Congress criticizes PM Modi after reports of India demanding US exemption on Russian oil
According to reports, the existing US authorization allowing India to import Russian crude oil is set to expire on May 16. The waiver was first approved in March and later expanded to help stabilize global oil markets by allowing additional crude supplies.India has reportedly approached Washington seeking an extension as the disruption in the Strait of Hormuz continues to put pressure on global energy supplies. Indian officials have also told the US that ensuring stable energy supplies remains a priority and warned that prolonged instability in oil markets could have macroeconomic consequences.Read this also India seeks waiver from US on Russian oil as energy supplies disrupted due to Iran war: ReportReacting to the development, Congress accused the Modi government of compromising India’s sovereignty and energy security.“The Modi government’s capitulation to the US on the country’s energy security is a price the entire country is paying due to the acute shortage of petrol, diesel and gas. First, the Modi government stopped buying cheap oil from Russia at the behest of the US. Then, in the midst of the war, the US gave India a ‘concession’ to buy oil from Russia, which is ending on May 16.”“Now, once again, instead of taking decisions in the national interest, the Modi government is begging Trump for permission to buy oil from Russia,” it said.While Russian oil is not subject to blanket sanctions, the United States has repeatedly urged India to reduce concessional purchases from Moscow as part of its efforts linked to the Ukraine war, Bloomberg reports.Russian crude imports into India continued to remain high as refiners stepped up purchases ahead of the rebate deadline. Inflows reached 2.3 million barrels per day in May, according to Kpler data, supported by provisions allowing already loaded cargo to continue arriving. Kpler estimates monthly flows could still average 1.9 million barrels per day.In April, the US Treasury Department extended sanctions waivers on Russian oil, allowing the purchase of Russian crude oil and petroleum products that had already been loaded onto ships by that date. The discount will be valid until 12:01am (0401 GMT) on May 16, replacing the previous discount that expired on April 11.Meanwhile, Reuters reported that India rejected Russia’s offer to supply liquefied natural gas (LNG) cargoes that fall under US sanctions despite rising energy pressure linked to tensions in the Middle East. The decision has reportedly left at least one Russian-bound LNG shipment stuck near Singapore while negotiations over permitted supplies continue.
Kieron Pollard fined 15% of match fee after Mumbai’s win against Punjab
The offense falls under Article 2.3 of the IPL Code of Conduct for players and team officials, which deals with “use of audible obscenity during a match”. The incident occurred during the 19th over of the second innings when Pollard allegedly abused the fourth umpire.The IPL released a statement on Friday which read, “Kieron Pollardbatting coach, Mumbai IndiansHe has been fined 15% of the applicable match fee and earned one demerit point for breaching Level 1 of the IPL Code of Conduct for Players and Team Officials. Pollard was found guilty of violating Article 2.3 of the IPL Code of Conduct, which deals with ‘use of audible obscenity during a match’.“The incident occurred in the 19th over of the second innings when Pollard used abusive language towards the fourth umpire. Pollard pleaded guilty to the offense and accepted the punishment imposed by the match referee, Pankaj Dharmani.”In a thrilling IPL 2026 match at the HPCA Stadium in Dharamshala, Mumbai Indians (MI) defeated Punjab Kings (PBKS) by 6 wickets with just 1 ball remaining. Chasing a strong target of 201, MI scored 205/4 in 19.5 overs thanks to Tilak Verma’s explosive unbeaten 75 runs. The defeat is the fifth consecutive defeat for Shreyas Iyer-led Punjab Kings, dealing a serious blow to their playoff qualification hopes.Despite a middle-order collapse led by Shardul Thakur’s brilliant 4/39 for Mumbai Indians, Punjab Kings posted a strong score of 200 following explosive innings from Prabhsimran Singh (57 off 32) and late fireworks from Azmatullah Umarzai (38 off 17).In reply, Ryan Rickelton’s blistering 48 off 23 balls gave MI a good start, before Tilak Verma played a composed match-winning innings under pressure. With a quickfire cameo from Will Jacques, Tilak guided MI through a tense finish, and sealed a thrilling win with a six off the final ball of the match. 
Mastermind who contested assembly elections arrested
Panchkula: Gopal Sukhomajri, who had unsuccessfully contested the last assembly elections as an independent from Kalka, has been arrested in the murder of Kabaddi player Sonu Nolta.According to Panchkula police, Gopal, the alleged mastermind, was absconding after the murder that took place in Amravati area last year. With his arrest, the total number of accused held in the case has reached 12.The resident of Sukhomajri village in Pinjore area was arrested on May 12 and produced in court the next day, where police obtained a one-day remand for questioning. After interrogation, he was taken into judicial custody on Thursday and admitted to Ambala jail.Police said Gopal played a key role in planning and executing the murder. During remand, investigators seized his mobile phone and gathered vital clues. Further investigation is underway to uncover the wider conspiracy and identify other accomplices.On June 5, 2025, Sonu Nolta was shot dead by armed assailants outside a mall in Amravati area of Panchkula, after which investigation is going on by multiple teams.The investigation revealed that Gopal allegedly assisted the main shooters – identified as Piyush Piplani and Ankush Solanki – in evading arrest after the murder. They are also accused of conducting reconnaissance, arranging weapons, sharing the victim’s location and facilitating the overall conspiracy.Police said the accused had a long criminal record and was active in local politics. More than a dozen cases were registered against him between 2012 and 2022 in Panchkula, Ambala and parts of Himachal Pradesh, including attempts to murder, assault, charges under the Arms Act, Mining Act, NDPS Act and Prison Act.In the October 2024 assembly elections, he emerged as a surprise contender by securing 31,688 votes (21.71%) and stood third in the Kalka constituency after the BJP and Congress candidates.
Brazilian influencer flees after sentencing in fatal road accident case
The case has gained major attention because Dantas was a social media personality and had a large number of followers on Bigo Live. She used to share content about her lifestyle, travel, fitness and luxury life. Following the court decision, he reportedly left Brazil during the legal process and is believed to have traveled to Madrid. Authorities have now entered his name into Brazil’s arrest warrant system and notified international authorities.
Brazilian influencer flees after sentencing fatal road accident An international alert has been issued due to this matter
According to reports, on May 4, a Manaus court sentenced Dantas to three years in prison for negligent homicide. The judge also ordered sanctions including a driving ban and a fine. The accident occurred on August 31, 2023, when Dantas was driving an SUV and collided with a motorcycle at a junction. The victim, da Silva, fell from his bike, hit a metal pole, and later died in hospital after cardiac arrest.Officials said the sentence was to be served under a semi-open regime, meaning he would be allowed to work or study during the day but would be required to return to a controlled facility at night. However, before reporting to serve his sentence, he reportedly left the country.Police have now confirmed that he is being treated as a fugitive. His name has been added to Brazil’s National Register of Arrest Warrants, and Interpol has also been notified for help in locating his location. Authorities are working with international agencies as the search continues.Dantas had over 50,000 followers online and was known for posting content about her daily life and pets, including exotic animals. After the accident, she publicly stated that she had helped at the scene and called it a tragedy, but witnesses and footage reportedly cast doubt on her actions.This case is continuously attracting people’s attention as the authorities are trying to trace him and complete the legal process.
India expresses concern over Hormuz, Gaza Straits at BRICS summit
BRIC Nations must find “practical ways” to deal with geopolitical turmoil and “unilateral coercive” sanctions.Addressing the opening day of the two-day BRICS summit, Jaishankar said respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity must remain at the center of international relations, stressing that “dialogue and diplomacy” provide the only lasting path to conflict resolution.Jaishankar said, “The conflict in West Asia needs special attention. Continued tensions, risks to maritime traffic and disruptions to energy infrastructure highlight the fragility of the situation.”They stressed that safe and unimpeded maritime flows through international waterways, including the Strait of Hormuz and the Red Sea, are vital for global economic well-being.The Minister also expressed concern over the humanitarian situation in Gaza and reiterated India’s support for a peaceful resolution of the conflict.“The wider region also gives rise to grave concerns. The conflict in Gaza has serious humanitarian implications.“A sustainable ceasefire, humanitarian access and a credible pathway to a durable and peaceful solution are essential. As far as the Palestine issue is concerned, India supports a two-state solution,” he said.Jaishankar also referred to the situations in Sudan, Yemen and Libya, as well as the challenges facing Lebanon and Syria, and called for continued international involvement and coordinated diplomatic efforts.“Taken together, they underline a clear reality: stability cannot be selective, and peace cannot happen in pieces. It is essential to uphold international law, protect civilians, and avoid targeting public infrastructure,” he said.He said India stands ready to contribute constructively to efforts to reduce tensions and support initiatives aimed at restoring stability.Without naming any country, Jaishankar also underlined the need to address what he described as “increasing resort to unilateral coercive measures and sanctions inconsistent with international law and the UN Charter”.“Such measures disproportionately impact developing countries,” he said. “These unfair measures cannot replace dialogue, nor can pressure replace diplomacy.”The minister described terrorism as a “constant threat” and said terrorism cannot be justified in any form.“Cross-border terrorism violates the basic principles of international relations. Zero tolerance must remain an uncompromising and universal norm,” he said.Jaishankar also highlighted concerns over trust, transparency and equitable access in the face of rapid technological advancements and stressed the need to bridge the digital divide.On climate change, he said climate action must go hand in hand with climate justice, supported by credible commitments, adequate financing and accessible support.The External Affairs Minister also stressed on reforms in the United Nations Security Council.He said, “Despite mounting challenges, the multilateral system is unfortunately weakening. The state of the United Nations, which lies at its core, is particularly worrying. With each passing day, the case for reformed multilateralism is becoming stronger.”“This includes reform of the UN Security Council in both the permanent and non-permanent categories. Continued delays come at a high cost,” he said.“The message of our times is clear: cooperation is essential, dialogue is essential, and reform is overdue. Jaishankar said, we must work together to shape a more stable, equitable and inclusive international order.The meeting hosted by India assumes significance as the BRICS grouping is grappling with the economic consequences of the West Asia crisis, particularly disruption in energy supplies, as well as Washington’s policy on trade and tariffs.Leaders attending the conference include Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, Brazil’s Mauro Vieira, Indonesian Foreign Minister Sugiono and South Africa’s International Relations Minister Ronald Lamola.India, which currently chairs BRICS, is hosting the foreign ministers’ conference ahead of the group’s annual summit in September.
Jackie Shroff remembers his mother, shares unseen childhood memories
bollywood star jackie shroff He became emotional on Friday morning as he remembered his mother and shared an emotional video full of unseen childhood moments with his ‘mom’.The actor shared the emotional reel on his social media account with a simple caption, “Mom!”The video montage showed a series of rare and old photographs of Jackie’s mother from her younger days.Some of the pictures showed her smiling warmly in a saree, while the rest captured beautiful family moments from Jackie’s childhood days.In one touching frame, a young Jackie is seen sitting beside his mother, while another picture shows Jackie’s mother lovingly holding her grandsons Tiger and Krishna.The video montage also includes black-and-white family pictures from Jackie Shroff’s younger days.For the background score, Jackie chose Manna Dey’s soulful track “Maa Teri Surat Se Alag Bhagwan Ki Surat Kya Hogi”.For those unaware, Jackie has often spoken about his mother in many of his past interviews, highlighting how deeply attached he was to her.The actor’s mother Rita Shroff passed away in 2014. Jackie has often shared how his mother struggled to raise him and how her sacrifices shaped his life and career.Talking about Jackie Shroff’s professional front, the actor is currently preparing for his upcoming film The Great Grand Superhero – Arrival of Aliens, where he will be seen in the lead role as a grandfather with superhero abilities.The emotional fantasy-adventure story is directed by Manish Saini and will release on May 29, 2026.Its recently released trailer received an enthusiastic response from the audience.
A shocking new study reveals that farming 370 billion crickets each year may actually feel painful.
Proceedings of the Royal Society B This calls into question the long-held belief that crickets are simple creatures that respond to stimuli like robots. Scientists noticed something interesting: Crickets seem to take care of themselves by only caring for injured body parts and ignoring those that are fine. This suggests that they may feel pain in more complex ways than we previously thought. As a result, there is now a conversation about whether these insects have any kind of consciousness, leading us to consider how ethical it is to continue an industry without proper legal guidelines for their welfare.
Research shows that 370 billion are cultivated acheta domesticus may feel pain
Researchers found that house crickets (Acheta domesticus) don’t just respond immediately to heat or injury; They display ‘flexible self-protection’. After an injury, crickets were observed repeatedly grooming and protecting a specific site of injury, a study reported in the journal Proceedings of the Royal Society B. This behavior indicates that the insect’s nervous system is processing the injury as a permanent, negative state rather than a transient response. This difference is important in animal sensation research, as it suggests the presence of a felt experience of pain.
Why does cricket behavior suggest true emotion?
Nociception simply involves the detection of noxious stimuli. Pain, on the other hand, is how we emotionally experience that loss. Research shows that crickets do more than sense danger; Their protective actions vary depending on the situation. When scientists applied varying degrees of heat or mechanical stress, the crickets showed a preference for protecting injured organs. This behavior indicates a brain response similar to that of vertebrates. It seems that crickets can process sensory details into a complex internal state similar to pain, a study reported in the journal Proceedings of the Royal Society B.
370 billion reasons to rethink animal welfare
Every year, 370 billion crickets are raised in farms, potentially causing enormous amounts of suffering, according to the Journal of Insects as Food and Feed. Currently many farmers kill these insects by cutting them into pieces, boiling them or freezing them slowly because they believe that crickets do not feel pain. Should crickets have the ability to experience pain, these methods could represent a significant animal welfare issue. Therefore, the research points to the urgent need for the industry to create humane ways to kill crickets and provide better living conditions. This approach should mirror the standards applied to farm animals such as cows and pigs to reduce the crisis on a larger scale.
Why were invertebrates left behind?
The discovery of insect pain creates a significant regulatory void. Most animal welfare laws around the world explicitly exclude invertebrates, leaving billions of sentient creatures without legal protection. Ethicists are now calling for a precautionary principle approach: if there is a reasonable possibility that an animal may suffer, we should act as if it does. This could lead to new international standards for the housing, transportation and killing of insects, which would fundamentally change the economics and operations of the global alternative protein market.
NEET UG exam 2026 rescheduled to June 21 after paper leak controversy
New Delhi: National Testing Agency announced re-examination on Friday NEET (UG) 2026 will be held on Sunday, June 21.The decision comes days after the agency canceled NEET-UG The exam was held on May 3 following allegations of irregularities, impacting lakhs of medical aspirants across the country.Earlier, the government had also ordered a comprehensive Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) probe into alleged irregularities in the examination.By canceling the exam before NTA Said that the decision was taken “in the interest of students” and to protect public confidence in the national examination system.“Based on the information examined by NTA in coordination with central agencies and investigation findings shared by law enforcement agencies, with the approval of the Government of India, the National Testing Agency has decided to cancel the NEET (UG) 2026 examination held on 3 May 2026 and re-conduct the examination on dates to be notified separately,” the agency posted on Twitter.It said, “The inputs received by the NTA, coupled with the findings shared by the law enforcement agencies, have established that the current examination process cannot be allowed to persist. The dates of the re-conducted examinations, along with the re-released admit-card schedule, will be communicated through the official channels of the agency in the coming days.”
Why was NEET-UG 2026 cancelled?
The move comes days after investigators uncovered evidence that a question set described by officials as a “guess paper” was circulated among candidates weeks before the exam and reportedly contained a large number of questions that closely resembled the actual NEET paper.According to investigators, a document containing approximately 410 questions was circulating among students between 15 days to a month before the exam. Officials said around 120 questions from the Chemistry section reportedly exactly matched the actual exam paper.Officials also claimed that the material was shared through WhatsApp groups around 42 hours before the exam. The Special Operations Group (SOG) of Rajasthan Police, which is leading the preliminary investigation, began the probe after reports emerged that the material circulated showed “striking similarities” with the questions asked in the exam.SOG additional director general Vishal Bansal said investigators were probing whether the material was merely a test series or part of a larger organized fraud racket. “Our investigation is currently focused on determining whether any fraudulent or criminal activity has taken place based on this estimate letter,” Bansal said, as reported by ANI.“We are actively investigating this matter and are currently engaged in the investigative process. No, as of now, we have not made any arrests of any kind.”Bansal said investigators found a set of more than 400 questions circulated a few days before the exam, in which more than 100 biology and chemistry questions showed “striking similarities” with questions asked in NEET.Bansal described it as a “guess paper” or test series, but sources said a deep nexus has not been ruled out, citing searches and interrogations in several cities of Rajasthan and Dehradun.Similar videos and copies of test-series question papers were also shared on social media from a coaching academy in Latur, Maharashtra.
PM Modi embarks on a visit to 5 countries to strengthen India’s strategic ties – what’s on the agenda?
The visit is expected to give impetus to India’s growing engagement with Europe and the Gulf region amid emerging geopolitical and economic ties.PM Modi will begin his five-nation tour with a visit to the UAE on May 15, where he is scheduled to hold talks with UAE President Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan. According to the Ministry of External Affairs, the discussions are expected to focus on energy cooperation, trade, investment and regional issues of mutual interest.Reem Al Hashimi, UAE Minister of State for International Cooperation, described PM Modi as a “true treasure” for the leadership and people of the Emirates and said bilateral relations are set to touch “new mountain peaks” in trade and technology.Speaking to ANI, Al Hashimi said that the UAE is looking forward to the visit and described PM Modi as a central figure in the long-standing partnership between the two countries. He said the visit will build on regular high-level engagement following the visit of the UAE President to India in January and the Crown Prince’s participation in the AI Summit in February.After his visit to the UAE, PM Modi will visit the Netherlands from May 15 to 17, where he is scheduled to hold talks with Dutch Prime Minister Rob Jetton and meet King Willem-Alexander and Queen Maxima. Semiconductors, green hydrogen, innovation, defense and water management are expected to be discussed.After this, PM Modi will visit Sweden on May 17-18 for bilateral talks with Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Christerson. The two leaders are also expected to jointly address the European Roundtable for Industry with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen. The talks are likely to focus on artificial intelligence, emerging technologies, green transition and resilient supply chains.In Norway, the Prime Minister will attend the 3rd India-Nordic Summit in Oslo on May 19 and hold bilateral discussions with Jonas Gahr Storey, Prime Minister of Norway. The leaders of Denmark, Finland, Iceland and Sweden are also expected to participate in the summit.PM Modi’s visit is expected to further strengthen India’s partnership with Europe in a number of sectors with a special focus on expanding trade and investment ties following the recent conclusion of the India-EU Free Trade Agreement.
Donald Trump on US-China talks
us President donald trump Chinese President said Xi Jinping Wants the Strait of Hormuz to be reopened, as the two leaders discussed the ongoing Iran conflict and global energy disruptions during high-level talks in Beijing.Speaking to Fox News after his meeting with Xi, Trump said the two leaders agreed that the strategically important shipping route, closed since the Iran war began in late February, should be reopened to stabilize global energy supplies.“He would like to see the Strait of Hormuz open,” Trump said of Xi. “He said if I can help in any way, I’d like to help.”About 20 percent of the world’s oil passed through the Strait of Hormuz before the conflict began, with the prolonged disruption causing global crude prices to rise sharply and raising fears of a broader economic recession.Trump said Xi opposed any proposal to impose tolls on ships transiting the strait and expressed interest in China potentially buying more US oil in the future to reduce its dependence on Gulf energy supplies.
Iran, economy dominate Trump-Xi talks
The Iran conflict emerged as a major focus during the two-hour meeting between the leaders at the Great Hall of the People, although Trump had downplayed the issue before visiting Beijing.US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said before the summit that Washington would urge Beijing to pressure Tehran to end the conflict.“Economies are melting down because of this crisis,” Rubio said, as quoted by the AP, warning that prolonged instability would ultimately hurt Chinese exports as well.China has publicly criticized US and Israeli attacks on Iran, but analysts say Beijing enjoys considerable leverage as Iran’s largest trading partner.
Despite tensions, Trump praised relations with Xi
Concluding his visit, Trump stressed that relations between Washington and Beijing were improving despite disagreements over Iran, Taiwan and trade.In the Truth Social post, Trump claimed Xi had congratulated him on his administration’s “tremendous successes” and said the Chinese leader’s comments about America being a “declining nation” were directed at former President Joe Biden rather than the current administration.“Two years ago, we were truly a nation in decline,” Trump wrote. “But now, the United States is the hottest nation in the world.”Xi also hosted Trump at Zhongnanhai, a Chinese leadership compound usually reserved for special diplomatic engagements, which observers saw as a personal gesture toward the US president.
Taiwan remains a major flashpoint
Despite the cordial public tone, Taiwan remained a sensitive issue during the summit.According to news agency AP, Xi privately warned Trump that mishandling the Taiwan issue could push the two countries toward “conflict and even conflict.”Rubio later said that US policy on Taiwan would remain “unchanged” and warned that it would be “a terrible mistake” for China to attempt to take over the self-ruled island by force.Trump and Xi also discussed potential trade deals, including increasing Chinese purchases of American agricultural products and Boeing aircraft, as both sides sought to ease economic tensions amid broader geopolitical uncertainty.