CBI Raids Maharashtra Man’s House In NEET-UG 2026 Leak Probe Over Rs 5 Lakh Deal For Daughter

Brief by Shorts91 Newsdesk / 05:14am on 18 May 2026,Monday India Global

The CBI conducted an eight-hour raid at the Nanded residence of Bhaurao Kadam in Maharashtra as part of the NEET-UG 2026 paper leak investigation. Officials alleged that Kadam paid Rs 5 lakh to obtain the leaked question paper for his daughter before the May 3 exam. During the search, investigators examined documents, questioned family members and traced the source of the leaked paper and payment details. The probe is focusing on a wider Maharashtra-based network linked to Pune, Latur and Nanded. NEET-UG 2026 was cancelled after allegations of a leak, and the re-exam is scheduled for June 21. (PC: India Today)

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23-Year-Old Tushar Kumar Becomes UK’s Youngest Indian-Origin Mayor In Borehamwood

Brief by Shorts91 Newsdesk / 05:06am on 18 May 2026,Monday India Global

Tushar Kumar, a 23-year-old councillor, has become the youngest Indian-origin mayor in the history of the United Kingdom after being appointed Mayor of Elstree and Borehamwood. His appointment was confirmed during the Mayor Making Ceremony held at Fairway Hall on May 13. Kumar, who studied Political Science at King’s College London, previously served as Deputy Mayor and has been active in community initiatives in Borehamwood. Calling the achievement “an incredible honour”, Kumar said he wants to focus on community engagement, support local organisations and encourage more young people to participate in public service and civic life. (PC: India Today)

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Indian-Origin Masseur Jailed For 13 Years In Australia For Sexually Abusing 61 Women

Brief by Shorts91 Newsdesk / 04:06am on 18 May 2026,Monday India Global

An Adelaide court in Australia sentenced Indian-origin massage therapist Sumit Satish Rastogi to 13 years and 10 months in prison for sexually abusing 61 women over nine months at a massage parlour. Rastogi pleaded guilty to 97 offences, including aggravated indecent assault and indecent filming, committed between 2021 and 2022. Judge Carmen Matteo described his conduct as “out of control” and “exploitative”, saying victims were “trusting, unsuspecting and entitled to safety”. Several women told the court the abuse caused lasting trauma and destroyed their trust in healthcare professionals. Rastogi is likely to be deported after serving his sentence. (PC: India Today)

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‘Dangerous Escalation’: India Condemns Drone Attack On UAE’s Barakah Nuclear Plant

Brief by Shorts91 Newsdesk / 03:45am on 18 May 2026,Monday India Global

India on Monday strongly condemned the drone attack on the Barakah Nuclear Power Plant in the United Arab Emirates, calling the strike “unacceptable” and a “dangerous escalation” amid rising tensions in West Asia.   In a statement, the Ministry of External Affairs said, “India is deeply concerned at the attack targeting the Barakah nuclear facility in the UAE. Such actions are unacceptable and represent a dangerous escalation.” New Delhi urged all sides to exercise restraint and return to dialogue and diplomacy.   Reports said the strike caused a fire near the plant’s perimeter, though no injuries or radiological leaks were reported. The UAE has accused Iran of carrying out multiple drone and missile attacks in recent days. (PC: The Week)

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‘Lack Of Understanding’: India Rejects Dutch Remarks On Press Freedom, Minority Rights

Brief by Shorts91 Newsdesk / 03:26am on 18 May 2026,Monday India Global

India on Sunday rejected reported remarks by Dutch Prime Minister Rob Jetten on press freedom and minority rights during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to the Netherlands. Responding to questions raised by a Dutch journalist over the absence of a joint press interaction, MEA Secretary Sibi George defended India’s democratic record. “Such observations stem from a lack of understanding about India’s democratic and civilisational character,” he said. George added that India remains a “vibrant and pluralistic society” where all communities continue to flourish under strong constitutional and democratic institutions. (PC: India Today)

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India, Netherlands Elevate Ties to “Strategic Partnership” as PM Modi and Rob Jetten Sign Deals in Defence, AI and Trade

Brief by Shorts91 Newsdesk / 05:14pm on 17 May 2026,Sunday India Global

India and the Netherlands have agreed to upgrade their relationship to a “Strategic Partnership” during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to The Hague. Modi held talks with Dutch Prime Minister Rob Jetten. The two countries signed agreements in trade, defence, cybersecurity, semiconductors, artificial intelligence, space, health and agriculture. They also discussed water management, climate change and education. Both leaders supported a stronger India-European Union partnership and welcomed progress on a free trade agreement. They also called for diplomacy to address conflicts in Ukraine and West Asia. (PC: X/@narendramodi)

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PM Modi Receives Sweden’s Royal Order of Polar Star, His 31st International Honour

Brief by Shorts91 Newsdesk / 04:19pm on 17 May 2026,Sunday India Global

Prime Minister Narendra Modi received Sweden’s Royal Order of Polar Star, Commander Grand Cross, on Sunday. It is one of Sweden’s highest honours for foreign leaders. This is Modi’s 31st international award. He arrived in Sweden for a two-day visit and was welcomed by Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson at Gothenburg Airport. The two leaders held talks on trade, technology, defence and other areas of cooperation. Bilateral trade between India and Sweden reached USD 7.75 billion in 2025. Modi had earlier visited Sweden in 2018 for the first India-Nordic Summit.

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How Can a 12-Word Facebook Post Do This?’ UK Doctor Leaves India After Four-Month Travel Ban Over Anti-BJP Post

Brief by Shorts91 Newsdesk / 03:27pm on 17 May 2026,Sunday India Global

Dr Sangram Patil has returned to the UK after being stranded in India for four months over a Facebook post critical of the BJP. Mumbai Police issued a Look Out Circular in January 2026, stopping him from leaving the country. On May 5, the Bombay High Court allowed him to travel after he agreed to cooperate with the investigation. Patil said, “How can a 12-word sentence on social media attract an FIR and a Look Out Circular?” He said the case cost him nearly ₹50 lakh in legal fees and lost salary and almost caused him to lose his job with the UK National Health Service.

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Indian Worker Killed in Massive Ukrainian Drone Attack on Russia

Brief by Shorts91 Newsdesk / 03:21pm on 17 May 2026,Sunday India Global

One Indian worker was killed and three others were injured after Ukraine launched a major drone attack on Russia on Sunday. The Indian Embassy in Moscow confirmed the incident and said officials visited the injured workers in hospital. The embassy is working with local authorities and the company to provide support. The attack killed four people in total, including three in the Moscow region and one in Belgorod near the Ukraine border. Several buildings and infrastructure were damaged. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said the strikes were justified and warned that Russia must end the war to stop such attacks. (PC: AP)

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Indian Worker Killed, Three Injured After Ukraine’s Massive Drone Attack Targets Moscow Region

Brief by Shorts91 Newsdesk / 12:50pm on 17 May 2026,Sunday India Global

An Indian worker was killed and three others were injured after Ukraine launched one of its largest drone attacks on Russia’s Moscow region. The Indian Embassy in Russia confirmed the casualty and said officials visited the attack site and hospitals treating the injured workers. Russian authorities reported that hundreds of Ukrainian drones targeted multiple regions, with Moscow facing its biggest aerial assault in over a year. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy defended the strikes as retaliation against recent Russian attacks on Kyiv. The incident highlights the growing risks faced by foreign nationals amid the escalating Russo-Ukrainian War. (PC: India Today)

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