New Delhi: Delhi High Court on Thursday reserved orders on interim relief sought by Rajya Sabha MP Raghav Chadha in his plea alleging abuse of his personality rights through AI-generated deepfakes, morphed visuals and manipulated social media content.The case was heard by Justice Subramaniam Prasad, who orally said during the hearing that the material placed before the court appeared to be a criticism of a political decision rather than a direct case of violation of personality rights.Noting that political leaders have historically been the target of satire and public criticism, the bench remarked, “Since Independence, we have been watching cartoons of RK Laxman. At that time perhaps social media had not reached the extent it has today.”Senior advocate Rajeev Nair, appearing for Chadha, argued that many of the posts circulated online were not mere political criticism, but defamatory and profane attacks portraying the MP as someone who switched political sides for monetary gain. Referring to some photographs placed before the court, Nair said, “She is shown in a saree. We are seeing the PM distributing and showering money.”However, the bench repeatedly questioned whether criticism of a political leader’s public conduct or political choices could be prevented under the personality rights law. Nair argued that the case also involved harm to reputation and defamation. He said, “They are saying I went for the money. That can’t be a fair criticism.”During the hearing, Justice Prasad also indicated that the court may appoint an amicus curiae to assist on broader legal questions related to the balance between the protection of free speech and dignity in the age of artificial intelligence and social media.“There are cases and cases. The line between defamation and criticism is quite thin. It is very easy to see it from the other side, which affects your right to live with dignity. Also, the right to Article 19 cannot be taken away.”The counsel appearing for Meta argued that many of the screenshots relied upon by Chadha were merely newspaper reports and otherwise benign content. After hearing the arguments of all the parties, the court reserved its order on the application seeking interim relief.Chadha has approached the Delhi High Court seeking protection against alleged misuse of her image, likeness, voice and identity through artificial intelligence and digitally manipulated content circulated online.Their plea seeks directions to ban the creation and dissemination of AI-generated deepfakes, morphed videos, synthetic voice clones, fabricated speeches and other allegedly misleading content on social media platforms.The petition said that unauthorized use of his personality through AI tools is capable of misleading the public and damaging his reputation. Chadha, who was earlier an MLA from Delhi’s Rajinder Nagar constituency between 2020 and 2022, joined the BJP in April 2026 after years with the Aam Aadmi Party.Speaking after the hearing, lawyer Satya Anand, appearing in the case, said the petition sought immediate removal of the allegedly defamatory material circulated online following Raghav Chadha’s recent political transition. He said several social media platforms and unnamed entities have been named as defendants in the case.“We are pushing to block content and remove content from the website… There is a lot of abusive content due to the recent political change. These are well-planned campaigns being run by multiple agencies… Meta, X (formerly Twitter), YouTube, Google and unknown violators are the respondents… The order has been reserved, it will be issued at the appropriate time… The court said yes, it is defamatory but whether it will come under the ambit of personality rights, they will take a decision in the interim,” Anand said.The case is part of a growing number of cases before the Delhi High Court relating to personality and publicity rights in the age of artificial intelligence. Public figures including Anil Kapoor and Amitabh Bachchan have previously secured protection against unauthorized use of their voice, likeness and identity through AI-generated content.

NTA to launch refund portal (Representational)

The National Testing Agency (NTA) is set to launch the refund portal on Thursday for candidates who appeared in the re-exam of NEET UG 2026, which was scheduled after the original exam held on May 3 was canceled due to alleged paper leak concerns.NEET UG 2026 exam was canceled after allegations of paper leak, which sparked outrage across the country and led to a formal investigation by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI).However, the agency clarified that the refund amount will not include payment gateway or bank charges. Candidates are advised to fill their bank details carefully including account holder name, account number, IFSC code and bank name to ensure smooth process of refund.How much refund will be initiated?As per Careers360 report, general category candidates will get a refund of ₹1,700, while OBC and EWS candidates will get ₹1,600.SC, ST and PWD candidates are eligible for a refund of ₹1,000, while NRI candidates will get ₹9,500.NTA issues guidelines for candidatesIn its notice addressing the frequently asked questions, NTA said that candidates will not be allowed to change the medium of examination selected during the application process.Read full notice: https://www.nta.ac.in/Download/Notice/Notice_20260516152301.pdf
Can students change city preference?The agency also said that the exam centers will be allotted randomly based on the cities chosen by the candidates in their application form.Responding to complaints from students who said that some city options were unavailable, NTA explained that the issue is related to language availability.Meanwhile, a parliamentary panel on Monday summoned NTA officials to review the reforms in the wake of the NEET-UG paper leak controversy.NTA Director General Abhishek Singh said the investigation will remain impartial and assured that all those involved in the leak will be identified, irrespective of their association with the organisation, ANI reported. NTA chairperson Pradeep Kumar Joshi and other senior officials have been called for deliberations on May 21.NEET (UG) 2026 re-exam is scheduled to be held on June 21, 2026 from 2:00 pm to 5:15 pm, including the time for formalities. No additional fee will be charged from the candidates for appearing in the re-examination.Students can also submit complaints or queries through the official NTA Helpdesk email: neetug2026@nta.ac.in.

FIR against Rahul Gandhi over ‘seditious’ remarks against PM Modi, Amit Shah (Image credit: ANI)

After the Congress leader, Bharatiya Janata Yuva Morcha has lodged a complaint with the police. Rahul Gandhi Reportedly referred to the Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah as a “traitor” during a public event.Bharatiya Janata Yuva Morcha spokesperson Abhishek Dubey lodged a complaint at Tigri police station in south Delhi on Wednesday.Sharing a copy of the complaint on Twitter, Dubey alleged that Gandhi used “indecent and objectionable language” against the Prime Minister and the Home Minister.What did Rahul Gandhi say in Rae BareliThe controversy started when Gandhi, while addressing party workers and supporters in Rae Bareli, urged people to confront RSS workers and called Prime Minister Modi, Amit Shah “traitors”.Gandhi said, “When these RSS workers come in front of you, speak about Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Amit Shah, then you will have to say on their face that your Prime Minister, Home Minister and the organization (BJP) are traitors. You have worked to sell India. You have worked to attack the Constitution.”The Congress leader also accused the Modi government of weakening India’s economic system and alleged that it has been handed over to industrialists and foreign interests.Taking aim at the Prime Minister’s recent foreign trips, Gandhi claimed that the country is heading towards an economic crisis while the government is asking citizens to cut fuel consumption and reduce foreign travel.He also took a dig at PM Modi’s meeting with Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, saying, “We have an economic storm looming over our heads and our Prime Minister is distributing sweets in Italy.”BJP condemned the remarks; PDP, Congress hit backThis comment was sharply criticized by many BJP leaders including Nitin Nabin. However, former Jammu and Kashmir CM Mehbooba Mufti questioned the outrage and alleged that BJP leaders have often used words like “traitor” and “turncoat” for critics since 2014 without facing a similar response.However, Congress is yet to officially respond to the complaint. Meanwhile, Congress leader Jairam Ramesh once again attacked Prime Minister Narendra Modi.In his statement he says, “The Prime Minister is busy distributing caps and making moral appeals to the public while the ground beneath the country’s feet is slipping. India urgently needs fundamental changes in economic policies, but the Modi government has no new ideas beyond self-praise.”

You can experience happiness on three levels. Firstly, there is happiness in the society and environment. How can you bring about happy circumstances? How would you feel in a place where everyone around you only thinks about themselves? Would you like to live in a group where there is no sharing, no sense of belonging and no happiness?

The second level is happiness of mind. When one accepts things and moves towards knowledge, happiness arises in the mind. Sometimes everyone around you is happy and you are also serving others but you are not happy at heart; There is no satisfaction. Dedication brings another level of happiness.

The third level is happiness of the soul. This level of happiness occurs when the soul becomes one with God. When there is no duality, there are no two, when you are in deep meditation, then you experience this innermost bliss.

All three levels of happiness are interconnected. When you are completely united with God, you cannot help but be complete and you cannot help but serve because everyone is a part of you. You will get mental satisfaction when you start serving and stop thinking about yourself all the time. The mind will also feel happy and relaxed and such an atmosphere is created.

A wise person remains happy even in bad times. And a fool remains unhappy even in good times. You know, just like a farmer sows seeds in the soil and nurtures them to grow into healthy plants, similarly we should sow the seeds of happiness and success in our lives. Where do these seeds grow? Just as food comes from the earth, so joy and happiness grow from the place above us—heaven. Space is the area where happiness takes root.

If you look, in various religions, prayer often involves the act of projecting thoughts into space. When Muslims pray, they raise their hands with their wishes in the space above. Christians do the same thing—raising hands in prayer. This is the space element at work. Good ideas are sown there and they yield positive results. Our happiness grows from this place.

Every night before you go to sleep, notice the last thought that comes to your mind. Usually, it is about failures, negativity or worries – this is what we sow unconsciously before sleeping. And then, when you wake up in the morning, you feel tired, exhausted, depressed or negative.

There’s an old saying in English: Say your prayers before you go to bed. Schools teach it, and families encourage it at home. But what does prayer really mean? It means gratitude. This means consciously planting the seeds of positive thoughts before going to sleep. And when you do, you feel refreshed, energetic, and ready for the day ahead.

The secret to a fulfilled and successful life is simple: keep sowing positive seeds in the space. If you throw a seed in a desert or on sandy soil where there is no water, it will not grow. You have to water it, till the soil, and then plant the seeds for it to take root and thrive. Similarly, meditation and breathing techniques are like cultivating the subtle space of the mind.

There is nothing outside the spiritual world. There is no division between that which is spiritual, and that which is material. To attain the spiritual level simply means to recognize that there is life everywhere, there is spirit everywhere. What happens when you go beyond happiness? The mind expands, and at the same time it is not unconscious or unaware. Usually when you’re happy, you drift off and get distracted. When you are sad you are very focused. But a beautiful combination of being happy, alert and focused at the same time can be experienced in spiritual life.

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Childhood picture of Rahul Gandhi with his father Rajiv Gandhi

New Delhi: Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi on Thursday paid tribute to his father and former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi on his 35th death anniversary by sharing a childhood picture with him. Paying tribute to him, Rahul said he would continue to work towards fulfilling his father’s dream of a strong and prosperous India.In a post on Twitter, Rahul Gandhi wrote, “Papa, I will fully fulfill the responsibility of realizing the dream of an efficient, prosperous and strong India that you saw. Your teachings, your values ​​and your memories will always be with me.”Senior Congress leaders including Sonia Gandhi, Mallikarjun Kharge and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra also paid tribute to Rajiv Gandhi at his memorial Veer Bhoomi in Delhi. Priyanka Gandhi’s children Miraya and Rehan Vadra were also present during the tribute ceremony.Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge remembered Rajiv Gandhi as a ‘remarkable son of India’ and highlighted his role in shaping modern India through reforms in technology, education and local governance.In a post onHe said, “We pay our deepest tribute to former Prime Minister and Bharat Ratna Rajiv Gandhi, a remarkable son of India who inspired hope and aspiration in millions across the country, on his Martyrdom Day.”Senior Congress leader Bhupinder Singh Hooda described Rajiv Gandhi as a symbol of hope for the youth and said that the Gandhi family has made sacrifices for the country for generations.“Rajiv Gandhi was about to become Prime Minister again before his assassination. He was doing everything he could for India. He was a symbol of hope for the Indian youth who looked up to him,” Hooda said while speaking to reporters at Veer Bhoomi.Congress leader Ashok Gehlot also praised Rajiv Gandhi’s vision for science, technology and youth empowerment.Gehlot said, “Rajiv Gandhi was the first person in that era to talk about the 21st century. He believed that people should prepare themselves for the new century, which will keep India at par with other countries of the world.”Rajiv Gandhi became India’s youngest Prime Minister at the age of 40 in 1984 following the assassination of his mother and then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi. He served as Prime Minister until 1989 and was assassinated in 1991 in a suicide bombing carried out by the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam during an election rally in Sriperumbudur, Tamil Nadu.

Heatwave alert for Delhi, UP, Punjab, Haryana and others: What to expect in the next 5 days (Image credit: ANI)

Heat wave conditions continue across large parts of India, with the India Meteorological Department (IMD) warning of severe temperatures in several states.In its press release dated May 20, the IMD said, “Heat to severe heat wave conditions are likely to persist over northwest and central India during the week and over eastern India during the next 5 days.“Temperature recorded at 48°C in Banda, Uttar PradeshAccording to the Meteorological Center in Lucknow, Banda district of Uttar Pradesh recorded the highest temperature in the state at 48 degrees Celsius on Wednesday. Officials said that the temperature is 4.5 degrees above normal.Also read: Delhi, UP, Rajasthan, Punjab and other states are in the grip of heat wave – what is the reason for the rise in temperature?The weather department has issued a yellow alert in the state for the next three days, followed by an orange alert as the temperatures are likely to remain extremely high.The temperature in Delhi is likely to reach 46 degrees Celsius todayThere is a possibility of severe heat in the national capital for the next several days.According to the IMD forecast, the maximum temperature in Delhi may reach 46 degrees Celsius on May 21 and 22, while the temperature is likely to remain between 44 to 45 degrees Celsius between May 23 and 26.Punjab, Haryana are in the grip of extreme heatAccording to PTI report, Punjab and Haryana also remained in the grip of heat wave on Wednesday with the temperature crossing 46 degrees Celsius in Rohtak and Bathinda.Chandigarh also recorded a maximum temperature of 44.4 degrees Celsius as scorching conditions prevailed across the region.Also read: Daily fight in Bhatti city: Workers face relentless heat in Delhi-NCRHowever, hilly areas like Jammu and Kashmir and Himachal Pradesh are experiencing scattered rain and thundershowers.What to expect in the next 5 days?A warning of heat wave, hot and humid weather and hot night conditions has been issued by IMD for the next 5 days in these areas.24-26 May: There is a possibility of severe heat wave in Punjab, Haryana, Chandigarh and Delhi.20-26 May: There is a possibility of heat wave to severe heat wave in some parts of Western Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh.20-24 May: There is a possibility of heat wave in Chhattisgarh, Odisha, Telangana and Coastal Andhra Pradesh and Yanam.20-24 May: Hot night conditions may persist over Odisha; Uttar Pradesh is likely to witness it on May 21-22.20-24 May: Hot and humid weather is expected over Tamil Nadu, Puducherry, Gangetic West Bengal and Odisha.Also read: Delhi gripped by heat wave, temperature reaches 46.5 degrees Celsius on Ridge; Orange alert extended till May 26 across NCRHealth advisory for alert areasred alert area– Extreme care has been advised for vulnerable people as the IMD says people of all ages have a very high chance of developing heat illness and heat stroke.orange alert area– The weather agency advises people to drink enough water, use ORS and home-made drinks like lassi, buttermilk and lemonade to stay hydrated.yellow alert area– Vulnerable groups have been advised to avoid heat exposure, wear loose cotton clothes and cover their heads when going out.

India’s Permanent Representative to the UN calls for protection of civilians during conflict

New York: India’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Ambassador Harish Parvatneni said that protecting civilians, including in conflict situations, is a central element of maintaining international peace and security.Parvataneni, speaking at the annual UNSC Open Debate on the topic “Protection of Civilians in Armed Conflict”, congratulated China on assuming the presidency of the UNSC for this month.He said, “We congratulate China on assuming the presidency of the UNSC for this month and also welcome the convening of this annual open debate on the protection of civilians in armed conflict. We thank the Secretary-General for his report and the briefers for their insightful comments this morning.”Parvataneni said a decline in recorded civilian deaths was seen in 2025 after three years of continuous increase.“India reaffirms its strong commitment to the UN Charter and emphasizes that protecting civilians at all times, including in conflict situations, is a central element of maintaining international peace and security. In 2025, civilian deaths recorded in twenty armed conflicts exceeded 37,000. Although this is the first decline after three years of continuous increase, the numbers are still high. Continued civilian casualties, displacement, destruction of critical infrastructure and loss of hospitals, schools, medical personnel and “Attacks against humanitarian workers remain extremely worrying.” Said.Parvataneni said India calls for zero tolerance for loss of civilian lives.“India calls for zero tolerance for loss of civilian life. Parties to armed conflict must ensure safe and unimpeded humanitarian access while respecting international humanitarian law.” Even a decade after the adoption of UNSC Resolution 2286, repeated attacks on civilian facilities and humanitarian workers reflect a serious decline in respect for international humanitarian law. India reiterates that medical personnel and humanitarian workers must be protected at all times.”Parvataneni said the growing trend of using drones to deploy explosive weapons in urban areas is particularly worrying.“As the UNSG report notes, the use of missiles, bombs and other explosive weapons in cities and populated areas remains a leading cause of civilian damage. The growing trend of using drones to deploy explosive weapons in urban areas is particularly worrying. The use of emerging technologies, including artificial intelligence and autonomous systems, by parties to conflict must be consistent with international law and humanitarian principles. Safeguards must be taken to prevent misuse and unexpected harm to citizens. The protection of civilians cannot be achieved through humanitarian responses alone. The targeted use of violence against civilians to achieve political objectives, including terrorism, must be comprehensively addressed,” he said.Parvataneni also condemned cross-border terrorism and highlighted that India has been a victim of such terrorism for decades.“India is deeply concerned about the persistent threat posed by cross-border terrorism, which is undermining the basic principles of regional peace, stability and international security. India has been a victim of this form of terrorism for decades. States that sponsor, harbor or support terrorism must be held accountable. India has consistently stressed that terrorism in all its forms and manifestations remains one of the most serious threats to civilians worldwide. No cause or grievance can justify deliberate attacks against civilians,” he said.

As part of an anti-India espionage network, the National Investigation Agency (NIA) on Wednesday arrested a Kolkata man for passing on classified security information to Pakistan Intelligence Officers (PIOs).The official NIA India account shared the details of the arrest onAccording to the agency, the accused has been booked under various sections of the Indian Justice Code (BNS), Official Secrets Act and Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act. [UA(P)A].“A look out circular was issued against him and proceedings to declare him a Proclaimed Offender (PO) were also underway when he was detained,” the NIA said in its press release.The agency further revealed during its investigation that the accused was married to a Pakistani national and was frequently traveling between India and Pakistan since 2005.“During one such visit, he was contacted and groomed by the PIO to carry out espionage activities in India in exchange for financial inducement and promise of Pakistani citizenship,” the release said.NIA exposed alleged spying networkAccording to the NIA, the accused allegedly helped espionage and terrorist operatives by sharing one-time passwords (OTPs) linked to Indian Telecom mobile numbers with a PIO to activate WhatsApp accounts.The agency claimed that these accounts were later used by the alleged PIO to secretly communicate with Motiram Jat, another accused in the case, who was allegedly involved in passing on sensitive security related information.investigation is ongoingThe NIA said investigation is underway to identify other persons linked to the espionage racket and uncover the larger conspiracy behind the operation.The arrest comes amid a massive crackdown by the agency in states including West Bengal, Delhi, Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan to dismantle the alleged cross-border intelligence network.

New Delhi: In a move that may avert further tensions over the delicate Himalayan ecosystem and the upper reaches of the Ganga river in Uttarakhand, the Center on Wednesday told the Supreme Court that it is “not in favor of allowing any new hydropower project in the Alaknanda and Bhagirathi river basins” apart from the seven that have either become operational or have made substantial progress in construction.The Centre’s view was expressed by the Environment Ministry through an affidavit in the Supreme Court, which is examining the issue of allowing new hydropower projects in the upper reaches of the Ganga river basins since the 2013 Kedarnath disaster.The decision means the Center will now go ahead with only seven of the 28 projects already planned and examined by various committees. The Center told the Supreme Court that the risk/damage to the environment, including river health, outweighs the financial/economic benefits of the remaining 21 hydro-power projects with a total capacity of about 2,100 MW.

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It is expected that the Supreme Court will pass its order on this issue in the next hearing on August 20. In January, it had given the Center three months to take a final decision.Of the seven projects the government wants to pursue, four are already operational – Tehri Stage-II (1000 MW), Singoli Bhatwari (99 MW), Madmaheshwar (15 MW) and Kaliganga-II (4.5 MW) – and three, Tapovan Vishnugad (520 MW), Vishnugad Pipalkoti (444 MW) and Phata Byung (76 MW), are in advanced stages of construction. The affidavit, representing a “collective and unanimous decision” of the three ministries – Jal Shakti, Power and Environment – argued that all seven “may be allowed to proceed subject to strict compliance with the applicable statutory provisions and environmental safeguards”.Better understanding has been achieved: Green activistsIt is good to see that better understanding has emerged and the government has taken this wise and welcome step to prevent future tragedies like 2013 and protect the fragile and disaster-prone ecology of the Ganga-Himalayan basin,” said Mallika Bhanot of Ganga Awahaan, a citizens’ platform working towards the conservation of the Ganga and the Himalayan ecosystem. The decision not to build any new hydro-electric projects in the Alaknanda and Bhagirathi river basins was taken after inter-ministerial consultations on the recommendations of various expert committees. One committee wanted 28 projects to be allowed in the Alaknanda and Bhagirathi basins, while the other committee, comprising officials from the Jal Shakti and Environment ministries, recommended only five.