Iran’s Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi told NDTV that Tehran no longer has full control over parts of its enriched uranium stockpile amid rising tensions with the United States. The statement comes as Washington increases pressure on Iran’s nuclear programme and demands strict limits on uranium enrichment. Iran maintained that its nuclear activities are for peaceful purposes but rejected calls to completely halt enrichment or transfer uranium abroad. Reports suggest ongoing diplomatic efforts remain fragile, with disagreements over inspections, sanctions relief and nuclear restrictions continuing to block a breakthrough. The issue has intensified fears of renewed conflict and concerns over Iran’s potential proximity to weapons-grade uranium capability. (PC: NDTV)

The Centre clarified that Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s recent appeal to reduce fuel consumption, avoid unnecessary gold purchases and limit foreign travel is not an austerity drive but a call for “wise spending” during global uncertainty caused by the Iran conflict. Government sources said there will be no cuts in welfare schemes, subsidies or public expenditure. Modi urged citizens to conserve fuel, use public transport, work from home when possible and reduce imports that pressure India’s foreign exchange reserves. The government also stressed that there is no immediate fuel crisis, though rising crude oil prices remain a concern amid tensions in West Asia. (PC: India Today)

After nine days of intense discussions and internal consultations, the Congress leadership has reportedly finalised its choice for Kerala’s next Chief Minister following the UDF’s decisive Assembly election victory. Senior leaders including Rahul Gandhi and Mallikarjun Kharge held crucial meetings in Delhi before confirming that the official announcement will be made on Thursday. The delay triggered speculation, protests and poster campaigns in Kerala, especially around frontrunner K. C. Venugopal. Other contenders included V. D. Satheesan and Ramesh Chennithala. Congress leaders said all consultations are complete and the party now aims to quickly form the new government in Kerala. (PC: The Hindu)

The post-mortem report of Prateek Yadav, son of late Samajwadi Party founder Mulayam Singh Yadav, revealed that a blood clot in the lungs caused cardiorespiratory collapse leading to his death at age 38. Doctors also found six antemortem injuries on his chest, arms and wrist, with some injuries reportedly several days old. Authorities said no immediate signs of foul play were detected, though viscera samples have been preserved for further investigation. Prateek, husband of BJP leader Aparna Yadav, had reportedly been suffering from long-term lung-related complications and was undergoing treatment in Lucknow. (PC: NDTV)

Investigators probing the NEET-UG 2026 paper leak found that an MBBS student studying in Kerala allegedly forwarded a “guess paper” to friends in Rajasthan before the examination. Rajasthan Police’s Special Operations Group discovered that over 100 questions closely matched the actual NEET paper, raising suspicion of a larger leak network. Authorities believe the material spread through coaching and student groups across multiple states. The case has now been handed over to the CBI, while the National Testing Agency cancelled the May 3 examination and announced a re-test to ensure fairness and transparency for lakhs of medical aspirants. (PC: PTI)

Tamil Nadu CM Vijay renewed long-standing demand to abolish NEET admissions on Tuesday after the 2026 paper leak controversy triggered nationwide outrage. In a statement posted on X, Vijay urged the Centre to allow states to admit MBBS, BDS and AYUSH students based on Class 12 marks instead of the national entrance examination. He said repeated paper leak incidents exposed “structural flaws” in NEET and highlighted that the exam disadvantages rural, government school, Tamil-medium and economically weaker students. Vijay recalled that a 2024 leak had already led to FIRs and a reform panel headed by former ISRO chief K Radhakrishnan before another cancellation emerged this year. (PC: X)

Amul and Mother Dairy have announced a nationwide hike in milk prices by Rs 2 per litre, effective May 14, 2026. The increase will apply across several popular milk variants and major selling packs. According to the Gujarat Cooperative Milk Marketing Federation, which markets Amul products, the revision comes amid rising input costs, including higher cattle feed expenses, packaging costs and overall production expenditure. The latest increase is expected to impact household budgets across India, particularly daily consumption items such as tea, coffee and milk. The move reflects continued inflationary pressure on essential food products and rising operational costs within the country’s dairy sector. (PC: X)

The National Investigation Agency on Wednesday arrested alleged Hizb-ul-Mujahideen-linked narco-terror operative Iqbal Singh after securing his extradition from Portugal through coordinated diplomatic and legal efforts. According to the NIA, Singh was a key conspirator and handler of an India-based narco-terror module involved in smuggling heroin from Pakistan to finance terror activities. The extradition was facilitated by the Central Bureau of Investigation in coordination with the Ministry of External Affairs and the Union Home Ministry. Singh, who had fled India in 2020, was brought to New Delhi and taken into NIA custody in connection with a major Hizb-ul-Mujahideen terror-financing case.

The government of India has clarified that Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s recent appeal for fuel conservation and reduced discretionary spending should not be viewed as “austerity.” Officials said the initiative is aimed at “spending wisely” amid rising crude oil prices, pressure on the rupee and ongoing tensions in West Asia. Modi urged citizens to reduce petrol and diesel use, embrace work-from-home practices where possible, use public transport, avoid unnecessary foreign travel and limit non-essential imports such as gold. The Centre stressed there would be no cuts to welfare schemes, subsidies or infrastructure spending. Several BJP-ruled states have already adopted fuel-saving measures, including smaller convoys and increased virtual meetings. (PC: X)

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will begin a six-day, five-nation diplomatic tour from May 15, covering the United Arab Emirates, Netherlands, Sweden, Norway and Italy, with energy security, defence cooperation and emerging technologies dominating the agenda. During the UAE visit, India and the UAE are expected to sign major MoUs on LPG and Strategic Petroleum Reserves. Talks with UAE President Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan will also focus on regional stability. In Europe, discussions will centre on semiconductors, AI, green transition, defence co-production, maritime security and counter-terrorism, while the Norway visit marks the first by an Indian Prime Minister in over four decades.