackouts, and civilian training, aiming to enhance public safety.

Supreme Court to Review Enforcement Directorate Powers
The Supreme Court is set to hear petitions on May 7 to reconsider its 2022 verdict upholding the Enforcement Directorate’s powers to arrest and attach property under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (The Hindu). A reconstituted bench of Justices Surya Kant, Ujjal Bhuyan, and N. Kotiswar Singh will examine the controversial ruling, which has significant implications for financial crime investigations in India.

IPL 2025: CSK vs RCB Match Ignites Fan Frenzy
The Indian Premier League (IPL) continues to captivate fans, with a high-stakes match between Chennai Super Kings (CSK) and Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) scheduled for May 7, following recent thrilling games like Punjab Kings’ upset over CSK (Indian Express). Social media is abuzz with predictions and memes, as cricket fever grips the nation during this tense geopolitical climate.

World

Britain and India Ink Major Trade Agreement
Britain and India have finalized a significant trade deal to counter the impact of new US tariffs imposed under President Donald Trump, marking a new era of economic cooperation (Reuters). Announced on May 6, the agreement aims to bolster trade flows and strengthen bilateral ties, as both nations navigate global economic challenges driven by US policy shifts. This move is seen as a strategic response to maintain market stability.

Conservative Merz Elected German Chancellor
Friedrich Merz has been elected Germany’s chancellor after an initial voting setback, raising hopes and concerns about his ability to revive Europe’s largest economy (ABC News). The election, reported on May 6, marks a pivotal moment for Germany, with Merz’s conservative policies expected to influence EU dynamics amidst ongoing global uncertainties.

Cardinals Begin Conclave to Elect New Pope
Cardinals from 71 countries have entered a historic conclave in Rome to elect a new pope, the most geographically diverse in history (NPR). Starting May 6, the secretive process has captured global attention, with speculation about the next leader of the Catholic Church dominating international discussions.

X (Twitter) Buzz

#MetGala2025 Lights Up X with Fashion Frenzy
The 2025 Met Gala, themed “Fashion of the Black Working Class,” has taken X by storm, with users sharing stunning looks from celebrities like Zendaya, A$AP Rocky, and Kim Kardashian (NBC News). The hashtag #MetGala2025 is trending globally, with fans and fashion enthusiasts posting reactions, memes, and red-carpet highlights, making it a top online conversation.

#MockDrill Sparks Debates and Memes
The nationwide mock drills in India on May 7 have generated significant buzz on X, with users sharing updates, safety tips, and humorous memes about the exercises (Kanak News). Hashtags like #MockDrill and #OperationAbhyaas are trending, reflecting public engagement and some anxiety over the India-Pakistan tensions.

#IPL2025 Keeps Cricket Fans Glued
IPL 2025 continues to dominate X, with fans posting about the CSK vs RCB match and sharing memes about standout performances and team rivalries (Indian Express). Hashtags like #IPL2025 and #CSKvsRCB are trending, as cricket provides a unifying distraction amid national security concerns.

Category	Headline	Key Details
Odisha	Odisha and West Bengal Clash Over Digha Temple Naming	Investigation into unauthorized idol installation; tensions with TMC over “Jagannath Dham” naming.
Odisha	Odisha Prepares for Mock Drills in Sensitive Areas	Drills in 12 locations like Bhubaneswar and Rourkela amid national security concerns.
Odisha	Tragedy at KIIT University Raises Safety Concerns	Second Nepali student death in 90 days prompts safety inquiries.
India	Nationwide Mock Drills Amid India-Pakistan Tensions	Drills in 250+ districts to prepare for potential attacks post-Pahalgam incident.
India	Supreme Court to Review Enforcement Directorate Powers	Hearing on May 7 to reconsider 2022 verdict on ED’s arrest powers.
India	IPL 2025: CSK vs RCB Match Ignites Fan Frenzy	High-stakes match fuels social media excitement.
World	Britain and India Ink Major Trade Agreement	Trade deal counters US tariffs, strengthens economic ties.
World	Conservative Merz Elected German Chancellor	Merz’s election aims to revive Germany’s economy.
World	Cardinals Begin Conclave to Elect New Pope	Historic conclave draws global attention.
X Buzz	#MetGala2025 Lights Up X with Fashion Frenzy	Celebrity looks and red-carpet moments dominate X.
X Buzz	#MockDrill Sparks Debates and Memes	Public reacts to India’s civil defence drills with updates and humor.
X Buzz	#IPL2025 Keeps Cricket Fans Glued	CSK vs RCB match drives trending hashtags and memes.

Detailed Report

Odisha: Cultural Tensions and Safety Concerns

Odisha is grappling with a mix of cultural, political, and safety issues. The most prominent story is the controversy surrounding the Digha Jagannath temple in West Bengal. A Puri servitor’s unauthorized act of installing a Jagannath idol has led to a state-ordered investigation, with Odisha’s government taking a firm stance against West Bengal’s TMC for naming the temple “Jagannath Dham” (Kanak News). This has escalated into a regional dispute, with Odisha’s Law Minister and sand artist Sudarsan Pattnaik amplifying the issue, reflecting deep cultural sensitivities (News Arena India).

Additionally, Odisha is part of the nationwide civil defence mock drills on May 7, with 12 sensitive locations like Bhubaneswar and Rourkela participating to prepare for potential threats (Kanak News). This aligns with heightened national security measures. Meanwhile, the tragic death of a second Nepali student at KIIT University in Bhubaneswar has raised alarms about campus safety, prompting calls for urgent action (OTV News).

India: Security, Justice, and Cricket

India’s news landscape is dominated by security concerns, legal developments, and the IPL. The Ministry of Home Affairs has mandated civil defence mock drills across over 250 districts on May 7, dubbed “Operation Abhyaas,” in response to escalating tensions with Pakistan after the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack (India TV). These drills, covering cities like Delhi and Mumbai, aim to test readiness for air raids and other emergencies, reflecting the government’s proactive stance (Hindustan Times).

On the legal‘`markdown
legal front, the Supreme Court is reviewing the Enforcement Directorate’s powers under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act, a significant case that could reshape financial crime investigations (The Hindu). In sports, the IPL 2025 season continues to thrill, with the CSK vs RCB match on May 7 generating massive online buzz, offering a respite from national tensions (Indian Express).

World: Trade, Politics, and Religion

Globally, the new trade agreement between Britain and India stands out, signed on May 6 to counter US tariffs imposed by President Trump (Reuters). This deal is a strategic move to ensure economic stability amid global trade disruptions. In Germany, Friedrich Merz’s election as chancellor after a rocky start signals a shift in European politics, with his policies expected to influence the EU (ABC News). Meanwhile, the Vatican’s conclave to elect a new pope, involving cardinals from 71 countries, is a historic event drawing worldwide attention (NPR).

X Buzz: Fashion, Security, and Sports

X is a vibrant hub of trending topics. The #MetGala2025 hashtag dominates, with users sharing glamorous moments from the event’s “Fashion of the Black Working Class” theme, featuring stars like Zendaya and Kim Kardashian (NBC News). The #MockDrill hashtag is also trending, with users posting updates and memes about India’s civil defence exercises, reflecting both concern and humor (Kanak News). IPL 2025 remains a major focus, with #CSKvsRCB and related hashtags driving fan engagement, uniting cricket lovers across the country (Indian Express).