Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi addressing the media in Delhi.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said on Friday that Tehran had “received messages” from the United States to continue talks.Click here for live updates on US-Iran warAraghchi made the remarks at a press conference in New Delhi, where he is attending the BRICS foreign ministers’ meeting.“What was said about the United States rejecting Iran’s proposal or Iran rejecting the US proposal is related to a few days ago, when Mr. Trump tweeted that this is unacceptable,” Aragchi told reporters, referring to Tehran’s reaction to a US proposal.“But after that, we got messages again from the Americans that they are willing to continue dialogue and maintain engagement,” the Islamic Republic’s top diplomat said.Rejecting Iran’s response, Trump called it a “piece of garbage” and said ceasefireAs of April 8, he was “extensively on life support” and “incredibly weak.”“I would call it the weakest right now, after reading that piece of garbage they sent us. I haven’t even finished reading it,” Trump told reporters earlier this week.Also read: Trump says US-Iran ceasefire on ‘life support’; Tehran’s latest proposal called a ‘piece of garbage’Meanwhile, Araghchi commented that Iran “has no confidence in the Americans”, accusing Washington of turning to diplomacy only after failing to achieve its objectives through military pressure.He said, “Now, after 40 days of war, when America despaired of achieving any goals in its aggression against Iran, he offered talks.” “We have no confidence in the Americans. This is the main obstacle in the way of any diplomatic effort. We have every reason not to trust the Americans, while they have no reason not to trust us.”Describing the ceasefire as “very unstable”, Araghchi said Tehran was nevertheless trying to preserve it to make room for diplomacy.“We are now in a ceasefire situation, although it is very unstable. But we are trying to maintain it to give diplomacy a chance,” he stressed. He said, “There is no military solution to anything related to Iran. They have tested us time and again. We never bow to any pressure or threats. We also oppose any sanctions. The Iranian people respond only with the language of respect.”The Middle East war began on February 28 with joint US-Israeli attacks on Iran. The two sides later met in Islamabad, Pakistan on 11–12 April for high-level talks, but failed to achieve any breakthrough.

NEET UG exam (Images/PTI)

New Delhi: The Indian Medical Association (IMA) on Friday wrote to Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan condemning the alleged paper leak in NEET-UG 2026 and demanding immediate action against it. National Testing Agency (NTA) and people involved in malpractices.The organization urged the government to decentralize the conduct of the NEET-UG examination by handing over more responsibility to the states and union territories, and also to restore transparency and public confidence in the examination system.In its letter, the IMA expressed ‘deep concern and deep disappointment’ over the developments surrounding the medical entrance examination, saying that repeated controversies and alleged irregularities have caused ‘extreme mental trauma, stress, hardship and uncertainty’ to lakhs of candidates and their families.Highlighting the scale of the exam, IMA said that more than 22.5 lakh students appeared for NEET-UG 2026 in over 551 cities and 5,500 centers across the country. It warned that conducting examinations on such a large scale in a single phase using physical question papers has become ‘an extremely challenging task’, raising the possibility of future leaks unless structural reforms are made.The doctors’ body demanded that NEET-UG be conducted in completely online mode in all states and union territories to reduce the possibility of question paper leaks and exam-related malpractices.It also called for a ‘credible and timely’ CBI investigation into the alleged leak, arrest of all culprits involved, setting up of special fast-track courts for daily trials and strict punishment under laws dealing with examination irregularities.Among other recommendations, the IMA called for a comprehensive and impartial investigation to identify all individuals and institutions associated with the alleged leaks along with enhanced technological security measures to prevent recurrence of such incidents.The association urged the authorities to provide timely clarity on the re-examination schedule to reduce anxiety among students and set up counseling and support system for affected candidates and parents.“The medical profession is built on ethics, trust and credibility. Therefore, these same principles must be upheld in the process of selecting future doctors,” the letter said.IMA also said that repeated controversies surrounding national level entrance examinations have shaken the confidence of students who spend years preparing for medical entrance exams.The association said, “India’s students are the builders of a developed India. They deserve the assurance that their future will be determined entirely by merit, hard work and honesty.”The letter comes days after NTA announced that the re-exam of NEET-UG 2026 will be held on June 21 after canceling the May 3 exam over allegations of massive irregularities and question paper leaks.

Top leaders like Bill Gates and Warren Buffett learned an important lesson by working behind the Dairy Queen counter. This practical experience revealed operational realities often ignored by senior management, highlighting how distance from the ground floor can compromise decision making.

One of the basic principles of career advancement in any field is that the higher one rises in the management hierarchy, the more removed he becomes from the ground reality. No longer does one have to deal with customer complaints, poor quality software or operational inefficiencies. Rather, one begins to view one’s organization through the prism of neatly structured tables, presentation slides, and executive briefs. Although such distance may seem like an understandable privilege earned by one’s accomplishments, it creates an occupational shortsightedness that is potentially dangerous. When a person ceases to understand the nature of the work done on the front lines, his or her ability to make informed decisions becomes compromised.But when the two richest men in the world, Bill Gates And warren buffettSpotted entering a Dairy Queen branch in Omaha as part of Berkshire Hathaway shareholder weekend, one couldn’t help but think this was nothing but corporate promotion at its finest. Two men wearing red aprons took up positions behind the counter for the feel of a quick-service job. A case was recorded in them Gates Notes Blog and on youtube Saw them learning how to use a cash register, take orders, and even flip blizzard dishes without damaging them.While the scenes were certainly funny, the behavior showed a lesson in the closeness of operations. Instead of acting as formal visitors giving speeches, they were acting as new apprentices learning how to handle the flow of customers. By allowing himself to be trained in the techniques and led through the experience of restaurant staff, he learned an important leadership lesson: leave the comfort zone behind and look at reality firsthand.Why summary data can be misleading even for the best leaders?This is precisely why this particular exercise was so important, because as data scales up within an organization, details become increasingly obscure. In one case, a regional manager may say that the operation is running smoothly; In another, a technology director may claim that the update has been completed efficiently. But those statements fail to capture all the little inconveniences, awkward processes, and problems that employees face every day.This corporate disengagement is a well-documented phenomenon. In a comprehensive executive study published in Harvard Business Review titled Why do leaders lose their way?The researchers analyzed how disengagement begins as managers become more senior. The study highlights that organizational filters often surround those in power. Subordinates tell them what they want to hear, and metrics are often collected to highlight successes while removing daily operational friction.By stepping behind the fast-food counter, Gates and Buffett were able to completely bypass the entire system of organizational filters. They found themselves in a situation where people with lower formal status knew exactly what was going on. Approaching such a situation without trying to display superiority is a way to reframe your perspective so that your company’s optimistic ideals don’t blind you to reality.

Senior leaders often lose touch with daily operations. This disconnection can lead to difficulty in taking decisions. Maintaining proximity to front-line work helps leaders understand the real challenges.

Bringing Surface back to your calendarYou don’t need to own a fast-food chain or organize some grand event to develop this special habit in your professional life. The practical application of front-line proximity is incredibly simple and does not require any tricks. All it takes is a determined effort to spend time observing a task or job that you wouldn’t normally do yourself.By seeing firsthand the finer details of everyday work, leaders can avoid the blind spots that come with seniority. Managers who maintain an active, direct understanding of customer-facing or back-end operations consistently make faster, more accurate strategic adjustments. They catch emerging problems months before those issues ultimately show up as negative trends on corporate spreadsheets.To turn this into a routine, set aside time once every quarter to completely step out of your normal workspace. You can sit in a customer service queue, get turned over to a new employee, or take the exact digital or physical steps a customer took to purchase your product. The secret to making this exercise successful is to ask the same question afterward: What slows down our people in a way that has become completely invisible to the upper office? Once you identify that point of friction, choose a small piece of it and fix it immediately. The swift action proved that this exercise was not just an empty exercise of corporate sympathy, but a genuine effort to improve the workflow.In short, the main learning within the Dairy Queen experience is that success breeds exactly the same distance that will one day destroy it. Humility cannot be achieved in a professional environment by making grand claims about corporate culture from an office far removed from actual business realities. It should keep you based on your instincts, connected to reality, and too close to manipulate your understanding of it.

Bhojshala complex is a temple of Vagdevi, Hindus have the right to worship: Madhya Pradesh High Court

Bhopal: Madhya Pradesh High Court on Friday recognized the disputed Bhojshala complex as a temple of Goddess Vagdevi (Saraswati).The Indore bench of the high court said, “We have noted the continuity of Hindu worship at the site through regulated worship over time, which has never ceased.”It further said, “We have recorded a finding that historical literature and records establish that the character of the disputed area was Bhojshala as a center of Sanskrit learning associated with King Bhoj of the Paramara dynasty and literary and architectural references associated with the period of King Bhoj indicate the existence of a temple dedicated to Goddess Saraswati at the site.”The court also said that the Indian government may consider bringing back the idol of Goddess Vagdevi from the British Museum in London.It further said that Maulana Kamaluddin Welfare Society or any other new waqf body can request alternative land in Dhar for setting up the mosque.The court said the overall administration of the property will remain with the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI), which will also ensure its maintenance.Reacting to the verdict, lawyer Vishnu Shankar Jain said, “The Indore High Court has delivered a landmark judgment partially setting aside the ASI order dated April 7, 2003. Further, the court has granted the Hindu side the right to perform puja and has recognized the Bhojshala complex as belonging to Raja Bhoj. With regard to our demand for the return of the statue currently housed in the London Museum, the court has directed the government to consider this request; the court also said that the Muslim side The government is also free to present its views.“

Additionally, the court has asked the government to consider allotting alternative land to the Muslim side. The court has given us the right to perform puja rituals and directed the government to oversee the management of the site. The previous order of ASI, which had given the right to offer Namaz, has been completely overruled; From now on, only Hindu worship will take place there.”

security tightened

Police have tightened security in Dhar district.The legal conflict involves the determination of the religious character of the monument in Dhar district.Dhar District Collector Rajeev Ranjan Meena has appealed to the people to maintain peace in the district and avoid spreading misleading information or rumours.In a video released by the Public Relations Office, he said, “The court’s verdict regarding the ancient structure protected by the ASI in Dhar district is expected. We appeal to all citizens to maintain peace in the district and not pay attention to misinformation or rumours. The district administration is keeping a watch on such misinformation and rumors and strict action will be taken against any untoward information received in this regard.”Later speaking to ANI, he said that additional police forces have been deployed to maintain peace in the areas.“Executive magistrate and police force have been deployed and we are keeping an eye on all important aspects,” he said.Hindus argue that the Bhojshala complex, located in the Dhar district of Madhya Pradesh, is a temple dedicated to the goddess Vagdevi (Saraswati), while Muslims believe it is the site of the Kamal Maula Mosque.On May 12, the Indore bench of Madhya Pradesh High Court reserved its decision after the final arguments. A division bench of Justices Vijay Kumar Shukla and Alok Awasthi was hearing the case regularly since April 6 and heard all concerned parties, including the petitioners, respondents, interveners and the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI).“The case is being heard regularly from April 6, 2026 and the case has been heard for approximately 25 days. During this period, the court heard all the parties, including the petitioner, respondent, intervener and the ASI, for approximately 60 hours. Bhoj Utsav Committee’s lawyer Shrish Dubey said, after hearing all the parties, the proceedings in the case ended today.He also said that the counsel representing ASI responded to all the deficiencies pointed out in the ASI survey and the questions raised thereon.“The final arguments in the case have now concluded, and the next hearing will be for verdict. Dubey said, “I am confident that the decision will come after the court holidays.”On the other hand, ASI’s counsel Aviral Khare said that during the final arguments, he responded to all the objections raised regarding the ASI survey report.“We informed the court that the survey conducted at the Bhojshala premises was conducted as per the directions of the court and with complete impartiality and transparency. Khare said, the ASI survey report runs into over 2,000 pages and contains a detailed description of every aspect, including the methods used, court directions, how and where the survey was conducted, what findings were made at various locations and the conclusions reached by the ASI after analytical studies and investigation.He said the final arguments of all the parties were completed on Tuesday and the court has reserved the matter for its decision. There will be no further debate in the matter; Only the verdict is left, which the court will pronounce at the appropriate time.According to an arrangement in 2003, Hindus offer prayers in the complex from sunrise to sunset on Tuesdays, while Muslims offer namaz on Fridays from 1 pm to 3 pm.

A significant $55 million donation revitalized the Mid-Manhattan Library, transforming it into the Stavros Niarchos Foundation Library. Image Credit: Wikimedia Commons

It is natural to conclude that in the emerging world of information technology, the traditional library as the central hub of urban life has become less relevant than ever. These libraries are romanticized in our minds as quiet halls of dusty books and studious scholars. However, in the context of urban life, the public library is one of the key elements without which day-to-day activities as well as professional development and networking would be significantly hampered. The issue with contemporary public libraries lies not in the lack of interest from the public at large, but in the physical structure that was designed many years ago.When the New York Public Library announced a massive contribution of fifty-five million dollars from the Stavros Niarchos Foundation, it seemed like another standard entry in the ledger of high-profile cultural philanthropy. The target of this funding was the Mid-Manhattan Library, a branch located just across the street from the main research building’s famous stone lions. For decades, this specialized branch served as the true workhorse of the city’s library system. It was a place where ordinary residents actually went to look for books, look for work, or find a quiet desk.As mentioned in official press release Topic A historic gift of $55 million by the Stavros Niarchos FoundationThe building continued to struggle due to its success. Before the renovations were made, the branch was visited by one million and seven million people each year and the library distributed two million items. Simply put, the library infrastructure suffered wear and tear due to the high amount of human activity occurring in the building. Thus, in this example, the donation was less about creating a need than about meeting an already substantial demand.

This renovation shifted the focus from book storage to community needs, creating dynamic spaces for learning, interaction and professional development. The redesigned Library now serves as a vital, free democratic center for ordinary New Yorkers. Image Credit: Wikimedia Commons

Why do modern civic spaces need a complete structural overhaul?With funding provided by donors, the library system was able to redesign its entire space and build an entirely new building focused on fostering media, education, and interaction between people. During the renovation, the branch was transformed into the Stavros Niarchos Foundation Library, fundamentally changing the way the modern library interacts with people. The building no longer prioritized shelves over the needs of human visitors – the renovated architecture includes wide open spaces, designated teaching areas, technical laboratories and an outdoor terrace for visitors to freely use.The immediate return on this structural change became apparent very quickly. according to One Year Impact Report Topic The New York Public Library’s completely transformed Central Circulating Library celebrates one yearThe reimagined building recorded hundreds of thousands of visits and massive circulation numbers within its first twelve months of operation. The facility hosted thousands of free public events, adult learning courses, and computer sessions, proving that the place had evolved into a highly functional public engine rather than a static architectural monument.This was reflected in creating separate floors for different demographics, including the creation of a special facility for youth and a large library for those looking for jobs. The new design demonstrated the potential of a contemporary form of giving, which can make a big difference in terms of unlocking resources and creating a large indoor area in which anyone can live, work, or learn absolutely free of charge.Democratic potential of free public spaceThe real meaning of this transformation goes beyond any reward or acknowledgement. In an expensive city centre, it is quite difficult to find a vacant area nowadays. All public spaces in urban contexts function according to the principle of consumption; To get the chance to sit and work with a laptop, you have to buy coffee or pay for access. This new library is a departure from the norm because it bills itself as a truly democratic facility.By installing this massive structural update to a permanent circulating branch, the project ensured that the daily lives of ordinary New Yorkers were enhanced. The change provided a streamlined, modern space where a student studying for an exam sits right next to an immigrant practicing English or an entrepreneur starting a business.The takeaway from all this spending is that the best way to give is one that reaches exactly where people are already meeting. This shows that if you provide a community with a place where their education and civic needs are respected, they will fill that place to the rafters. The real value of a library lies not in the large sums of money visible on the donation slip, but in the hundreds of thousands of individual eureka moments that occur every day within its walls.

New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived in the United Arab Emirates on Friday on the first leg of his five-nation tour and received a ceremonial escort from UAE F-16 fighter jets as his plane entered Emirati airspace.Upon arrival in Abu Dhabi, Modi was given a guard of honor before beginning the high-level event with UAE President Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan.The two leaders are expected to discuss bilateral cooperation in areas including energy, trade, investment and regional development. According to the Ministry of External Affairs, issues of mutual international interest will also be included in the discussion.Modi’s UAE visit is part of a broader five-nation tour from May 15 to May 20, which will include the UAE, Netherlands, Sweden, Norway and Italy. The visit aims to strengthen India’s partnership in trade, technology, clean energy, innovation and green development.Ahead of the visit, the Federation of Indian Export Organizations described the visit as coming at a “crucial juncture” for India’s strategic and economic relations with Europe and the Gulf region.FIEO President SC Ralhan said, “The Prime Minister’s high-level engagement with the leadership of the UAE and key European countries underlines India’s growing stature as a reliable economic partner and key driver of global growth. The visit is expected to create ample opportunities for Indian exporters in various sectors including engineering, clean energy, technology, pharmaceuticals, food processing, textiles, logistics and digital trade.”“The exporters’ body also said that the UAE remains one of India’s most important trade and investment partners and continues to act as a gateway for Indian exports to West Asia and Africa.Ahead of Modi’s arrival, UAE Minister of State for International Cooperation Reem Al Hashimi described the prime minister as a “true treasure” for the leadership and people of the emirate.Speaking to ANI, Al Hashimi said India-UAE relations are set to touch “new heights” in trade and technology and said Modi’s visit will continue the momentum created by recent high-level exchanges between the two countries.After concluding the UAE leg of the visit, Modi will visit the Netherlands from May 15 to 17, where he is scheduled to meet Dutch Prime Minister Rob Jetton and hold talks with King Willem-Alexander and Queen Maxima. There are expected to be discussions on semiconductors, green hydrogen, innovation, defense and water management.

Chennai Super Kings and Royal Challengers Bangalore have officially secured mid-season player replacements for the remainder of the IPL 2026 season. These changes come after frontline bowlers Khaleel Ahmed and Nuwan Thushara were ruled out due to completely contrasting and dramatic circumstances.

To strengthen their bowling attack ahead of the crucial business end of the tournament, Chennai Super Kings have signed domestic medium pacer Kuldeep Yadav for a fee of Rs 30 lakh. Meanwhile, Royal Challengers Bangalore have decided to strengthen their squad by signing experienced English fast bowler Richard Gleeson for an impressive sum of Rs 1.6 crore.

Who is Kuldeep Yadav, Richard Gleeson?

Kuldeep Yadav is a domestic medium fast bowler Who made his mark in the cash-rich league for the first time IPL Debut for Rajasthan Royals in 2021. Although he has limited experience in the high pressure of the tournament, having played only three games for the Rajasthan franchise, Chennai Super Kings will be looking to utilize his skills as a key team option.

On the other endD, Richard Gleeson brings a wealth of international and franchise experience to the Bengaluru camp. The English speedster has represented his country in six T20 Internationals and has taken nine wickets during this period. Importantly, Gleeson is no stranger to the intense atmosphere of the Indian Premier League. He has prior experience of representing both Chennai Super Kings and Mumbai Indians during the 2024 and 2025 editions of the league, playing two games for Chennai and one for Mumbai.

Khalil, what happened to Thushara?

The need for Chennai Super Kings to delve into the replacement market arose after their key left-arm fast bowler Khaleel Ahmed was sidelined. Khaleel officially ruled out of the remainder of IPL 2026 After suffering a serious injury during the team’s high-octane clash against Kolkata Knight Riders at Chepauk on April 14.

The injury occurred during a crucial stage of the match and immediately set off alarm bells within the Chennai dugout. It has since been revealed that Khalil has suffered a serious quadriceps injury that will require an extensive period of rehabilitation, dealing a major blow to a franchise that had relied heavily on him for early successes.

In Bengaluru camp, departure of Sri Lankan fast bowler Nuwan Thushara arrives With a completely different kind of drama. Thushara has officially withdrawn his legal case against Sri Lanka Cricket, bringing an abrupt end to a high-profile controversy regarding his participation in IPL 2026.

The fast bowler had earlier dragged the national board to the Colombo District Court after SLC refused to grant him the required no objection certificate to play in a foreign league. The board had barred his travel after he failed to meet the newly introduced fitness standards, especially the mandatory 2-km race test.

Thushara initially argued that the decision was unfair to his career, especially as his Rs 1.60 crore contract with Royal Challengers Bangalore was affected. However, with much of the IPL season already over, his legal team advised the court that there would be no practical benefit in continuing the fight.

The court later rejected the petition, following which Thushara issued an apology.

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A Nintendo logo (file image)

Here’s a sentence that makes no sense and yet might actually be true: Nintendo is planning to launch the Switch 1 in India. Switch No 2. Original. Console which came out in 2017. One that has been available grey, modded and second-hand in the market for more than a decade.According to sources who spoke to the DeZero Podcast under anonymity, a February or March 2027 window is being targeted, with Reddington handling distribution on the ground. The price being quoted is around Rs 20,000. First-party titles are also part of the plan—Breath of the Wild and Mario Kart are early speculations. Pricing on software? No one knows yet.

House of Mario is run by a very small team from India

The people making these decisions are not full-fledged regional offices. DeZero’s sources describe Nintendo’s India operation as consisting of three or four Japanese executives and one Indian who moved to Tokyo and is working with them. It’s a small team for a big market, and what they’ve landed on is the official launch of a console that people are already starting to feel nostalgic about.To understand why the timing seems bad, consider this: According to Nintendo’s own financial results, the Switch 2 sold nearly 20 million units globally in its first fiscal year. This is not yet part of India’s conversation. Not officially anyway. Rishi Alwani, who closely covers the gaming industry through his 0451 newsletter, has accurately discovered that the gray market stock of the Switch 2 is already running at Rs 58,000 to Rs 65,000 in India.If Nintendo Shows Up, Here’s the Fine PrintSwitch consoles are already floating around in unofficial channels. The original Switch is so old that it can hardly be resold anymore – a used Switch sells for Rs 20,000-25,000 in good times. The price of the light is around Rs 20,000. The price of OLED is Rs 35,000. So Nintendo’s official India entry gives you a brand new base Switch 1 that costs almost the same as the second-hand original, available gray, modded, and sometimes even cheaper with a ton of games. Of course, it’s not a terrible deal. It’s not particularly exciting either.There’s no Indian eShop confirmed, no Switch Online gift cards at retail, and there’s the real possibility of a region lockout given what Nintendo did with Tencent in China. Distributor of choice, Redington has had a complicated relationship with gaming retail in India – Alwani’s 0451 newsletter notes that Redington and gaming retail have a history together in India, and it’s not one that most store owners take kindly to – the availability of Xbox, or lack thereof, tells that story well.This does not mean that the launch will not make any difference. Nintendo’s official presence means shelf space, visibility, and the kind of awareness that the gray market quietly never built. A person walking into a brick-and-mortar electronics store today doesn’t necessarily know that there are gaming consoles worth considering besides the PlayStation. This changes when there is a box with a price tag on the shelf.But Nintendo’s biggest competition in India at the moment is not PlayStation. Its own hardware is already here, already sold, already in people’s hands. For Rs 20,000, it would be nice if they at least came up with a 10th anniversary special edition. Something to make the occasion feel intentional rather than casual.