West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari on Friday suspended three senior IPS officers over alleged mishandling of the 2024 RG Kar Hospital rape and murder case. The officers are Vineet Goyal, Indira Mukherjee and Abhishek Gupta. Adhikari said a departmental inquiry will examine delays in filing the FIR and allegations that money was offered to the victim’s family. He said phone records and WhatsApp chats will be checked to find out whether any minister gave instructions. The Central Bureau of Investigation is separately investigating the main crime. (PC: PTI)

The Supreme Court of India on Friday announced several steps to reduce fuel use. The measures include virtual hearings on selected days, two days of work from home for up to 50 per cent of registry staff, and carpooling for judges. The decision follows Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s appeal to conserve fuel amid the West Asia crisis. Hearings on Mondays, Fridays and other miscellaneous days will be held through video conferencing. The court said the new system will help save fuel and improve the use of resources while ensuring that judicial work continues without disruption.

Abbas Araghchi said there is no military solution to the conflict between Iran and the United States. Speaking in New Delhi after the BRICS foreign ministers' meeting, he urged Washington to negotiate seriously. Araghchi said Iran does not trust the US but is willing to give diplomacy a chance. He described the current ceasefire as shaky. He also said India and China can play a constructive role in restoring peace. Araghchi added that the Strait of Hormuz remains open to countries not involved in the war with Iran. (PC: AFP)

A family from Rajasthan at the centre of the NEET-UG 2026 paper leak case had allegedly obtained the NEET 2025 question paper as well, according to police sources. Investigators said all five children of the Biwal family received the paper before last year’s exam. Mangilal and Dinesh Biwal are accused of buying and selling leaked papers through a wider network. Vikas Biwal, an MBBS student and Mangilal’s son, allegedly helped distribute the 2026 paper after Rs 65 lakh was paid. The CBI is now investigating the case. Officials believe the leak was part of a long-running organised racket linked to coaching centres.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited Abu Dhabi on Friday and held talks with UAE President Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan. The two countries signed agreements on LPG supply, strategic petroleum reserves and defence cooperation. They also announced a $5 billion investment in Indian infrastructure. Modi said India supports peace and stability in the Middle East and called for the Strait of Hormuz to remain open. The UAE is India’s third-largest trade partner and an important energy partner for India. 

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi on Friday said Tehran would “welcome constructive role by India” in efforts to address the escalating West Asia crisis and ongoing tensions involving the United States. Speaking in New Delhi, Araghchi said Iran’s negotiations with Washington were currently “suffering from lack of trust” and stressed that Tehran had “no trust on Americans” unless the US showed seriousness in talks.   The remarks came as India signed key energy agreements with the UAE, including an LPG supply pact and strategic oil reserves cooperation, amid fears of disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz and rising global energy concerns. (PC: HT)

Chinese President Xi Jinping took US President Donald Trump on a rare tour of Zhongnanhai, the heavily guarded leadership compound that serves as the seat of China’s Communist Party власти, during Trump’s Beijing visit. The symbolic gesture came amid talks on trade tensions and the West Asia conflict. Trump described the trip as “incredible” and praised Xi as “warm” and “very smart”. During the visit, Trump said Xi pledged not to supply military weapons to Iran while supporting efforts to keep the Strait of Hormuz open. Both leaders projected a friendly tone, though China offered few details about agreements reached during the summit. (PC: BBC)

The Indian rupee hit a fresh all-time low on Friday, breaching the 96 mark against the US dollar for the first time amid rising crude oil prices and continued tensions in West Asia. The currency weakened to 96.05 per dollar, surpassing its previous record low touched a day earlier. Analysts said soaring oil prices, foreign fund outflows and global uncertainty have increased pressure on the rupee. India, which imports more than 85 per cent of its crude oil needs, faces higher import costs as Brent crude stays near 110 dollars per barrel. The weaker rupee may also push up inflation and fuel prices. (PC: Ai)

A US court has sentenced Indian-origin man Jashanpreet Singh, founder of the ‘Punjabi Devils’ motorcycle gang linked to the Hells Angels, to five years and four months in prison on firearms charges. Prosecutors said Singh illegally sold assault weapons, machine gun conversion devices and other firearms to an undercover officer in California last year. A search of his home uncovered more weapons, explosives and a silencer. Singh was arrested by the FBI at San Francisco International Airport in July 2025 while allegedly attempting to flee to India after missing a court appearance in a state case. (PC: X)

Pakistan has reacted positively to remarks by RSS General Secretary Dattatreya Hosabale, who said India should keep channels of dialogue open with Pakistan despite continued tensions and terrorism concerns. Speaking during a press briefing, Pakistan’s Foreign Ministry described voices in India supporting dialogue as a “positive development” and said it would watch for any official response from New Delhi. Hosabale had said India must continue taking a firm stand against terrorism while maintaining diplomatic engagement, trade and communication. He cited former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee’s outreach efforts and stressed that dialogue opportunities between the two neighbours should not be completely shut. (PC: X)