Category: India

The raids were part of the ED’s ongoing probe into alleged financial irregularities involving Cochin Minerals and Rutile Limited and Exalogic Solutions, a private company owned by Pinarayi Vijayan’s daughter T Veena.

The Enforcement Directorate on Wednesday conducted searches at 10 locations across Kerala, including the home of ex-Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, in a money laundering probe linked to the Cochin Minerals and Rutile Limited (CMRL) corruption case in which his daughter is implicated.

Officials told news agency ANI that the raids were part of the ED’s ongoing probe into alleged financial irregularities involving Cochin Minerals and Rutile Limited and Exalogic Solutions Pvt Ltd, owned by Vijayan’s daughter T Veena. The searches came a day after the Kerala High Court refused to cancel the ED’s investigation into the CMRL case.

ED sleuths also raided former minister and MLA PA Muhammad Riyas in Kozhikode. He is T Veena’s husband.

CMRL, a Kerala-based company engaged in the manufacture of synthetic rutile and industrial chemicals, has been under the scanner over allegations of bribery and money laundering.

The controversy centres on claims that Exalogic Solutions received large sums from CMRL without providing any services in return. Though the case does not directly name Vijayan as an accused, it triggered a major political storm in Kerala. Notably, the Kerala State Industrial Development Corporation had a 13.4 per cent stake in CMRL.

WHAT IS THE CMRL CASE?

The allegations first surfaced in August 2023 after reports claimed that Exalogic had received Rs 1.72 crore from CMRL between 2017 and 2020 despite rendering no services. Following the revelations, the Centre directed the Serious Fraud Investigation Office (SFIO) to carry out a detailed probe.

In its 160-page prosecution complaint, the SFIO named Veena, CMRL Managing Director Sasidharan Kartha and 25 others as accused. The agency also named several companies, including CMRL, Exalogic Solutions and its subsidiary Empower India Capital Investments.

According to the SFIO, Veena’s firm received Rs 2.70 crore from CMRL. Separately, the Income Tax Interim Settlement Board reported in 2023 that Rs 1.72 crore had been paid to the company, citing depositions by CMRL employees.

In April 2025, the Union Ministry of Corporate Affairs approved prosecution proceedings against T Veena in connection with the alleged illegal payments.

Veena has been charged under Section 447 of the Companies Act, 2013, which deals with corporate fraud. The offence carries a jail term ranging from six months to 10 years, along with a fine that can extend to three times the amount involved in the alleged fraud.

‘POLITICALLY MOTIVATED’

CPI(M) General Secretary MA Baby called the ED a heinous attack that was politically motivated. He also alleged that two members of the VD Satheesan-led cabinet also received money from CMRL.

Source : https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/former-kerala-cm-pinarayi-vijayan-house-among-10-locations-raided-by-enforcement-directorate-in-money-laundering-case-2917660-2026-05-27

How the Delhi Gymkhana Club was the stage for a CIA intelligence coup involving the Indian Army’s Soviet-built tank fleet.

New Delhi’s 113-year old Delhi Gymkhana club has been asked to vacate its premises by June 5, 2026. The eviction notice from the central government cites ‘national security, defense infrastructure’ and ‘urgent public interest’ in taking over the 27-acre club, located a stone’s throw away from the Prime Minister’s residence on 7 Lok Kalyan Marg. The club with its manicured lawns, two dozen tennis courts, a swimming pool, a wooden-floored ballroom, and multiple bars, serves Delhi’s elite. Nearly fifty years ago, the club was also a drop site for the egregious leak of Indian military secrets. This incident was detailed in granular detail in ‘See No Evil’, the 2002 autobiography of a former CIA agent Robert Baer.

The Gymkhana Club then was one of the places where spies disguised as diplomats could mingle with Indian officials, bypassing government rules forbidding contact with foreign nationals. Spies could also enter the club and shake off determined ‘tails’ from India’s Intelligence Bureau.

The story began in the late 1970s with the arrival of Baer, a freshly minted CIA agent to the US Embassy. The Cold War was then at its peak. NATO and Warsaw Pact armies stood ranged against each other, on hair-trigger alert, across Europe. Among the growing mass of military hardware were some cutting edge Soviet platforms that caused the West serious worry.

If the Cold War burst into a hot war, titanium-hulled Alfa class interceptor submarines would barrel down the Atlantic Ocean to hunt NATO warships, stratosphere-skimming MiG-25 ’Foxbats’ would shoot down US bombers, and on the ground, a new battle tank, the T-72 would lead Soviet armoured spearheads across the Fulda Gap into West Germany.

The Pentagon and the CIA pursued these advancement in Soviet hardware with relentless zeal— to understand their capabilities, detect their vulnerabilities and field countermeasures.

The T-72 was of great interest to the Pentagon. A 41-tonne medium tank that was a generational leap over the older T-55s and T-62s, it was armed with a new 125 smoothbore gun that fired kinetic energy rounds at 1,800 meters per second, several hundred meters per second more than Western tanks. Its glacis— the sloped frontal part of the tank— was protected by ceramic/steel laminate armour, it had a laser rangefinder, an auto-loader which eliminated the need for a fourth crew member. The tank reached full scale production in 1979, when the USSR produced 2,000 T-72s that year.

The West relied on intelligence coups like the defection of Soviet pilot Viktor Belenko who flew his MiG-25 into Japan in 1976. Western engineers took the jet apart to understand the secrets behind the world’s fastest jet. But such coups were rare. It was difficult to persuade someone to not just betray his country but also take a piece of sensitive military technology while doing so.

So, the next best thing was to rely on what the CIA called SOVMAT— Soviet military manuals, which minutely detailed the capabilities of the hardware. The CIA efforts to vacuum SOVMAT extended into the Warsaw Pact countries and interestingly, India. By the 1970s, India had become the biggest buyer of Soviet hardware— tanks to fighter jets and submarines.

‘Since the Soviets typically would sell India their most advanced weapons, it had also become the most important country in the world for vacuuming up information on the Soviet military,’ Baer writes.

In 1978 the Indian Indian Army directly imported the first batch of 500 T-72, T-72M and the T-72M1 tanks from the Soviet Union. The CIA station in New Delhi intensified its efforts to obtain information on the Indian Army’s newest acquisition. Baer claims these efforts ranged from trying to get an Indian military contact to do a ‘Belenko’— drive a T-72 tank across the border into Pakistan to bribing a contact in a tank depot to drill a core sample into a T-72 hull to understand its armour composition. These efforts came to nought.

There was also the constant threat of surveillance by India’s Intelligence Bureau (IB), an agency which Baer calls ‘focused, disciplined and tough’. The IB could field thousands and thousands of surveillants on foot and in cars. Their job was to keep a watch on foreign diplomats, particularly spies. A few years before Baer was posted in Delhi, the IB caught a CIA case officer with several sub-sources. The case officer and the station chief in Delhi were sent home and Indian operations were shut down for almost two years. The IB was one reason Baer says ‘India was one of the toughest operating environments in the world.’

Sometime in late August, Baer hit an intelligence jackpot. One of his Indian agents brought him a duffel bag filled with T-72 tank manuals.

‘The T-72 tank manuals were the Holy Grail we’d been after for years, the keys to the kingdom of knowledge. My heart started racing, especially when the agent said he had to have them back in two hours. The sergeant who had borrowed the manuals needed to return them to the safe before he went off duty. There wasn’t enough time to go to the office, copy them, and run a good counter surveillance route. Worse, at that hour New Delhi would be crawling with IB, but I could take them that night or maybe never.’

Baer chose to take the manuals. He slammed on the brakes, pushed the agent out of the car and yelled at him to meet me in two hours behind guest house number three at Delhi’s Gymkhana Club.

At the US Embassy, Baer copied the tank manuals. He had exactly 17 minutes to drive back to the Gymkhana Club. By now there were three pairs of car lights behind him which he hints at being his IB surveillants. By the time he pulled through the Gymkhana’s gates, the three pairs of lights had grown to five.

‘In my rearview mirror I watched them file through the gates one by one. The closest car was maybe ten feet from my rear bumper. There wasn’t any more road, but I kept going- right down a gravel walking path between two tennis courts. I figured they wouldn’t follow me. I was right. All five cars stopped in front of the club’s main building and started deploying on foot. I hit the brakes, stuffed the duffel bags with the manuals in it into a tennis bag, and ducked between two tamarind trees. Footsteps echoed behind me as I followed a path bordered by tall myrtle until I came to a protected section of the hedge that fronted guest house number three. I could see the agent’s shadow through the foliage, right where I had told him to be. Without stopping, I pulled the duffel bag out of the tennis bag and tossed through the hedge in one quick motion. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw the agent pick it up and walk away.’

Baer then entered the Gymkhana’s bar through the back door. ‘The place was empty except for a distinguished Indian gentleman in a three-piece suit, sitting alone and reading a newspaper. I walked over and sat next to him. Without saying a word, I summoned a waiter and ordered two double Scotches, straight up and no ice, for both of us. It wasn’t until I struck up a conversation as if we were old friends that he looked like he might run for it.’

When the CIA agent glanced at the back door, he saw two IB surveillants looking at the two of them. ‘I could tell that their interest was quickly narrowing down to the Indian gentleman, trying to figure out why I had been in such a hurry to come see him. By the time they got around to questioning him, the agent would have long cleared the area and returned the manuals to the sergeant.’

Copies of the tank manuals made their way back to the CIA headquarters in Langley, and to the Pentagon. Interestingly, a 1982 CIA SWOT analysis of the T-72 tank based its observations on the T-72M export model of the tank. One of its biggest strengths, a fire control system superior to previous versions, which used optical gyrostabilised sights and automatic changes in the ballistic cam when different types of ammunition were selected. A critical weakness the CIA observed, the T-72 had extremely poor night fighting capabilities, its thermal sights had a range of just 800 metres.

These revelations would have been shared with the US military industrial complex— Chrysler defence was then producing the new MBT the M1 Abrams and Hughes Aircraft making the Javelin anti-tank missile. The intelligence might also have been given to the Pakistan Army, a frontline US ally and potential Abrams buyer.

After a three-year stint in Delhi, Baer went on to serve in the Middle East where his exploits framed him as one of the CIA’s most celebrated field agents in that geography. He quit the agency in 1997, around the time a handful of field agents had begun worrying about the threat posed to American interests by a former Mujahideen fighter, Osama bin Laden.

Baer finished writing his book just two months after the CIA’s most spectacular intelligence failure— the September 11, 2001 ‘ 9/11’ attacks. The attacks were masterminded by bin Laden, a civil engineer brought in by the CIA to fight the Soviets in Afghanistan. The title of Baer’s book ‘See No Evil’ is a dig on the CIA’s post Cold War bureaucratisation, when the agency fell in love with technology and got rid of human intelligence assets. This led to intelligence failures like missing 9/11 lead hijacker Mohammed Atta openly recruiting suicide bombers from a mosque in Hamburg for a spectacular strike on the US.

Baer’s book hit the stands in 2002 after being cleared by the CIA’s Publications Review Board which eliminated classified information from it. Strangely, the book went unnoticed in India.

Source : https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/the-cia-the-t-72-and-the-delhi-gymkhana-club-a-cold-war-tale-2917604-2026-05-27

Following the change in government, authorities have moved swiftly to address long-standing border security concerns by implementing a strict “3D Policy” — Detect, Detain and Deport. Under the policy, every district has been directed to establish specialized “Holding Centres” where undocumented immigrants will be kept pending lawful repatriation.

In less than a year, the Hakimpur Border in North 24 Parganas has once again become the center of national attention. Just last August, ahead of the implementation of the Special Intensive Revision (SIR), thousands of undocumented immigrants had gathered at this very checkpost. Today, hundreds are lining up once more — this time to return to Bangladesh — driven by a new political and administrative reality.

Following the change in government, authorities have moved swiftly to address long-standing border security concerns by implementing a strict “3D Policy” — Detect, Detain and Deport. Under the policy, every district has been directed to establish specialized “Holding Centres” where undocumented immigrants will be kept pending lawful repatriation.

The impact of the policy was immediate. Fearing detention and legal action, thousands of illegal immigrants living across the Greater Kolkata region have started heading voluntarily toward the Hakimpur Border in hopes of avoiding legal complications and returning to Bangladesh on their own.

TIGHT SECURITY AND MULTI-LAYER VERIFICATION

Despite the sudden surge, Indian security agencies have maintained strict order at the border, turning what could have become chaos into a tightly controlled processing operation.

The repatriation process follows a multi-layer verification system:

Individuals are first divided into groups and their credentials verified by the Border Security Force (BSF).

Those cleared then undergo fingerprint and biometric registration to create a permanent digital record and prevent future unauthorized entry.

After Indian authorities complete verification, the Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) cross-checks the documents with its own records before allowing entry into Bangladesh.

According to officials, the process is moving efficiently. Around 50 individuals were repatriated yesterday, while another larger batch is currently awaiting final clearance at the checkpoint.

HUMAN STORIES BEHIND THE BORDER CRISIS

Even as the government pushes ahead with its “3D Policy” for border security and law enforcement, the scenes at Hakimpur underscore the human cost of illegal immigration.

CASE STUDY 1: THE FAMILY RETURNING AFTER CANCER TREATMENT

For Rozina Bibi, the border marks the end of a long and uncertain stay in India.

“We came to India seven years ago for my husband Saidul’s cancer treatment,” she said. As the treatment stretched on, the family continued living in India illegally. But after the new policy came into force, their landlord allegedly asked them to vacate the house, leaving them with no option but to return.

CASE STUDY 2: A FAMILY TORN APART

Thirty-six-year-old Sabina Khatoon sat near the checkpoint holding her two young children.

Years ago, she had crossed into India illegally with the help of touts and later married an Indian citizen. She said both her children were born at RG Kar Hospital using her husband’s documents.

Now, the new policy has left the family divided. Her husband, being an Indian citizen, cannot accompany them to Bangladesh.

“I do have family in Satkhira, but I don’t know how we will reunite,” Sabina said tearfully while looking at her children. “Will my children ever get to see their father again?”

CASE STUDY 3: DREAMS WASHED AWAY

For 25-year-old Akhruzamman, the dream of building a better life in India lasted barely two months.

“I swam across the Sonai river at night to reach India,” he admitted. Coming from a financially struggling family in Khulna, he risked everything hoping for work and stability.

Now, he waits at the border for clearance from both BSF and BGB officials.

“I have no other option left,” he said quietly.

Source : https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/new-detect-detain-deport-policy-sparks-exodus-towards-hakimpur-border-2917624-2026-05-27

A police complaint has been lodged by a lawyer in Siliguri, who has alleged that Mamata Banerjee, during her stint as West Bengal’s CM, made derogatory remarks against Hindus and Hinduism at an Eid celebration in Kolkata last year.

A case has been registered against Trinamool Congress (TMC) supremo Mamata Banerjee in West Bengal’s Siliguri following a complaint by a lawyer, who has alleged that the erstwhile chief minister hurt the religious sentiments of Hindus by making derogatory remarks against Hinduism while attending an Eid celebration in Kolkata last year.

The police have invoked Sections 351 (1) (criminal intimidation), 352 (intentional insult with the intent to provoke breach of peace), 353 (promoting feeling of enmity, hatred or ill will between communities) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) against Mamata in the case.

The complainant, Rinki Chatterjee, has referenced the then-West Bengal CM’s speech at an Eid event that was organised on Kolkata’s iconic Red Road in 2025.

While targeting the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) from the stage, Mamata had purportedly said, “I do not subscribe to that filthy religion — a religion that this ‘Jumla Party’ has deliberately fabricated.” She characterised the version of Hinduism espoused by the BJP as “Ganda Dharm,” or “filthy religion.”

Chatterjee has alleged that Mamata’s comment labelled Sanatan Dharma as “filthy” and offended Hindus across India and the rest of the world. The lawyer further said in her complaint that the remark, made from the stage of a Muslim religious congregation, was “absolutely unacceptable.”

She said she is hopeful that appropriate legal action will be taken.

The reported statement by Mamata had triggered sharp reactions last year from the state BJP leadership, including from now-CM Suvendu Adhikari and other prominent figures, who had voiced strong objections.

Chatterjee’s complaint and the resulting FIR mark the first direct legal step in connection with the matter.

In her complaint, she has also claimed that multiple senior leaders of the TMC, including ministers in the earlier government, have targeted Hinduism in recent years. She described the purported “Ganda Dharm” remark by Mamata as the most serious of those instances.

Chatterjee has also alleged that Mamata made an indirect threat to the Hindu community during the campaign period of the 2026 West Bengal Assembly polls.

“Such remarks allegedly created fear among members of the Hindu community and promoted social unrest, religious provocation, and communal disharmony with the intention of influencing voters through fear and intimidation,” she said in her complaint, referring to a specific instance.

Asked about his reaction to the police complaint, Atri Sharma, who is a lawyer and the general secretary of the TMC’s Darjeeling unit, refrained from making any comment in his capacity as his party’s spokesperson.

Source : https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/mamata-banerjee-faces-legal-trouble-over-anti-hindu-remark-tmc-bengal-news-2917556-2026-05-26

China accused the Quad of bloc confrontation after the grouping criticised coercive actions in disputed waters. The exchange came as the four countries widened cooperation on critical minerals, port infrastructure and shipping security.

Hours after Quad foreign ministers meeting in New Delhi issued a joint statement criticising coercive actions in the South China Sea and unveiled fresh cooperation on critical minerals, maritime security and Indo-Pacific infrastructure, China accused the grouping of promoting “bloc confrontation” and forming exclusive small cliques aimed at targeting third countries.

“Cooperation between nations should be conducive to promoting regional peace, stability, and prosperity, and should not target any third party,” Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said during a press briefing.

“We oppose the creation of exclusive small cliques and oppose bloc confrontation,” she added.

The sharp response came after the Quad ministers voiced direct concern over the East China Sea and South China Sea, where Beijing has steadily expanded its military and maritime presence in recent years.

QUAD’S CLEAR MESSAGE ON CHINA’S ACTIONS

The Quad foreign ministers — India’s S. Jaishankar, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong and Japanese Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi — met in New Delhi on Tuesday for the latest Quad Foreign Ministers’ Meeting hosted by India.

In their joint statement, the four countries said they remained “seriously concerned” about developments in disputed waters across the Indo-Pacific.

“We reiterate our strong opposition to any destabilising or unilateral actions, including by force or coercion, that threaten peace and stability in the region,” the ministers said.

The statement also criticised dangerous military manoeuvres, interference in offshore resource development, obstruction of freedom of navigation and the “militarisation of disputed features” in the South China Sea.

While China was not named directly, the language left little doubt about who the statement was aimed at.

Beijing claims almost the entire South China Sea despite overlapping claims from several Southeast Asian countries and has built military infrastructure across disputed islands and reefs. China and Japan also remain locked in a separate territorial dispute in the East China Sea.

Despite Beijing portraying the Quad as an anti-China alliance, officials from India insisted the grouping was far broader than a military or strategic bloc. Addressing reporters after the meeting, Ministry of External Affairs Additional Secretary Nagaraj Naidu said the Quad had evolved steadily over the years around practical development projects and regional cooperation.

“The Quad’s existence is not because we need to address a particular geography’s concerns,” Naidu said. He pointed to the grouping’s vaccine coordination efforts during the COVID-19 pandemic as an example of practical cooperation.

“As we always keep saying, our focus within the Quad has been to deliver practical projects,” he added.

The Quad also announced its first major joint infrastructure project, a plan to help develop port facilities in Fiji as part of efforts to expand its presence across the Indo-Pacific.

“We are going to be partnering on issues of port infrastructure,” Rubio said.

CRITICAL MINERALS AND SHIPPING SECURITY TAKE CENTRE STAGE

One of the biggest outcomes of the meeting was the launch of a new critical minerals framework designed to strengthen supply chains for materials essential to modern industries such as semiconductors, defence systems and renewable energy.

Source : https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/china-opposes-creation-of-exclusive-small-cliques-after-quad-meet-in-india-over-deepening-indo-pacific-cooperation-2917505-2026-05-26

DGCA has issued strict SOPs for airlines after WHO declared the Ebola outbreak a public health emergency of international concern, officials said. Airlines linked to Uganda and the Democratic Republic of Congo must collect passenger self-declaration forms, make onboard health announcements and strengthen screening at international gateways to reduce the risk of infection entering India.

India’s aviation regulator, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), has issued a strict set of standard operating procedures (SOPs) for airlines after the World Health Organisation (WHO) declared the Ebola virus disease outbreak as a public health emergency of international concern.

Airlines Must Enforce Rigorous Screening Measures

The directives have been issued to airlines linked to the Democratic Republic of Congo and Uganda, which have witnessed Ebola outbreak. The new protocols aim to establish a robust line of defence at international gateways to mitigate the risk of the highly contagious virus breaching Indian borders.

Under the newly released guidelines, airlines operating direct or connecting flights from Uganda and the Congo are mandated to enforce rigorous screening measures. Carriers have been directed to ensure the mandatory filing and collection of physical or digital self-declaration forms from all passengers before they are permitted to disembark. Airlines will also have to broadcast targeted health announcements during flights to educate passengers on the virus’s early warning signs and encourage self-reporting before reaching the terminal.

Passengers Urged to Report Fever, Bleeding or Vomiting

With his resignation, the seat from Odisha now stands vacated.

Rajya Sabha Chairman C P Radhakrishnan on Monday accepted the resignation of BJD Rajya Sabha MP Debashish Samantaray.

Earlier in the day, Samantaray quit the BJD and also resigned from the Rajya Sabha. He met the Rajya Sabha chairman in Parliament and submitted his resignation from the Upper House.

With his resignation, the seat from Odisha now stands vacated.

According to a notification by the Rajya Sabha Secretariat, Samantaray’s membership in the Department-related Parliamentary Standing Committee on Housing and Urban Affairs and the Committee on Public Undertakings also ends.

A long-time associate of BJD chief Naveen Patnaik, Samantaray said he would soon join the BJP and that talks with the saffron party leadership had been finalised.

Sources said Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi and state BJP president Manmohan Samal are in New Delhi, and Samantaray may join the BJP in their presence either later on Monday or the following day.

In his resignation letter to Patnaik, Samantaray said he felt “systematically belittled” in the party.

Source : https://www.deccanherald.com/india/resignation-of-bjd-mp-debashish-samantaray-accepted-by-rajya-sabha-chairman-4015952

“Stay Tuned – the cockroches are just getting started,” read the Instagram post of the CJP, after the founder Abhijeet Dipke claimed crackdown on party’s X handle and official website. ​​

The Cockroach Janta Party (CJP), a satirical outfit launched on social media by Abhijeet Dipke, on Sunday claimed that the “cockroaches have just gotten started” and the party aims to build an independent, youth-driven movement focused on holding the government accountable and amplifying youth voices.

The outfit, which emerged as a online protest after Chief Justice of India (CJI) Surya Kant’s “cockroach” remarks, attracted a massive support from Indian youth on social media and crossed an extraordinary number of 22.8 million followers on Instagram. The party’s Instagram page overtook the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Instagram followers count, which currently sits at approximately 8.8 million followers on the platform, in just a span of a week.

While the CJP garnered significant attention and support soon after its launch, questions remain about what lies ahead for the satirical outfit. Will it fade into the sea of countless meme pages, or evolve into a more tangible political force?

Well, the answer, has emerged from the Cockroach Janta Party’s own social media page.

“Stay Tuned – the cockroaches are just getting started,” read the Instagram post of the CJP, after the founder Abhijeet Dipke claimed crackdown on party’s X handle and official website.

According to a post on the CJP Instagram page, the outfit acknowledged that while it began as a satirical voice, it quickly “resonated with crores of young Indians frustrated with systemic issues like paper leaks, unemployment, and a lack of accountability in the system.”

“As the movement continues to grow exponentially with each passing day, there is growing public curiosity around the direction it will take in the days ahead. We want to make it clear – we want to build an independent, youth-driven movement focused on amplifying the concerns of young people and holding the government accountable. Our values align with the Constitution of India. Taking inspiration from our nation’s founders – Gandhi, Ambedkar, Nehru, Shaheed Bhagat Singh and Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose, we believe in secularism, democracy and social justice,” the post read.

Source : https://www.timesnownews.com/india/just-gotten-started-cockroach-party-charts-next-move-as-instagram-following-crosses-22-8-mn-article-154392058

This is his second parole in 2026. Before this, he had been granted parole and furlough 15 times. The current release is his 16th parole/furlough since conviction.

The incarcerated chief of the Sirsa-based sect Dera Sacha Sauda, Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh, walked out of Rohtak’s Sunaria Jail on Tuesday after being granted 30 days of parole, the 16th temporary release he has received since 2017. He is serving a 20-year sentence in the Sadhvi sexual assault case.

Earlier, on January 5, 2026, he was released on a 40-day parole during celebrations marking Shah Satnam Singh’s birth anniversary.

This is his second parole in 2026. Before this, he had been granted parole and furlough 15 times. The current release is his 16th parole/furlough since conviction.

Listed as convict 8647/C in prison records, Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh has spent 406 days outside Rohtak’s Sunaria prison during the 3,193 days of his sentence completed so far, roughly eight years and eight months.

He is serving a 20-year sentence after a special CBI court convicted him in 2017 for raping two women disciples. In 2019, he was sentenced to life imprisonment in the murder case of journalist Ram Chander Chhatrapati, and in 2021, for conspiring to kill Dera manager Ranjit Singh.

However, the Punjab and Haryana High Court acquitted him in the Ranjit Singh murder case in 2024 and in the Ram Chander Chhatrapati murder case in 2026.

With the latest 30-day parole, the dera chief has now exhausted the 10-week parole limit permitted for 2026 under the Haryana Good Conduct Prisoners (Temporary Release) Act, 2022. Earlier this year, he had been granted 40 days of parole in January.

Under the law, prisoners can avail parole for a cumulative period of 10 weeks in a calendar year, split into two parts. Separately, they may also receive three weeks of furlough, which cannot be divided. The dera chief remains eligible to avail three weeks of furlough this year.

Source : https://www.news18.com/india/dera-chief-gurmeet-ram-rahim-walks-out-on-30-day-parole-16th-release-since-conviction-ws-l-10112333.html

Abortion and a ₹7 lakh claim: What Twisha Sharma’s husband told MP SIT before CBI took over probe

Before handing the Bhopal ‘dowry death’ case to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) on Monday, the Madhya Pradesh police Special Investigation Team (SIT) probing the Twisha Sharma ‘dowry’ death case questioned her husband, Samarth Singh, for over three hours, during which the lawyer reiterated to the investigators that the former model has become “distressed” following her abortion.

Twisha Sharma, a Noida-based former Miss Pune title holder, was allegedly found hanging at her marital home in Bhopal on May 12. While her in-laws and an autopsy report have claimed that she died by suicide, her family alleges foul play.

According to MP police sources quoted by news agency ANI, the SIT conducted a recreation of the crime scene, lasting over two hours, prior to which the SIT interrogated Twisha’s husband, Samarth Singh, for approximately three hours.

The quoted sources added that Samarth informed the SIT that Twisha had been distressed following her abortion. Earlier, he had claimed during previous rounds of questioning that their relationship had soured after Twisha learnt about her pregnancy, news agency PTI reported citing sources.

When questioned regarding his period of abscondence, Samarth repeatedly attempted to mislead the investigators, the ANI sources said. During the interrogation, he reiterated his claim of having given ₹7 lakh to Twisha.

The SIT has seized Samarth’s laptop, mobile phone, passport, Aadhaar card, and other key documents.

CBI takes over

The CBI on Monday registered an FIR in the case and formally took over the investigation after the Supreme Court bench led by Chief Justice of India Surya Kant handed over the probe to the central agency.

The CBI booked Twisha Sharma’s husband and her mother-in-law, former district judge Giribala Singh, invoking sections 80(2), 85, and 3(5) of the Bharatiya Nyay Sanhita along with sections of the Dowry Prohibition Act, which were levelled by the state police as well.

Earlier in the day, the agency sent a Special Crime unit to Bhopal to take charge of the investigation and collect the necessary documents and evidence.

After the meeting, the CBI re-registered the state police FIR naming Samarth Singh and Giribala Singh as accused in its own case, in accordance with the procedure.

The Bhopal police had registered the FIR two days after Twisha’s death.

What the state police FIR had alleged

The FIR alleged that Twisha’s husband, Samarth, brought her to the AIIMS, Bhopal, after she, her husband claimed, hanged herself at home at 10.20 pm on May 12.

Doctors at AIIMS informed the police on May 13 at 12.05 am that she was brought dead to the hospital, and a PMLC was registered, the FIR said.

The post-mortem report said that death was due to “antemortem hanging by ligature” and her body bore “multiple antemortem injuries (simple in nature, possible by blunt force over other parts of the body have been noted).”

After receiving the post-mortem report and recording the statement of Twish’s family members, the police registered the FIR on May 15.

A second autopsy was conducted by a specialised team from AIIMS Delhi, and the report is still awaited.

The dowry claim

Twisha Sharma’s family members, in their statements, alleged that she was tormented by her in-laws, who were not satisfied with the dowry paid at the time of marriage on December 9, 2025.

They accused her in-laws of mental torture and domestic violence, and pushing the 33-year-old to take the extreme step.

Twisha’s mother-in-law, Giribala Singh, has, in her turn, questioned her purported medical treatment, alleged drug use, and mental state in several media interviews.

In the statement given to the police at the time of filing the FIR, Twisha’s family said that she had spoken to her mother at 9.41 pm.

During the call, her husband was heard shouting, and the call was cut abruptly, the FIR citing the statement alleged.

After repeated calls, Giribala Singh picked up the phone and told Twisha’s sister-in-law that “she is no more” and cut the call, it is alleged.

The central probe agency initiates an investigation, referred by the state police, by re-registering the police FIR, which serves as the starting point of the investigation.

Source : https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/abortion-and-a-7-lakh-claim-what-twisha-sharma-husband-told-madya-pradesh-sit-before-cbi-takeover-of-probe-101779758344147.html

Ahead of Bakrid, high-priced goats Salman and Sultan have become talking points at Patna’s Jagdev Path market.

As Bakrid approaches, two premium goats named Salman and Sultan have emerged as major attractions at Patna’s bustling goat market on Jagdev Path, though traders say the intense heatwave has kept several buyers away.

A two-year-old black goat named Salman Khan has become the centre of attention due to its hefty price tag of Rs 2.4 lakh. Standing four feet tall and weighing over 100 kg, the goat was brought to Bihar’s capital by Parvez, a trader from Ara, who purchased it for Rs 1.8 lakh from Uttar Pradesh.

Parvez said Salman is fed grains and green vegetables and has been drawing curiosity at the market. However, he added that soaring temperatures have significantly reduced footfall, affecting sales.

“People are not even coming to see the goats because of the heat,” he said, recalling that he had sold a goat for Rs 2 lakh during last year’s Bakrid season.

Another crowd-puller at the market is Sultan, a two-year-old goat priced at Rs 1.8 lakh. Sultan was brought by Saddam, a trader from UP’s Mau, who said he had raised the animal himself.

Saddam echoed concerns over weak customer turnout due to the heatwave but remained hopeful of finding a buyer before Bakrid. “The market is slow because of the weather, but we expect business to improve closer to the festival,” he said.

Buyers visiting the market said goat prices were comparatively higher this year. While some customers arrived with budgets of around Rs 40,000, most said they were looking for goats priced around Rs 15,000.

Source : https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/patna-bakrid-goat-market-salman-sultan-prices-heat-hit-footfall-2916956-2026-05-25

In a post on social media, newly elected BJP MLA Ratna Debnath said she met CM Suvendu Adhikari on the 14th floor of the state secretariat and contrasted her own loss with Mamata Banerjee’s political defeat.

BJP MLA Ratna Debnath, the mother of the RG Kar rape-murder victim, met West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari at the state secretariat on Monday and later took a swipe at TMC supremo Mamata Banerjee over her loss in the Assembly polls.

In a post on social media, the Panihati legislator said she met CM Adhikari on the 14th floor of the state secretariat and contrasted her own loss with Banerjee’s political defeat.

On the intervening night of August 8 and 9, 2024, Debnath’s daughter, a 31-year-old post-graduate trainee resident doctor on duty, was raped, tortured and murdered inside the seminar room of the state-run R G Kar Medical College and Hospital.

There have been allegations that evidence was destroyed and attempts were made to downplay the incident in its immediate aftermath.

Following the sweeping defeat of the Trinamool Congress in the West Bengal elections, the BJP government announced the case would be expedited and that justice would be served.

In the social media post, Debnath said, “Today I am on the 14th floor of Nabanna in a meeting with the chief minister. His name is Suvendu Adhikari. The power of honesty is immense. One only needs to patiently fight against injustice.”

“Today, both Mamata (Banerjee) and I are bereaved. I have lost my only daughter and have dedicated myself to serving people. She has lost her chair on the 14th floor,” she said.

The newly elected MLA also said that the former chief minister and her “team” would face a “more tragic outcome”. “Wait and watch,” she said.

The Calcutta High Court last week ordered setting up a three-member special investigation team (SIT) of the CBI to probe the developments from the time the RG Kar Medical College’s trainee doctor had dinner on the ill-fated night of August 2024 to her cremation.

The young medic’s rape and murder had caused an uproar in the state as well as among the doctors’ community across the country.

Debnath has repeatedly alleged that several individuals were directly and indirectly involved in the crime and that not all suspects had come under the purview of the investigation.

According to sources, she had earlier written to Chief Minister Adhikari in a sealed communication, seeking action against individuals she believed should be investigated in connection with the case.

Speaking to reporters after the meeting, Debnath said that despite becoming an MLA, “all happiness” had disappeared from her life and her only goal was to secure justice for her daughter.

“I may have become an MLA, but all the joy has gone from my life. My only objective is justice. The names I submitted to the chief minister had earlier also been shared with investigators,” she said.

Source : https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/rg-kar-victim-mother-ratna-debnath-says-i-lost-my-daughter-mamata-banerjee-lost-her-chair-2917008-2026-05-25

The Garib Nagar demolition in Mumbai’s Bandra suburb has triggered calls to clear more slums across the city, with viral videos shot from local train windows fuelling demands for similar drives in Wadala, Kurla, Dadar and beyond. But these settlements also house the workers Mumbai depends on.

Days after bulldozers tore through Garib Nagar in Mumbai’s Bandra East, calls for more slum demolitions across Mumbai have only grown louder. As Western Railway carried out another demolition drive between Goregaon and Malad on Monday to reclaim illegally occupied railway land under Bombay High Court directions, social media was flooded with videos shot from local train windows — of stretches of blue tarpaulin roofs in Wadala, Kurla, Dadar, Govandi and beyond.

Many users tagged authorities and demanded that similar drives be carried out across the city, not just on railway land but also on BMC and government-owned plots.

Barely a week after authorities evicted over 1,500 people from Garib Nagar from over 400 two-three storey shanties, Western Railways has reclaimed approximately 1,500 square metres of vital Railway land in the northern suburbs of Goregaon and Malad. A total of 36 hard encroachments and 24 soft encroachments were cleared through a coordinated operation.

When it comes to “urban clean-up” drives, there is always a contradiction at play. The videos from Garib Nagar struck a nerve not just because many saw the demolition as inevitable, but because they also laid bare the human cost behind Mumbai’s idea of “order” — a city where slums and skyscrapers have long co-existed, often uneasily, but dependently.

As the earthmovers reduced homes to rubble under a Bombay High Court-backed eviction drive by the Western Railway, the demolition of hundreds of homes also unleashed something else across Mumbai. It was anger for many, and a moment of applause for the rest.

But perhaps the most revealing videos were shaky phone clips shot from local trains, zooming into slum clusters along tracks in Wadala, Dadar and Kurla. “Next please”, the captions read.

An X user, Satish Pandita, said, “Mumbai, a world city, is reduced to City of Slums. Have a look at this video [a video taken from a local train], it is just a fraction [pointing at the slums in Wadala]. When will Mumbai be free from slums?”

Referring to Mumbai as “Slumbai”, another person commented on a video shared by Indian Tech and Infra that showed sprawling slum clusters across Mumbai. “When I went to Mumbai, I was under the impression that slums were confined to Dharavi and that the rest of the city was modern. But slums are everywhere. I still can’t believe the scale of it. And the sheer size of these settlements means they cannot simply be cleared overnight. It would take decades.”

The calls for demolition have since expanded beyond railway land, with several local train commuters now demanding that the government clear slum clusters not just from railway property, but also from BMC and other government-owned land across the city.

For a section of Mumbai’s upper and upper-middle classes, the demolition of Garib Nagar slums was a long-awaited “clean-up” of the city. The demolition of the slums in Dharavi has also been lauded by the same section of society.

But there is a contradiction here that Mumbaikars confront every day, and yet sometimes forget. The city needs the labour, but its administration and the governments over the years have been unwilling to accommodate it.

Slums occupy nearly 24% of Mumbai’s land while housing more than half its population, according to Maharashtra’s Slum Rehabilitation Authority (SRA).

Mumbai-based architect PK Das, on his website, estimates that roughly 7.5 million people live in these slums. That alone explains why Mumbai’s slum debate can never be reduced to aesthetics.

Almost every second Mumbaikar lives in informal housing, compressed into barely a quarter of the city’s geography.

People invest in houses worth crores of rupees, and the view is slums. This is true for the majority of real estate markets in Mumbai and its northern suburbs. Even in a place as posh as Colaba Causeway, there are slums.

More importantly, the people being pushed out of these settlements are not peripheral to the city’s economy. They are the city’s economy.

They drive the delivery bikes that keep Mumbai’s app economy alive. They clean homes in gated towers overlooking the Arabian Sea. They pour concrete into luxury skyscrapers they will never live in. They run roadside eateries, work as security guards, tailors, plumbers, electricians, nurses, drivers, mechanics, loaders and sanitation workers.

Mumbai’s pace survives on the backs of workers who often cannot afford formal housing within the same city they sustain.

MAHARASHTRA GOVTS, BMC, RAILWAYS HAVE FAILED TO CREATED SPACE FOR MIGRANTS

A Mumbai-based senior journalist, who has lived in the city since childhood and has covered the city’s civic issues for over 15 years, described the current situation as a failure of urban imagination as much as governance.

“What Mumbai, Maharashtra, the BMC, the Railways, everyone in authority, failed to do was create space for the millions of migrant workers who came here and took up the jobs many others didn’t want to do,” the journalist said, requesting anonymity.

The journalist pointed out that migrants from Uttar Pradesh, Bihar and southern states have long filled the city’s labour vacuum, often performing physically demanding work with little security or dignity in return.

“And now, when it is inconvenient, we are simply throwing them away,” the journalist added.

The emotional charge around Garib Nagar also reflects a shift in the city’s social mood. In older “Bombay”, class divides certainly existed, but there was still a performative idea of coexistence — a belief, however imperfect, that the city belonged to everyone who worked in it. The mill workers were a great example of this, who lived in places that now house the most expensive real estate in India.

The journalist argued that this social compact now appears to be eroding.

“There was at least a social expectation that you should behave with some humanity. Now even that pretence is disappearing,” the journalist told India Today Digital.

The remarks come at a time when public spaces themselves are increasingly becoming sites of class conflict.

In Bandra, debates have erupted over access to gardens, promenades and open spaces, with residents in some affluent pockets complaining about “outsiders”, street vendors, dog-walkers and children from “poorer neighbourhoods” using public amenities.

The Garib Nagar demolition, therefore, did not happen in isolation. It has tapped into a wider aspiration among sections of the city who view slums less as housing crises and more as visual blight.

MEGACITIES AROUND THE WORLD HAVE DEPENDED ON INFORMAL, LOW-INCOME SETTLEMENTS

Urban historians have pointed out that megacities across the world have always depended on informal or low-income settlements.

Paris has its banlieues. New York had immigrant tenements. Los Angeles, which has Skid Row, struggles with homelessness. Most global cities absorb migrants faster than formal housing systems can accommodate them.

Mumbai’s challenge is more extreme and acute. Its geography constrains expansion, while one of the world’s most expensive property markets has made affordable housing scarce even for many middle-class residents. The market has paralysed affordable housing even for the top 1% of this country.

The city has effectively become a place where luxury towers and informal settlements exist wall-to-wall, and that is not because of accident. Each has economically sustained the other.

And that is perhaps the central paradox of Mumbai. The same city that markets itself as India’s financial capital often relies on invisible housing economies to function.

Everybody in Mumbai knows this, even if the city rarely says it aloud.

Soon after the demolitions in Garib Nagar, videos of chaos at Mumbai’s Lokmanya Tilak Terminus (LTT) went viral. Sources that India Today Digital spoke to could not confirm whether the people leaving were migrants displaced from Garib Nagar returning home. But on social media, there was hostility. “Send them back,” some wrote. “Kick them out,” said others.

Source : https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/mumbai-slum-demolition-garib-nagar-local-train-videos-who-will-do-the-city-work-rehabilitation-sra-2916428-2026-05-26

A woman in Bilaspur was taken into custody after allegedly attacking her sleeping husband with a sickle. Police said recurring disputes over a suspected affair may have led to the incident.

A woman was arrested in Chhattisgarh’s Bilaspur after she allegedly attacked her husband with a sickle while he was asleep and severed his private parts over suspicions of an extramarital affair, police said.

The victim, identified as Rajesh Kaushik, a mason by profession, was admitted to the state-run SIMS Hospital in critical condition. Doctors said he is undergoing treatment.

According to police, the couple had been facing frequent domestic disputes for a long time, with the accused woman, Draupati Bai, suspecting her husband of having a relationship with another woman.

Police said the couple had dinner together on the night of the incident before going to sleep. Late at night, the woman allegedly attacked Rajesh with a sickle while he was asleep, chopping off his private parts, and seriously injuring him.

Bleeding heavily, the injured man reportedly ran out of the room screaming for help, alerting family members. His minor son woke up on hearing the cries and informed relatives, following which the family rushed Rajesh to hospital along with the severed body part.

Source : https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/chhattisgarh-woman-attacks-sleeping-husband-cuts-off-private-part-over-affair-suspicion-2917046-2026-05-26

India will host the Quad Foreign Ministers’ Meeting in New Delhi, where EAM S. Jaishankar will meet counterparts from the US, Japan, and Australia. Discussions will focus on Indo-Pacific cooperation, maritime security, supply chains, critical minerals, emerging technologies, and regional geopolitical challenges. The meeting may also unveil new economic and technology partnership measures.

India will host the Quad Foreign Ministers’ Meeting in New Delhi on Tuesday, with External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar set to welcome Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong, Japanese Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi, and US Secretary of State Marco Rubio for high-level discussions under the Quad framework.

According to the Ministry of External Affairs, the meeting is expected to focus on strengthening cooperation in the Indo-Pacific region, maritime security, critical minerals, emerging technologies, supply chain resilience, and regional geopolitical developments, including the situations in West Asia and Ukraine.

The official statement said, “In keeping with the Quad vision for a Free and Open Indo-Pacific, the Ministers will build on discussions held in Washington, DC on 1 July 2025. They will exchange views on advancing Quad cooperation across priority areas, review progress on ongoing Quad initiatives, and reflect on recent developments in the Indo-Pacific region and other international issues of mutual concern.”

The meeting is expected to focus on key areas of cooperation, including maritime security, resilient supply chains, infrastructure development, critical and emerging technologies, climate action, and humanitarian assistance and disaster relief.

The discussions will also review ongoing Quad initiatives aimed at strengthening regional stability and economic growth.

During their India visit, the Foreign Ministers of Australia and Japan, along with the US Secretary of State, were also expected to hold bilateral meetings with EAM Jaishankar.

Earlier on Monday, EAM Jaishankar met Japanese counterpart Toshimitsu Motegi ahead of Tuesday’s Quad Foreign Ministers’ Meeting in New Delhi, highlighting that the special strategic and global partnership between both countries remains rooted in their joint vision for a free and open Indo-Pacific.

“Between India and Japan of course, we have a special strategic and global partnership and that signals that our ties have a larger implication, larger importance, larger impact and one example of that will be tomorrow when we meet in the Quad format to discuss how to advance free and open Indo-Pacific,” EAM Jaishankar said in his opening remarks during a meeting with the visiting Japanese Foreign Minister.

During his stay in New Delhi, the Japanese Foreign Minister is also scheduled to call on Prime Minister Narendra Modi with other ministers on Tuesday.

The Quad meeting comes at a time when Indo-Pacific geopolitical dynamics continue to evolve, with member countries seeking to deepen cooperation and coordination on shared regional and global challenges.

Reports suggest the Quad countries may announce new measures to strengthen economic security and technology partnerships during the meeting.

Earlier on Sunday, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said that India and the US are strategically aligned on several key global issues, including critical minerals, supply chains and terrorism. He called India “one of the most important strategic partners” for the US in the world.

While addressing a joint press briefing with EAM Jaishankar, Rubio said that India and the US have suffered due to global terrorism networks. He noted that India and the US as democracies understand the importance of public scrutiny, accountability.

Source : https://www.freepressjournal.in/india/india-to-host-quad-foreign-ministers-meeting-today-amid-evolving-indo-pacific-challenges

A 12-year-old girl was raped and murdered in Budgam district, triggering protests and SIT probe.

A 12-year-old girl was allegedly raped and murdered in Jammu and Kashmir’s Budgam district on Sunday. The body of the minor girl was found near 200 metres from her home. The incident has triggered protests and demands for justice and tracking down perpetrators.

The police investigation has been launched and prima facie, it appears to be a case of rape and murder.

According to reports, the child went missing on Saturday evening at Galwanpora village. On Sunday morning, she was found dead in nearby fields.

“At around 7:15 am today, the body was recovered from a spot nearly 200 metres from her home. All medico-legal formalities were subsequently completed and prima facie, it appears to be a case of rape and murder,” said Hariprasad KK, SSP Budgam.

Police said a Special Investigation Team (SIT) has been constituted to probe the case. The officer said the SIT is examining all possible angles to ascertain the circumstances surrounding the incident. Police have assured that the investigation will be conducted in a fair, transparent, and professional manner.

Locals have described the incident as horrific and deeply disturbing. The killing has sparked widespread outrage, with political leaders demanding strict action against the culprits. National Conference leaders, including Education Minister Sakeena Yatoo, visited the bereaved family and assured them of prompt justice.

“She left home around 4 PM for her religious class. We fail to understand how she went missing despite so many houses in the surrounding area,” said a local elderly resident. “The killer should be caught immediately. We just want justice for the girl,” he said, adding that the girl was carrying a Quran with her, which was later found nearby too.

Police have requested people not to circulate unverified information or indulge in speculation regarding the matter, as such actions may hamper the investigation and cause unnecessary distress.

Chief Minister Omar Abdullah has strongly condemned the brutal murder of a young preteen girl in the Budgam district, describing the incident as “shocking and deeply distressing”.

Expressing profound grief over the tragedy, the Chief Minister condemned the heinous act in the strongest possible terms and conveyed his heartfelt sympathies to the bereaved family.

“May she find place in Jannat,” the Chief Minister said while expressing solidarity with the grieving family.

Source : https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/missing-girl-12-raped-murdered-in-j-k-body-found-200-metres-from-home-11542766?pfrom=home-ndtv_topscroll

Medical experts have long warned that multiple pregnancies in quick succession can significantly increase the risk of anemia, malnutrition, chronic fatigue, pregnancy complications and maternal health emergencies.

A video shared by a gynecologist in Uttar Pradesh has sparked widespread concern online after revealing the case of a 22-year-old woman who is pregnant with her sixth child. According to the doctor, the woman and her husband were married when they were 15 and already have five children – four daughters and one son. Despite this, the couple, who are from Rajasthan, reportedly decided to continue having children in hopes of having another boy. The case was shared by Dr. Pragya Tomar of Spandan Hospital, who said the video was posted with the consent of the patient and her husband.

During the interaction, the woman reportedly told the doctor, “I keep having girls… we have one boy, we need another boy.” Her husband added that one son was “not enough” to support the family and continue the family lineage, remarks that quickly triggered debate online over deep-rooted son preference and gender bias.

The doctor warned the couple about the severe health risks linked to repeated pregnancies at such a young age. According to her, the woman had already complained of breathlessness, dizziness, and body pain – symptoms commonly associated with physical exhaustion, anemia, and nutritional deficiencies caused by closely spaced pregnancies.

“You’re risking your life with so many pregnancies,” the doctor told the patient, warning that repeated childbirth without proper recovery time could seriously endanger both the mother and unborn child.

Watch the video here:

The video soon went viral on social media, with many users expressing concern over the woman’s condition and criticising the societal pressure placed on women to give birth to male children. Many users also pointed to broader issues such as lack of awareness around contraception, early marriage, limited access to family planning education, and the unequal value often placed on daughters and sons in parts of society.

Medical experts have long warned that multiple pregnancies in quick succession can significantly increase the risk of anemia, malnutrition, chronic fatigue, pregnancy complications and maternal health emergencies, especially among very young mothers.

Source : https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/viral-video-ek-aur-beta-chahiye-doctor-raises-alarm-after-22-year-old-woman-becomes-pregnant-for-sixth-time-11541048?pfrom=home-ndtv_lateststories

She explained that Meta’s long-term ambitions no longer aligned with her own personal and professional goals.

A Meta employee has gone viral after revealing that she voluntarily asked to be included in the company’s latest round of layoffs, citing growing misalignment with Meta’s direction and its increasing focus on becoming an “AI-first” workplace. Julie Bone, who worked as a content designer for Facebook in Los Angeles, shared in a LinkedIn post that she left the company after completing exactly six years at Meta. According to her, the decision to leave had been building for a long time rather than being a sudden reaction to the layoffs.

She explained that Meta’s long-term ambitions no longer aligned with her own personal and professional goals. Bone also said the timing felt right for her personal life and added that part of her motivation was the hope that voluntarily stepping away might help another employee retain their position.

“I had been there exactly six years, which was longer than 80% of the company. This was not an impulsive decision. For a long time now, Meta’s ambitions and my own were in different continents. I wanted to move on because the timing was right for my personal life, and partly because I hoped it might help save the spot of someone who wanted to stay,” she wrote.

In the post, she acknowledged that she was unsure whether her request had actually changed anything internally, joking that she may already have been included in the layoff plans before making the request.

Bone also reflected on the changing work culture inside Meta, describing how AI-focused skills had increasingly become an expectation across teams. She said employees were encouraged to use AI tools for prototyping ideas, troubleshooting coding problems, and automating repetitive tasks. At the same time, she argued that simply learning AI tools would not guarantee long-term job security for workers in the tech industry.

Source : https://www.ndtv.com/feature/meta-employee-goes-viral-after-volunteering-to-be-laid-off-amid-ai-push-i-asked-to-be-included-11541320?pfrom=home-ndtv_lateststories

Rather than waiting until their 60s to retire, Bianca and Charlie decided they wanted to enjoy life while they were still young, healthy, and financially stable enough to take the risk.

Bianca Chan and Charles Boddie, a married couple who built successful careers at Amazon and Business Insider, made an unconventional decision that many professionals only dream about. In their early 30s, the couple walked away from high-paying corporate jobs to begin a “first retirement” – a temporary mid-career break focused on travel, freedom, and personal growth aboard a sailboat.

What initially started as a joke slowly turned into a serious life plan. Rather than waiting until their 60s to retire, Bianca and Charlie decided they wanted to enjoy life while they were still young, healthy, and financially stable enough to take the risk.

Before leaving her job, Bianca worked as a senior finance reporter at Business Insider, where she covered how major Wall Street firms were investing in and using technology. Charlie, meanwhile, had spent eight years at Amazon after joining the company as a college hire. Over time, he rose through the ranks and was on track to become a principal engineer. He led multiple engineering teams responsible for much of Amazon’s buy-now-pay-later business operations in the United States and Canada, Business Insider reported.

Despite their professional success, the couple admitted that the intense commitment required by their jobs often came at the expense of other parts of life. Long work hours and career ambition left little room for hobbies, flexibility, or extended travel experiences. Though they often talked about finding a lifestyle with more freedom, lucrative salaries, bonuses, and career opportunities repeatedly kept them tied to corporate life.

Bianca Chan and Charles Boddie, a married couple who built successful careers at Amazon and Business Insider, made an unconventional decision that many professionals only dream about. In their early 30s, the couple walked away from high-paying corporate jobs to begin a “first retirement” – a temporary mid-career break focused on travel, freedom, and personal growth aboard a sailboat.

What initially started as a joke slowly turned into a serious life plan. Rather than waiting until their 60s to retire, Bianca and Charlie decided they wanted to enjoy life while they were still young, healthy, and financially stable enough to take the risk.

Before leaving her job, Bianca worked as a senior finance reporter at Business Insider, where she covered how major Wall Street firms were investing in and using technology. Charlie, meanwhile, had spent eight years at Amazon after joining the company as a college hire. Over time, he rose through the ranks and was on track to become a principal engineer. He led multiple engineering teams responsible for much of Amazon’s buy-now-pay-later business operations in the United States and Canada, Business Insider reported.

Despite their professional success, the couple admitted that the intense commitment required by their jobs often came at the expense of other parts of life. Long work hours and career ambition left little room for hobbies, flexibility, or extended travel experiences. Though they often talked about finding a lifestyle with more freedom, lucrative salaries, bonuses, and career opportunities repeatedly kept them tied to corporate life.

Source : https://www.ndtv.com/feature/us-couple-quits-corporate-careers-for-first-retirement-at-30-buys-a-sailboat-to-explore-the-world-11542043?pfrom=home-ndtv_lateststories

Marco Rubio met Ajit Doval and S Jaishankar in Delhi to advance talks held with Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The discussions centred on counter-terror concerns, defence co-production, technology transfer and wider India-US cooperation.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio met National Security Advisor Ajit Doval in New Delhi on Sunday, with India conveying strong concerns over Pakistan-based terror networks and warning that terrorism was “not just an ideology but an entire ecosystem”.

According to sources, Doval told Rubio that terror infrastructure operating from Pakistan remained continuously active and that instability across the Afghanistan-South Asia region continued to pose serious security concerns.

Sources said Doval underlined during the talks that India was no longer focused merely on remaining vigilant against terror threats, but was increasingly moving towards an “action mode” approach in dealing with terrorism and cross-border networks.

Regional security, counter-terrorism cooperation and strategic coordination in the Indo-Pacific and South Asian region figured prominently in the discussions, officials said. The two sides also discussed expanding India-US defence cooperation, with a focus on technology transfer, joint development and co-production initiatives under the India-US Initiative on Critical and Emerging Technology (iCET).

Officials described the defence push as part of a broader strategic shift aimed at positioning India not merely as a defence buyer, but as a co-developer and manufacturing partner in advanced technologies.

Rubio later held a bilateral meeting with External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar at Hyderabad House, where both sides reviewed cooperation across trade, technology, artificial intelligence, supply chains, defence and energy sectors.

After the meeting, Rubio said India-US ties “have not lost momentum” and expressed confidence that relations between the two countries would become stronger in the coming years. “India-US relations have not lost momentum India-US relations will come out much stronger in the coming years,” Rubio said.

The US Secretary of State also said Washington hoped the long-pending trade agreement between the two countries would be concluded soon, adding that India and the US were “strategically aligned” on most major global issues.

Jaishankar said the discussions covered developments in West Asia, the Indian subcontinent and East Asia, while reiterating India’s support for “unimpeded” maritime commerce. “We discussed the situation in West Asia, Indian subcontinent and East Asia,” Jaishankar said after the meeting.

The External Affairs Minister also said the two sides discussed civil nuclear cooperation and welcomed recent progress in the energy sector. “Secretary Rubio and I welcomed recent cooperation between India and the US in the energy sector,” he said.

Source : https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/terrorism-an-ecosystem-pakistan-based-networks-still-active-nsa-ajit-doval-marco-rubio-talks-delhi-2916473-2026-05-25

The Supreme Court has reaffirmed that daughters are equal heirs to their father’s share under Hindu law. The ruling highlights how legal equality continues to face resistance within families and social practice.

Across India, courts are increasingly being called upon to settle disputes over daughters’ inheritance rights, exposing the continuing gap between legal equality and social reality. From royal families to ordinary households, women are still being denied their lawful share in family property despite clear constitutional and statutory protections.

One of the most prominent examples is the ongoing dispute involving the royal family of Mewar, where the daughters of the late king have challenged his will in the Delhi High Court after his separate properties were left entirely to his son, the current king. Similarly, in February, the Supreme Court directed compulsory mediation in a long-running partition dispute among siblings in Hyderabad, observing that mediation could provide a faster and less damaging resolution than prolonged litigation.

The issue once again came into focus on May 15, 2026, when a Supreme Court bench comprising Justices Sanjay Karol and Augustine G Masih reaffirmed that daughters possess equal inheritance rights under Hindu law. The Court clarified that even before the 2005 amendment to the Hindu Succession Act, daughters had the right to inherit an equal share in their father’s portion of ancestral property through the principle of “notional partition.”

This ruling reflects a broader legal position that daughters are equal heirs in all forms of parental property, whether ancestral or self-acquired. Yet, patriarchal social norms often continue to override the law in practice. In many families, daughters are given gifts at the time of marriage and are thereafter expected to forgo any claim to family property, while sons inherit the entire estate.

Advocate Varun Chopra notes that the denial of women’s inheritance rights is often less about law and more about social conditioning. According to him, many sisters avoid legal disputes to preserve “family tranquility,” while others remain unaware of their legal entitlements altogether. He explains that the Hindu Succession Act clearly grants daughters inheritance rights, but social attitudes frequently discourage women from asserting them.

A key turning point came in 2005, when Parliament amended Section 6 of the Hindu Succession Act to grant daughters equal coparcenary rights. Coparcenary refers to the right acquired by birth in a Hindu Undivided Family (HUF), allowing a person to inherit ancestral property and demand partition.

Before 2005, daughters could inherit only their father’s share after his death but could not seek partition of ancestral property. The amendment recognised daughters as equal coparceners alongside sons.

The Supreme Court further strengthened this principle in the landmark 2020 Vineeta Sharma judgment. The Court ruled that a daughter is a coparcener by birth, equal to a son, and that marriage does not extinguish her rights. Importantly, the judgment clarified that the father did not need to be alive on September 9, 2005 — the date the amendment came into force — for daughters to claim their share. The ruling also affirmed daughters’ equal rights to partition and inheritance within Hindu Undivided Families.

The Court has continued expanding gender equality in succession law. In the 2025 Ram Charan verdict, the Supreme Court extended equal inheritance rights to tribal women, observing that customary laws denying succession to women could not survive constitutional scrutiny. The Court emphasised that customs cannot remain “stuck in time” and cannot be used to perpetuate discrimination. Invoking

Article 14 of the Constitution, which guarantees equality before law, the bench held that denying female heirs succession rights only deepens gender inequality.

Despite these progressive judgments, discrimination persists in several state-specific laws, especially concerning agricultural land. For example, the Uttar Pradesh Zamindari Abolition and Land Reforms Act, 1950 prioritises widows, sons, and unmarried daughters in inheritance of agricultural land. Married daughters inherit only in the absence of these relatives and even parents of the deceased are given preference over married daughters.

The law also provides that a widow loses inheritance rights upon remarriage. Such provisions reveal how outdated legal frameworks continue to undermine women’s equality.
Inheritance rules also vary across religions in India. Under Muslim personal law, there is no concept of coparcenary or inheritance by birth.

Property devolves only after the death of a parent. However, sons generally receive twice the share of daughters. In contrast, Christians governed by the Indian Succession Act receive equal inheritance rights regardless of gender.

The recent May 15, 2026 judgment in the BS Lalitha case further clarified the concept of “notional partition.” The Supreme Court explained that under the earlier Section 6 of the Hindu Succession Act 1956, which was built on the basis of the Hindu Mitakshara law, a deceased coparcener’s (father) share would be separated through a deemed partition before death, enabling daughters to inherit that share equally.

The Court also observed that a later partition deed cannot extinguish daughters’ rights if those rights had already vested by operation of law. Meaning that daughters have always been recognised as equal heirs of the father’s share of the property.

The earlier law, before the 2005 amendment, merely denied the right to demand a formal partition. However, the right to claim their share from the notional division on the death of the Father has been read into the 1956 Act also.

Source : https://www.indiatoday.in/india/law-news/story/daughters-inheritance-rights-supreme-court-notional-partition-2916437-2026-05-24

Lakhs of tribal community members gathered in Delhi for the Janjati Sanskritik Sangam and called for converted tribals to be delisted from the Scheduled Tribe category. The event paired cultural celebrations marking Birsa Munda’s 150th birth anniversary with demands to review constitutional safeguards linked to tribal identity.

Lakhs of tribal community members from across India gathered in the national capital for the Janjati Sanskritik Sangam, where participants celebrated indigenous culture and raised demands for the “delisting” of converted tribals from the Scheduled Tribe (ST) category.

The event, organised by the Janjati Suraksha Manch affiliated to the RSS, marked the 150th birth anniversary of tribal icon Birsa Munda. Representatives from more than 550 tribal groups from different states took part in the gathering near Delhi Gate.

Participants dressed in traditional attire performed cultural programmes, marches and public demonstrations highlighting issues related to tribal identity, constitutional rights and preservation of indigenous customs.

A key demand raised during the event was the amendment of Article 342 of the Constitution to remove ST status from individuals who convert to religions other than traditional tribal faiths. Protesters argued that converted tribals continue to avail reservation benefits meant for Scheduled Tribes while also receiving benefits available to minority communities.

Several speakers at the gathering said religious conversion leads to a gradual loss of tribal traditions, customs and cultural identity, and called for a review of the existing constitutional framework governing ST status.

Organisers and participants maintained that the demand was linked to the protection of tribal heritage, community rights and preservation of indigenous culture rather than targeting any particular religion.

Source : https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/janjati-sanskritik-sangam-tribals-seek-delisting-of-converted-scheduled-tribes-2916459-2026-05-25

Abhijeet Dipke, founder of the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP), announced plans to advance their movement despite recent setbacks, including the hacking of their social media accounts and website.

Abhijeet Dipke, the founder of Cockroach Janta Party (CJP), on Saturday claimed that they are working on a plan to take their movement to a next level and will share more information soon. Dipke’s statement has come after he claimed their accounts can be hacked or withhold but they cannot hack this movement. The Cockroach Janta Party is not an official political organization but it’s a satirical online movement, launched by Abhijeet Dipke, who is a student at Boston University in United States. The CJP, which came up last week on May 16, 2026, gained a rapid traction on social media through memes and political commentary around unemployment, examination paper leaks and education-related issues.

On Friday, Dipke had claimed that the outfit lost access to its Instagram accounts, its X handle has been withheld in India, its backup account was briefly taken down and its website — cockroachjantaparty.org — was also taken down.

“Please note that we currently do not have access to any of our platforms. Any post made after this should not be considered an official statement from the Cockroach Janta Party,” Dipke said in a post on X.

Claiming crackdown on CJP’s select social media accounts, and its website, Dipke took to his personal X page and wrote, ”

You can hack and withhold the accounts but you cannot hack this movement. We are not going to stop and we will keep raising our voice against this autocracy. Every attack makes cockroaches stronger. We are working on a plan to get this movement to continue sustainably and take it to the next level. Will share more soon! Cockroaches never die!”

The weather department has forecast strong surface winds and heatwave conditions during the afternoon and evening hours through the next three days in Delhi.

Delhi is set to witness another week of heatwave conditions, with the India Meteorological Department issuing a yellow alert for the Capital over the next three days.

The weather department has forecast strong surface winds and heatwave-like conditions during the afternoon and evening hours through the next three days. The maximum temperature on Monday is expected to hover around 44 degrees Celsius, with the minimum temperature around 30 degrees Celsius.

Delhi recorded a maximum temperature of 43.6 degrees Celsius on Sunday, 3.4 notches above the seasonal average, with the minimum temperature settling at 28.4 degrees Celsius, two notches above the seasonal average.

The weather department has warned of heatwave conditions over isolated pockets of Delhi during May 24 to May 28, with severe heatwave conditions in some pockets between May 25 and May 27.

On Sunday, several weather stations across Delhi and the National Capital Region (NCR) logged temperatures significantly above normal, with Ridge and Ayanagar recording the highest maximum temperature at 44.6 degrees Celsius each. This was followed by followed by Lodhi Road at 43.8 degrees Celsius, Palam at 43.7 degrees Celsius and Safdarjung at 43.6 degrees Celsius. Relative humidity levels fluctuated between 37 per cent and 18 per cent.

Heatwave conditions to persist over north India, red alert in UP

The week ahead will bring little relief for north India, as the IMD forecast shows severe heatwave conditions over central and northwest India. Heatwave and severe heatwave conditions are likely to prevail over central and north west India over the next week, and over east and adjoining peninsular India over the next five days. The temperatures will only witness a fall after May 29, according to IMD.

“Heat wave conditions very likely in isolated pockets over Punjab, Haryana Chandigarh & Delhi during 24th-28th; with severe heat wave conditions in some pockets during 25th-27th May,” the weather department stated in a warning.

It said that heatwave conditions were also likely in some pockets over Uttar Pradesh till May 28, with severe heatwave conditions over some parts of east UP till May 26.

Source : https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/delhi-under-yellow-alert-imd-warns-of-severe-heatwave-conditions-over-north-india-101779664764808.html#google_vignette

Manisha Sanjay Havaldar from Pune was appointed as an expert by the National Testing Agency

The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has arrested a Pune-based person in connection with the NEET-UG 2026 case for allegedly leaking some Physics questions.

The accused has been identified as Manisha Sanjay Havaldar, currently working in Seth Hiralal Saraf Prashala (Pune).

According to the CBI, she was involved in the NEET-UG 2026 process and appointed by the National Testing Agency (NTA) as an expert.

The agency alleged that she had complete access to the Physics question papers. In April 2026, she had shared some of the questions with co-accused Manisha Gurunath Mandhare, who was arrested on May 16 for allegedly leaking Biology questions. The questions Ms. Havaldar shared have tallied with the Physics questions in the examination paper, it said.

The CBI registered the case on May 12, following a complaint from the Department of Higher Education, Ministry of Education, and has so far arrested 11 persons.

Among them is Shivraj Motegaonkar, a professor and owner of RCC Coaching Institute in Latur. The institute has nine branches. He is acquainted with Chemistry lecturer P.V. Kulkarni, who is associated with the NTA and has been arrested by the CBI on the charge of leaking Chemistry questions.

Searches at the institute premises and Mr. Motegaonkar’s residence resulted in the seizure of a Chemistry question bank that contained questions identical to those which appeared in the test held on May 3, the agency said.

Source : https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/cbi-arrests-key-accused-linked-to-neet-ug-2026-physics-paper-leak-case/article71011069.ece

India’s viral “cockroach” political parody group says its website has been blocked just days after it launched.
The Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) has gained more than 20 million online followers since being set up as a joke after India’s chief justice reportedly compared unemployed young people to the insects.

He later clarified he was referring to people with “fake and bogus degrees”, not India’s youth more broadly.

Its website can no longer be accessed in the country and also appears to be down elsewhere. The group’s founder Abhijeet Dipke said Indian officials had “taken down our iconic website” and asked why they were “so scared of cockroaches”.

He wrote on X that the group, which is not an official political party, was already working on a new “home” and added: “Cockroaches never die.”

Its official X page – with more than 200,000 followers – is also inaccessible in the country. Those trying to open it are shown a message that it has been withheld “in response to a legal demand”.

Dipke, a political communications strategist and student at Boston University in the US, has also claimed both his personal Instagram and the group’s have been hacked.

The CJP – or the cockroach people’s party – satirises the name of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), which has been in power since 2014.

The group claims to be “the voice of the lazy and unemployed”. Its tongue-in-cheek membership criteria include being chronically online and having “the ability to rant professionally”.

Source : https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cddpq71866do

Sonam Wangchuk hoped constitutional safeguards will be granted to Ladakh after recent talks between Ladakh groups and the Centre.

Environmentalist Sonam Wangchuk on Saturday expressed hope over the proposal of granting constitutional safeguards to Ladakh under Article 371, while describing the recently concluded negotiations during a high-level meeting in New Delhi as a “work in progress.”

This comes a day after representatives of the Leh Apex Body (LAB) and the Kargil Democratic Alliance (KDA) held talks with the Union government and said that they have reached an “in-principle understanding” over enacting special constitutional safeguards in the region. “We made significant progress this evening in our talks with the Govt. MHA, Apex & KDAleaders of Ladakh had a broad consensus on restoring democracy with a tailor made legislative body,” he said on X.

In an interview with news agency PTI on Saturday, Wangchuk said talks are underway to finalise and devolve the responsibilities in the region under Article 371. “This is not a time to celebrate or deplore based on what has been discussed so far. It is a work in progress. Only an understanding has been reached and it is not an accord or an agreement…We hope that there will be progress in this in the coming days,” he said.

What is Article 371?

Article 371 is a provision in the Constitution that grants special safeguards and autonomy to certain states and regions to protect their cultural identity, land rights, local employment and administrative systems.

Sonam Wangchuk backs CJP

During the interview, he also voiced support for the viral “Cockroach Janta Party” (CJP), adding that while he isn’t qualified to become a member of it, he identified himself with its message. “I am neither unemployed nor am I lazy. So sadly, I am not a member. But I consider myself an honorary cockroach,” he said.

Source : https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/sonam-wangchuk-says-article-371-talks-for-ladakh-still-work-in-progress-backs-cockroach-janta-party-101779588723203.html

A laid-off Meta engineer has alleged that he was routinely excluded and ostracised by his Chinese colleagues at the company.

A laid-off Meta engineer has alleged that he was routinely excluded and ostracised by his Chinese colleagues at the company. Meta employee Jeremy Bernier alleged race-based discrimination at the tech giant, claiming he was part of a team where “90% of his coworkers were Chinese”, and where “non-Chinese were routinely excluded, disadvantaged, and targeted for layoffs.”

Bernier was among the 8,000 employees affected by layoffs at Meta on May 20. He opened up about his experience with the Mark Zuckerberg-owned company on X.

‘6 out of 7 layoffs targeted non-Chinese’

In his lengthy post on X, Bernier claimed that certain Meta teams, particularly in ads and MRS, were “notorious for being Chinese dominated”. He alleged that despite non-Chinese employees being “the vast minority”, “6 out of the 7 layoffs I observed targeted non-Chinese”.

“I think Americans would be outraged if they knew that their own citizens were getting marginalized and laid off at their own companies, while Chinese promote themselves up, conquer entire orgs, and reap millions,” he wrote.

Bernier compared his experience at Meta with a hypothetical scenario at Chinese telecom giant Huawei.

“Imagine if Huawei in Shenzhen had entire orgs and leadership chains completely dominated by Japanese people who brazenly spoke Japanese at work without a care in the world that their Chinese coworkers don’t understand,” he wrote, adding that Chinese citizens “would be outraged” in such a situation.

Source : https://www.hindustantimes.com/trending/us/exmeta-employee-says-non-chinese-workers-were-targeted-for-layoffs-101779585862683.html

At a review meeting held by state revenue minister Ponguleti Srinivas Reddy on Saturday, the officials informed him about the deaths in the seven districts.

At least 16 people have died due to suspected heat stroke across seven districts in Telangana this summer season to date, while no deaths were reported in the neighbouring Andhra Pradesh though 319 cases of sunstroke were reported in that state, officials aware of the matter said on Saturday.

At a review meeting held by state revenue minister Ponguleti Srinivas Reddy on Saturday, the officials informed him about the deaths in the seven districts.

“Jayashankar Bhupalpally district reported four deaths, while Warangal Urban, Karimnagar and Nizamabad districts recorded three deaths each. One death each was reported from Jogulamba Gadwal, Rangareddy and Suryapet districts,” an official statement from the minister’s office said.

An official, however, said on condition of anonymity that unconfirmed reports from various districts indicated that 34 people died of sunstroke till Friday. “However, the district authorities have not confirmed whether the deaths were precisely due to heatstroke,” the official said. The official statement said the state government had announced an ex gratia of ₹4 lakh each to the families of the deceased. The revenue minister directed officials to expedite the compensation process without delay.

Reddy said temperatures in the state had reached alarming levels due to the severe El Nino impact, leading to intensified heatwave conditions. He warned officials against any negligence in safeguarding public health.

Source : https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/at-least-16-dead-in-telangana-due-to-suspected-heatstroke-as-temperatures-soar-4-lakh-ex-gratia-announced-101779584942268.html

The chief yardstick for the performance appraisal was the ministries’ agility in complaint redressal and file disposal.

Several ministries were rated as “satisfactory” in Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led performance appraisal. The assessment assumes significance as the report cards of ministries will be the determining factor when the government draws up plans for a possible Cabinet expansion, sources said.

The Union Cabinet held a meeting under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership on Thursday, in which Cabinet Secretary TV Somnathan gave a detailed presentation on the performance of all the ministries of the government.

The main yardstick for the performance appraisal was the ministries’ agility in complaint redressal and file disposal. Other sectors, like artificial intelligence, digital platforms, data sharing, data-based decision making, and inter-ministerial cooperation, also played a role in the government’s report card exercise.

The government told the ministries that files shouldn’t remain pending, and complaints mustn’t remain unresolved, the sources added.

PM Modi has directed the ministries to complete developmental work quickly and simplify processes. He called for identifying obstacles to development work and finding solutions.

The ministries have been asked to explain what hinders work, what obstacles delay decisions, implementation, and benefit distribution, and what improvements can be made to address them.

Ministers Swung Into Action

Several ministers immediately swung into action. Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan directed his ministry officials to simplify procedures and eliminate outdated and irrelevant regulations.

Following the meeting, the agriculture minister spoke about changing the administrative work culture in a meeting with officials. He said there is a need to improve the quality of file creation, decision-making and drafting.

Describing drafting as a crucial area, he urged departments to train officers who can prepare files and notes in a robust, clear, and policy-consistent manner.

The Union Cabinet also discussed the issue of pending court cases. All departments have been asked to compile a list of pending cases, review them, designate nodal officers, strengthen legal preparedness, and, if necessary, assign better lawyers.

Source : https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/after-pm-modis-satisfactory-appraisal-rating-ministers-swing-into-action-11538150?pfrom=home-ndtv_topscroll

The Karnataka government raised minimum wages by 60 per cent, taking the minimum monthly pay for labourers in Bengaluru to Rs 23,376 under the revised pay structure.

The Karnataka government on Saturday increased minimum wages for workers by 60 per cent, with labourers in Bengaluru now set to receive a minimum monthly wage of Rs 23,376 under the revised structure.

Announcing the decision, Labour Minister Santosh Lad said the move would strengthen economic security for workers and fulfil a long-pending demand of the labouring community across the state.

Under the revised structure, skilled workers in Bengaluru will be entitled to Rs 31,114 per month, while minimum wages in other parts of Karnataka will range between Rs 19,300 and Rs 21,251 depending on location and category.

Calling it a major labour reform, Lad said the revision had been carried out in line with directions issued by the Supreme Court while determining minimum wages.

“Our government has issued a notification increasing the minimum wages of workers by 60 per cent. Through this, our government has fulfilled a long-pending demand of the labouring community in the state,” Lad said in a post on X.

He said the revised wages would provide economic security to workers in the unorganised sector as well as employees in notified sectors and bring lakhs of workers under a more streamlined framework.

The minister also announced a structural change in the wage system, saying the government had done away with the earlier four-zone classification model and, for the first time, brought all scheduled employments under a single notification.

According to Lad, the revised wage structure is expected to directly benefit lakhs of workers employed across 81 scheduled occupations in Karnataka.

“This notification will provide economic security to workers in the unorganised sector and other specified sectors across the state. While determining the minimum wages, directions of the Supreme Court bench have been followed in carrying out this revision,” he said.

Source : https://www.indiatoday.in/india/karnataka/story/karnataka-minimum-wages-labourers-hike-siddaramaiah-govt-santosh-lad-bengaluru-salary-workers-2916104-2026-05-23

TMC councillor Sanjay Das was found hanging in his room, police say it appears to be suicide. The incident comes amid ongoing investigations into recruitment scams involving several TMC leaders in Kolkata.

The body of a 50-year-old TMC councillor of the South Dum Dum Municipality on the northern outskirts of Kolkata was found hanging in his room on Saturday, police said.

Sanjay Das, the chairman-in-council of the civic body, who lived in the Nagerbazar area of north Kolkata, was taken to a local private hospital where he was declared dead on arrival.

Police said that prima facie it looked like a case of death by suicide, although no note confirming the nature of the incident could be recovered so far.

A case of unnatural death has been registered at the local Nagerbazar police station.

Das’ body, police said, would be handed over to his family following the mandatory autopsy procedure.

The incident left Das’ followers and friends in a state of shock, many of whom were seen waiting outside the hospital premises after the body was brought there.

Das, who represented ward number 18 of the municipality, is widely believed to have remained a close aide of Debraj Chakraborty, Bidhannagar TMC councillor and husband of former party MLA Aditi Munshi.

On Friday, the couple had moved the Calcutta High Court seeking anticipatory bail in a disproportionate asset case filed by the Bidhannagar City Police.

Previously, Chakraborty had been questioned by the CBI in connection with the alleged recruitment scam at the primary level in state-run schools.

Several TMC councillors, believed to be close associates of Chakraborty, have been arrested over the past few days in cases involving extortion, assault and intimidation.

Former TMC minister Sujit Bose was arrested by the Enforcement Directorate on May 11 in connection with an alleged recruitment scam at the South Dum Dum Municipality and was slapped with a Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) case.

The former chairperson of the TMC-run civic body, Panchu Roy, has also been questioned by the ED in connection with the alleged irregularities in recruitment.

Sources close to Das said he had been depressed for the past few days, but failed to pinpoint the reason behind the mental state of the deceased.

Source : https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/sanjay-das-death-south-dum-dum-tmc-councillor-found-hanging-in-kolkata-2916109-2026-05-23

Ten cows died after eating leftover food from a terhavi (post-death) ceremony in Uttar Pradesh’s Mathura district. Twenty others were saved as veterinarians treated them for acidosis and food samples were sent for investigation.

As many as 10 cows lodged at a gaushala in a village in Mathura died after allegedly eating leftover food from a ‘terhavi’ (post-death) ceremony on Saturday, an official said.

A total of 30 cows fell ill due to acidosis — a medical condition characterised by excess acid in body fluids — after eating the leftover food, Chief Veterinary Officer Dr NN Shukla said. “Ten cows died, but doctors managed to save another 20 cows, which are doing fine now.”

The incident took place in Bhaisa village falling under Refinery police station limits.

The ‘terhavi’ — ritual offerings on the thirteenth day of a persons death — of the gram pradhan was organised on May 20. A large quantity of food was left over following the ceremony, which was given to animals of the temporary gaushala on May 22, the officer said.

Subsequently, 30 cows fell ill, developing symptoms of acidosis.

A team of 10 veterinarians were pressed to nurse the bovines back to health, Shukla said, adding that experts from Pandit Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Pashu Chikitsa Vigyan Vishwavidyalaya Evam Go-Anusandhan Sansthan, Mathura, were also called.

Post-mortem on the cows have been conducted, and samples sent for investigation, he said.

Source : https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/mathura-gaushala-cows-die-after-eating-terhavi-leftover-food-village-ceremony-2916111-2026-05-24

A roadside lottery seller won Rs 12 crore Vishu bumper jackpot in Kerala’s Kollam. Elated, the lottery seller said he said the windfall would help arrange his son’s marriage and clear family debts.

For Ponnan, a lottery seller who on Saturday became the winner of the Rs 12 crore Vishu bumper lottery, the windfall will help him find a good bride for his son, Vinod.

“It is difficult to find a bride for someone in a poor family. Now we have crores. Lets see if we can get a good proposal for him,” he said.

Lady luck smiled on Ponnan, who has been selling lottery tickets on the roadside for years and also buys tickets for himself sometimes.

Talking to reporters in Kollam after he was announced as the winner, he said that this time when he brought tickets for selling them, he purchased one for himself and it turned out to be lucky. His wife said that it would allow them to settle a lot of debts they had.

Ponnan said his lucky number is 2 and that was the last number of the ticket he brought.

All three of them started selling lottery tickets during Covid-19, he said.

“My husband has become a crorepati,” Ponnan’s wife said happily.

Ponnan, on the other hand, said that he never expected to win.

Source : https://www.indiatoday.in/india/kerala/story/kerala-lottery-seller-vishu-bumper-jackpot-plans-son-marriage-clear-debts-2916112-2026-05-24

Manipur Chief Minister Y Khemchand Singh told the United Naga Council that the abduction case of six missing Naga villagers will be handed to the NIA. The move comes amid competing hostage claims and renewed tension in Kangpokpi and Senapati districts.

Naga villagers by armed militants to the National Investigation Agency (NIA), Chief Minister Y Khemchand Singh said on Saturday amid continuing tensions in the hill districts of the state.

The announcement came after a six-member delegation of the United Naga Council (UNC), led by its president NG Lorho, met the chief minister and senior cabinet ministers at the Chief Minister’s Secretariat to discuss the prevailing law and order situation in Manipur.

Deputy Chief Minister Losii Dikho, Home Minister Govindas Konthoujam and several Naga MLAs were also present during the meeting.

According to an official statement, the UNC delegation urged the government to intensify efforts to trace the six abducted Naga villagers from Konsakhul village in Kangpokpi district, who have remained missing since May 13.

“The Chief Minister informed the UNC delegation that the case of the six abducted Nagas will be handed over to the NIA,” the statement said.

The chief minister also noted that the killing of three church leaders in Kangpokpi district earlier this month had already been transferred to the central agency for investigation.

Singh said search and rescue operations have been underway since May 14 to locate the missing villagers. He appealed to the UNC to assist in securing the release of 14 Kuki civilians who, according to the government, have been held captive since the violence erupted.

He also appealed to Kuki community organisations to cooperate in tracing the missing Naga villagers and urged all communities to support efforts to restore peace and normalcy in the conflict-hit state.

The latest development follows a series of violent incidents in Kangpokpi and Senapati districts on May 13, during which more than 38 people were reportedly abducted and held hostage by armed groups hours after three church leaders were killed in an ambush.

Officials said 31 of those abducted have since been released, including 12 Naga women and 16 members of the Kuki community. However, six Naga men remain untraced.

Source : https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/manipur-govt-to-hand-over-abduction-of-six-naga-villagers-to-nia-says-cm-y-khemchand-singh-2916122-2026-05-24

Raghav Chadha, a former AAP Rajya Sabha MP who recently joined the BJP following differences with the party leadership, has been assigned a key role in the Upper House.

Rajya Sabha MP Raghav Chadha, who recently switched from the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) to Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), has been appointed chairman of the Rajya Sabha’s Committee on Petitions following the panel’s reconstitution.

Rajya Sabha Chairman CP Radhakrishnan nominated 10 members to the committee with effect from May 20, according to an official notification.

“Raghav Chadha has been appointed chairman of the committee,” a Rajya Sabha notification said.

Other members of the panel include Harsh Mahajan, Gulam Ali, Shambhu Sharan Patel, Mayankkumar Nayak, Masthan Rao Yadav Beedha, Jebi Mather Hisham, Subhasish Khuntia, Rwngwra Narzary and Sandosh Kumar P.

In a separate notification, the Rajya Sabha Secretariat said Chairman Radhakrishnan had nominated Menaka Guruswamy to the Joint Committee on the Corporate Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2026, on May 20.

Separately, Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla nominated Arvind Sawant to the same joint committee with effect from May 21, according to a Lok Sabha notification.

Raghav Chadha, formerly a Rajya Sabha MP from AAP, joined BJP in April this year citing differences with the party leadership and alleging that the outfit had strayed from its founding principles.

His move triggered intense scrutiny online and marked another high-profile exit from the AAP.

Alongside Chadha, six other Rajya Sabha MPs, namely Swati Maliwal, Harbhajan Singh, Rajinder Gupta, Vikram Sahney, Sandeep Pathak and Ashok Mittal, also quit the AAP and joined the BJP.

Source : https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/raghav-chadha-appointed-rajya-sabha-committee-on-petitions-chairman-after-bjp-switch-2916065-2026-05-23

New Delhi: With Washington, D.C., prodding India to raise its energy imports from the United States, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has received another invitation for a visit to White House, almost a year after he turned down one from US President Donald Trump, who was then also hosting Field Marshal Asim Munir of Pakistan.

Trump’s Secretary of State, Marco Rubio, met with Modi in New Delhi on Saturday, discussed the situation in West Asia and conveyed the US president’s invitation to the prime minister.

Rubio emphasised during his meeting with Modi that the US would not let Iran hold the global energy market hostage and affirmed that US energy products had the potential to diversify India’s energy supply, according to a readout issued in Washington, D.C, after the meeting.

Rubio arrived in New Delhi after a stopover in Kolkata, where he, along with his wife, visited the Missionaries of Charity founded by Saint Teresa early on Saturday. He is the third senior official of the Trump Administration to visit India, after Tulsi Gabbard, who just resigned as the US Director of National Intelligence, in March 2025, and Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick just three months back.

Source : https://www.deccanherald.com/india/us-president-donald-trumps-fresh-invite-to-pm-modi-after-hosting-to-pakistan-army-chief-irked-india-4014000

The initiative is aimed at strengthening last-mile communication and improving awareness of key public digital services among citizens.

Mumbai: Roppen Transportation Services Private Ltd (Rapido) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Maharashtra Information Technology Corporation Limited (MahaIT), the Government of Maharashtra’s nodal agency for digital governance and ICT initiatives, to explore collaboration opportunities aimed at strengthening citizen awareness, digital inclusion and trusted digital mobility ecosystems across Maharashtra.

The collaboration aims to leverage Rapido’s technology platform and extensive captain network to support awareness and adoption of citizen-centric digital governance initiatives such as Aaple Sarkar, MahaID, MahaSaarthi and other MahaIT-led public service platforms, a press statement said.

Commenting on the MoU, MahaIT official Subhash Shelake said an important aspect of the agreement includes a digitally verifiable onboarding and background verification process, including integration with MahaID, for Rapido captains to ensure trust, transparency and passenger safety in the state.

“We also see strong potential in enabling Rapido captains to act as grassroots digital information ambassadors, helping drive greater awareness and adoption of public digital services among citizens across Maharashtra,” he said.

Rapido Co-founder Pavan Guntupalli said the partnership would help strengthen public digital initiatives while enhancing trusted mobility services.

“Through this collaboration with MahaIT, we aim to leverage our digital ecosystem and extensive captain network to support public digital initiatives while continuing to strengthen safer and more trusted mobility experiences for citizens across Maharashtra,” he said.

Under the proposed framework, Rapido will support dissemination of government-approved awareness messages through designated in-app communication formats, including banners, notifications and informational messaging integrated across user and captain touchpoints in Maharashtra.

Source : https://www.deccanherald.com/india/maharashtra/rapido-signs-mou-with-mahait-to-boost-digital-inclusion-in-maharashtra-4013366

Petrol in Delhi will now cost Rs 99.51 per litre and diesel Rs 92.49 per litre.

Prices of petrol and diesel rise again by 87 paise and 91 paise repsectively, on Saturday.

Source : https://www.deccanherald.com/india/third-hike-petrol-price-increases-by-87-paise-diesel-by-91-paise-4013317#google_vignette

The CBI’s NEET-UG 2026 paper leak probe has identified the alleged sources of leaked Chemistry, Biology and Physics questions. Investigators are tracing the money trail and the middlemen who allegedly arranged students and coaching sessions.

The Central Bureau of Investigation’s (CBI) investigation into the NEET-UG 2026 paper leak has begun, revealing what investigators describe as a structured network involving examination insiders, subject experts, coaching operators and middlemen who allegedly leaked questions of specific subjects before the examination and monetised them through paid “special coaching classes.”

The agency, between May 15 and May 22, has identified key accused linked to the leak of Chemistry, Biology and Physics questions. It also claimed to have uncovered the chain through which students were mobilised and coached using questions that later matched the actual examination paper.

According to CBI, the investigation suggests the leak was not a single-source operation but a subject-wise network where individuals with access to examination material allegedly handled separate portions of the paper and shared them with intermediaries and selected candidates.

CHEMISTRY LEAK: CBI NAMES NTA-LINKED LECTURER AS ‘KINGPIN’

The first major breakthrough came on May 15 when the CBI announced the arrest of PV Kulkarni, describing him as a “kingpin” and the source of the Chemistry paper leak. Investigators said Kulkarni, a Chemistry lecturer associated with the examination process on behalf of National Testing Agency (NTA), allegedly had access to question papers.

The CBI said that during the last week of April, Kulkarni allegedly mobilised students through co-accused Manisha Waghmare and organised special coaching sessions at his residence in Pune. During these sessions, he allegedly dictated questions, answer options and correct responses to candidates, who handwritten the material in notebooks. Investigators claim these notes later matched the actual NEET-UG examination paper conducted on May 3 and got cancelled after the leak surfaced.

The agency said its probe had established Kulkarni as the “actual source” behind the Chemistry paper leak and identified middlemen who allegedly collected lakhs of rupees from students for access to these sessions.

BIOLOGY LEAK: SENIOR TEACHER IDENTIFIED AS ANOTHER ‘MASTERMIND’

A day later, on May 16, the agency announced another arrest and described Manisha Gurunath Mandhare as a “mastermind” behind the Biology leak. Mandhare, a senior Botany teacher from Pune, had allegedly been appointed by NTA as an expert and had complete access to Botany and Zoology question papers.

According to investigators, Mandhare allegedly used Manisha Waghmare to mobilise NEET aspirants and organised coaching sessions at her Pune residence. During these classes, she allegedly disclosed questions from Botany and Zoology, asking students to note them down and mark relevant portions in textbooks. The CBI said a majority of these questions matched those appearing in the actual examination.

The agency subsequently noted that its investigation had established the source of Chemistry and Biology leaks and identified the middlemen allegedly responsible for arranging students and facilitating the operation.

COACHING INSTITUTE OWNER ALSO ARRESTED

On May 18, investigators widened the scope of the alleged conspiracy with the arrest of Prof Shivaraj Motegaonkar, the owner of RCC Coaching Institute in Maharashtra’s Latur. The CBI described him as another key accused and said he was close to Kulkarni, who allegedly leaked the Chemistry paper.

Searches at his residence and institute allegedly led to the recovery of a Chemistry question bank that, according to investigators, contained questions exactly matching those appearing in the NEET-UG examination.

The CBI also alleged that students paid several lakhs of rupees to attend special coaching classes where questions likely to appear in the examination were discussed and dictated. By then, investigators claimed they had traced the actual source of leaks involving both Chemistry and Biology papers.

PHYSICS LEAK SOURCE IDENTIFIED

The latest development came on May 22 when the CBI announced the arrest of Manisha Sanjay Havaldar, a teacher working at Seth Hiralal Saraf Prashala in Pune, who investigators said was the source of leaked Physics questions.

The CBI alleged that Havaldar had been appointed by NTA as an expert and possessed complete access to Physics question papers. In April, she allegedly shared some Physics questions with co-accused Manisha Mandhare. Investigators said the questions matched the Physics section appearing in NEET paper sets.

With Havaldar’s arrest, the CBI said it had now uncovered the “actual source” of leaked question papers and identified the middlemen allegedly involved in arranging students and facilitating coaching sessions.

NETWORK SPANNING MULTIPLE STATES

The investigation, registered on May 12 following a complaint by the Department of Higher Education under the Ministry of Education, has rapidly expanded across several states. The CBI said special teams carried out searches and interrogations across the country immediately after taking over the case.

The number of arrests increased from seven on May 15 to eleven by May 22, with accused being picked up from Delhi, Jaipur, Gurugram, Nasik, Pune, Latur and Ahilyanagar.

Source : https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/neet-ug-paper-leak-cbi-traces-subject-experts-middlemen-coaching-network-2915745-2026-05-22

According to the UP STF, the gang was manipulating online examinations conducted for recruitment to the CAPF, SSF Constable GD, and Assam Rifles Rifleman Examination-2026.

The Uttar Pradesh Special Task Force (STF) has busted a major racket allegedly involved in rigging Staff Selection Commission (SSC) examinations by guaranteeing candidates a pass in exchange for nearly Rs 4 lakh per candidate. Seven accused, including the alleged mastermind of the operation, were arrested during a raid at an examination centre in Greater Noida, where officials recovered around Rs 50 lakh in cash, laptops, mobile phones, and several documents linked to the examinations.

According to the STF, the gang was manipulating online examinations conducted for recruitment to the Central Armed Police Fores (CAPF), Secretariat Security Force (SSF) Constable GD, and Assam Rifles Rifleman Examination-2026.

The accused allegedly used sophisticated technical methods to bypass the examination system and provide candidates with answers in real time during the test.

The arrests were made after the STF received intelligence inputs about organised cheating in SSC online examinations.

A covert investigation led officials to “Balaji Digital Zone,” an examination centre located in the Knowledge Park area of Greater Noida.

The STF conducted a raid on May 22 and apprehended seven accused identified as Pradeep Chauhan, Arun Kumar, Sandeep Bhati, Nishant Raghav, Amit Rana, Shakir Malik, and Vivek Kumar.

Investigators said the accused did not directly hack the SSC examination system.

Instead, they allegedly installed a proxy server by bypassing the company’s server at the examination centre. Through a screen-sharing viewer application, question papers were reportedly transmitted to solvers stationed outside the centre.

These solvers would then remotely solve the questions and relay correct answers to candidates appearing for the examination.

Police said Pradeep Chauhan had been running the racket for a long time and had set up the examination centre where SSC online examinations were conducted through the company Eduquity.

Arun Kumar allegedly handled the technical operations, including the installation and management of the proxy server system used to facilitate the cheating network.

The development comes amid heightened scrutiny over examination integrity across the country following the controversy surrounding the alleged NEET-UG 2026 paper leak.

The examination faced nationwide criticism after reports emerged that question papers had been circulated before the test, triggering protests by students and parents.

Source : https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/ssc-exam-scam-uttar-pradesh-special-task-force-seven-accused-running-racket-greater-noida-rs-50-lakh-seized-2915824-2026-05-23

A rare albino buffalo nicknamed ‘Donald Trump’ has become a viral attraction, with crowds flocking to see the animal for its pink-toned skin and golden hair that many say resembles the US President’s trademark hairstyle.

An albino buffalo that went viral for its resemblance to United States President Donald Trump is set to be sacrificed in Bangladesh during Eid al-Adha after drawing huge crowds and becoming a social media attraction ahead of the festival.

The nearly 700-kg buffalo, raised at a farm in Narayanganj near Dhaka, earned the nickname “Donald Trump” because of the blond tuft of hair falling across its forehead, which many compared to the US President’s signature hairstyle.

Farm owner Ziauddin Mridha said the animal had already been sold to a customer for sacrifice during Eid al-Adha, one of the most significant Islamic festivals marked by the ritual sacrifice of livestock.

“I am going to miss Donald Trump, but that is the core spirit of Eid al-Adha — making a sacrifice,” Mridha told news agency AFP.

The four-year-old albino buffalo became an internet sensation over the past few weeks, with visitors arriving daily to take selfies and videos with the unusually coloured animal. Many travelled from distant districts to see the buffalo, while children crowded outside the farm gates hoping for a glimpse.

Mridha said his younger brother came up with the nickname after noticing the buffalo’s flowing blond hair. He described the animal as gentle and calm by nature, adding that albino buffaloes are generally non-aggressive unless provoked.

The buffalo required special care, including four baths a day and multiple meals to maintain its health before Eid, according to the owner. However, he said the constant crowds and attention had also caused stress to the animal, leading to weight loss and restrictions on public viewing.

Livestock officials said albino buffaloes are extremely rare in Bangladesh because of a lack of melanin, giving them their pale skin, pinkish nose and light-coloured hair.

Source : https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/albino-buffalo-donald-trump-bangladesh-eid-al-adha-sacrifice-bangladesh-2915818-2026-05-23

The confrontation between Humayun Kabir and the BJP government in West Bengal snowballed as the Opposition MLA warned it over cow slaughter restrictions, curbs on Eid namaz and mandatory singing of Vande Mataram in madrasas.

Humayun Kabir’s confrontation with the BJP government led by Suvendu Adhikari in West Bengal intensified, with the AJUP supremo warning Adhikari “not to play with fire” as he launched a broad attack on the state government over issues ranging from ritual cow sacrifice and Eid prayers on roads to the mandatory singing of Vande Mataram in madrasas.

The confrontation erupted after the Bengal government notified fresh guidelines restricting cow slaughter unless specific conditions are met ahead of Eid al-Adha. Kabir hit back strongly, asserting that qurbani, the ritual sacrifice of animals, including cows, would take place regardless of the restrictions.

The Bengal government had clarified that the guidelines on cattle slaughter had nothing to do with Eid.

That confrontation escalated further after Humayun Kabir, a former TMC member and Rejinagar MLA, raised the issue of restrictions on Eid prayers on Red Road, as well as the compulsory singing of Vande Mataram in madrasas across the state. Kabir has warned that the government’s actions risked sparking unified protests by the Muslim community in the state.

QURBANI WILL HAPPEN AT ANY COST, ASSERTS HUMAYUN KABIR

Humanyun Kabir has strongly opposed the West Bengal government’s new restrictions on cow slaughter that were notified ahead of Eid al-Adha on May 28. The notice had stated that no cattle or buffalo can be slaughtered until and unless it is certified in writing that the animal is over 14 years old and no longer fit for work or breeding, or has become permanently incapacitated due to old age, injury, deformity, or any incurable disease.

In response, Kabir had argued that the act of qurbani (wherein animals, including cattle, are sacrificed), was a longstanding religious tradition, and would continue regardless of directives. “The government can make a rule asking Muslims not to eat beef, but ritual sacrifice [qurbani] will continue. We won’t listen to any objections,” ANI quoted Kabir as saying.

Since then, however, a petition that had been submitted by TMC MLA Akhruzzaman to the Calcutta High Court to stay the cattle-slaughter notice was rejected on Thursday. In its ruling, the court observed that the Supreme Court had previously held that cow sacrifice is neither an essential part of Eid al-Adha nor a mandatory religious practice under Islam.

As such, Kabir on Thursday asserted that animal sacrifice during Eid “will happen at any cost”.

Kabir, who founded the Aam Janata Unnayan Party (AJUP) after being booted out of Trinamool Congress, said Muslims would not compromise on the issue of qurbani and accused the Bengal government of interfering in religious matters.

“We respect the law. But qurbani will happen. Whatever is written in the Quran will happen. I want to tell Suvendu Adhikari directly not to play with fire. It may prove dangerous for you. The Muslim community will not compromise on qurbani,” he said.

However, BJP state president Samik Bhattacharya brushed aside Kabir’s remarks and maintained that the issue was about enforcing law and preventing illegal activities. “Illegal slaughterhouses will not be allowed to operate,” he was reported by PTI as saying on Thursday.

He clarified that the BJP does not interfere with people’s individual food preferences but firmly opposes open or public slaughter of cows. “Illegal slaughterhouses will not be allowed to operate. But if someone says they want to eat beef, they will eat beef. In a democratic country, no one’s consumption of beef can be stopped,” the Bengali newspaper Sangbad Pratidin quoted him as saying.

THERE WILL BE PROTESTS IF PRAYERS ARE NOT ALLOWED ON RED ROAD, SAYS MUSLIM LEADER

Another issue raised by Humayun Kabir on Thursday was the West Bengal government’s ban on large-scale Eid prayers in Kolkata.

The traditional Eid congregational prayers on Kolkata’s iconic Red Road — a decades-old practice where thousands of Muslims gathered for namaz — might not take place under the Suvendu Adhikari-led BJP government.

The ban was announced in early May 2026, shortly after the BJP assumed power, with the government directing that no religious prayers or gatherings would be permitted on public roads and streets. Authorities cited traffic blockades and inconvenience to the public as the primary reasons for the restriction.

“Eid prayers are held on Red Road. If that is not allowed in future, there will be protests. Adequate space should be provided for offering prayers. If arrangements are not made, then pujas on roads should not be allowed either,” Kabir was quoted as saying by PTI.

In response, BJP state president Samik Bhattacharya warned Kabir that not allowing pujas on roads would result in massive public anger.

“The things that Akbar, Babur, and Humayun had stopped 300–400 or 500 years ago will start happening again. They will once again stop pujas in Bengal. The people of Bengal will not stay silent. The public will not spare them. People are very angry. The state government will not be able to control everything. They will land in trouble,” Sangbad Pratidin quoted Bhattacharya as saying.

HUMAYUN KABIR OPPOSES BENGAL’S VANDE MATARAM MOVE

Kabir also raised the issue of West Bengal making the singing of Vande Matarm, India’s National Song, compulsory in madarasas in the state a week after making it mandatory in schools.

“Vande Mataram will not be sung in madrasas. The government has no authority to dictate such matters in madrasas,” Kabir was quoted by PTI as saying on Thursday. He further claimed that if the directive was enforced, “All Muslims will unite to protest such a diktat”.

In response, West Bengal minister Dilip Ghosh on Friday asserted that singing of Vande Mataram is compulsory in all schools and madrasas across the state, wherever government funds are used.

Source : https://www.indiatoday.in/india/west-bengal/story/eid-al-adha-2026-bengal-cow-slaughter-norms-ajup-leader-humayun-kabir-warning-to-bjp-west-bengal-dilip-ghosh-samik-bhattacharya-2915512-2026-05-23

An X video showing Chennai Super Kings fans using whistles continuously during the SRH match has sparked fresh debate online over stadium noise and fan behaviour

Sunrisers Hyderabad’s playoff-clinching win over Chennai Super Kings has now sparked another debate online. While Ishan Kishan’s whistle celebration grabbed attention after the match, a viral crowd video from Chepauk is now becoming the bigger talking point among cricket fans on X (formerly Twitter).

SRH defeated CSK by five wickets on May 18 to book their place in the IPL 2026 playoffs. Chasing 181, Ishan Kishan played a key role in the win with a 70-run knock off 47 balls, hitting seven fours and three sixes.

Soon after the match ended, Kishan celebrated with a whistle gesture that many fans felt was aimed at CSK supporters and their famous “Whistle Podu” culture.

Later, the wicketkeeper-batter also shared pictures from the match on Instagram and wrote, “Only thing louder than the whistles was the bat. Into the playoffs.”

Crowd Video Starts Fresh Debate

Amid the discussion around Kishan’s celebration, another video from the stadium started spreading widely on X. The clip shows several fans sitting in the stands with their hands covering their ears while whistles continue blowing loudly around them during the match.

Many users claimed the constant noise appeared to irritate even people inside the stadium. The post sharing the video carried the caption, “Why do CSK fans bring whistles to stadiums man? It’s so annoying, even the crowd looks so irritated by it. Ishan Kishan’s that celebration was genuinely justified.”

The images from the video show fans seated close together in the stands, with multiple people visibly covering their ears while the match goes on. Some appear uncomfortable as whistles continue from nearby sections of the crowd.

Fans Remain Divided Online

The video quickly divided social media users. Some supported the criticism and questioned why whistles are allowed inside stadiums.

“Why don’t stadiums ban it? Let them use in home ground,” a user wrote. Another said, “BCCI should take strict action.”

Others defended the atmosphere at Chepauk and argued that whistles are part of CSK’s identity and fan culture. “Bruh in football fireworks and lasers and idk what not are brought and idk how it’s allowed…… Didn’t u c…… Atleast it’s only a whistle,” a person commented.

“That’s why I watch it on my TV at 4K 50fps. Absolute peace,” another user joked.

A comment read, “If you don’t like it don’t come to the stadium.” Another added, “Whistles should not be allowed in stadiums. Or any kind of instruments that make unnecessary noise pollution.”

Eight people were arrested for their alleged involvement in a pre-planned racket to steal 2.1 kilograms of gold jewellery from the cargo of Akasa Air in Ahmedabad.

A 2.1 kilograms consignment of gold jewellery worth nearly Rs 2.5 crore was shipped via air cargo from Ahmedabad Airport to Bengaluru — but it vanished before reaching its destination. The investigation that followed uncovered a carefully orchestrated mid-transit robbery straight out of a Bollywood crime thriller.

Eight people were arrested for their alleged involvement in a pre-planned racket to steal 2.1 kilograms of gold jewellery from the cargo of Akasa Air in Ahmedabad, a police official was quoted as saying.

The investigation into the case took place after seven parcels containing gold jewellery were dispatched from Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport in Gujarat to Bengaluru through Sequel Logistics Company via Akasa Air on May 18 and one parcel containing 2.1 kilograms of gold went missing, Deputy Commissioner of Police Zone-4 Atul Kumar Bansal said.

It has been learnt that the high-value gold jewellery consignment worth over Rs 2.58 crore was carefully orchestrated involving airline and airport staff.

How Was The Theft Executed

Roshan Patel, the alleged mastermind of the heist and a cleaning in-charge with Akasa Air, was assisted by Zaid Hasan Ansari, the airline’s security in-charge, to move the gold out of the airport’s high-security zone while evading CCTV cameras.
Zaid Ansari, Roshan Patel and Junagadh resident Sultan Sama were the key conspirators behind the theft, according to Deputy Commissioner of Police Atul Bansal.

Salemohammad, alias Salam Mohammad Amin Ansari, allegedly posed as a passenger on the same flight on which the consignment was carried, with his ticket being booked in advance by Jayanti Patel, the official said explaining how the heist took place.

“Roshan Patel is in-charge of cleaning at Akasa Air, while Jayesh Parmar is employed in the role of cargo handler. When cargo was being loaded from Ahmedabad airport, Parmar allegedly created an obstruction while loading the cargo and shifted gold from the parcel to Salam Ansari’s bag,” the official said.

Source : https://www.timesnownews.com/india/ahmedabad-airport-hit-by-bollywood-style-heist-gold-worth-rs-2-58-cr-goes-missing-mid-transit-article-154380906

The Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) has expanded internationally with new branches in Pakistan, including the Cockroach Awami Party and Muttahida Cockroach Movement.

The Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) now has international branches! Multiple Pakistan-based versions of the movement have now surfaced online, including the Cockroach Awami Party, Cockroach Awami League, and the Muttahida Cockroach Movement. The bio of the Cockroach Awami Party describes itself as “a political front of the youth, by the youth, for Pakistan,” adding, “turning struggle into strength. har halaat mein zinda hain”.

Another similar account declares, “Jinhein system ne cockroach samjha, hum unhi awaam ki awaaz hain” (We are the voice of those people whom the system considered cockroaches).

The pages also feature logos strikingly similar to the Indian CJP branding, but redesigned in Pakistan’s green-and-white colour palette. The rebranding appears aimed at positioning these accounts as an alternative to mainstream political parties such as Imran Khan’s PTI, the PML-N, and the PPP.

Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann announced a statewide campaign to eliminate stray and ‘killer’ dogs after the Supreme Court’s stray dog order. BJP leader Tajinder Bagga accused the AAP government of misrepresenting the ruling, saying it did not permit a blanket elimination drive and applied only to legally defined dangerous cases under law.

A political row erupted over Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann’s announcement of a statewide campaign against stray dogs, with BJP leader Tajinder Pal Singh Bagga accusing the AAP government of misrepresenting the Supreme Court’s recent order on the issue.

The controversy began after Mann announced that Punjab would launch a ‘massive campaign’ to eliminate stray and ‘killer’ dogs following the apex court’s observations on rising dog attack incidents across the country.

“Following the Honourable Supreme Court’s decision, the Punjab government will launch a massive campaign starting tomorrow to eliminate stray and killer dogs that endanger the lives of children and pedestrians,” Mann posted on X, thanking the Supreme Court for the ruling.

Tajinder Bagga Calls Mann ‘Darubaaz’

Cockroach Janata Party (CJP) launched a new X handle ‘Cockroach Is Back’ after its original account was withheld in India. Founded by Abhijeet Dipke, the satirical youth movement claims rapid online growth, surpassing BJP on Instagram. It has sparked political debate over follower data and remarks attributed to the Chief Justice that inspired its formation.

The Cockroach Janata Party (CJP) on Thursday launched a new account on the social media platform X after its original handle was withheld in India. It is not clear what specific complaint triggered the withholding.

The original X account was reportedly withheld a few hours after it overtook the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)’s follower count on the Instagram.

Party founder Abhijeet Dipke announced the new handle, ‘Cockroach Is Back’, shortly after the original account became inaccessible in the country. Confirming the action against the account, Dipke shared a screenshot on X showing that the handle had been withheld in India.

“As expected, Cockroach Janta Party’s account has been withheld in India,” Dipke wrote.

The satirical political movement has rapidly gained traction online. Its Instagram account crossed 14.5 million followers, surpassing the BJP’s official Instagram account, which has 8.8 million followers. The CJP’s original X account had also crossed 200,000 followers before it was withheld in India.

At 7.10 pm, in a matter of hours, the new ‘Cockroach Is Back’ handle had gained 49,100 followers. The profile caption read: “cockroaches don’t die”.

CJP has received support from the movement, including Trinamool Congress leaders Mahua Moitra and Kirti Azad, senior lawyer Prashant Bhushan, and activist Anjali Bharadwaj.

BJP North East Delhi IT co-head Amar Rai shared screenshots claiming that 49% of the party’s Instagram followers were from Pakistan, 14% from the US, 14% from Bangladesh and only 9% from India.

The claim triggered a response from Dipke on X. “I know you are desperately trying to hack the account but since you have failed to do so, let me share the real data. Why would you call 94% of Indian youth as Pakistanis?” he wrote.

According to Dipke, the account’s followers were 94.7% from India and 1% from the US, with no mention of Pakistan or Bangladesh.

The Party describes itself on X as “A political front of the youth, by the youth, for the youth.”

The ‘Party’ has also listed an “eligibility criteria” for people wanting to join the movement. According to its website, members must be “unemployed”, “lazy”, “chronically online” and able to “rant professionally”. One requirement states: “Minimum 11 hours a day, including bathroom breaks.”

The Party has also shared a satirical “manifesto” on its website. Among its proposals are barring retired Chief Justices from getting Rajya Sabha seats, reserving 50% of Parliament and Cabinet positions for women, banning defecting MLAs and MPs from contesting elections for 20 years.

On Instagram, the outfit identifies itself as “a union of lazy, unemployed cockroaches” and calls on Gen Z supporters to join the movement.

The Cockroach Janata Party was founded on May 16 by Dipke, a former political strategist for the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP). The movement emerged after Chief Justice of India Surya Kant allegedly referred to unemployed youth as “cockroaches” while hearing a plea related to senior designation in the legal profession.

On May 15, the Chief Justice had said, “There are youngsters like cockroaches, who don’t get any employment or have any place in profession. Some of them become media, some of them become social media, RTI activists and other activists and they start attacking everyone.”

Source : https://www.freepressjournal.in/india/cockroach-janata-party-launches-new-x-handle-cockroach-is-back-after-original-account-withheld-in-india

Accused mother-in-law and ex judge Giribala Singh tells court Twisha Sharma chats and audio are fabricated, seeks seizure of devices of her relatives.

Former district judge and mother-in-law of Twisha Sharma, Giribala Singh, claimed in the court that the WhatsApp chats and audio clips being widely shared are fabricated and appealed to the court to seize the cellphones of the family members of the deceased so that the “original source” of these chats can be investigated.

Giribala Singh is an accused in the death of Noida woman Twisha Sharma, who died by suicide last week following alleged dowry harassment by her husband and in-laws.

‘Contents Of DVR Not Recorded, Discrepancy In CCTV Footage’

Giribala Singh on Thursday moved an application before a magistrate stating that police have not recorded the contents of the seized DVR and failed to detail the contents of the recorded footage in the seizure memo.

She appealed that it be reopened in front of independent witnesses to record a formal entry.

A Digital Video Recorder (DVR) was among the items that the police officials seized during the investigation of Twisha’s death on May 12.

In the application, Twisha’s mother-in-law claimed that a private firm was maintaining the eight CCTV cameras installed at her residence and that it had not regularly serviced the equipment.

In the plea, Singh said that because the CCTVs were not regularly serviced, there is a discrepancy of two days, two hours, and 20 minutes in the timestamp on the footage, which has created confusion among the public.

‘Fabricated Text Conversation’

Singh also appealed to the court to seize the electronic devices of Twisha’s relatives, which contained her WhatsApp chats, while alleging that the family of the deceased woman was using fabricated text conversations to manipulate the narrative.

On May 12, 33-year-old model turned actor, Twisha Sharma, was found hanging at her marital home in the Katara Hills area of Bhopal.

The family members of the Sharma accused her in-laws of dowry harassment. Meanwhile, the Singhs claimed that she was addicted to drugs.

Source : https://www.news18.com/india/fabricated-chats-clips-used-twishas-mother-in-law-seeks-seizure-of-victim-familys-phones-twisha-sharma-suicide-case-ws-l-10104985.html

A viral Reddit thread has opened up conversations around burnout, mental exhaustion and the fear of career breaks in a high-pressure tech industry

For the last few years, the tech ecosystem is seeing a very similar trajectory. You graduate, land a solid role and for the first two years, you are electric. But then, the shifts get longer. The appraisals don’t match the output. The physical toll kicks in and most people get exhausted with work. It is quite natural to feel so.

A viral thread on Reddit’s r/developersIndia captured this exact crisis. In a post titled ‘Has anyone taken a career break due to burnout? Did it help?’, a developer with 4 years of experience laid bare the terrifying paradox of modern tech” I’m planning to quit my job and honestly I’m very conflicted about it.

I’m a Java developer with 4 years of experience. For the first 2–2.5 years of my IT career, I was excited, motivated, energetic, and genuinely enjoyed working. But over time, something changed.

Lately I feel constantly exhausted physically and mentally. I have frequent headaches, back pain, shoulder pain, and I feel irritated most of the time. I barely socialize anymore, rarely go out or meet friends,” they wrote in their post. “The strange part is, I ACTUALLY LOVE TECH… but I feel mentally exhausted to the point where I just don’t want to think about work or job interviews for a while,” the post read.

They are contemplating a career break to reset, but are paralyzed by the classic Indian tech anxieties: market volatility, parental judgment, and the fear of a resume gap. The responses from fellow developers offer a raw, unfiltered look at what actually happens when you hit the ‘pause’ button in India’s high-pressure tech landscape.

The Reality Check Of Quitting Your Job

For those who actually took the plunge, the recovery is real—but it comes with a social tax. One developer who quit after 3 years and has been unemployed for 8 months gave a stark, line-by-line breakdown of the aftermath: “Quit my job due to loss of interest after 3y, been 8mo with no new job yet, here’s my view

> What if I regret quitting?

You will (when it comes to money) and you won’t when you remember why you left (alternates)

> What if I struggle to get another job later?

The complaint cited a May 2, 2021 social media exchange between actors Parambrata Chatterjee and Swastika Mukherjee, alleging their remarks encouraged violence at a time when attacks on BJP workers were being reported across Bengal following the Assembly election results.

A five-year-old tweet linked to West Bengal’s post-poll violence has landed prominent Bengali actors Parambrata Chatterjee and Swastika Mukherjee in soup, with a police complaint lodged against them at Kolkata’s Gariahat Police Station.

The complainant, identified as Joydeep Sen, has sought the registration of an FIR against the duo, accusing them of abetting and instigating the large-scale post-poll violence that erupted in West Bengal in May 20.

According to the complaint dated May 21, the matter pertains to a social media post made on May 2, 2021 — the day the results of the Bengal Assembly election were announced.

The complaint highlights a tweet posted by Parambrata Chatterjee at approximately 4 pm that day, which read in Bengali: “Let today be declared World ‘Rogorani’ thrashing Day!”). Actress Swastika Mukherjee allegedly replied to the tweet with an emoji, stating, “Hahahah Hok Hok” (“Let it happen”).

The complainant argued that the statements, made by influential public figures, appeared on the face of it to “abet, encourage, incite and instigate large-scale violence” at a highly sensitive time when reports of attacks on BJP workers were already surfacing.

“A complaint has already been filed against Parambrata Chatterjee and Swastika Mukherjee under Section 107 of the Indian Penal Code. Their remarks had instigated the murders of BJP workers, the rape and molestation of BJP women workers, and the violence allegedly carried out by the Trinamool Congress in 2021,” the complainant said.

The complaint also links the timing of the social media interactions to subsequent real-world violence. It notes that around an hour after the tweet, BJP worker Abhijit Sarkar of Beliaghata was allegedly murdered in a case in which the accused have already been sentenced.

Furthermore, the complaint alleges that from the late afternoon of May 2, 2021 onwards, organised large-scale violence against BJP workers spread across West Bengal, resulting in murders, assaults, sexual violence, arson and extortion — incidents of which the Calcutta High Court later took cognisance.

The violence that followed the 2021 Assembly election in the state sparked a major political controversy and led to several investigations. These followed allegations of attacks, intimidation and the displacement of people in several districts after the election results were declared.

The election was held in eight phases between March 27 and April 29, and recorded an average turnout of 82 per cent, according to Election Commission data. Violence intensified during the polling period and continued after the results were announced on May 2.

“A complaint has already been filed against Parambrata Chatterjee and Swastika Mukherjee under Section 107 of the Indian Penal Code. Their remarks had instigated the murders of BJP workers, the rape and molestation of BJP women workers, and the violence allegedly carried out by the Trinamool Congress in 2021,” the complainant said.

The complaint also links the timing of the social media interactions to subsequent real-world violence. It notes that around an hour after the tweet, BJP worker Abhijit Sarkar of Beliaghata was allegedly murdered in a case in which the accused have already been sentenced.

Furthermore, the complaint alleges that from the late afternoon of May 2, 2021 onwards, organised large-scale violence against BJP workers spread across West Bengal, resulting in murders, assaults, sexual violence, arson and extortion — incidents of which the Calcutta High Court later took cognisance.

The violence that followed the 2021 Assembly election in the state sparked a major political controversy and led to several investigations. These followed allegations of attacks, intimidation and the displacement of people in several districts after the election results were declared.

The election was held in eight phases between March 27 and April 29, and recorded an average turnout of 82 per cent, according to Election Commission data. Violence intensified during the polling period and continued after the results were announced on May 2.

Source : https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/parambrata-chatterjee-swastika-mukherjee-face-complaint-over-2021-bengal-violence-post-2915258-2026-05-22

An Indian Armed Forces delegation led by Lieutenant General Pushpendra Pal Singh attended SOF Week 2026 in Tampa and joined key strategic engagements. India also made its first CAPEX appearance, underlining deeper Special Operations cooperation with partner nations.

A high-level Indian Armed Forces delegation led by Lieutenant General Pushpendra Pal Singh, General Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Western Command, and the seniormost serving Special Forces officer of the Indian Armed Forces, participated in the Special Operations Forces (SOF) Week 2026 held in Tampa, Florida, USA, from May 18 to May 21, 2026.

India’s participation in one of the world’s premier Special Operations events highlighted the country’s growing stature as a global security partner and reflected its commitment to advancing multilateral defence cooperation.

SOF Week 2026 was jointly organised by the United States Special Operations Command (USSOCOM) and the Global SOF Foundation. The event brought together military personnel, defence industry leaders, and strategic partners for discussions, exhibitions, and networking engagements focused on Special Operations Forces.

According to officials, the event witnessed participation from over 28,000 attendees, more than 850 exhibitors, and representatives from over 70 countries, making it one of the largest global gatherings dedicated to Special Operations Forces.

During the event, the Indian delegation took part in high-level strategic engagements and bilateral interactions with senior Special Operations commanders from partner nations. The delegation also observed advanced capability demonstrations and defence industry exhibitions. These engagements provided an important platform for exchanging operational experiences and strengthening defence partnerships.

In a landmark first for the Indian Army, a dedicated Capability Demonstration team participated in CAPEX, the biannual capability demonstration event that serves as a signature highlight of SOF Week.

The 2026 USSOCOM Capability Demonstration, titled “Battle in the Bay,” was conducted on May 20 at the Tampa waterfront. The exercise featured US Special Operations Forces along with contingents from ten partner nations operating in an integrated live operational environment.

India’s debut participation in the capability demonstration showcased the operational proficiency of Indian Special Forces in counter-terrorism, unconventional warfare, high-altitude combat, and jungle warfare operations.

Source : https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/indian-army-marks-historic-debut-at-us-special-forces-exercise-battle-in-the-bay-2915229-2026-05-22

Ahead of his first visit to New Delhi, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Washington wants to sell India “as much energy as they’ll buy” as uncertainty grows over disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz.

As turmoil in West Asia continues to shake global energy markets, the US is moving to position itself as a bigger energy supplier to India, one of the world’s largest crude importers. Ahead of his first visit to New Delhi, beginning May 23, Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Washington wants to sell India “as much energy as they’ll buy” as uncertainty grows over disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz.

“We want to sell them as much energy as they’ll buy. And obviously, you’ve seen, I think we’re at historic levels of US production, and US export,” Rubio told reporters in Miami before departing for Sweden.

India imports the majority of its crude oil requirements and remains heavily dependent on shipping routes passing through the Strait of Hormuz. The ongoing crisis in the region has increased concerns in New Delhi over long-term energy security and supply diversification.

US PUSHES FOR BIGGER ROLE IN INDIA

Rubio made it clear that the Trump administration wants American energy exports to become a larger part of India’s import portfolio.

“We want to be able to do more. We were already in talks with them to do more. We want them to be a bigger part of their portfolio,” he said.

The US has increased oil and gas production in recent years and is now looking to expand exports to major buyers such as India, especially as Asian countries search for more reliable suppliers amid geopolitical instability.

Rubio also hinted at possible cooperation involving Venezuelan crude oil.

“We also think there are opportunities with Venezuelan oil. In fact, it’s my understanding that the interim president of Venezuela will be travelling to India next week as well,” Rubio said.

ENERGY SECURITY ON AGENDA

Rubio called India a “great partner” and said the visit comes at an important moment for bilateral ties.

“They are a great ally, a great partner. We do a lot of good work with them. And so it is an important trip,” Rubio said.

Rubio will visit Kolkata, Agra, Jaipur and New Delhi during his May 23-26 trip. According to the US State Department, the visit will focus on energy, defence, trade and security cooperation.

State Department spokesperson Tommy Pigott said Rubio would discuss “energy security, trade, and defense cooperation” during meetings with senior Indian officials.

Source : https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/ahead-of-india-visit-rubio-says-us-wants-larger-role-in-delhis-energy-basket-hints-at-venezuelan-oil-option-2915200-2026-05-21

Baljit Singh, a resident of Pathankot, had installed a CCTV camera at a shop near a bridge on the Pathankot-Jammu stretch of the National Highway-44.

The police in Punjab’s Pathankot have blown the lid off a suspected espionage network and arrested a man for sharing sensitive information on Indian Army and paramilitary movements with handlers in Pakistan.

Baljit Singh, alias Bittu, a resident of Chakk Dhariwal village, had installed a CCTV camera at a shop near a bridge on the Pathankot-Jammu stretch of the National Highway-44 to allegedly keep an eye on the movement of the army and paramilitary forces, the police said.

The surveillance feed was transmitted electronically to operatives based in Pakistan and abroad, senior police officer Daljinder Singh Dhillon said.

During questioning, Singh confessed that he had installed an internet-based CCTV camera at a shop on the highway near Sujanpur in January.

He was also getting directions from an unknown person in Dubai. He was given Rs 40,000.

A CCTV camera, along with an internet WiFi router, was recovered from his possession.

The police action came after they received intelligence about suspicious activity along the Pathankot-Jammu stretch of the highway. The Sujanpur police then filed a case against four persons.

Besides Singh, the case was filed against Vikramjit Singh alias Vikka, Balwinder Singh alias Vicky, and Taranpreet Singh alias Tannu. Police said the accused were engaged in criminal and anti-national activities.

Officials said a detailed report has been sent to senior authorities. Further investigation is underway to map the cross-border linkages of the network and trace the source of funding behind the alleged espionage.

Raids are underway to arrest the remaining accused.

Spy Modules In Punjab

The Punjab Police had last month busted two espionage modules backed by Pakistan’s Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI), which were using high-tech, China-made solar-powered CCTV cameras to transmit live feeds of sensitive military locations to Pakistan-based handlers.

A module was busted by the Counter Intelligence Wing in Jalandhar with the arrest of an operative and recovery of a China-made CCTV camera along with a USB-connected solar plate with 4G connectivity from his possession.

The other module was dismantled by the Kapurthala Police in a joint operation with a central agency, resulting in the arrest of two individuals and the recovery of four mobile phones linked to foreign handlers, and also one SIM-based CCTV camera and one WiFi set.

Director General of Police Gaurav Yadav said these modules were strategically installing SIM-based and solar-powered CCTV cameras at various locations to monitor sensitive sites, including establishments linked to defence forces, and transmitting live footage to Pakistan-based handlers through mobile applications.

“These Chinese cameras are ideal for off-grid surveillance as they operate via 4G connectivity and solar power, bypassing the need for traditional wiring,” he said.

The arrested accused in the counter-intelligence operation was identified as Sukhwinder Singh alias Sukha, a resident of village Sahanke in Ferozepur.

In the second operation conducted by Kapurthala Police, the arrested individuals were identified as Sona, a resident of Dona Mattar in Ferozepur and Sandeep Singh alias Sonu, a resident of village Chhanga Khurd in Ferozepur.

Assistant Inspector General of Police, Counter Intelligence, Jalandhar, Simratpal Singh Dhindsa, sharing details of the Jalandhar operation, said that following the arrest of Sukhwinder Singh, police recovered one CCTV camera along with a solar plate and a SIM card.

Providing details on the Kapurthala module, Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Kapurthala Gaurav Toora said based on secret information regarding surveillance near the Army Cantt, a shop was raided in Model Town, Kapurthala.

The arrested accused had rented the shop to install a SIM-based camera on a nearby pole to monitor military movements, he said.

Source : https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/baljit-singh-punjab-pathankot-man-installs-cctv-on-highway-sends-footage-of-forces-movement-to-pakistan-11530972?pfrom=home-ndtv_topscroll

Meta 8,000 Job Cuts: According to an internal memo, Meta’s Head of People said the company wants flatter teams and smaller AI-focused groups.

For months, employees at Meta were reportedly being pushed deeper into AI. Teams were being reshuffled. Managers were talking about speed, leaner structures, and smaller AI-first groups. Inside the company, the message seemed clear: adapt to the AI era or risk being left behind.

Then came the layoffs.

Now, a viral post on X is adding a deeply personal layer to that conversation.

The post, shared by a user named Julian, claims employees at Meta were first encouraged to build internal AI tools before job cuts began rolling out across teams. The post has already crossed nearly a million views and is now being widely discussed across social media, especially as Meta pushes aggressively into artificial intelligence.

While the claims in the post has not been independently verified, the timing has caught attention.

Meta recently began laying off employees across several regions, including Singapore, Europe, and the US. Thousands of workers reportedly started receiving termination emails on May 20, with some employees getting notices as early as 4 amlocal time.

According to Julian, Meta had organised a company-wide “AI week” a few months ago. During that period, regular work was allegedly paused and employees were asked to familiarise themselves with AI tools and workflows.

By the end of the exercise, workers were reportedly expected to create early versions of internal AI products that could later be developed further inside the company.

“Projects that were approved were chosen to continue further development with AI and engineers,” the post said.

But it was the next part of the story that struck a nerve online.

Julian claimed his wife spent months refining one such AI product alongside senior leadership and engineers — even while quietly fearing that the very tool she was helping build could eventually replace her own role.

“Fast forward to today: She’s canned,” the post added.

The fear of job loss due to AI among white-collar workers is no longer limited to factory floors or repetitive jobs. It is slowly creeping into offices, tech campuses, meeting rooms, and engineering teams. The people building AI are beginning to wonder whether they are also training their replacements.

Across social media, users reacted with a mix of anger, anxiety, and resignation. Some called the story dystopian. Others said it felt inevitable.

There is no public evidence confirming that sequence of events at Meta. But the conversation around them reflects a growing unease across the tech industry.

According to an internal memo reviewed by Bloomberg, Meta’s Head of People, Janelle Gale, said the company wants flatter teams and smaller AI-focused groups that can “move faster and with more ownership.”

Reports suggest nearly 7,000 employees have already been reassigned to AI-focused teams and AI agent projects as Meta sharpens its focus on artificial intelligence.

For Mark Zuckerberg, AI appears to be the company’s defining priority now. Reports indicate Meta could pour more than $100 billion into AI infrastructure and related technologies this year as competition intensifies with Google and OpenAI.

At the same time, the company is trying to steady nerves internally.

In a note sent to employees, Zuckerberg reportedly said he does not expect more “company-wide” layoffs this year, though he left room for targeted cuts in specific divisions. He also said Meta employees are increasingly working in smaller AI-native “pods” with reduced layers of management and bureaucracy.

Source : https://www.ndtv.com/business-news/meta-layoff-employee-ai-training-job-cut-tech-workers-viral-post-mark-zuckerberg-silicon-valley-11530840?pfrom=home-ndtv_topscroll

He also targeted the Union government over its handling of the economy amid the West Asia war, warning that an “economic storm is coming our way”.

Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi on Wednesday launched a sharp broadside on Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Home Minister Amit Shah and the RSS, terming them “traitors” who are destroying all constitutional institutions and have sold the country to select industrialists.

He also targeted the Union government over its handling of the economy amid the West Asia war, warning that an “economic storm is coming our way”.

Addressing an event in his Raebareli constituency, Rahul accused the PM of “attacking the Constitution 24 hours a day”.

“Those who disregard the Constitution are called traitors…..I have no hesitation in saying this,” he said.

“When RSS workers come to your homes and talk about Narendra Modi and Amit Shah, you must tell them that their organisation, Modi and Shah are traitors. They have worked towards selling our country and attacked our Constitution, Ambedkarji and Mahatma Gandhi,” he said after unveiling a statue of Veera Pasi, a Dalit icon.

Rahul asserted that he would never apologise for his remarks on the RSS under any circumstances.

The senior Congress leader said while the country has been facing several economic problems, Prime Minister Narendra Modi is handing out candy in Italy. Rahul’s attack — during the second day of a visit to his home constituency — came after Italian PM Giorgia Meloni posted a video of Modi gifting her a packet of Melody toffees.

“The youth is in depression…exams are cancelled…there is no gas…fuel prices are increasing…and Indian PM is offering toffee to Meloni…reels are being made,” Rahul told reporters.

Referring to the crisis in the fuel sector due to the West Asia war, Rahul alleged that some industrialists are still exporting fuel. “It must be stopped….the people of the country need fuel now,” he added.

Source : https://www.deccanherald.com/india/modi-shah-rss-traitors-economic-storm-coming-rahul-4010502

Parvathaneni’s remarks came after Pakistan’s representative raised the issue of Jammu and Kashmir at the debate.

India on Wednesday called out Pakistan’s “long-tainted” history of genocidal acts at the UN Security Council.

India told UNSC that the country’s inhuman conduct reflects its attempts over decades to externalise internal failures through acts of violence within and beyond its border.

India’s Permanent Representative to the UN Ambassador Harish Parvathaneni was speaking at the Annual UNSC Open Debate on ‘Protection of civilians in armed conflict’ when he said, “It is ironic that Pakistan, with its long-tainted record of genocidal acts, has chosen to refer to issues that are strictly internal to India.”

Parvathaneni’s remarks came after Pakistan’s representative raised the issue of Jammu and Kashmir at the debate.

He also raised the issue of Pakistan’s strikes on Afghanistan earlier this year and said, “The world has not forgotten that it was during the holy month of Ramadan in March this year, at a time of peace, reflection, and mercy, that Pakistan conducted a barbaric airstrike on the Omid Addiction Treatment Hospital in Kabul.”

He said that according to UNAMA( United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan ), “this cowardly and unconscionable act of violence claimed the lives of 269 civilians and injured a further 122 in a facility which can by no means be justified as a military target.”

Parvathaneni added that it is “hypocritical” of Pakistan to espouse high principles of international law while “targeting innocent civilians in the dark.” The air strikes by Pakistan occurred at the conclusion of tarawih evening prayers, when numerous patients were leaving the masjid, as per UNAMA.

Over 94,000 people were assessed as displaced due to cross-border armed violence perpetrated against Afghan civilians, according to UNAMA.

He said that such heinous acts of aggression by Pakistan should not come as a surprise from a country that “bombs its own people and conducts systematic genocide.” Parvathaneni said that Pakistan sanctioned the systematic campaign of genocidal mass rape of 400,000 women citizens by its own army during Operation Searchlight in 1971.

Source : https://www.deccanherald.com/india/bombs-its-own-people-india-calls-out-pakistans-long-tainted-record-of-genocidal-acts-at-unsc-4010723

A dramatic incident linked to a loan dispute was caught on camera in Karnataka’s Mysuru, where a man was allegedly dragged for nearly 500 metres while clinging to the bonnet of a moving car.

A man was allegedly dragged for nearly 500 metres on the bonnet of a moving car in Mysuru following a dispute with his debtor over repayment of money, in an incident that was caught on camera.

Visuals from the scene showed a man clinging to the bonnet of a red Maruti Suzuki Baleno as the vehicle sped through the busy corridor from the Sub-Registrar’s office near Andolana Circle to the Kuvempunagar Police Station road.

According to preliminary information, Mahadev, who had allegedly lent money to a man identified as Dhananjay, approached him seeking repayment when a heated argument broke out between the two.

As the altercation escalated, Dhananjay allegedly attempted to flee the spot in his car. In an apparent attempt to stop him, Mahadev reportedly jumped onto the bonnet and held on tightly. However, instead of stopping the vehicle, the driver allegedly continued driving at speed with Mahadev hanging precariously from the front of the car.

Source : https://www.indiatoday.in/india/karnataka/story/mysuru-loan-dispute-viral-video-man-dragged-500-metres-on-car-bonnet-2914716-2026-05-21

The party targeted PM Modi over the gesture, suggesting he appeared more focused on optics and public relations abroad while people back home were struggling with soaring prices of essential commodities and fuel.

A day after a video of Prime Minister Narendra Modi gifting a packet of the popular Indian candy Melody to Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni during his visit to Rome went viral, the Congress on Thursday launched a sharp attack on the Prime Minister, accusing him of being insensitive to the hardships faced by people in India amid rising inflation and the ongoing oil and gas crisis triggered by the Middle East conflict.

The chief Opposition party targeted PM Modi over the gesture, saying the Prime Minister appeared more focused on optics and public relations abroad while people back home were struggling with soaring prices of essential commodities and fuel.

Sharing a video on its X handle, the Congress mocked the Prime Minister with the slogan “M for Melody”, saying the “M” did not stand for “Mehngai” (inflation), despite the growing burden on ordinary citizens.

“The people of the country are spending their lives in poverty. Modi is distributing ‘Melody’ in Italy,” the Congress captioned the post.

The remarks came against the backdrop of concerns over global energy supplies following tensions in the Middle East and the blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, a key shipping route through which nearly 20 per cent of the world’s oil supply passes.

In the video, the party alleged that the country was facing a severe economic crisis while the Prime Minister was busy handing out candies overseas. It accused him of ignoring pressing domestic concerns such as inflation, unemployment and rising living costs.

“The nation is grappling with a severe economic crisis. What is the Prime Minister doing? He has become Santa Claus and is handing out toffees in Italy,” the video said.

The Congress also referred to PM Modi’s earlier foreign visits, claiming he “hid behind the teleprompter in Sweden” and “sneaked away after a Norwegian reporter posed a question to him”, before reaching Italy “to hand out toffees”.

The video further said, “He cannot say M for Mehngai (inflation), but M for Melody”.

Listing issues allegedly affecting the public, the Congress said prices of fuel, gas cylinders, milk, bread and medicines had become unbearable for common people.

It claimed farmers, young people, women, labourers and small traders were all under financial stress while the Prime Minister continued with “photo shoots” and “reels”.

“And the PM is making reels sporting a smile, doling out toffees and the BJP supporters are clapping for him,” the video added. “This is not leadership, but drama”.

The BJP had not immediately responded to the Congress attack till the filing of this report.

RAHUL GANDHI SHARPENS ATTACK ON PM

On Wednesday, Congress MP and Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi intensified his attack on PM Modi over the latter’s viral “Melodi” moment with Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni in Rome, accusing him of indulging in “theatrics” while the country faces economic distress.

The criticism followed PM Modi gifting Meloni a packet of Melody toffees, referencing the viral “Melodi” nickname popular on social media.

Addressing an event in Uttar Pradesh’s Amethi, Rahul Gandhi said an “economic storm” was looming over India while the Prime Minister was “busy distributing toffees in Italy”.

Source : https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/modi-meloni-melody-toffee-row-congress-attacks-pm-over-rome-gesture-2914715-2026-05-21

A PIL in the Supreme Court has sought President’s Rule in Tamil Nadu over alleged horse-trading during the May 13 trust vote. The plea also seeks a court-monitored CBI investigation, saying the floor test was vitiated by corruption.

A Public Interest Litigation (PIL) filed in the Supreme Court has sought the imposition of President’s Rule in Tamil Nadu over allegations of large-scale horse-trading during the May 13 trust vote won by the government led by C. Joseph Vijay and his party, Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK). The plea has also demanded a court-monitored investigation by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) into alleged corruption linked to the floor test in the Tamil Nadu Assembly.

The petition was filed by Madurai resident KK Ramesh, who accused the Vijay-led government of securing power through unethical political practices that allegedly undermined democratic principles. According to the plea, TVK failed to secure a clear majority in the Assembly elections and later obtained support through financial inducements and political pressure to win the confidence motion.

“In the Tamil Nadu Assembly, some MLAs from other parties were allegedly involved in horse-trading, and huge sums of money were handed over to certain legislators by TVK. Some MLAs allegedly violated their party whip directions in exchange for monetary and other benefits,” the petition said.

TVK had emerged as the single largest party in the Assembly elections with 108 seats. The party later received unconditional support from Left parties, including CPI and CPI(M), along with VCK and several independent MLAs, helping it cross the majority mark and form the government. Vijay was subsequently sworn in as Chief Minister.

However, the petitioner questioned the manner in which the ruling party secured the backing of legislators. The plea alleged that the trust vote process was “vitiated by corruption” and sought a CBI probe into the alleged buying and selling of MLAs. It also impleaded the Centre, the CBI, and the Tamil Nadu government as parties in the matter.

Source : https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/supreme-court-plea-seeks-cbi-probe-into-tvk-trust-vote-win-presidents-rule-in-tamil-nadu-2914706-2026-05-21

Bhopal Police have raised the reward on absconding accused Samarth Singh as raids continue in the Twisha Sharma death case.

Bhopal Police have increased the reward amount on absconding accused Samarth Singh from Rs 10000 to Rs 30000 as efforts continue to trace him in connection with the death of Noida woman Twisha Sharma.

Multiple police teams are conducting raids to arrest Samarth, who has remained missing for eight days since Twisha’s death. Acknowledging the delay in the arrest, Bhopal Police Commissioner Sanjay Kumar said that while some major criminals are caught quickly, lesser offenders can sometimes evade arrest for longer periods. He expressed confidence that Samarth would soon be taken into custody.

Meanwhile, a Bhopal court has dismissed a plea seeking a second postmortem examination and forensic analysis at AIIMS Delhi in the Twisha Sharma death case. The application, filed on May 19, sought a fresh autopsy after family members raised suspicions over the circumstances surrounding her death.

While rejecting the plea, the court also raised concerns regarding the preservation of Twisha’s body, which has remained in the mortuary of AIIMS Bhopal since May 13.

The Police Commissioner on Wednesday confirmed that Twisha Sharma’s death was a case of suicide, stating that the postmortem report clearly identified the cause of death as hanging. However, he added that the investigation would continue to determine the circumstances that pushed her to take the extreme step.

Twisha was found hanging from an exercise rod installed on the terrace of her matrimonial home in Bhopal on May 12. The incident sparked controversy after her family accused her husband and in-laws of prolonged mental and physical abuse, along with dowry harassment.

Source : https://www.indiatoday.in/india/madhya-pradesh/story/twisha-sharma-case-reward-raised-on-absconding-samarth-singh-2914705-2026-05-21

More than 68 transport unions under the banner of the All India Motor Transport Congress (AIMTC) and the United Front of All Transport Associations (UFTA) are expected to participate in the “chakka jam” protest.

Commercial vehicle unions across Delhi and its surrounding cities have announced a three-day strike from May 21 to May 23. The move will bring cabs, auto-rickshaws and several transport services to a halt across the national capital region (NCR).

More than 68 transport unions under the banner of the All India Motor Transport Congress (AIMTC) and the United Front of All Transport Associations (UFTA) are expected to participate in the “chakka jam” protest.

The unions say rising fuel prices, stagnant fares and increasing operational expenses have pushed drivers into severe financial distress.

‘We Have No Rights’

Speaking to NDTV, Chaalak Shakti Union vice-president Anuj Kumar Rathore said, “Taxi fares have not been increased for the last 15 years, while CNG prices have continuously risen. Despite repeated discussions, the government has not listened to us.”

Several drivers participating in the protest expressed frustration over their living conditions.

“In this inflation, it has become impossible to run a household. We do not want anyone’s child to become a driver in the future,” driver Suraj said.

Another taxi driver, Ashish, said, “We drive for 24 hours a day. Don’t we have any rights? We should at least be given the right to live.”

Drivers also pointed to mounting annual expenses such as vehicle fitness certificates, insurance and permits, saying their incomes are no longer enough to sustain their families. “What should we do? Should we kill ourselves? Who is going to listen to us?” Suraj asked.

The unions, however, maintained that the protest would remain peaceful. “We will carry out the protest completely peacefully,” said taxi driver Ashish.

4 Lakh Taxi Owners To Support The Strike

The association expects that around 4 lakh registered taxi owners will support the strike and refrain from taking rides during these days.

On Monday, the All India Motor Transport Congress wrote to Delhi Lieutenant Governor Taranjit Singh Sandhu and Chief Minister Rekha Gupta, listing its demands.

Among the key demands are an increase in taxi fares, rollback of the Enhanced Congestion Charges (ECC), and reconsideration of restrictions on commercial vehicles. The unions argue that while fuel prices have risen sharply over the years, taxi fares in Delhi-NCR have remained unchanged for nearly 15 years.

The unions have warned that if the Delhi government does not issue a notification increasing taxi fares within the next two weeks, the agitation will be intensified.

Source : https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/taxi-auto-unions-announce-3-day-strike-in-delhi-ncr-starting-today-11525055?pfrom=home-ndtv_topscroll

“I have not studied India. India is not a field I cover either. But I’ve read a lot about it in the newspapers,” Helle Lyng said.

Having shot into the spotlight for asking why Prime Minister Narendra Modi did not take questions at a press briefing and then about why India should be trusted, Norwegian journalist Helle Lyng appeared to have difficulties when faced with some questions herself on Wednesday.

NDTV’s Gaurie Dwivedi posed a series of queries to the young journalist in an exclusive conversation, ranging from press freedom in Norway to how much she knew about India. Lyng was also pressed on the cartoon depicting PM Modi as a snake charmer, but refused to condemn it.

Asked about her post on X stating that she wasn’t expecting PM Modi to answer her question and whether her motive was actually theatrics, Lyng, who is a commentator for the Norwegian newspaper Dagsavisen, said she was doing her job.

“My job as a reporter or a journalist, and now a commentator, is to question the premise of these foreign visits or state visits to Norway. So, for me, it was very important to try to get a question in and give Prime Minister Modi the opportunity to take questions,” she said.

When Lyng was asked whether she was aware that PM Modi was giving a joint statement alongside his Norwegian counterpart Jonas Gahr Store and why she had not raised the issue earlier with the foreign ministry in Norway if she had a problem with the format, she admitted that she had not.

The journalist argued that because she did not know when she would get access to PM Modi again, she decided to ask a question as they were in the same room.

Emphasising that she was shocked by the amount of attention her questions were receiving in India, Lyng noted that Leader of the Opposition and Congress MP Rahul Gandhi had also commented on her post.

“I have asked Gandhi for an interview and, if I get a chance, I will also ask him some of the concerns I have about press freedom in India, how he would change that, and if he would prioritise it,” she said.

Ranking Disparity

Lyng had been touting the fact that Norway was ranked number 1 in the press freedom rankings. When she was asked whether she was aware that Qatar, an illiberal monarchy, and Jordan were ahead of India in the index, the journalist said she was open to looking into whether some countries were higher than they should be.

Lyng was then questioned about the Norwegian royal couple going to China in 2018, when they had feigned ignorance about the Uighur internment camps. Her response was that she was not a journalist at the time.

“I’ve never covered Xi Jinping. If he comes to Norway, I will also try to question him. Make no mistake, I’m very critical of the human rights situation in China,” she said.

PM Modi Cartoon

Asked about the stereotyping of Indians in a cartoon by the Norwegian newspaper Aftenposten and whether this is what press freedom was about for her, Lyng said she hadn’t read the accompanying article.

Pressed on whether she did not think this was racism or stereotyping, the journalist did not give a clear answer.

“Racism and stereotyping, especially racism, is not press freedom. I have just seen this, I haven’t noticed how far of a reach this had, but I’m sure it has had a far reach because you are bringing this up. But that’s something that the newspaper that published this would have to really evaluate. But for me, I can’t comment on it before I know because I don’t want to comment on something I’m not educated about yet. So that’s just how I feel about it,” she said.

“But I will say that I deeply feel that anyone feeling like a newspaper in Norway is being racist or having a cartoon that’s stereotyping Indians, that’s something that we have to discuss and see whether it was satire or political satire… We would have to evaluate whether they did not understand that this was hurtful,” she added.

It was also pointed out to Lyng that Dagsavisen, the newspaper she works for, was a mouthpiece of the Norwegian Labour Party until the 1990s.

“I think it’s kind of offensive that you call it a mouthpiece… Some of the greatest thinkers of Norway have worked for this publication, and they were able to do a lot… Things were different back then,” she said.

India Knowledge  

To a question on how much she knew about India and whether she had read any books on Indian democracy, Lyng began talking about Indian food and yoga.

“I think my impression of India is that it’s a great country. And the people of India have been so supportive… I love Indian food and I love yoga as well, which was a part of the press conference on Monday. And so I have a very good impression of India as a country and the Indian people, but I do question press freedom and human rights violations. And that’s also a part of it,” she said.

To a follow-up question on whether she had actually been to India, Lyng explained she was going to do so in 2020, but could not because of the pandemic.

Source : https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/pm-modi-india-helle-lyng-norway-was-question-for-pm-modi-designed-to-go-viral-norway-journalist-exclusive-11524746?pfrom=home-ndtv_topscroll

Saifullah alias Sajid Jatt alias ‘Langda’, a terrorist of the Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) and its proxy The Resistance Front (TRF), operated from Pakistan’s Lahore and gave instructions to the terrorists in Pahalgam, the NIA chargesheet said

The terror attack that killed 26 tourists in Jammu and Kashmir’s Pahalgam in April 2025 was entirely controlled from Pakistan, according to the chargesheet filed by the National Investigation Agency (NIA), the country’s top terror-fighting body.

The entire conspiracy to carry out the terror attack at the popular tourist place in the picturesque Union Territory was also planned in Pakistan, the chargesheet said. Pakistani terrorists then floated a fake narrative of a “false flag operation” by India to mislead the world, sources said.

All these findings have been corroborated with solid evidence, the chargesheet said.

Saifullah alias Sajid Jatt alias ‘Langda’, a terrorist of the Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) and its proxy The Resistance Front (TRF), operated from Pakistan’s Lahore and gave instructions to the terrorists in Pahalgam.

Saifullah is now among India’s most wanted terrorists, the NIA said. Hiding deep inside Pakistan, he has not stopped planning terror attacks in Jammu and Kashmir, sources said.

The NIA has also exposed Pakistan’s “false flag” narrative over the Pahalgam terror attack. Immediately after the killings of the tourists, the TRF claimed responsibility on a Telegram channel called ‘Kashmir Fight’.

As international criticism rose and the UN Security Council condemned the attack, the TRF began to backtrack and it subsequently claimed the Telegram channel had been hacked, and that the TRF had no involvement in the attack.

The NIA’s technical investigation found the ‘Kashmir Fight’ Telegram channel originated from Battagram area in Pakistan’s Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. A second Telegram channel named ‘TheResistanceFront_OfFcial’ operated from Rawalpindi, the NIA found.

LeT and its proxy orchestrated the “false flag” narrative to mislead the world and create an impression that someone else carried out the attack.

At least two mobile phones recovered from the terrorists killed during ‘Operation Mahadev’ turned out to have been bought somewhere in Pakistan, the NIA said. One of the phones was bought online and was sent to an address in Lahore’s Quaid-e-Azam Industrial Estate; the other was bought from Karachi’s Shahra locality.

On April 15 and 16, Saifullah, based in Pakistan, sent three terrorists – Faisal Jatt alias Suleiman, Habib Tahir alias Chhotu, and Hamza Afghani – to recce Baisaran valley and its surrounding areas, the NIA chargesheet said. They looked at security arrangements and tourist movement.

Then, on the day of the terror attack, Saifullah remained in constant contact from Lahore with the terrorists and sent them real-time information including coordinates and other location data, the NIA chargesheet said.

Saifullah’s direct instructions from Pakistan included the terrorists’ movements, their hideouts and escape routes, the NIA said. Two local residents identified as Parvez and Bashir Ahmed had helped the Pakistani terrorists in carrying out the attack, the NIA said.

Source : https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/how-lashkar-terrorist-directed-pahalgam-terror-attack-from-pakistan-nia-chargesheet-gives-details-11525018?pfrom=home-ndtv_topscroll

Decades after it built a reputation for academic success Latur is in the national spotlight for the rot that has set into its powerful coaching ecosystem.

Before Kota, there was Latur. The mid-sized Marathwada town, twice ravaged by earthquakes, rebuilt its equity as one of Maharashtra’s biggest coaching centres with “The Latur pattern” that attracted thousands of students across the state. In the 1980s and 1990s, the Maharashtra state board had a merit list which was invariably stacked with students from Latur division.

Source : https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/maharashtras-latur-epicentre-of-neet-leak-confronts-unwelcome-scrutiny-101779325098452.html

The Prime Minister will chair a meeting of the Council of Ministers at Bharat Mandapam during which he will review the government’s performance, schemes, infrastructure projects.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will chair a meeting of the entire Council of Ministers at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi at 5 pm on May 21. The meeting is being seen as a key midterm review of the government’s performance.

The meeting will be attended by Union Cabinet ministers, ministers of state with independent charge, and ministers of state.

The meeting will be the first gathering of the Council of Ministers this year and comes amid growing speculation over a possible Cabinet reshuffle.

All the Union ministers have been asked to remain in the national capital today as the government continues to indulge in heightened political and economic discussion, according to India Today.

The government review will focus on the implementation and progress of important government schemes and infrastructure projects, with emphasis on coordination, execution and delivery across ministries.

The meeting is expected to focus on the government’s push for reforms across sectors aimed at improving the lives of ordinary citizens.

Earlier, the Prime Minister had laid out the government’s reform agenda for the coming decade, saying the Centre’s “Reform Express” had driven systemic changes and delivered tangible benefits to the common people.

The government is also likely to assess the status of ongoing policy initiatives and flagship welfare programmes. The meeting comes days before the third Modi government’s second anniversary on June 10.

The Prime Minister generally chairs meetings of the full Council of Ministers to review governance priorities, establish targets for the ministries and sketch the government’s political and administrative roadmap for the coming months.

Will West Asia Conflict Dominate Meeting?

The ongoing conflict in West Asia and its economic impact on India are likely to be a major point of discussion in the meeting.

The government has been monitoring fuel supply disruptions, inflation and increasing oil prices amid the US-Iran war.

A high-powered informal group of ministers, headed by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, has already been constituted by the government to monitor the crisis and suggest measures to protect India from disruptions, according to India Today.

Union ministers Amit Shah, Nirmala Sitharaman and Hardeep Singh Puri are also part of the council. Recently, Rajnath Singh said that the government has been maintaining “round-the-clock monitoring” of the situation.

“Whether it is crude oil, energy, or LPG even today, we have enough stocks. There is no particular problem,” he added.

Source : https://www.news18.com/india/pm-modi-to-chair-high-stakes-council-of-ministers-meet-at-bharat-mandapam-today-ws-l-10102879.html

India and the US are intensifying cooperation in the nuclear energy sector, with New Delhi focusing on expanding nuclear power generation and building a manufacturing ecosystem.

India’s push to deepen civil nuclear cooperation with the United States has gathered fresh momentum, with two broad objectives emerging at the centre of ongoing discussions – rapidly scaling up nuclear power generation to meet India’s growing base-load energy needs, and building a manufacturing ecosystem around small modular reactors (SMRs).

The developments come amid a high-level visit by an American nuclear industry delegation to India and a series of meetings with Union ministers, state governments and private sector companies.

According to multiple official statements and reports, India is positioning nuclear energy as a critical pillar of its long-term industrial and energy strategy, especially as electricity demand rises sharply because of expansion in sectors such as artificial intelligence, semiconductors, logistics and advanced manufacturing.

Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said nuclear power would be essential for “carbon-free and industrial-scale baseload power supply” and stressed that renewable energy sources alone would not be enough to sustain round-the-clock industrial growth.

He noted that Maharashtra already hosts nearly 60 per cent of India’s data centre capacity and receives more than 40 per cent of the country’s foreign investment.

“Maharashtra will lead the next phase of nuclear energy expansion in India,” Fadnavis said, adding that the state had already signed agreements for projects with a capacity of 25,000 MW in the sector.

He also said the state government was ready to support American firms with industrial land, infrastructure, skill development, research collaboration and incentives if they invested in nuclear projects in Maharashtra.

The Indian Express, citing officials and executives involved in the discussions, reported that India conveyed two clear priorities to the visiting American delegation after recent changes to the country’s nuclear laws: increasing nuclear power generation to expand a reliable base-load electricity supply, and progressively entering the SMR manufacturing value chain.

The report said India remains committed to its domestic pressurised heavy water reactor (PHWR) programme while selectively exploring foreign collaboration, particularly in the SMR segment.

The report further noted that while India has mastered PHWR technology, concerns remain over the high costs associated with imported light water reactors (LWRs), which dominate globally.

As a result, there is growing policy emphasis on strengthening indigenous nuclear manufacturing capabilities while seeking foreign capital and expertise in emerging reactor technologies.

SMALL MODULAR REACTORS EMERGE AS KEY FOCUS AREA

A major component of the India-US nuclear discussions is centred around SMRs, which are increasingly viewed globally as a more commercially viable and flexible nuclear energy solution.

Fadnavis said Maharashtra was eager to become an “early hub” for SMR technology and described the state as an ideal testing ground for next-generation nuclear energy systems.

“SMR technology is compatible with the future needs of the industrial economy,” he said.

The Indian Express report said India is actively seeking foreign funding and expertise in the SMR space, with sovereign wealth funds from West Asia also showing preliminary interest in financing India’s nuclear expansion plans.

The report added that SMRs are increasingly seen as essential for ensuring nuclear power remains commercially competitive in the future.

The discussions are taking place after Parliament passed the Sustainable Harnessing and Advancement of Nuclear Energy for Transforming India (SHANTI) Act, 2025, which opened India’s tightly-controlled nuclear sector to greater private participation.

The legislation allows private players to enter operations, fuel management and other segments that were previously dominated by the public sector.

HIGH-LEVEL US NUCLEAR DELEGATION IN INDIA

The ongoing engagement has been driven by the “US Nuclear Executive Mission to India”, organised by the Washington DC-based Nuclear Energy Institute (NEI) and the US-India Strategic Partnership Forum (USISPF).

The delegation includes NEI President and CEO Maria Korsnick, executives from Centrus Energy, Clean Core Thorium Energy, Curtiss-Wright Corporation, Holtec International and other American nuclear companies.

Meetings have already taken place with Union ministers, including Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman and Power Minister Manohar Lal Khattar, apart from interactions with state governments and Indian private sector companies.

The delegation is also scheduled to meet major Indian industrial groups, including Reliance Industries, Adani Group, Tata Power, JSW Energy, Vedanta, Larsen & Toubro and Hindalco Industries.

US Ambassador to India Sergio Gor amplified the growing momentum around the partnership by reposting Maharashtra government updates on social media and writing, “Big things ahead in India-US collaboration on Nuclear energy!”

TECHNOLOGY AND STRATEGIC COOPERATION

Separately, Sergio Gor also met Union Minister Jitendra Singh to discuss expanding bilateral cooperation across biotechnology, quantum technology, space, atomic energy and nuclear medicine.

According to the Ministry of Science and Technology, Jitendra Singh informed the US side that India had opened nuclear research to the private sector for the first time, enabling investment and international collaboration in advanced healthcare and scientific research.

Source : https://www.news18.com/india/india-us-nuclear-energy-collaboration-smr-objectives-maharashtra-devendra-fadnavis-us-nuclear-delegation-shanti-act-2025-sergio-gor-india-energy-security-ws-l-10102822.html

Viral video shows dangerously overcrowded Mumbai local train, with commuters hanging from doors, sparking outrage and renewed calls for safer public transport

Another day, another viral clip exposing the harsh reality of Mumbai’s daily commute, and this one has deeply resonated with social media users across the country.

A viral video circulating online shows men and women struggling to board an extremely overcrowded Mumbai local train during rush hours. In the clip, passengers can be seen hanging dangerously near the entrance while others push from behind just to squeeze into the compartment. The chaotic scene has once again sparked conversations around public transport safety in India’s financial capital.

What especially struck viewers was the visible desperation on commuters’ faces. Many users pointed out that for thousands of working professionals, students, and daily wage earners, this exhausting routine is not occasional; it is everyday life.

The video, widely shared across X and Instagram, has triggered strong emotional reactions online, with several people calling the situation “heartbreaking” and “unsafe beyond limits”.

One user wrote, “This isn’t public transport anymore; it’s survival.”

Another commented, “People leave home every day not knowing whether they’ll travel safely or not.”

A third user said, “Mumbai runs because these people show up to work despite conditions like this.”

Many users also highlighted the risks women face during overcrowded commutes, especially during peak office hours.

One comment read, ‘Women and men both deserve safer ways to travel.’ Nobody should risk their life just to earn a living.”

Another person wrote, “One sudden jerk or slip is enough to cause a tragedy.”

Some users defended the spirit of Mumbai locals, calling them the “lifeline of the city”, while others argued that overcrowding has become dangerously normalised over the years.

A Reddit user commented, “People praise Mumbai’s hustle culture, but clips like these show the human cost behind it.”

Source : https://www.news18.com/viral/viral-mumbai-rush-in-local-train-shocks-social-media-internet-says-one-slip-and-its-over-watch-ws-l-10102311.html

The provision allowing euthanasia of aggressive or dangerous dogs could become a tool for mass culling, activist argued.

In a far-reaching judgment aimed at curbing rising stray dog attacks across the country, the Supreme Court on Tuesday allowed authorities to euthanise rabid, incurably ill, or dangerous and aggressive dogs to protect human life and safety.

The ruling triggered sharp reactions among animal welfare activists and civic voices in the city, many of whom raised concerns about possible misuse of the directive and the lack of safeguards on the ground.

City-based animal activist Sukanya Sinha said the provision allowing euthanasia of aggressive or dangerous dogs could become a tool for mass culling.

“I am deeply distressed and fear that this order will be extensively misused on the ground,” Sukanya said. “It feels overwhelming because this is not going to solve the problem. In fact, there is a beautiful sense of coexistence in many institutional areas, like the college campus I am currently in.”

Echoing similar concerns, Chaithra, a volunteer with a city-based animal rescue group, questioned whether civic personnel were equipped to assess animal behaviour.

“Municipal catchers are not behavioural experts. Any dog that barks out of fear or defends its litter will now be labelled as dangerous and put down just to clear the streets. This completely undermines the spirit of the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act,” she said.

Sahana Charan, another animal activist who volunteers with the Greater Bengaluru Authority (GBA) to feed stray dogs, said the chances of misuse were high.

“I just hope the authorities use caution in using their judgment. When the authorities haven’t been able to find a proper shelter for the animals, what is the guarantee that they will be able to protect them?” she said.

‘Decades of neglect’

Srikanth Narasimhan, founder of the Bengaluru NavaNirmana Party (BNP), criticised the Apex Court’s approach, calling it a reactive measure that overlooks decades of municipal neglect.

“I do not agree with the Supreme Court order at all,” Narasimhan said. “Problems like these are because of the gross inaction and systemic failure, which has been thrust upon us by the municipal bodies over decades, and it cannot be undone overnight. Hence, the ruling is fundamentally flawed.”

Source : https://www.deccanherald.com/india/karnataka/bengaluru/activists-concerned-over-sc-ruling-on-euthanising-dangerous-stray-dogs-4009265#google_vignette4

Delving into predatory pricing, Ratnam alleged that large corporate entities are disturbing “market balance through deep discounting”.

Nearly 43,000 medical shops in Andhra Pradesh will shut shop for a day on May 20, protesting alleged unregulated functioning of online pharmacies, predatory pricing and the delay in withdrawal of certain notifications.

PV Ratnam, president, Andhra Pradesh Chemists and Druggists Association (APCDA), an affiliate of the All India Organisations of Chemists and Druggists (AIOCD), which represents over 12.4 lakh chemists and medicines distributors, on Tuesday said protests and demonstrations will be staged tomorrow across the southern state.

“AIOCD has announced a one-day nationwide shutdown on May 20 against government inaction. In a memorandum submitted to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the organisation has made it clear that despite repeated requests, no concrete action has been taken on the serious issues affecting the pharmaceutical trade,” Ratnam said in a release.

Alleging that e-pharmacies are a threat to public health, he said that they were exploiting “weak regulation” to sell medicines without physical verification, resulting in the repeated use of a single prescription.

Through AI-based fake prescription, he alleged that uncontrolled availability of antibiotics and addiction-forming drugs are giving rise to threats such as Anti-Microbial Resistance (AMR), compromising public health.

Delving into predatory pricing, Ratnam alleged that large corporate entities are disturbing “market balance through deep discounting”.

While margins on essential medicines are fixed by the government, he claimed that corporate entities are creating unfair competition. This is threatening the survival of small chemists in rural and semi-urban areas, he said, adding that “this will ultimately destroy the accessible medicine supply system.”

Source : https://www.deccanherald.com/india/andhra-pradesh/over-40000-chemists-to-observe-one-day-shutdown-in-andhra-on-may-20-4009134

A Texas A&M professor explains why protein needs are highly individual, warns against excessive intake, and reveals why more protein does not always mean better health or muscle gain.

For years, protein has enjoyed the superstar status in the wellness world. From high-protein snack bars and shakes to influencers promoting “protein goals,” this one nutrient has become central to modern fitness culture. But according to Dr. Nicolaas Deutz, most people may already be getting enough protein – and the idea that everyone needs the same amount could be outdated.

As per the professor from Texas A&M University, protein requirements are far more personal than many people even realize. Factors like age, body size, muscle mass, physical activity and even long-term eating habits can influence how much protein a person truly needs. “Our research really showed that we should not see protein requirements as a stationary number that is OK for everybody,” Dr. Deutz explained. He further added, “We really have to start thinking that everybody has their own needs depending on the condition, depending on the body size, depending on how much muscle they have, depending on their activities through the day.”

Why Protein Needs Are Not ‘One Size Fits All’

Dr. Deutz, who works in the Department of Kinesiology and Sport Management, said that the conversation around protein has become oversimplified. According to him, it is not just about protein itself but also the amino acids that proteins contain. “If you think about it, protein requirements is actually not completely a correct term,” he said. “It should actually be amino acid requirements because the protein consists of amino acids.”

With this, he also pointed out that the traditional methods used to estimate protein requirements were less precise than the techniques researchers use today. This has opened the door to a more nuanced understanding of how the body processes protein.

One of the biggest takeaways from his research is that protein requirements can adapt based on what a person normally eats. For instance: Someone who regularly consumes a high-protein diet may react differently to reduced intake as compared to someone who eats moderate amounts of protein daily.

Are We Eating Too Much Protein?

Over the last decade, protein consumption has steadily increased worldwide. High-protein foods are heavily being marketed as healthier, better for weight loss and essential for muscle building. But Dr. Deutz believes there is a danger in overdoing it.
“Personally, I think we should not overdo it with eating so much protein,” he said. “There’s so much protein products in the stores. There is too much protein. Your body does not need it and get used to it.”

He also warned that protein rarely comes alone. Protein-rich foods often contain additional components like fats, calories or sodium, which can become problematic when consumed in excess. For instance, eating large amounts of meat may also increase saturated fat intake. “That is the biggest problem in nutrition when you overeat,” he explained. “Although there is a lot of push to eat more protein, I don’t think it is wise.”

So, How Much Protein Do You Really Need?

While current dietary guidelines often recommend around 0.8 grams of protein per kg of body weight daily for adults, Dr. Deutz believes the number should not be treated as universal. He says the body’s needs shift depending on lifestyle, exercise levels, metabolism and health conditions. Rather than obsessing over protein goals, people should focus on overall balance.
“As long as what you eat, you do not lose weight, you know at least that you eat enough,” he explained.

Source : https://www.timesnownews.com/health/top-us-professor-reveals-how-much-protein-your-body-actually-needs-article-154352007

Making any AIADMK faction part of the TVK government is against the people’s mandate, which has been against the DMK and the AIADMK, the Left party said.

Actor-politician Vijay’s government in Tamil Nadu is yet to be 10 days old, but its wafer-thin majority has sparked concern about its stability. The matter was brought under focus again today as one of its allies, the CPM, said it would “reconsider support” to the government if the AIADMK gains entry into the coalition.

Answering a question from the media today about AIADMK MLAs joining the coalition, the CPM said making any AIADMK faction part of the TVK government is against the people’s mandate, which has given a big thumbs down to the DMK and the AIADMK.

The AIADMK’s presence in the coalition will also be against the TVK promise of clean governance, it said.

“We are supporting the TVK as Tamil Nadu is not ready for another poll and we don’t want the BJP make a rear entry through Governor’s rule,” the CPM said.

Vijay’s TVK, while scoring an unprecedented victory that blew apart the decades-old binary politics of Tamil Nadu, did not have majority after the results were announced May 4. The TVK had swept 108 of 234 seats – 10 short of the majority mark.

After days of negotiations and political drama that could put a Bollywood thriller to shame, the TVK received support from the Congress, which won five seats, and eight more from the Left front, the VCK and the Indian Union Muslim League or IUML.

The trust vote held on May 13 was the sequel that packed in the bigger punch – leaving a vertical rift within the AIADMK open to public scrutiny.

Vijay was backed by 144 lawmakers – 24 of them from the AIADMK, who were in favour of backing him since the beginning but got vetoed by party chief E Palaniswami. On the day of the trust vote, they ignored the party whip and voted for Vijay. It has led the party to take action, including invoking the anti-defection law.

But their support, given the CPM reaction, has not brought much joy in the ruling coalition, especially in view of Vijay’s meeting with the AIADMK rebels ahead of the trust vote.

Source : https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/will-reconsider-support-if-aiadmk-joins-alliance-cpm-warning-for-vijay-11518528?pfrom=home-ndtv_topscroll

According to the FIR registered by CBI, directors of a Kanpur-based company allegedly paid bribes to secure Army tenders. The central agency claims that a major tender was awarded to the firm earlier this year in return for bribes.

A Colonel-rank officer posted with the Army Ordnance Corps under the Eastern Command in Kolkata has been arrested by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) in connection with an alleged Rs 50 lakh bribery case, officials said on Tuesday.

The officer, identified as Colonel Himanshu Bali, is accused of favouring a Kanpur-based company by allegedly manipulating the award of tenders, approving substandard samples, and facilitating clearance of pending and inflated bills.

According to the FIR registered by CBI, directors of the firm, Eastern Global Limited, allegedly paid bribes to secure Army tenders. The central agency claims that a major tender was awarded to the company earlier this year in return for bribes.

The investigation has allegedly revealed that Colonel Bali met the firm’s representatives in Kolkata’s Park Street area on April 22. Two days later, on April 24, the said tender was awarded to the company, per the agency.

On May 16, Colonel Bali allegedly demanded the remaining bribe amount of Rs 50 lakh, the CBI said. The money was to be routed through hawala channels, it alleged.

Source : https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/cbi-arrests-army-colonel-in-alleged-rs-50-lakh-bribery-case-2914207-2026-05-20

Investigators are examining CCTV footage from the building where Twisha Sharma was found unconscious after going to the terrace. The visuals and her final call have sharpened questions over the unexplained hour before she was brought downstairs.

The mysterious death of Twisha Sharma in Bhopal has taken a dramatic turn after investigators recovered crucial CCTV footage that now forms the centrepiece of the ongoing probe into her final moments.

The footage, accessed by investigators, allegedly shows Twisha walking up the staircase towards the terrace of the building in a calm and normal condition. Nearly an hour later, another clip shows her husband, Samarth Singh, along with two other men carrying her downstairs in a critical state.

The gap between those two moments — roughly 60 minutes — has now become the biggest focus of the investigation.

According to sources familiar with the probe, Twisha appeared completely normal while climbing the stairs. She was also seen carrying headphones in her hand. After reaching the terrace, she reportedly made a phone call to her mother.

Her mother later told investigators that Twisha spoke about alleged harassment at her marital home during the call. The conversation, according to the family, continued for some time before an unknown voice was allegedly heard in the background and the line suddenly disconnected.

Twisha’s mother suspects the voice may have been that of her husband, Samarth Singh, though police have not officially confirmed this claim.

Minutes later, Twisha’s mother called Giribala Singh, informing her that Twisha was not answering her phone. According to the account shared with investigators, Giribala and Samarth then rushed to the terrace, where Twisha was allegedly found hanging with a gymnastic-style elastic resistance belt.

Subsequent CCTV visuals reportedly show Samarth Singh, a relative living nearby, and a domestic worker bringing Twisha downstairs through the staircase. At one point, they also appear to attempt CPR on the staircase before eventually taking her to hospital.

Investigators are also examining another detail from the footage in which Twisha’s mother-in-law, Giribala Singh, is allegedly seen entering a room briefly before coming downstairs moments later.

The sequence of events has intensified suspicions surrounding the circumstances of Twisha’s death, with her family continuing to allege foul play and demanding an impartial investigation.

The central question investigators are now trying to answer is what exactly happened on the terrace during the one-hour window between Twisha going upstairs and being brought back down unconscious.

Source : https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/twisha-sharma-death-case-cctv-footage-of-last-60-minutes-under-scrutiny-2914216-2026-05-20

A Norwegian newspaper sparked outrage after publishing a cartoon depicting Prime Minister Narendra Modi as a snake charmer amid a row over a journalist trying to question him at a press briefing.

A Norwegian newspaper on Wednesday published a racist cartoon depicting Prime Minister Narendra Modi as a snake charmer, triggering accusations reinforcing western stereotypes, amid a row over a journalist questioning the Prime Minister for allegedly avoiding queries India during his state visit to the European country.

The illustration on Aftenposten showed him holding what appeared to be a fuel-station pipe shaped like a snake, alongside an opinion article reportedly titled “A clever and slightly annoying man”.

The controversy intensified amid a row over Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s press briefing in Norway, where Norwegian journalist Helle Lyng publicly questioned why he did not take media questions during a joint appearance with Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Store. PM Modi did not respond to the query, but the exchange later drew a sharp rebuttal from India’s Ministry of External Affairs, represented by diplomat Sibi George.

‘BLATANTLY RACIST’

The cartoon triggered massive outrage, with many on the internet calling it blatantly racist and rooted in old colonial stereotypes that portrayed India as a land of “snake charmers”. Many slammed the newspaper arguing that the imagery was xenophobic and disrespectful to India and its elected leader.

“This cartoon is blatantly racist,” a user wrote on X, adding, “What also stands out is the irony. PM Modi used to speak about how earlier the world thought of India as a ‘land of snake charmers’. And now, during his visit to Oslo, a major European newspaper depicts him exactly that way”.

Another user, who goes by the name Prady, wrote, “Europeans still can’t come out of their colonial fantasies, sigh”, as he slammed the daily.

Several others also reacted sharply, echoing the view that “colonial arrogance still survives in the Western elite media”.

A similar backlash had emerged in 2022 when a Spanish newspaper used snake-charmer symbolism in coverage related to India’s economic rise.

Notably, Prime Minister Modi, in his Madison Square Garden speech in the US in 2014, had referred to how India was once stereotyped abroad as a country of “snake charmers” before becoming a technology-driven nation of “mouse charmers”. He later repeated the same portrayal of India at other global forums as well.

EXCHANGE AT PM’S NORWAY BRIEFING

A row erupted after Norwegian journalist Helle Lyng questioned why PM Modi did not take questions from the media during a joint appearance with Norway’s Prime Minister during his visit to the country. Lyng reportedly asked why there was no open press conference and raised concerns over press freedom and human rights in India. Although the two leaders left without responding, Lyng recorded the interaction and posted it on X, where it quickly went viral and triggered a wider international debate.

Responding to the controversy, Ministry of External Affairs Secretary Sibi George defended India’s democratic framework and accused critics of forming opinions based on selective reports published by “ignorant NGOs” without understanding the country’s scale and complexity.

“You know how many stories are up here [in India]. We have a lot of breaking news coming every day in the evening. At least 200 TV channels in Delhi alone, in English, Hindi and multiple languages. People have no understanding of the scale of India,” he said. “They (India’s critics) read one or two news reports published by some godforsaken, ignorant NGOs and then come and ask questions,” the senior diplomat added.

Source : https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/narendra-modi-cartoon-controversy-norwegian-newspaper-aftenposten-racism-row-prime-minister-journalist-press-meet-2914225-2026-05-20

Police said the woman also left behind a suicide note in which she accused Yogesh Rawat and his two sisters of mentally harassing her and sought strict action against them.

A 25-year-old PhD scholar from Madhya Pradesh’s Datia died by suicide after accusing a man of rape and blackmail with obscene videos, police said. The accused, identified as Yogesh Rawat, also 25, has been arrested.

The woman was pursuing her PhD while staying in Gwalior. According to police, she became friends with Yogesh Rawat, the brother of one of her friends. Investigators said Rawat called her to a hotel in Gwalior, where he made her consume an intoxicating substance and raped her after she lost consciousness.

Speaking at a meeting of TMC MLAs at her residence, Mamata alleged that minority communities and roadside hawkers are being targeted by the newly formed BJP government in West Bengal.

Trinamool Congress (TMC) supremo and former West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee on Tuesday launched a scathing attack on the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and said that it will soon be “removed from power in Delhi,” with her nephew and Lok Sabha MP, Abhishek Banerjee, who recently received a demolition notice over alleged unauthorised construction, saying that he won’t give in to any form of intimidation.

Speaking at a meeting of TMC MLAs at her residence, Mamata alleged that minority communities and roadside hawkers are being targeted by the newly formed BJP government in West Bengal. “Minority communities are being targeted. Hawkers stalls are being bulldozed,” she said, referring to alleged instances of post-poll violence and action against illegal encroachment in recent days in various parts of the state.

“This government is tampering with our constitutional ideas and values,” Mamata claimed, criticising the Suvendu Adhikari-led state government. She also suggested that the BJP, which leads the country’s ruling National Democratic Alliance, will lose power in the Centre in the near future. “BJP will be removed from power in Delhi in coming days,” she remarked.

ABHISHEK BANERJEE’S DARE TO BJP
The meeting chaired by Mamata was also attended by Abhishek, who is also the national general secretary of the TMC. He addressed the notice sent to him by the Kolkata Municipal Corporation (KMC), which has directed him to demolish “unauthorized parts” of his house in south Kolkata.

The TMC leader said, “Let them do whatever they want… raze down my home, send notice; I won’t bow down over these things. Come what may, fight will continue against BJP.” It is worth mentioning here that the KMC, which sent the demolition notice, is still under the control of the TMC, and party MLA Firhad Hakim, considered a close aide of Mamata, is the mayor of Kolkata.

Source: https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/mamata-banerjee-attacks-bjp-abhishek-banerjee-slams-suvendu-adhikari-bengal-news-2914150-2026-05-19

Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived in Rome on Tuesday for the final leg of his five-nation tour, with Italian PM Giorgia Meloni posting “Welcome to Rome, my friend!”. Modi said he would meet President Sergio Mattarella and Meloni, focusing on India-Italy cooperation, IMEC and the Joint Strategic Action Plan 2025-2029 during visit.

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni on Tuesday warmly welcomed Prime Minister Narendra Modi upon his arrival in Rome for the final leg of his five-nation diplomatic tour.

Sharing a picture with PM Modi on social media platform X, Meloni wrote, “Welcome to Rome, my friend!”, highlighting the close personal rapport between the two leaders. She also shared an earlier photograph of them together at the Colosseum in Italy.

PM Modi Receives Grand Reception In Rome

PM Modi received a warm reception from the Indian diaspora soon after landing in Rome. Members of the Indian community gathered to greet him with cultural performances, traditional welcomes and enthusiastic slogans outside his hotel.

Prices were hiked by Rs 3 a litre on May 15; petrol now retails at Rs 98.64 a litre in Delhi and Rs 107.12 in Bengaluru

Petrol and diesel prices were increased by 90 paise per litre on Tuesday, the second increase in less than a week.

Petrol price was hiked to Rs 98.64 a litre from Rs 97.77 in the national capital. Diesel now costs Rs 91.58 a litre against Rs 90.67 previously, according to a PTI report quoting industry sources.

This is the second increase in rates in less than a week. Prices were hiked by Rs 3 a litre on May 15.

Rates vary across states due to differences in value-added tax.

In Delhi, petrol now retails at Rs 98.64 a litre, up by 87 paise, while diesel is priced at Rs 91.58 a litre, higher by 91 paise.

Mumbai saw petrol rise by 91 paise to Rs 107.59 litre and diesel by 94 paise to Rs 94.08 a litre.

Kolkata recorded one of the steepest hikes in petrol at Re 1 to Rs 109.7 a litre, while diesel prices rose by 94 paise to Rs 96.07 a litre.

In Bengaluru, petrol price has gone up by 0.95 paise to Rs 107.12 a litre and diesel price by 94 paise to Rs 95.04 a litre.

In Chennai, petrol prices rose by 79 paise to Rs 104.46 a litre, and diesel by 86 paise to Rs 96.11 a litre.

Source : https://www.deccanherald.com/india/petrol-diesel-prices-up-by-90-paise-a-litre-second-hike-in-five-days-check-city-wise-prices-4008074#google_vignette

The All India Motor Transport Congress on Monday wrote to Delhi Lieutenant Governor Taranjit Singh Sandhu and Chief Minister Rekha Gupta, raising their demands.

New Delhi: Commercial vehicle drivers’ unions in Delhi are planning to go on a three-day strike from May 21 to 23, demanding a hike in taxi and auto fares in view of the increasing fuel prices.

The All India Motor Transport Congress on Monday wrote to Delhi Lieutenant Governor Taranjit Singh Sandhu and Chief Minister Rekha Gupta, raising their demands.

“Due to the continuously increasing prices of CNG, petrol and diesel, middle-class drivers are struggling to support their families. Therefore, in coordination with other organisations of Delhi, the ‘Chaalak Shakti Union’ has called for a Chakka Jam (strike) and appealed not to operate vehicles on May 21, 22 and 23,” said Anuj Kumar Rathore, vice-president of the Chaalak Shakti Union.

“If the government does not immediately increase taxi fares and issue a notification within one or two weeks, this movement will be intensified into a large-scale protest, for which the Delhi government solely would be responsible,” the union added.

The drivers of commercial vehicles also stated that “strong policies be formulated to stop the economic exploitation of taxi drivers”.

“The union had to approach the Delhi High Court last year, which clearly directed that the problems of taxi drivers should be resolved and the taxi fare should be increased. Despite this, the Delhi government continues to make excuses and delay this matter by saying that the file has been sent to the Lieutenant Governor for approval,” the letter added.

Source : https://www.deccanherald.com/india/delhi/delhi-taxi-drivers-unions-to-go-on-3-day-strike-from-may-21-demanding-fare-hike-4007825

Twisha Sharma’s husband, Samarth Singh, and his mother, Giribala Singh, a retired judge, have been accused of murder and dowry harassment. On the question of dowry, Navnidhi Sharma described indirect pressures “common” in such cases.

Navnidhi Sharma has spent days protesting outside the Chief Minister’s residence in Madhya Pradesh, demanding justice for his daughter Twisha Sharma and a second post-mortem on her body. Twisha’s husband, Samarth Singh, a lawyer in Bhopal, remains on the run after his bail was denied.

Navnidhi Sharma spoke to NDTV about the events leading to his 33-year-old daughter’s death.

“They met on a dating app. We came to know about this relationship about a year before marriage. And later we all agreed and gave approval to this relationship,” he told NDTV.

Twisha’s husband, Samarth, and his mother, Giribala Singh, a retired judge, have been accused of murder and dowry harassment. On the question of dowry, Navnidhi Sharma described indirect pressures “common” in such cases.

“Look, in today’s time, dowry is such a word that people demand in various ways without using it. They create a situation in which money is taken out of your pocket. No one says that give me dowry,” he said.

Navnidhi Sharma said demands arose around standards and expenses. After the marriage, taunts followed.

“After Twisha lost her job, their taunts started: ‘How will we feed you?’ All these things came out,” he said. The first clear sign of trouble surfaced during the honeymoon.

“It’s right in the beginning, because in the beginning, a man does not attack so suddenly. His attitude was seen in the beginning as a criminal mindset — a man who can push his wife by getting angry for some reason on her honeymoon at the airport. Twisha then asked her brother, ‘Have I taken a wrong decision?’

“Her brother said no, sometimes a man gets a little impulsive in something, so don’t take it seriously, ignore that. We should not have ignored,” Navnidhi Sharma told NDTV. “Daughters ignore a lot of things to save their marriage.”

Navnidhi Sharma described Twisha’s husband as a “wolf in sheep’s clothing”.

“If you look at their history, even their first daughter-in-law had also divorced due to harassment,” he said. “A lot of assurances were given, which later did not materialise.”

Twisha was discovered hanging at her husband’s house in Bhopal’s Katara Hills area on May 12.

Messages between Twisha and her mother detailed her growing distress. On April 30 she wrote: “Kyu bheja mujhe yaha. Ye yaha baat hi nahi kar raha hai.” (Why did you send me to Bhopal? He isn’t talking to me.) Bhopal bula kar phir se sab natak. (He called me to Bhopal only to stage the same old drama all over again.) Mera jeevan narak ho gaya hai mummy.” (My life has become a living hell, Mom.)

On May 7 she pleaded: “Maa aap mujhe yaha se lene aajao kal please.” (Please come and pick me up from here tomorrow.)

She said it seemed her husband no longer needed her and had been “tolerating” her for a year. She asked her mother to come alone.

Twisha also wrote about feeling lonely and blamed her “bad deeds” for her situation. She alleged her husband questioned the paternity of her child and forced an abortion. In messages sent on May 9 she said: “Mujhe pooch raha hai vo kiska bacha tha, aur main ignore karu??? … Ye apne ghatiya pane ki har limit cross kar ke baitha hai. Kaise reh lu iske saath.” (He is asking me whose child it was and you expect me to just ignore it? … He has crossed every limit. How am I supposed to live with him?)

She told her mother: “Mummy yaha par mai bas pagal ho jaungi. Mujhse nahi ho pa raha ab ye sab.” (Mom, I’m going to go crazy here. I just can’t take this anymore.)

Source : https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/twisha-sharma-death-latest-news-wolf-in-sheep-attire-twisha-sharmas-father-on-her-husband-samarth-singh-11514098

With this, multiple US regulatory and legal investigations involving the group have all closed in the last couple of days.

The US Department of Justice has permanently dropped all criminal charges against Indian tycoon Gautam Adani and his nephew Sagar, bringing high-profile securities and wire fraud case in New York to a complete close after prosecutors concluded they could not sustain the allegations.

With this, multiple US regulatory and legal investigations involving the group have all closed in the last couple of days.

Last week, the US Securities and Exchange Commission settled civil allegations against the two men tied to disclosures made to investors in connection with solar energy projects in India. Court filings showed Gautam Adani agreed to pay USD 6 million and Sagar Adani USD 12 million, without admitting or denying wrongdoing.

Thereafter, the US Treasury Department’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) settled allegations of the Adani Group violating US sanctions on Iran in LPG imports. This followed the Indian conglomerate agreeing to pay USD 275 million while extending “extensive cooperation” with the investigation and making “proactive” disclosures.

Now, the US prosecutors at the Eastern District of New York dropped all charges against Gautam Adani and his nephew Sagar Adani.

In a filing before the court, the US Department of Justice requested for dismissal of the indictment against the Adanis with prejudice.

“The Department of Justice has reviewed this case and has decided, in its prosecutorial discretion, not to devote further resources to these criminal charges against individual defendants,” it said.

Thereafter, the court ordered that the indictment against Adani and others “be dismissed with prejudice”.

The closure marks a dramatic turn in a case that had threatened to disrupt the Adani Group’s global expansion plans. The SEC and DOJ cases, filed in late 2024, alleged the Adanis orchestrated a USD 265 million bribery scheme involving Indian officials to secure solar power contracts and concealed the arrangement from US investors and lenders while raising capital.

The dismissal was “with prejudice”, preventing the case from being reopened.

Such dismissals are uncommon in US criminal proceedings and typically reflect a determination that pursuing the case is no longer warranted after extensive review.

The case turned in Adani’s favour after prosecutors found no clear US linkages and insufficient evidence to sustain the allegations, according to people familiar with matter.

The anticipated decision follows months of aggressive engagement between US prosecutors and a formidable legal team assembled by the Adanis.

Five American legal counsel from Sullivan & Cromwell, alongside Nixon Peabody, Hecker Fink, Norton Rose Fulbright and Bracewell, made a series of submissions and presentations to US authorities as part of the review process. The review failed to produce findings capable of sustaining charges against Gautam and Sagar Adani, prompting the DoJ to move towards dismissal.

In submissions disclosed publicly on April 7, 2026, before the United States District Court for the Eastern District of New York, Adani’s lawyers mounted a forceful challenge to the US SEC’s fraud-related proceedings, calling them an “impermissibly extraterritorial application” of US securities laws. The defence argued the case involved, “Indian Defendants, an Indian issuer”, securities not traded on US exchanges and alleged conduct occurring “exclusively in India”.

The filings stated the SEC “lacked necessary jurisdiction”, failed to establish actionable misstatements and could not tie either defendant to the bond offering. The lawyers asserted the SEC had “recast” unviable anti-bribery allegations into securities fraud claims. The submissions noted there were “no investor losses”, all bond obligations were honoured and Gautam Adani “did not authorise the issuance of the bonds”.

The case had faced mounting scrutiny from legal experts over whether prosecutors had stretched securities laws to pursue conduct centred overseas.

Gautam Adani, Sagar Adani and Vneet Jaain were charged only under securities and wire fraud statutes (counts 2, 3 and 4). They were not named in the more serious Foreign Corrupt Practices Act bribery charge or obstruction-related count (counts 1 and 5), which prosecutors brought against other defendants in the wider case.

Source : https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/us-drops-all-charges-against-gautam-adani-case-closed-permanently-11513895?pfrom=home-ndtv_topscroll

The woman’s husband is purportedly seen trying to perform CPR on her twice before bringing her downstairs with the help of two others.

Fresh CCTV footage has surfaced in the suspected suicide case of a 33-year-old Noida resident at her marital home in Madhya Pradesh’s Bhopal.

The 33-year-old was found dead at her in-laws’ home in Bhopal’s Katara Hills area on May 12, with her husband and mother-in-law under the scanner over allegations of dowry harassment, assault and murder.

Two CCTV videos have emerged, shedding light on what went down on the day of the incident.

In one of the videos, accessed by Hindustan Times, the deceased is seen climbing the staircase in her marital home. And in the second footage, the woman’s husband is purportedly seen performing CPR (Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation) on her — an attempt that he is seen making twice.

Meanwhile, another woman, seemingly the deceased’s mother-in-law, a retired judge, is seen entering the CCTV frame and heading to another room.

Two other men head upstairs and help the husband bring down the unresponsive woman, the video showed.

Pre-arrest bail rejected for husband

A Bhopal court on Monday granted anticipatory bail to the deceased’s mother-in-law, a retired judge, who is also an accused in the case, news agency PTI reported.

However, the court rejected the anticipatory bail plea of the deceased Noida woman’s husband, a lawyer, who is the main accused in the case, and is absconding.

Additionally, the Bhopal Police also announced a cash reward of ₹10,000 for any information leading to the husband’s arrest.

Noida woman said she ‘felt trapped’

Days before her death, the 33-year-old Noida woman had reportedly told her mother that she felt badly trapped at her marital home, and that she wanted to return to her maternal home.

She had been in touch with her parents till around 10pm on the day of her death.

In chats with her mother, the deceased had said that people in her marital home neither let her cry nor did they give her a reason to smile.

She also alleged that her husband accused her of infidelity as she wanted to abort her pregnancy.

Her family alleged that she lost 15 kilograms due to relentless mental torture after marriage, news agency PTI reported.

Her family also claimed lapses in the local probe and post-mortem procedure at AIIMS Bhopal and demanded that a fresh, independent autopsy be conducted at AIIMS Delhi.

She was a ‘drug addict’, claims husband

In the husband’s bail plea, which surfaced on social media, he has purportedly claimed that his wife was a psychiatric patient and a drug addict whose hands and feet would tremble in withdrawal.

In a press conference after the hearing, the deceased’s mother-in-law claimed that the woman suffered from psychological illness and depression.

She claimed that the 33-year-old’s death was like a “nightmare” for the family as she was a part of it.

The retired judge further alleged that the deceased’s family had forced her into the glamour world at a very young age, claiming that she was under mental pressure because of it.

The mother-in-law claimed that the deceased’s family had not visited her in the last five months, adding that they were now not allowing for her funeral to be conducted.

The husband’s bail plea also alleged that the deceased’s behaviour towards her in-laws changed after she became pregnant, claiming that her husband had taken her to a beauty salon on the day of her death.

The Noida resident had also suffered a miscarriage, PTI reported, citing the bail plea.

SIT probe underway

A six-member special investigation team (SIT) has been formed to probe the 33-year-old’s death and the related allegations of dowry harassment and abuse.

An FIR has been registered against the deceased’s husband and mother-in-law under Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) Section 80(2) related to dowry death.

Misrod Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) Rajneesh Kashyap, who is heading the SIT, took note of the reported lapses in the local probe and said that while the post-mortem report from AIIMS Bhopal points to a “hanging suicide”, the deceased’s family claims multiple injury marks on her body indicate murder.

Source : https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/bhopal-dowry-death-noida-woman-seen-going-upstairs-in-new-cctv-clip-3-men-bring-her-down-minutes-later-101779144358556.html

During a media interaction in Oslo, MEA Secretary (West) Sibi George defended India’s democratic record and media landscape. He said foreign observers often misunderstand the country by relying on selective reports.

Extraordinary scenes unfolded during the Ministry of External Affairs’ press briefing in Norway on Monday night after a female Norwegian journalist repeatedly interrupted Indian diplomats with questions on press freedom, minority rights and human rights in India, triggering a sharp response from MEA Secretary (West) Sibi George.

The tense exchange escalated after journalist Helle Lyng questioned why India should be “trusted” on issues concerning democratic freedoms and rights. At one point during the interaction, she even walked out of the briefing room before later returning to the presser.

Responding firmly to Lyng’s questions at the briefing, George defended India’s democratic framework and accused critics of forming opinions based on selective reports published by “ignorant NGOs” without understanding the country’s scale and complexity.

“You know how many stories are up here [in India]. We have a lot of breaking news coming every day in the evening. At least 200 TV channels in Delhi alone, in English, Hindi and multiple languages. People have no understanding of the scale of India,” he said. “They [India’s critics] read one or two news reports published by some godforsaken, ignorant NGOs and then come and ask questions,” the senior diplomat added.

George also pointed to India’s constitutional guarantees and democratic institutions while rebutting the allegations raised during the briefing. He said India’s Constitution ensured fundamental rights for all citizens and provided legal remedies in cases of violations. “We have a Constitution which guarantees the rights of the people, fundamental rights of the people. We have equal rights for the women of our country, which is very important,” George said.

The MEA official further highlighted India granting voting rights to women immediately after Independence, contrasting it with several countries where women got franchise rights decades later. “In 1947, we gave the freedom to vote for our women. Many countries, I know, the voting right for women came several decades after India gave that freedom,” he added.

George asserted that India’s electoral democracy itself remained the strongest proof of its commitment to equality and human rights. “What is the best example of human rights? The right to change government, the right to vote. And that is what is happening in India. We are so proud of that,” he said.

The confrontation came a day after Lyng posted on X that Prime Minister Narendra Modi had not taken her question during his Norway visit. “Norway has the number one spot on the World Press Freedom Index, India is at 157th, competing with Palestine, Emirates & Cuba. It is our job to question the powers we cooperate with,” she wrote.

The Indian Embassy in Norway responded publicly to the journalist’s post, inviting her to attend the official media briefing. “Dear Ms @HelleLyngSvends, The Embassy is organizing a press briefing on the Prime Minister’s Visit this evening at 9:30pm at hotel Raddisson Blu Plaza hotel. You are most welcome to come and ask your questions there,” the embassy said on X.

The row also drew political reactions in India, with Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi sharing Lyng’s X post and taking a swipe at Prime Minister Modi.

“When there is nothing to hide, there is nothing to fear. What happens to India’s image when the world sees a compromised PM panic and run from a few questions?” Gandhi wrote on X.

Source : https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/norwegian-journalist-questions-trust-human-rights-press-freedom-india-draw-sharp-mea-response-oslo-pm-modi-visit-2913747-2026-05-19

Damayanti Sen, a 1996-batch IPS officer, came into prominence during the 2012 Park Street rape case, which snowballed into a major political controversy after a woman alleged she was gangraped inside a moving car after leaving a nightclub in Kolkata’s Park Street area.

Senior IPS officer Damayanti Sen, who was allegedly sidelined during the former Trinamool Congress regime in the wake of the controversial 2012 Park Street rape case, has been appointed by Bengal’s current BJP government to a commission probing crimes against women.

On Monday, Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari announced Sen’s appointment as member secretary of a commission set up to examine atrocities against women and children, particularly from Scheduled Caste, Scheduled Tribe and minority communities, during the TMC’s 15-year rule.

The move marked a significant return to prominence for Sen, a 1996-batch IPS officer who rose to prominence during the Park Street rape case in 2012 under the then TMC government led by Mamata Banerjee.

At the time, Sen was serving as Joint Commissioner (Crime) of Kolkata Police and was the first woman officer to hold the post.

The Park Street case had erupted into a major political controversy after a woman alleged she was gang-raped inside a moving car after leaving a nightclub in Kolkata’s Park Street area on February 6, 2012.

As public outrage mounted, Banerjee had described the incident as a “sajano ghatana” (fabricated story) allegedly aimed at maligning her newly-elected government.

The remarks triggered nationwide criticism, protests by women’s rights groups and intense political debate over the handling of the case.

While the political controversy escalated, investigators under Sen proceeded with the probe and tracked down the accused within days.

The investigation established that the assault had taken place, placing the police findings at odds with the political narrative surrounding the case.

Soon after the case was cracked, Sen was transferred from the Crime Branch at Lalbazar to the Police Training College in Barrackpore.

Though officially described as a routine administrative move, the timing triggered political controversy, with opposition parties and critics questioning whether the officer had been sidelined for pursuing an investigation that contradicted the government’s public position.

No official link between the probe and the transfer was ever acknowledged by the state government. However, the episode remained part of Bengal’s political and bureaucratic discourse for years.

Despite her academic credentials and reputation within policing circles, many observers felt Sen remained away from politically sensitive assignments during much of the TMC tenure. Though she later served as Special Commissioner of Kolkata Police, she was rarely placed at the centre of high-profile investigations.

Source : https://www.indiatoday.in/india/west-bengal/story/damayanti-sen-park-street-case-bengal-women-crimes-commission-2913732-2026-05-19

On Mullivaikkal Remembrance Day, Vijay expressed solidarity with Sri Lankan Tamils and remembered victims of the final phase of the 2009 civil war, commemorated by Tamils globally as Tamil Genocide Remembrance Day. Mullivaikkal Remembrance Day also coincides with the day LTTE chief Prabhakaran was killed there.

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister and TVK chief C Joseph Vijay expressed solidarity with Sri Lankan Tamils, invoking Mullivaikkal in Sri Lanka, where Velupillai Prabhakaran, founder of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam and one of the world’s most ruthless guerrilla leaders, was killed by the Sri Lankan army on May 18, 2009.

In a post on X, Vijay said, “We will carry the memories of Mullivaikkal in our hearts! We will always stand in solidarity for the rights of our Tamil kin living across the sea!”

Vijay’s remarks came as May 18 is observed by the global Sri Lankan Tamil population and by sections of Tamils in India as Mullivaikkal Remembrance Day, named after the place.

Also called Tamil Genocide Remembrance Day, the date marks the final stage of the Sri Lankan civil war in 2009 and commemorates the tens of thousands of Tamil civilians who were killed, injured, or went missing in the coastal village of Mullivaikkal during the final stages of the 26-year-long civil war.

The LTTE remains a banned organisation in India for its role in the assassination of former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi in 1991, in which LTTE chief was named the prime accused.

The conflict in Sri Lanka, which began with demands for a separate homeland for Sri Lankan Tamils alleging discrimination, later evolved into a prolonged ethnic conflict that lasted nearly three decades.

Prabhakaran’s struggle often struck a chord in Tamil outreach by political parties in Tamil Nadu, although mainstream Dravidian parties like the AIADMK and the DMK navigated the issue cautiously, especially after the assassination of former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi in 1991.

However, new parties like Vijay’s have invoked Prabhakaran in the past to evoke a “Tamil First” identity. Vijay’s minority government has the outside support of DMK ally Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi, which is known for its pro-LTTE stand.

In the run-up to the Tamil Nadu elections, Vijay stirred a row by likening him to a “mother” figure for Sri Lankan Tamils who showered them with “motherly love.”

Source : https://www.indiatoday.in/india/tamil-nadu/story/c-joseph-vijay-v-prabhakaran-death-anniversary-mullivaikkal-tamil-rights-2913715-2026-05-19

The Supreme Court’s verdict on the stray dog case today will settle key legal questions surrounding the balance between animal welfare and the fundamental right to life and safety of citizens.

The Supreme Court is set to pronounce its verdict on Tuesday in the high-profile stray dog management case that has triggered a nationwide debate over public safety, animal welfare and the implementation of the Animal Birth Control (ABC) Rules.

The judgment, to be delivered by a three-judge Bench comprising Justices Vikram Nath, Sandeep Mehta and NV Anjaria, follows months of hearings involving state governments, municipal bodies, animal rights groups, the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) and the Animal Welfare Board of India (AWBI). The Bench had reserved its verdict on January 29 after hearing extensive submissions from all stakeholders.

The case originated from a court-initiated proceeding launched last year after alarming reports of rising dog bite and rabies cases, particularly involving children. The issue quickly snowballed into a national controversy after an earlier two-judge bench of the Supreme Court directed authorities in Delhi-NCR to round up stray dogs and relocate them to shelters and pounds.

That August 2025 order, passed by Justices JB Pardiwala and R Mahadevan, had instructed civic bodies to remove stray dogs from public spaces and ensure they were not released back onto the streets after sterilisation and vaccination. The court had also warned that any obstruction to the exercise by individuals or organisations would invite contempt proceedings.

The directive sparked widespread protests from animal welfare activists, NGOs and public figures, who argued that the order violated Rule 11(19) of the ABC Rules, 2023, which mandates that sterilised and immunised dogs be released back into the same locality from where they were picked up. Critics also contended that civic authorities lacked the infrastructure, manpower and shelters required to impound lakhs of stray dogs.

Responding to the backlash, the three-judge Bench later modified the earlier order and restored the ABC framework. In its revised directions issued in August 2025, the court allowed sterilised, vaccinated and dewormed dogs to be released back into their original territories, except those infected with rabies or displaying aggressive behaviour. Such dogs, the court said, must be housed separately in shelters or pounds and should not be returned to public spaces.

The Bench, however, simultaneously emphasised that public safety remained paramount. In November 2025, the Supreme Court directed states and the NHAI to remove stray dogs from institutional areas such as schools, colleges, hospitals, railway stations, bus depots and sports complexes. It also ordered authorities to fence educational and healthcare institutions and ensure that dogs picked up from such areas are not released back into the same premises.

During hearings earlier this year, the court expressed sharp dissatisfaction with several states over their failure to expand sterilisation capacity and create adequate animal birth control centres. At one stage, the Bench remarked that governments were “building castles in the air” instead of implementing concrete measures to curb the stray dog population and rabies threat.

The court also took note of alarming national figures related to dog bites. During proceedings, it was informed that India recorded nearly 37 lakh dog bite incidents in 2024, while some states continued to have inadequate sterilisation infrastructure despite mounting public health concerns.

Source : https://www.indiatoday.in/india/law-news/story/supreme-court-stray-dogs-case-verdict-today-abc-rules-public-safety-fundamental-rights-2913716-2026-05-19

The BJP government of West Bengal led by CM Suvendu Adhikari has launched anti-encroachment drives in and around Kolkata. Bulldozers have rolled into localities of Kolkata, including Sealdah and Howrah railway stations. Bengal minister Dilip Ghosh said that the drives in Kolkata were just the beginning, and more bulldozer action across the state would follow.

Days after coming to power, the BJP-led government of West Bengal has intensified its efforts against illegal encroachment of public places. Earthmovers have hit the streets in the state, targeting illegal structures, unauthorised hawkers and street vendors across Kolkata and the metropolitan region surrounding it.

On Monday, authorities in Howrah (across the Hooghly from Kolkata) began demolishing an allegedly illegal G+5 building in Ward No 44 of the Howrah Municipal Corporation area after finding that permission had reportedly been granted only for G+1 construction.

This follows a major anti-encroachment drive that took place in Howrah and Sealdah railway stations late on Saturday and ended early on Sunday.

Amid the Suvendu Adhikari-led BJP government’s anti-encroachment push, Bengal minister Dilip Ghosh said that it was only the beginning of a wider crackdown on illegal construction and encroachment across the state. He promised to run bulldozers across West Bengal.

Urging people to follow the law or face action, Ghosh, the Kharagpur Sadar MLA said, “The new government has initiated this process from day one. We will not tolerate any form of encroachment on government land”.

KOLKATA BECOMES GROUND ZERO FOR BJP GOVT’S ANTI-ENCROACHMENT DRIVE

Encroachment has long been one of Kolkata’s most political and urban management challenges. From roadside markets and makeshift stalls to illegal extensions jutting onto pavements and roads, large parts of the city operate in a blur between formal and informal space. Alongside this, illegal construction, including unauthorised extra floors, shop extensions and buildings allegedly raised without approval have emerged as a growing civic concern. The BJP alleged that the Trinamool Congress, during its 15-year-rule in the state, had patronised them.

The scale of the issue is especially visible around Howrah Station and Sealdah stations, two of India’s biggest and busiest transport hubs.

The areas surrounding both stations are lined with street vendors selling everything from tea and cigarettes to vegetables and clothes to cooked food for travellers. Many of these stalls have been operating there for years, even decades. The encroachments often choke key footpaths, forcing pedestrians onto already congested roads and contributing to traffic snarls outside the critical transit hubs.

Similar scenes play out across Kolkata in areas like Park Circus, Gariahat, Esplanade, Burrabazar and Topsia, where unauthorised commercial activity and illegal structures have steadily expanded into public spaces over decades.

Spend a few minutes parked in Kolkata’s New Market and your vehicle might quickly become part of the marketplace itself, with hawkers temporarily stacking goods on and around it to display their wares, only to clear the space once it is time for you to leave.

For years, urban planners have warned that unchecked encroachments and illegal construction worsen traffic congestion, strain ageing infrastructure and create serious safety risks. It is this vast informal network of hawkers, illegal extensions and unauthorised structures that the new BJP administration now says it intends to dismantle with bulldozers and eviction drives across Kolkata and the rest of West Bengal.

BENGAL CM SUVENDU ADHIKARI ORDERED DEMOLITION DRIVE IN TOPSIA-TILJALA AFTER BLAZE

Days after taking over the reins of the state government in West Bengal, the Suvendu-led administration on May 12 conducted a demolition drive in Kolkata’s Topsia-Tiljala belt, which is a major leather goods manufacturing hub in Kolkata.

The Kolkata Municipal Corporation (KMC) had previously designated the area as a red zone for demolition alongside Garden Reach, Metiaburz, Rajabazar, Burabazar and EM Bypass. A Red Zone denotes that a specific area has a lot of illegal construction, and they are marked for demolition.

A KMC official told The Times of India that over 1,000 structures had been earmarked for demolition in Topsia-Tiljala and that at least 70% of all structures built in the last decade were illegal.

The demolition drive, where earthmovers and bulldozers moved into the area under police and CRPF protection, came a day after a fire in an illegal leather factory in a multi-story building had killed two people in Tiljala.

West Bengal CM Suvendu Adhikari ordered the KMC to raze the building while announcing a “zero-tolerance policy” against any and all illegal constructions in Kolkata.

But even as earthmovers and bulldozers moved into the area under security cover, Justice Raja Basu Chowdhury of the Kolkata High Court on Friday issued an interim stay on further demolitions in the area until June 22. Several residents of the area had petitioned the court alleging they were evicted without due notice or process.

State minister Agnimitra Paul defended the action against illegally constructed units in Topsia, stating that “If there is an illegal construction, we will send you a notice. But we will not allow you to operate if you do not have any documents to prove the legality of the structure”.

This stay, however, did little to calm tempers. On Sunday, a large crowd turned up at the Seven-Point Crossing in Park Circus to protest, among other things, the demolitions. This gathering would escalate into an all-out clash as the protestors resorted to stone pelting. At least 10 police and central forces personnel were injured and forces had to resort to lathi charge.

MASS ENCROACHMENT DRIVE IN HOWRAH AND SEALDAH STATIONS

The Topsia-Tiljala episode was only the start.

A much larger eviction drive took place at the Howrah and Sealdah stations late on Saturday that affected at least 500 hawkers. These are among the busiest train stations in the country, handling lakhs of suburban and long-distance passengers every day.

“Not only Howrah station, but every single station in Bengal has been turned into a marketplace. It is overflowing with filth. There is absolutely no space for women, children, or adults to sit. The [Indian] Railways will reclaim its own property and utilise it to provide services to the public. To achieve this, whether it be the Railways or the Bengal Police, everyone will extend their full support,” news agency ANI reported minister Dilip Ghosh as saying on Monday.

In Howrah, a joint operation was carried out by the Railway Protection Force (RPF), Government Railway Police (GRP), railway authorities and Howrah City Police on Saturday. Bulldozers and earthmovers worked past midnight to demolish rows of makeshift shops and illegal structures along the stretch from the Ganga ghat to the Howrah station premises, reported the news agency, PTI.

Officials and local sources told PTI that the operation removed around 150 stalls and roadside shops and close to 200 hawkers from the Howrah station area. The affected establishments included vendors selling food items, fruits, toys and daily essentials.

Some vendors attempted to resist the eviction in Howrah, reported PTI. This led to heated exchanges and small physical clashes between police personnel and hawkers. Attempts to halt the drive failed in the face of heavy police deployment.

Meanwhile, in Sealdah station, hawkers and stalls were cleared from platforms 1 to 21 of the railway station to ensure smoother passenger movement inside the terminal, officials told PTI. An estimated 250 hawkers and stalls were removed from the station premises as part of the drive in Sealdah.

The Eastern Railways last week attempted to evict slum dwellers residing around the Brace Bridge railway station in southern Kolkata. The exercise was halted by the Kolkata High Court last week after it observed that several legal questions concerning the eviction process needed further questioning.

And on Monday, a new demolition drive was launched in Howrah’s Ward number 44 targeting an illegally built multistory building in the area. According to reports, authorities used earthmovers to demolish parts of a five-story building under heavy police protection. Permission had been granted only for a G+1 structure, but a G+5 building was constructed in violation of the approved plan.

Source : https://www.indiatoday.in/india/west-bengal/story/west-bengal-news-bulldozer-action-in-kolkata-topsia-demolition-howrah-sealdah-hawkers-evicted-enroachment-crackdown-2913484-2026-05-19

The Union Home Ministry has amended the Citizenship Rules, 2009, introducing a paragraph under which the applicant should not be in possession of a valid and/or expired passport issued by the governments of Pakistan, Afghanistan or Bangladesh.

Applicants from Pakistan, Afghanistan and Bangladesh seeking Indian citizenship under the Citizenship Rules, 2009, will now have to give a declaration about the status of their passport from their native country, according to a notification issued by the Home Ministry on Monday.

The ministry has amended the Citizenship Rules, 2009, introducing a paragraph under which the applicant should not be in possession of a valid and/or expired passport issued by the governments of Pakistan, Afghanistan or Bangladesh.

In case the applicant is carrying an active passport, the person will have to submit the passport number and other details such as date and place of issuance and date of expiry, the gazette notification said.

They will also have to give a declaration to surrender their valid and/or expired passport to the Senior Superintendent of Post or Superintendent of Post concerned within 15 days of approval of the citizenship application, it said.

Source : https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/india-tightens-citizenship-rules-for-applicants-from-pakistan-bangladesh-afghanistan-2913687-2026-05-18

Rajnath Singh is in Vietnam for talks centred on a possible BrahMos missile sale. The visit highlights a wider push to deepen India-Vietnam defence coordination.

In his key official visit to Vietnam, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, the discussions surrounding the possible sale of the BrahMos supersonic cruise missile system was once again the main focus. During the two-day visit from May 18 to 19, Singh is scheduled to hold bilateral talks with Vietnam’s Minister of National Defence, General Phan Van Giang. The visit marks 10 years of the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership between India and Vietnam, which was recently upgraded to an Enhanced Comprehensive Strategic Partnership during the Vietnamese President’s state visit to India earlier this month.

The potential BrahMos missile deal is being viewed as one of the most significant defence agreements currently under discussion between the two countries. Sources indicate that negotiations are in the final stages, with the proposed deal estimated to be worth nearly Rs 60 billion.

If finalised, Vietnam would become one of the key international operators of the Indo-Russian BrahMos missile system after the Philippines, which signed a Rs 36.11 billion agreement for the missile system in 2022.

The proposed acquisition is expected to significantly strengthen Vietnam’s maritime defence capabilities amid rising strategic tensions in the Indo-Pacific region. Several countries in Central Asia, South America and the Middle East have also reportedly shown interest in acquiring the missile system.

India and Vietnam had earlier signed a Joint Vision Statement on India-Vietnam Defence Partnership towards 2030 during Rajnath Singh’s previous visit to Vietnam in June 2022, outlining a roadmap for deeper defence cooperation.

Apart from official meetings, Singh is also expected to pay tribute to former Vietnamese President Ho Chi Minh on the occasion of his 136th birth anniversary by laying a wreath at the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum.

Following his Vietnam visit, the Defence Minister will travel to South Korea from May 19 to 21 for discussions with South Korean Defence Minister Ahn Gyu-back and Defence Acquisition Program Administration Minister Lee Yong-cheol.

Source : https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/brahmos-missile-deal-rajnath-singh-vietnam-visit-final-stage-talks-2913675-2026-05-18

PM Narendra Modi and Jonas Gahr Store held talks in Oslo and elevated ties to a Green Strategic Partnership. The visit also put the India-EFTA trade pact, institutional reforms and coordinated backing for peace in focus.

India and Norway on Monday agreed to elevate their bilateral relationship into a Green Strategic Partnership, marking a major expansion of cooperation across climate technology, renewable energy, maritime economy, digital systems and innovation, alongside a renewed push for trade and investment under the India-EFTA agreement.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre made the announcement in Oslo after wide-ranging talks that also reaffirmed a shared commitment to a rules-based global order and called for reform of international institutions.

GREEN STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIP AT CORE OF NEW TIES

The centrepiece of the discussions was the decision to upgrade ties to a Green Strategic Partnership, aimed at building long-term cooperation in clean energy, green technology, maritime services, healthcare systems, digital infrastructure and research.

“We are elevating our relationship to a Green Strategic Partnership, which provides a foundation to work together on knowledge, resources, and ambitions for the green transition,” said Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre.

Prime Minister Modi said both countries are committed to expanding cooperation in sectors that support sustainable growth and innovation-driven development.

TRADE PACT AND INVESTMENT PUSH UNDER TEPA

The leaders also reviewed progress under the India-European Free Trade Association Trade and Economic Partnership Agreement, which both sides described as a cornerstone for future economic engagement.

PM Modi said the agreement carries a target of USD 100 billion in investment into India and creation of one million jobs over 15 years.

Trade between India and Norway has doubled over the past decade, and both sides have now set an ambition to further accelerate economic ties by 2030.

Støre called the agreement “one of the most important trade agreements we have ever signed”, adding that it opens “major opportunities for investment, innovation and job creation”.

COMMON POSITION ON GLOBAL CONFLICTS

Both leaders expressed concern over ongoing global instability, particularly conflicts in Ukraine and West Asia, and reiterated that military force cannot resolve international disputes.

“We agree that no solution can be found on any issue through military conflict,” PM Modi said.

“We support every step towards peace in Ukraine as well as in West Asia,” he added.

The two sides also stressed the need for reform of global institutions to reflect contemporary challenges.

BROADER COOPERATION ACROSS KEY SECTORS

The talks covered cooperation in blue economy, Arctic research, space, AI, robotics, cybersecurity, fisheries, shipbuilding, tunnelling and infrastructure development.

Both countries also agreed to strengthen collaboration in carbon capture, utilisation and storage, offshore wind energy and renewable technologies.

Norway was also invited to participate in future innovation initiatives, including start-up-focused platforms and green technology exchanges.

TRADE, TECHNOLOGY AND GREEN GROWTH AGENDA

Amit Shah said in Bastar that India is now free of Naxalism after decades of insurgency. He linked the claim to security forces’ sacrifices and outlined rehabilitation and development plans.

Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Monday declared that India has become free from Naxalism, saying the decades-long insurgency had finally been defeated after immense sacrifices by security forces.

“I can say with my chest puffed out that India is now free of Naxals,” Shah said while addressing an event in Jagdalpur, once considered the epicentre of Maoist activity in Chhattisgarh’s Bastar region.

Shah, who is on a three-day visit to Chhattisgarh, said both the Centre and the state government were committed to ensuring permanent peace and rapid development in Bastar, adding that the tribal belt would emerge as the country’s most developed tribal region within the next five years.

Addressing people at the Bastar Academy of Dance, Art and Literature (BADAL) campus, the Home Minister described the occasion as a “historic day” and credited the achievement to the sacrifices made by security personnel over the years during anti-Naxal operations.

“This was a dream that has been achieved after numerous security personnel sacrificed their lives in operations,” Shah

Furthermore, the senior BJP leader said Left Wing Extremism, which began spreading in the 1970s, had “consumed three generations” through violence and denied people access to basic facilities and development.

“In 2014, when the Modi government took charge, there were challenges (related to internal security) in Jammu and Kashmir, the Northeastern states and Left Wing Extremism. Today, I can say that by and large, the country has overcome all three challenges,” he said.

During the programme, Shah also interacted with families of civilians killed in Naxal violence, security personnel honoured for bravery in anti-Maoist operations, and tribal community leaders who shared their experiences from the insurgency-hit years.

The Home Minister also paid homage at Amar Vatika memorial to more than 1,000 security personnel who lost their lives fighting Maoists. “The sacrifices of our jawans in bringing peace, security and development to Bastar will never be forgotten,” he said.

Urging society to support the rehabilitation of former rebels, Shah appealed to community leaders across Bastar’s seven districts to accept surrendered Naxals into mainstream society by setting aside past bitterness.

“About 3,000 Naxals have surrendered in the state. We have made a comprehensive plan to get them a respectable place in society. The Narendra Modi government will leave no stone unturned in this context,” he said.

Source : https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/amit-shah-india-free-of-naxalism-bastar-chhattisgarh-insurgency-bjp-government-2913650-2026-05-18