NEET paper leak: CBI takes custody of man detained by Nashik Police

The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) on Tuesday evening (May 12, 2026) took into its custody a person from Nashik in Maharashtra in connection with the alleged NEET paper leak, an official said. Earlier in the day, crime branch unit 2 of Nashik Police detained a resident of Nandgaon in the district, following a request from Rajasthan Police. The NEET (UG) 2026 exam for admission to undergraduate courses in medical colleges, held on May 3, was cancelled on Tuesday amid allegations of paper leak

Baltimore ship crash: U.S. slaps criminal cases against Singapore, Chennai firms and Indian national

The U.S. Justice Department has slapped criminal cases against Synergy Marine of Singapore and Synergy Maritime of Chennai, as well as Radhakrishnan Karthik Nair, the Indian technical superintendent of container ship Dali, which collided with a bridge in Baltimore, U.S., in March 2024. They have been charged with conspiracy, wilfully failing to immediately inform the U.S. Coast Guard of a known hazardous condition, obstruction of an agency proceeding, and false statements, as well as pollution.

Floor test will be smooth; have received letters from EPS, Velumani factions: T.N. Assembly Speaker

Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly’s new Speaker J.C.D. Prabhakar, a veteran politician, in an interview with The Hindu, assured Wednesday’s floor test, where Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay has to establish his majority, will be smooth and exceed expectations. He acknowledged having received letters from two rival AIADMK groups. For the first time, the proceedings of the Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly, including the floor test, will be telecast live, officials said.

‘Don’t want to be part of biased exercise’: Rahul Gandhi records dissent on CBI director’s selection

A high-powered committee chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi met on Tuesday evening (May 12, 2026) to decide on the appointment of the next Director of the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), in which Leader of Opposition (LoP) in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi submitted a dissent note, accusing the government of “institutional capture” of the agency to target political opponents, journalists, and critics.

Education Ministry gives fresh push for implementation of PM-SHRI in Bengal, Kerala, and T.N. post elections

The Union Ministry of Education has issued a fresh reminder regarding the pending implementation of the Pradhan Mantri Schools for Rising India (PM SHRI) scheme to West Bengal, Kerala and Tamil Nadu after Assembly elections concluded in the three States. Launched in September 2022, this five-year initiative aims to transform over 14,500 schools into “exemplar institutions” that lead the way in implementing the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, Union School Education Secretary Sanjay Kumar stated in his letter to the States emphasising that 34 States and Union Territories have already moved forward with the scheme.

Trinamool’s land policy delayed West Bengal border fencing: MHA’s 2023 affidavit in Supreme Court

One of the key reasons behind the delay in land acquisition to erect fences along the Bangladesh border in West Bengal was the policy followed by the former Trinamool Congress government, according to a 2023 affidavit filed by the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) in the Supreme Court. The MHA had, through an affidavit, informed the Supreme Court that the West Bengal government had not adopted the Right to Fair Compensation and Transparency in Land Acquisition, Rehabilitation and Resettlement Act (LARR Act), 2013, under which the government can take possession of any land needed for a public purpose.

Chinese claims of ‘on site support’ to Pakistan during Operation Sindoor ‘corroborates’ what was known earlier: MEA

Days after a Chinese engineer told state broadcaster CCTV that Beijing had provided “on-site” technical support to the Pakistan Air Force during Operation Sindoor, the Ministry of External Affairs on Tuesday (May 12, 2026) said that these reports “corroborate” what was known to India. It also cautioned countries that supported Pakistan about their “reputation and standing”. These comments coincide with the first anniversary of Operation Sindoor, which began on May 7, 2025 and continued till May 10, when a ceasefire was announced.

Trump embarks on visit to China, focus on trade

U.S. President Donald Trump on Tuesday (May 12, 2026) embarked on a visit to China for a meeting with President Xi Jinping to discuss smoothing trade relations rocked by tit-for-tat tariffs. “We’re going to be talking with President Xi about a lot of different things. I would say more than anything else, it’ll be trade,” Mr. Trump told reporters at the White House as he headed to China. Mr. Trump sought to downplay differences with Mr. Xi over Iran and the shadow the conflict is casting on global oil markets.

Kuwait accuses Iran of sending armed Revolutionary Guard team to attack an island in nation

Kuwait accused Iran on Tuesday (May 12, 2026) of sending an armed paramilitary Revolutionary Guard team to attack an island in the West Asian nation home to a China-funded port project. Iran didn't immediately acknowledge the allegation by Kuwait, which came under repeated attack by Iran in the war and even during the shaky ceasefire still holding in the region. However, the allegation and ongoing attacks throughout the region have threatened to tip the region back into open warfare.

UN condemns child death toll from Israel’s West Bank operations

The United Nations condemned on Tuesday (May 12, 2026) the toll from swelling Israeli military operations and settler attacks in the occupied West Bank on children, with 70 Palestinian children having been killed since early 2025. “Children are paying an intolerable price for escalating military operations and settler attacks across the occupied West Bank, including East Jerusalem,” UN children’s agency spokesman James Elder told reporters. “Most of those killed or wounded were done by live ammunition,” he said.