The Delhi High Court has granted three-day interim bail to activist and former Jawaharlal Nehru University student leader Umar Khalid from June 1 to June 3 in the 2020 northeast Delhi riots larger conspiracy case. Khalid sought temporary release to assist his mother, Sabiha Khanam, who is scheduled to undergo surgery on June 2. He had earlier requested 15 days of interim bail after a trial court rejected his plea. Khalid argued that his elderly father could not manage alone. The prosecution opposed the request, calling the procedure minor. Khalid has remained in custody since September 2020. (PC: HT)

The NEET-UG 2026 controversy deepened after Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan admitted a “breach in the chain of command”, while National Testing Agency Director General Abhishek Singh said the exam paper was not leaked “through the system”. The conflicting statements have triggered confusion among students and parents over accountability in India’s largest medical entrance exam. The CBI is investigating the alleged leak and has arrested chemistry lecturer PV Kulkarni, identified as a key accused. The Centre is also considering shifting NEET to a computer-based format following the controversy. (PC: India Today)

The Iran war and Strait of Hormuz disruptions have triggered a global fertiliser crunch, forcing farmers to seek unconventional alternatives including chicken manure, biofertilisers and even processed human urine. Around one-third of globally traded urea originates from the Gulf region, pushing prices to multi-year highs after supply chains were hit. Farmers in Britain, Malaysia, Thailand and the US are increasingly experimenting with waste-based and microbial products to reduce dependence on chemical fertilisers. French startup Toopi Organics reported a 25% sales jump for its urine-based bacteria feed products. The UN warned prolonged disruptions could weaken harvests, raise food prices and push 45 million more people into acute food insecurity amid rising global agricultural uncertainty worldwide. (PC: Bloomberg)

The X account of the viral satirical collective “Cockroach Janta Party” has been withheld in India after the Intelligence Bureau reportedly flagged it over “national security concerns”. According to reports, the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology invoked Section 69A of the IT Act, citing concerns linked to India’s sovereignty and integrity. The meme-driven movement emerged after Chief Justice of India Surya Kant’s controversial remarks about unemployed youth and “parasites” attacking institutions. Founded by Boston University student Abhijeet Dipke, the collective rapidly gained popularity among Gen-Z users with anti-establishment humour and political satire. Despite the restriction, a new account titled “Cockroach Is Back” was launched within hours by the founders online. (PC: X)

India’s job market is facing mounting pressure from the Iran war and global trade disruptions, hitting both overseas employment and export-driven manufacturing. Gulf hiring has slowed sharply, forcing many Indian migrant workers to return home without comparable incomes, while sectors like leather, garments and glassware struggle with rising fuel, logistics and shipping costs. Industrial hubs such as Kanpur are witnessing weaker production, delayed hiring and shrinking workforces. Recruiters report collapsing overseas placements as Gulf economies weaken and employers postpone recruitment. Economists warn that AI-led restructuring, weak global trade, visa uncertainty and slowing wage growth could intensify unemployment and underemployment among millions of young Indians entering the workforce annually across manufacturing and service industries nationwide. (PC: Reuters)

Israeli security officials fear Iran may launch a surprise missile and drone attack targeting Israel and Gulf countries amid ongoing US-Iran ceasefire negotiations, according to reports cited by the Jerusalem Post. The possibility of a preemptive Iranian strike was discussed during a high-level security assessment involving senior military officials and Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz. Officials reportedly warned Tehran could act before Washington and Jerusalem conclude diplomacy has failed and shift toward military action. The reported threat emerges amid growing differences between US President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu over strategy toward Iran during the fragile ceasefire negotiations. (PC: X)

Punjab Police have arrested Pathankot resident Baljit Singh for allegedly installing an internet-enabled CCTV camera along the sensitive Pathankot-Jammu corridor to monitor Indian Army and paramilitary movement and share the live feed with Pakistan-linked handlers. Investigators suspect the camera, mounted near a bridge on NH-44, was strategically positioned to capture real-time convoy activity heading toward Jammu and Kashmir. Police claim Singh received instructions and nearly Rs 40,000 from a Dubai-based contact. Authorities believe the operation reflects a growing pattern of low-cost digital espionage using commercially available surveillance tools. The investigation is now focused on tracing overseas links, financial transactions and possible wider espionage networks operating across India’s border states and regions.

A rare albino buffalo nicknamed “Donald Trump” has become a major attraction at a livestock farm in Narayanganj, Bangladesh, ahead of Eid al-Adha celebrations. The 700-kilogram buffalo belongs to farmer Zia Uddin Mridha, who said visitors compared the animal’s long blond hair to the hairstyle of US President Donald Trump. Families, influencers and residents from nearby districts have travelled to see and photograph the buffalo. Caretakers wash and groom the animal several times daily. Bangladesh livestock officials said albino buffaloes are extremely rare because of low melanin production. Mridha said the buffalo has lost weight due to heavy public attention.

Venezuela has become India’s third-largest crude oil supplier in May, surpassing Saudi Arabia and the United States as Indian refiners increased purchases of discounted Venezuelan crude. According to Kpler data, Venezuela supplied about 417,000 barrels per day this month, compared to 283,000 bpd in April, after nine months without exports to India. Russia and the UAE remained India’s top suppliers. The shift comes amid disruptions caused by the West Asia conflict, Strait of Hormuz tensions and halted Iranian shipments. Analysts said Venezuelan crude suits complex refineries like Reliance Industries’ Jamnagar facility and remains cheaper than competing grades. Saudi supplies sharply declined due to aggressive pricing, while Iraq imports also stayed significantly lower.

An FIR has been registered against actors Parambrata Chattopadhyay and Swastika Mukherjee over alleged provocative social media posts linked to West Bengal’s 2021 post-poll violence. The complaint, filed by advocate Joydeep Sen at Gariahat police station, cited a May 2, 2021 X post by Parambrata stating, “Let today be declared World Thrashing Day”, allegedly followed by Swastika’s reply, “Hahaha, let it be”. The complainant alleged the remarks contributed to a hostile political atmosphere after the Trinamool Congress election victory and referenced the killing of BJP worker Abhijit Sarkar in Beliaghata. Kolkata Police confirmed an FIR has been registered and investigations are underway. Neither actor has responded publicly yet. (X)