The Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas has amended the Liquefied Petroleum Gas (Regulation of Supply and Distribution) Order, 2000, requiring households that obtain a Piped Natural Gas (PNG) connection to surrender their domestic LPG connection or secure a transfer voucher within 30 days. The notification took effect immediately after publication in the Official Gazette. Households acquiring PNG can no longer receive LPG cylinder refills from the date of PNG activation. The transfer voucher allows restoration of an LPG connection in a non-PNG area, benefiting transferable employees, migrants, tenants and students. The legally binding amendment aims to end simultaneous LPG and PNG usage amid concerns over natural gas shortages linked to the West Asia conflict. (PC: The Tribune)

Iran could reopen the Strait of Hormuz to unrestricted global shipping under a proposed agreement being discussed with the United States to end hostilities in West Asia, according to a Nikkei report citing regional diplomatic sources. The proposal reportedly includes Iran clearing mines from the strategic waterway within 30 days of a deal and suspending transit charges for vessels. The plan also suggests extending the current ceasefire by 60 days and temporarily pausing Iran’s nuclear programme for two months. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Washington would continue pursuing diplomacy with Tehran before considering other options. (PC: HT)

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has ordered the restoration of international internet access after nearly 87 days of severe restrictions across the country, according to Iranian state media. Officials from Iran’s Communications Ministry confirmed the decision after a high-level cybersecurity meeting. Internet access had been heavily restricted since January following anti-government protests and was tightened further after US-Israel strikes on Iran in February. Monitoring group NetBlocks said connectivity had dropped to as low as 1-2 per cent of normal levels. The blackout disrupted businesses, freelancers and communication services, while many users relied on VPNs and illegal Starlink connections. (PC: India Today)

The Madhya Pradesh High Court awarded ₹10 lakh compensation to businessman Ajay Singh after he spent 57 days in jail when airport security scanners at Bhopal airport wrongly identified garam masala and aamchur powder as heroin and psychotropic substances. Justice Deepak Khot said delays and inadequate forensic facilities led to the prolonged detention despite no contraband being found later. Singh was arrested in 2010 while travelling to Malaysia via Delhi. The final forensic report from Hyderabad cleared the seized packets. Singh argued the Canada-made detection machine was not calibrated for aromatic Indian spices, causing a false positive. (PC: The Independent)

Indian-origin American tennis player Nishesh Basavareddy produced one of the biggest upsets of the French Open by defeating seventh seed Taylor Fritz in the first round at Roland Garros. The 21-year-old wildcard won 7-6(5), 7-6(5), 6-7(9), 6-1 on Court Suzanne-Lenglen to register his first career victory over a top-10 player. Basavareddy, ranked 148 in the world, remained composed throughout the four-set contest against world number nine Fritz, who recently returned from a knee injury layoff. The win marked Basavareddy’s first main-draw victory at the French Open and a major breakthrough in his young professional career.

The Iranian Consulate in Hyderabad mocked US Secretary of State Marco Rubio after his visit to the Taj Mahal in Agra during his India tour. In a post on X, the consulate said the monument was built for Mughal emperor Shah Jahan’s Iranian wife Mumtaz Mahal and praised the “genius of Iranian architects”. The remark also criticised the US administration over its stance on Iran during ongoing regional tensions. Rubio had described the Taj Mahal as “one of the love treasures of the world”. His visit comes ahead of the Quad foreign ministers’ meeting in New Delhi involving India, the US, Australia and Japan.

India’s rising tennis star Maaya Rajeshwaran Revathi is set to compete at the Junior French Open as part of her long-term development plan rather than a pursuit of immediate results. The 16-year-old, who trains at the Rafa Nadal Academy, views the clay-court Grand Slam as an opportunity to gain experience and strengthen her transition toward professional tennis. Maaya has already shown promise with junior successes on European clay and valuable exposure at Grand Slam junior events. Supported by a professional coaching team and government backing, she believes every match contributes to her growth. Her focus remains on improving her game, adapting to higher competition, and building a foundation for a future career on the WTA Tour. (PC: X)

The UPSC Civil Services Preliminary Examination 2026 has triggered widespread debate after candidates and educators described General Studies Paper 1 as among the toughest and most unpredictable in recent years. More than 8 lakh aspirants appeared for the exam, with many reporting unusually lengthy questions, complex interlinked statements and severe time pressure. Mentors said the paper expanded from around 40 pages in previous years to nearly 56 pages, increasing reading demands without extending examination time. Critics argued that some questions appeared loosely connected to the official syllabus. While UPSC unpredictability is well known, educators suggested this year’s format tested information processing speed as much as subject knowledge. (PC: X/India Today)

A significant investigation into NEET-UG irregularities has broadened from simple allegations into a sweeping review of Maharashtra's coaching industry. The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) is scrutinising an extensive network that includes coaching institute owners, school principals, middlemen, and National Testing Agency (NTA) translators. A key turning point occurred with the arrest of Shivraj Motegaonkar, owner of RCC Classes, alongside the questioning of school principal Manisha Hawaldar. Authorities allege that physics exam papers were reconstructed from memory and distributed via digital platforms. To uncover the full scope of the operation, investigators are analyzing digital communications, financial records, and institutional ties, with the Enforcement Directorate now involved. This escalating scandal has raised serious concerns regarding national exam security and the commercialized nature of medical coaching. (PC: NDTV)

Before the Delhi High Court, Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) founder Abhijeet Dipke challenged the blocking of the party’s X account, which authorities allegedly suspended citing national security concerns. Dipke also claimed CJP’s Instagram and X accounts were hacked, causing the movement to lose access to its platforms. Launched on May 16, 2026, the satirical online movement rapidly gained popularity through commentary on unemployment, examination paper leaks and education-related issues. Dipke vowed to continue the campaign despite account suspensions. Separately, the Supreme Court declined urgent hearing of PILs linked to CJP, with Chief Justice Surya Kant stating there was no immediate urgency and cautioning petitioners against taking the issue sentimentally.