A tense exchange erupted during an Indian diplomatic press briefing in Oslo after a Norwegian journalist repeatedly questioned India’s record on press freedom, minority rights and democratic values. Sibi George strongly defended India’s democratic framework, accusing foreign critics of relying on selective narratives circulated by “ignorant NGOs” without understanding India’s diversity and institutional complexity. The confrontation intensified when the journalist asked why India should be trusted on human rights concerns, briefly walking out before returning to the briefing. The incident comes amid growing international scrutiny during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s European outreach tour, particularly after reported remarks from Dutch leaders regarding minority rights and media freedoms in India.

Indirect talks between the United States and Iran remain deadlocked despite fresh mediation efforts by Pakistan. A senior US official described Tehran’s revised peace proposal as “insufficient”, while reports said US President Donald Trump will meet his national security team to discuss possible military options.   Iran is seeking sanctions relief, reopening of the Strait of Hormuz and a permanent end to hostilities. Regional tensions have intensified following drone attacks near the UAE’s Barakah nuclear plant and renewed Israeli strikes in Gaza and Lebanon, raising fears of a wider Middle East conflict. (PC: HT)

At least 100 people have died in an Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo, with over 390 suspected cases reported so far. The World Health Organization has declared the outbreak an international public health emergency as fears grow over regional spread.   The outbreak is linked to the Bundibugyo strain of Ebola, which currently has no approved vaccine or treatment. Uganda has also confirmed two cases and one death. US health authorities said six Americans were exposed during the outbreak, though infections have not been confirmed. Several countries, including Rwanda and Nigeria, have tightened screening and surveillance measures. (PC: BBC)

Fresh CCTV footage has intensified the investigation into the death of 33-year-old Twisha Sharma in Madhya Pradesh’s Bhopal. The visuals allegedly show Twisha heading towards the rooftop of her home before her husband Samarth Singh and two others later carried her body downstairs. Police said the preliminary post-mortem report indicated death by hanging.   Twisha’s family has accused her husband and in-laws of dowry harassment and murder, while the accused side has denied the allegations. WhatsApp chats accessed by media reportedly showed Twisha telling her mother that her “life had become hell”. Samarth Singh remains absconding as a Special Investigation Team continues the probe.

The CBI has arrested 10 people so far in the NEET-UG 2026 paper leak case, including coaching operators, teachers and middlemen allegedly linked to a nationwide network. The latest arrest was of Shivraj Raghunath Motegaonkar from Maharashtra’s Latur, accused of possessing the leaked question paper before the May 3 examination.   Investigators earlier identified retired lecturer PV Kulkarni and teacher Manisha Gurunath Mandhare as key accused in the alleged leak operation. The probe has uncovered links spanning Maharashtra, Haryana and Rajasthan, with allegations of question papers being shared electronically and sold for large sums of money. (PC: HT)

The US Department of Justice has permanently dropped all criminal charges against billionaire industrialist Gautam Adani and his nephew Sagar Adani in a securities and wire fraud case linked to solar energy projects in India. A New York court dismissed the indictment “with prejudice”, meaning the case cannot be reopened.   The allegations, filed in 2024, accused the Adanis of misleading US investors while raising funds for solar projects. Prosecutors later concluded there was insufficient evidence and no clear US jurisdictional link to sustain the charges.   The development comes days after the US SEC settled civil allegations against the two without admission of wrongdoing. The Adani Group has consistently denied all allegations and called them meritless. (PC: NDTV)

The death of Twisha Sharma at her matrimonial home in Bhopal has escalated into a politically sensitive dowry death investigation involving allegations of abuse, legal influence and evidence tampering. Twisha, 31 and reportedly pregnant, was found hanging on May 12 at the home of her husband Samarth Singh, who remains absconding. Police have filed dowry harassment and dowry death charges against him and his mother, retired judge Giribala Singh. WhatsApp chats accessed by media reportedly reveal Twisha describing emotional suffocation and cruelty inside her marriage. A Special Investigation Team has been formed as her family demands a second post-mortem and alleges influential interference in the probe. (PC: India Today)

The US-Iran crisis deepened after US President Donald Trump rejected any concessions on Iran’s nuclear programme and warned Tehran that it knows “what’s going to be happening soon.” Speaking to the New York Post, Trump dismissed the latest Iranian peace proposal as inadequate and signalled Washington may consider renewed military action. The remarks followed weekend meetings with his national security team amid reports of possible coordinated US-Israel strikes on Iran. Trump also reversed his earlier suggestion of accepting a temporary uranium enrichment moratorium, saying he is “not open to anything right now.” The statement has intensified fears that the fragile ceasefire between Washington and Tehran may soon collapse. (PC: X)

The United States has extended for 30 days a sanctions waiver allowing trade in Russian seaborne oil, citing requests from multiple countries seeking additional time to continue purchases. US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said the temporary license would help energy-vulnerable nations access Russian oil stranded at sea and stabilise global crude markets following disruptions linked to the Strait of Hormuz crisis. The waiver, first introduced in March during the US-Israel-Iran conflict, permits limited access to sanctioned Russian petroleum products without violating broader US restrictions on companies such as Rosneft and Lukoil. India has emerged as a major beneficiary, reportedly purchasing around 30 million barrels of Russian oil under the exemption after refiners previously reduced imports due to sanctions.

Twisha Sharma’s death case has taken a significant turn after a video surfaced showing her climbing the staircase at her marital home in Bhopal shortly before her death. The footage reportedly shows at least three men, including husband Samarth Singh, attempting CPR twice before carrying her body downstairs. Twisha, 33, was found dead on May 12 at the couple’s residence in Katara Hills. Police have registered cases of dowry harassment and abetment to suicide against Samarth Singh and his mother Giribala Singh. A Special Investigation Team has been formed, while Samarth Singh remains absconding. The preliminary AIIMS Bhopal post-mortem report indicated death by hanging.