France and Germany have declared their intention to arrest Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu if he enters their territory, following the International Criminal Court's (ICC) request for arrest warrants against him for alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity. Both nations reaffirmed their support for the ICC's independence and procedures. The warrants also target Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant. While the ICC lacks jurisdiction over non-member states like Israel and the US, these statements underscore European commitment to international justice. The move contrasts with objections from the US, Israel, and Britain, who oppose the ICC's involvement in the conflict.

Voting commenced in Phase 6 of the Lok Sabha elections across six states and two Union Territories, with a 10% turnout reported by 9 am. Notable early voters included Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, and President Droupadi Murmu. Among the prominent candidates in this phase are Union ministers Dharmendra Pradhan and Rao Inderjit Singh, BJP's Maneka Gandhi, Sambit Patra, and Congress's Kanhaiya Kumar. Incidents of malfunctioning EVMs were reported in Odisha. The last phase of voting will take place on June 1, with vote counting scheduled for June 4.

Boeing is set to launch its first crewed Starliner mission to the ISS on June 1, despite a small helium gas leak. Originally scheduled for May 6, the mission was delayed due to a faulty valve. Although the valve has been replaced, Boeing and NASA decided not to fix the leak in the spacecraft's service module, deeming it manageable. Astronauts Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore will be on board. This mission is crucial for NASA, which aims to certify Starliner as a second commercial vehicle for crew transport to the ISS, alongside SpaceX’s Crew Dragon.

A severe heatwave is scorching India, with temperatures reaching 46°C in Delhi and exceeding 48°C in Rajasthan. The extreme heat has caused nine fatalities in Rajasthan's Barmer, Balotra, Jalore, and Bhilwara districts. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) forecasts temperatures may surpass 50°C in parts of Rajasthan, Punjab, Haryana, and Delhi. Power outages worsen the situation, leaving residents without cooling options. IMD has issued a red warning, advising residents to stay hydrated and avoid outdoor activities. Relief from western disturbances is not expected soon, and temperatures may peak at 51.9°C in Phalodi.

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak's election campaign in the West Midlands faced disruption as pro-Palestine protesters surrounded his car and the venue where he was scheduled to speak. Police formed a blockade to prevent demonstrators, who were waving Palestine flags and chanting "free Palestine," from approaching the site. The incident, captured in footage online, marks another challenging day for Sunak, who faced criticism for avoiding the public during his campaign in Scotland and encountered gaffes in Wales. This interruption highlights ongoing tensions surrounding UK government policies on Palestine.

Former Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn has been expelled from the Labour Party after announcing his candidacy as an independent for Islington North in the upcoming general election. Corbyn, who led Labour from 2015 to 2020, had been suspended over comments downplaying the scale of antisemitism in the party. His independent bid poses a challenge for current Labour leader Keir Starmer, who has emphasized his commitment to eradicating antisemitism. Labour has selected entrepreneur Praful Nargund as their candidate for the seat, setting the stage for a highly watched contest.

The International Court of Justice (ICJ) has ordered Israel to stop its military offensive in Rafah immediately. This decision supports a South African request accusing Israel of committing genocide. Presiding judge Nawaf Salam stated that the situation in Gaza has worsened. Israel denied the allegations and indicated it would ignore the order, continuing its operations as necessary. The ICJ also demanded unimpeded access for UN investigations and humanitarian aid to Gaza. Palestinian officials welcomed the ruling, while Israeli leaders criticized it and continued airstrikes in Rafah shortly after the announcement.

Cyclone Remal is expected to hit between Bangladesh and the West Bengal coast around midnight on May 26, according to the India Meteorological Department (IMD). It may intensify into a severe cyclonic storm. West Bengal coastal areas, including Kolkata and Nadia, will see heavy rain and strong winds. North Coastal Odisha will also experience heavy rain. The IMD advises suspending fishing and regulating transport and offshore activities. Residents should stay indoors and avoid low-lying areas. The cyclone is not expected to affect Lok Sabha voting on May 25 in West Bengal.

SunRisers Hyderabad (SRH) clinched a spot in the IPL 2024 final with a 36-run victory over Rajasthan Royals (RR) in Qualifier 2 in Chennai. Led by Pat Cummins, SRH defended a 175-run target with effective spin bowling from Shahbaz Ahmed and Abhishek Sharma, who took a combined four wickets. Heinrich Klaasen's crucial 50 and key contributions from Rahul Tripathi (37) and Travis Head (34) propelled SRH to 175/9. RR faltered in their chase, finishing at 139/7. SRH will face Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) in the final on May 26.

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal alleged a "succession war" within the BJP, asserting that PM Narendra Modi is paving the way for Union Home Minister Amit Shah to succeed him. Kejriwal claimed the PM is sidelining senior leaders over 75, including LK Advani and Murli Manohar Joshi. He suggested that other leaders, like Yogi Adityanath, might also be removed. Kejriwal reiterated that Modi would make Shah his successor by September 17, 2025. The BJP denied these claims, with Shah stating that Modi would complete a third term as Prime Minister.