Amid a crackdown on illegal immigration in West Bengal, hundreds of Bangladeshi migrants are gathering near border points, revealing how organised middlemen networks allegedly enabled illegal entry into India. Migrants described crossing rivers or slipping through “patrolling gaps” identified by dalals, sometimes within 10 minutes, after paying agents between Rs 2,000 and Rs 20,000. Several claimed forged Aadhaar, voter and ration cards were arranged with political assistance, while some accessed welfare schemes and voted in India. Authorities have intensified monitoring along the India-Bangladesh border as migrants voluntarily return fearing detention or deportation. The testimonies highlight an alleged ecosystem involving traffickers, forged documentation networks, welfare misuse and border-security vulnerabilities nationwide. (PC: India Today)

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said he has directed the Israeli military to take control of 70 percent of the Gaza Strip, marking a significant escalation despite the ceasefire in effect since October. Speaking at a conference in an Israeli settlement in the occupied West Bank, Netanyahu stated that Israeli forces currently control around 60 percent of Gaza, up from 50 percent earlier. Israel says its operations aim to dismantle Hamas infrastructure and weaken the group’s capabilities. According to Gaza’s health ministry, over 900 people have been killed in Israeli strikes since the ceasefire began. Israel also claimed it killed Mohammed Odeh, the latest head of Hamas’s armed wing, while Defence Minister Israel Katz reiterated plans to dismantle Hamas rule in Gaza.

US and Iranian negotiators have reached a tentative agreement to extend the ceasefire in the three-month-old conflict by 60 days and begin talks on Iran’s nuclear programme, according to a US official familiar with the matter. However, President Donald Trump has yet to approve the emerging memorandum of understanding. Iran has not officially confirmed the reported breakthrough. The fragile ceasefire faced renewed strain after the US accused Iran of violating it following missile attacks targeting Kuwait after earlier American strikes. US Central Command said Kuwait intercepted Iranian missiles, while Iran described its actions as retaliation for US attacks. Despite repeated accusations, drone interceptions, and military exchanges near the Strait of Hormuz, both Washington and Tehran have continued negotiations without returning to full-scale war. (PC: X)

Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan said strict action would be taken against anyone involved in examination irregularities or paper leaks, calling the recent NEET controversy “unfortunate” and unacceptable. Speaking to India Today, Pradhan assured that the government was treating the issue with utmost seriousness and that no individual, whether inside or outside the system, would be spared if found guilty after investigation. His remarks come amid growing concerns over alleged lapses in the NEET examination process and criticism surrounding broader examination management, including CBSE-related issues. The minister stressed the importance of maintaining credibility and transparency in India’s examination system, signalling that authorities are prepared to act firmly to restore public confidence and accountability in competitive examinations nationwide.

An investigation has raised concerns over the functioning of VFS Global visa centres as record numbers of Indians apply for Schengen visas to Europe. More than a million Indians seek Schengen visas annually, with applications more than doubling since the pandemic due to rising incomes and increased international travel. At the centre of the process is VFS Global, the Zurich-and-Dubai-headquartered visa outsourcing giant handling applications for most European countries. The concerns emerged after 150 inspection reports by European authorities, covering VFS Global centres across 20 EU member states between 2020 and 2025, reportedly flagged operational lapses. The findings have triggered scrutiny over issues including handling of personal data, transparency in service charges, and broader operational standards at visa processing centres. (PC: X)

The Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) has approached the Supreme Court challenging the Delhi High Court order allowing wrestler Vinesh Phogat to participate in the 2026 Asian Games selection trials scheduled for May 30-31. The Supreme Court bench of Justices P S Narasimha and Alok Aradhe is set to hear the matter on Friday. Earlier, the Delhi High Court criticised WFI’s selection policy as exclusionary and unfair towards athletes returning from maternity leave, directing the federation to permit Phogat’s participation and ensure transparency through video recording and independent observers from SAI and IOA. Phogat had challenged WFI’s decision declaring her ineligible for domestic competition till June 26, 2026, under anti-doping return regulations. (PC: Reuters)

A 22-year-old Indian-origin student from Gujarat’s Anand district was stabbed to death in Canada’s Niagara region on May 15, triggering concern among Indian families with children studying abroad. Vidhi Megha, originally from Borsad, had been living in Canada for three years to pursue higher education while working part-time to support herself. She was reportedly attacked in broad daylight by an unidentified assailant and later succumbed to fatal stab injuries at a nearby hospital. Canadian police have launched an investigation but have not disclosed details about the suspect or motive. Vidhi’s family has appealed to the Indian government to expedite the return of her body to India for final rites and funeral ceremonies.

The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) on Thursday arrested Giribala Singh, mother-in-law of 33-year-old Twisha Sharma, who was found dead at her marital home in Bhopal on May 12. The arrest followed the Madhya Pradesh High Court’s decision to cancel the anticipatory bail earlier granted to Singh, a retired district court judge, in connection with the case. A three-member CBI team reached her residence around 10:30 am and questioned her during the ongoing investigation before taking her into custody. Sources indicated that the agency also conducted searches linked to the probe. Singh is expected to be produced before a court on Friday as the investigation into Twisha Sharma’s death continues to intensify.

Russia and Kazakhstan signed a landmark agreement to build the Balkhash Nuclear Power Plant, marking Kazakhstan’s first nuclear energy project and a major expansion of Moscow’s regional influence. The deal was signed during Russian President Vladimir Putin’s visit to Astana for talks with Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev. Russia will reportedly finance nearly 85% of the project’s estimated $15 billion cost through export credit support. The plant, featuring two reactors, will be constructed near Ulken on Lake Balkhash in southeastern Kazakhstan. Despite being the world’s largest uranium producer, Kazakhstan avoided nuclear energy for decades due to Soviet-era testing trauma. A 2024 referendum backed nuclear expansion as Kazakhstan targets 2.4 gigawatts of nuclear capacity by 2035. (PC: AP)

The United States and Iran have reportedly reached a preliminary agreement to extend their ongoing ceasefire through a proposed 60-day memorandum of understanding, though final approval from US President Donald Trump is still pending. According to Axios, the framework aims to preserve the fragile truce while opening negotiations over Iran’s nuclear programme. The development follows renewed military escalation after Iran targeted a US base in Kuwait and American forces responded by intercepting drones and striking a drone-control facility in Bandar Abbas. Kuwait condemned the missile attack and urged restraint. The conflict, ongoing since February, has disrupted shipping through the Strait of Hormuz and heightened regional instability, with Pakistan continuing mediation efforts between Washington and Tehran. (PC: X)