Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has said he directed the Israeli military to increase its control of Gaza from 60% to 70%. Speaking at a conference, he said the move is part of efforts to put more pressure on Hamas.   The announcement comes despite an existing ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas. Indirect talks, backed by the United States, have remained stalled over the next steps of the peace plan.   Meanwhile, Israeli strikes in Gaza have continued. Local health officials reported more deaths in recent days. The conflict began after Hamas attacked Israel in October 2023, triggering the ongoing war. (PC: Reuters)

The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has postponed the opening of its Class 12 post-result verification and re-evaluation portal to June 1, 2026. The board said the decision was taken to ensure a smooth and glitch-free application process for students. Students seeking verification or re-evaluation of their answer sheets will be able to apply through the Post-Result Activities portal once it becomes operational. CBSE said the extra time will help improve the system and prevent technical issues. The board has also set up a helpline and email support service to assist students with queries related to the process.

According to a report, Mumbai Indians captain Hardik Pandya is set to leave the franchise after IPL 2026. Sources claimed that Pandya informed the team management of his decision during the season.   The report said the 32-year-old felt "mentally stressed and completely exhausted" after a difficult campaign. He also reportedly suffered a back injury. Mumbai Indians failed to qualify for the playoffs, adding to the disappointment.   Pandya took over as captain in 2024, replacing Rohit Sharma. Reports suggest both Pandya and the franchise have reached an understanding to part ways ahead of next season. (PC: BBCI)

India is likely to receive below-normal monsoon rainfall this year, according to the India Meteorological Department (IMD). The weather agency has lowered its forecast from 92% to 90% of the long-period average rainfall.   The IMD said weak El Nino conditions are expected to develop in June and may strengthen later in the season. Northeast India is likely to receive normal rainfall, while many other regions may see less rain than usual.   The department also warned of above-normal heatwave days in several states, including Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Odisha, Gujarat and Andhra Pradesh, during June. (PC: HT)

Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni has confirmed that Lionel Messi will captain the team at the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The announcement ends doubts about Messi's participation after a recent injury scare while playing for Inter Miami.   Messi, 38, is set to play in his sixth World Cup, extending his record. Medical tests showed he is dealing with muscle fatigue, but Scaloni played down concerns over his fitness.   Argentina have named a 26-player squad for the tournament. The defending champions will begin their campaign against Algeria on June 16 in the United States. (PC: Reuters)

British MP Rupert Lowe has sparked controversy after saying, "I don't believe we should import millions of Pakistanis and Indians to do jobs that unemployed Brits should be doing." The remarks were made in a series of social media posts and triggered widespread criticism.   Lowe also criticised immigration policies and claimed that migration was changing the cultural identity of some parts of the UK. Critics accused him of promoting racial and religious divisions through sweeping statements about immigrant communities.   Official data, however, shows Indian and Pakistani communities form a small share of the population in his constituency. (PC: Reuters)

The Indian Air Force will help transport question papers for the NEET-UG 2026 re-examination on June 21, Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan said. The move aims to strengthen security and prevent paper leaks.   Pradhan said the government is working with several departments, including the Home Ministry, postal services and state governments, to ensure a fair examination process. He added that the Air Force's support will help deliver question papers safely and on time, especially during the monsoon season.   The decision comes after the May 3 NEET-UG exam was cancelled following a paper leak controversy.

A Russian drone crashed into a residential building in Romania during an overnight attack aimed at Ukraine. Two people suffered minor injuries and several residents were evacuated after a fire broke out. Romanian authorities said the drone entered the country's airspace before crashing in the city of Galati. Fighter jets and a helicopter were deployed in response. Romania called the incident a serious violation of international law and summoned the Russian ambassador. NATO allies also condemned the crash, warning that Russia's actions threaten regional security. The incident has raised fresh concerns about the Ukraine war spilling into neighbouring NATO countries. (PC: AFP)

Japan has suspended imports of Indian mangoes after officials found problems in pest-control procedures at an export treatment facility in Uttar Pradesh. The decision affects popular varieties such as Alphonso, Kesar, Langra and Banganapalli. Japanese inspectors raised concerns during a visit in March and later stopped accepting shipments certified after March 25. Japan follows strict rules to prevent the entry of pests like fruit flies. The ban is the first of its kind in nearly 20 years. Exporters say the move is a major setback as Indian mangoes earn premium prices in Japan. Farmers are also facing crop losses due to extreme weather. (PC: AFP)

The Centre is considering using Indian Air Force logistics to transport NEET-UG 2026 question papers for the re-exam on June 21. The move comes after the cancellation of the May 3 exam following a paper leak controversy.   A high-level meeting was held at Defence Minister Rajnath Singh's residence to review preparations. Officials from the Education Ministry, NTA and PMO attended the meeting.   Around 23 lakh students are expected to appear for the re-exam. The government plans stricter security at every stage, including paper printing and distribution. So far, 13 people have been arrested in the paper leak case. (PC: PTI)