India’s NEET-UG 2026 exam is at the center of a major controversy as conflicting statements emerge regarding a paper leak.   Conflicting Statements Fuel NEET Trust Crisis The controversy surrounding the NEET-UG 2026 exam has intensified as authorities provide contradictory explanations. Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan publicly acknowledged that there was a “breach in the chain of

India’s Permanent Representative to the UN, Harish Parvathaneni, addressed the Security Council on May 21, strongly condemning Pakistan for attacks beyond its borders and interference in India’s internal matters. He emphasized that global attention and accountability are critical to protecting civilians and upholding international humanitarian standards. Historical Context of Pakistan’s Violence

WASHINGTON, May 20 – Former President Donald Trump expressed approval of the US indictment against former Cuban leader Raul Castro, describing it as a significant moment for accountability. While acknowledging the seriousness of the charges, Trump emphasized that the United States should avoid any additional escalation with Cuba. Background of the Indictment The indict

On May 20, the Senate removed $1 billion in funding for the White House ballroom project from a larger immigration bill, marking a notable political setback for former President Donald Trump. The funding was intended to cover Secret Service security upgrades for the East Wing, including modernized infrastructure and underground enhancements. The decision followed guidance from Senate Parliamentarian Elizabeth MacDonough, who flagged the allocation as incompatible with budget reconciliation ru

The TMC-controlled Kolkata Municipal Corporation has issued demolition notices to 17 properties linked to party MP Abhishek Banerjee, sparking speculation about internal friction within the party. KMC’s Demolition Notices to Abhishek Banerjee In an unusual political twist, the Kolkata Municipal Corporation (KMC), controlled by the Trinamool Congress (TMC), sent demolition notic

U.S. regulators are examining an unexpected spike in oil futures trading that occurred just before President Donald Trump announced a postponement of planned strikes on Iran’s energy sector. The Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) is reviewing unusual off-hours trading activity that reportedly generated millions in profits for several trading firms. Trading Activity Details

Chinese President Xi Jinping and Russian President Vladimir Putin met in Beijing to reaffirm the growing strategic partnership between their nations. The summit emphasized energy cooperation, trade expansion, and technological collaboration. Xi described the bilateral relationship as a “source of stability,” underscoring the importance of maintaining a strong alliance amid shifting global dynamics. Key Agreemen

US Seizes Iran-Linked Skywave Tanker In Indian Ocean The United States has seized the Iran-linked oil tanker Skywave in the Indian Ocean, marking another significant enforcement action under US sanctions against Tehran. Officials said the tanker, sanctioned in March for allegedly transporting Iranian crude oil, was intercepted west of Malaysia on May 19 after passing through the Strait of Malacca. Ship-tra

Strike Announcement And Causes Truckers and transporters in Delhi-NCR have announced a three-day strike starting May 21, which could delay essential goods and disrupt supply chains. The All India Motor Transport Congress (AIMTC), representing 68 unions, said the protest targets the EC Cess hike on Delhi-bound goods vehicles and the ban on BS-IV commercial trucks from November. The Municipal Corporation of Delhi increased the EC Cess following a Supreme Court order t

Senior IPS officer Damayanti Sen, who gained national attention during the 2012 Park Street rape investigation, has been appointed to a key position in the BJP-led Bengal government’s commission probing crimes against women and institutional corruption under the previous regime. IPS Officer Once Sidelined in Park Street Case Gets Powerful New Role Senior IPS officer Damayanti Sen, remembered f

Bengal Police Crackdown After Park Circus Namaz Protest Violence Tension continued to grip Kolkata’s Park Circus area after violent protests over restrictions on roadside namaz and anti-encroachment drives left several police personnel injured and triggered a large-scale police crackdown. The unrest, which erupted on Sunday evening at the busy Park Circus Seven Point Crossing, has now become one of the biggest law-and-or

IIT Madras has invited applications for its web-enabled MTech and postgraduate diploma courses for 2026, with the last date to apply set as May 31. The programmes are aimed at working professionals and graduates who want to improve their technical skills through flexible learning. Candidates applying for MTech programmes must have a relevant educational qualification and at least two years of work experience, while the postgraduate diploma courses are open to graduates, including freshers. In

Trump Calls For Federal Probe Into Maryland Ballot Error President Donald Trump said he is seeking a federal investigation into a Maryland mail-in ballot mix-up after some voters received ballots for the wrong party ahead of the state’s June 23 primary election. The Maryland State Board of Elections said the problem was caused by a vendor error and confirmed that all affected ballots are being replaced. More than 500,000 Maryland voters had requested mail ballots for the primary.

San Diego Mosque Shooting Under Hate Crime Review Authorities investigating the San Diego mosque shooting said two suspected gunmen found dead on May 18,2026 in a nearby vehicle were teenagers, as police and federal investigators continue working to determine what led to the attack at the Islamic Center of San Diego. Mark Remily, the FBI special agent in charge in San Diego, confirmed Monday that the suspects were juven

A Costco patio swing recall affects about 18,500 Agio Menlo Woven Patio Swings after reports that the seat can detach from the frame, creating a serious fall hazard. The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission announced the recall on Thursday, May 14, 2026. Officials said consumers should stop using the recalled swing immediately and request a free repair kit before anyone sits on it again. Costco Patio Swing Recall Covers Agio Menlo Model 1934256

Twisha Sharma, a 33-year-old woman from Noida, was found dead at her husband Samarth Singh’s house in Bhopal’s Katara Hills area on May 12, 2026. The case came into sharper focus today, May 18, after her final WhatsApp and Instagram chats surfaced in the news, showing alleged anxiety, emotional distress, missing home, and a feeling of being “trapped” before her death. Singh is a lawyer, and the couple had reportedly met on a dating app in 2024 before marrying in December 2025.

As of May 18, 2026, 10:02 AM IST, the CBI probe into the NEET-UG paper leak case has focused on a 46-year-old Pune beautician, Manisha Waghmare, who allegedly became a common link between students searching for tuition teachers and teachers from reputed schools. Waghmare, who runs a beauty parlour in Pune’s Sukhsagar Nagar, was arrested on May 14 and remanded in CBI custody for 10 days from May 16, along with retired teacher P V Kulkarni. Investigators suspect that her student and teacher c

After the formation of the new government led by Vijay, the Tamil film industry is expecting major reforms to address theatre losses, piracy, OTT pressure and rising production costs. Tamil Film Industry Looks To Vijay Government After the formation of the new government led by Vijay, the Tamil film industry has placed several expectations before the administration. Producers, theatre owners and distributors beli

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu recently laid the foundation stone for the Rs 15,000-crore AMCA defence hub in Puttaparthi. The Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) flight testing and integration complex is a key part of India’s fifth-generation stealth fighter programme, aiming to strengthen the country’s defence aerospace capabilities. Previously, the Tamil Nadu government under Chief Minister MK Stalin had prop

US President Donald Trump returned to Washington after a two-day BeijingSummit with Chinese President XiJinping, calling the meetings a major success for TradeProgress and DiplomaticTalks. Trump told reporters that the summit produced agreements in key sectors including AgricultureDeals, BoeingOrders, and AITrade. He stated, “We made strong trade deals and strengthened our relationship with China. This summit was a clear success for TradeGrowth.”  Progress in US-China