Congress General Secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra expresses confidence in brother Rahul Gandhi's ability to serve as Prime Minister, citing his dedication to the people and deep understanding of the nation's pulse. In an exclusive interview with India Today, she highlights Rahul's courage in facing adversities and asserts his capability to lead. Priyanka emphasizes the decision will be made by the INDIA bloc after elections. Rejecting BJP criticism, she reaffirms Rahul's commitment to both Raebareli and Amethi constituencies. Priyanka Gandhi states, "Why can't he be a PM? He will become an excellent Prime Minister because he understands the pulse of the country."

Northwest India braces for intense heatwave conditions, with temperatures soaring above 46℃ in Punjab, Haryana, Delhi, Rajasthan, and Uttar Pradesh. IMD issues orange warning for May 18-22, with Rajasthan under a red alert. Nighttime offers little relief as temperatures hover around 27℃. Agra hits record 46.9℃, while Chandigarh reaches 44.5℃. The blistering heatwave follows record-breaking temperatures across the country, with eastern and southern regions enduring prolonged spells in April. IMD predicts dry weather with strong surface winds. Authorities advise precautions as scorching conditions persist.

Despite reports of mob violence against foreign students in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs assures the situation is calm and under control. Allegations of misinformation circulating on social media, particularly from Pakistan, have been addressed by the Ministry. Meanwhile, the Indian Embassy advises Indian students to stay indoors and provides helpline contact for assistance. The ministry urged media and bloggers to rely only on official sources and stated that necessary measures have been taken to maintain peace and stability in the capital city. The assurance aims to allay concerns raised by the reported incidents.

India and RCB batsman Virat Kohli gears up for the crucial RCB vs CSK clash on May 18, aiming to secure RCB's playoff berth. RCB's special post for Kohli, "#18 on 18th to do 18", reflects the significance of the date and the margin needed for qualification. Kohli, the season's leading run-scorer, aims to lead RCB to victory with his stellar form. RCB must beat CSK by 18 runs or 11 balls to secure their spot in the top four. However, heavy rains pose a threat to the highly anticipated encounter.                

Former Home Secretary Suella Braverman was blanked by masked pro-Gaza student protesters at Cambridge University. As she tried to talk with the demonstrators about their message, her questions were met with silence. The protest disrupted graduation ceremonies and called for the university to reveal and cut ties with institutions linked to alleged genocide in Gaza. Despite Braverman's attempts to communicate, the activists remained silent, underscoring their dedication to their cause. The university relocated graduation events to a secret location to avoid further issues, illustrating the impact of the ongoing protest.

Gopichand Thotakura will make history as the first Indian space tourist when he flies on Blue Origin’s mission on Sunday. The mission, NS-25, will take Thotakura and five other crew members to the Kármán line, the internationally recognized boundary of space at 100 kilometers above sea level. Thotakura, an accomplished pilot and co-founder of Preserve Life Corp, expressed his excitement and honor at representing India. The launch is scheduled for 7 pm IST and will be streamed live from Blue Origin’s Launch Site One in West Texas. This milestone highlights India’s growing presence in space exploration.              

Nepal has banned the sale and import of four Indian spice-mix products from MDH and Everest due to ethylene oxide contamination. The affected products are MDH's Madras Curry Powder, Sambhar Mixed Masala Powder, Mixed Masala Curry Powder, and Everest's Fish Curry Masala. Following similar actions by Singapore and Hong Kong, Nepal's Department of Food Technology and Quality Control found ethylene oxide levels exceeding permissible limits, prompting the ban. Importers and traders are advised to recall these products from the market. This issue threatens to significantly impact India's spice exports.                

In Kyrgyzstan's Bishkek, clashes erupted between locals and foreign students at the International University of Kyrgyzstan. Indian and Pakistani Foreign Ministers expressed concern and advised students to stay in touch with embassies. The conflict stemmed from a brawl over allegations of foreigners sheltering illegals, resulting in 29 injuries and numerous arrests, including three Egyptians. Kyrgyz authorities have expelled over 6,500 foreigners for illegal stay, with ongoing tension over the presence of foreigners. Quasi-military forces were deployed to restore calm, with the situation now reportedly stable. Authorities continue to monitor the situation closely, urging caution amidst lingering tensions.

AAP MP Swati Maliwal has accused Arvind Kejriwal's aide Bibhav Kumar of assaulting her at the Chief Minister's residence on May 13. A medical report from AIIMS Delhi revealed bruises on her left leg and right cheek, along with injuries to her chest, abdomen, and pelvis. The medico-legal certificate (MLC) noted bruises and detailed Maliwal's account of being slapped, pushed into a sharp object, and kicked multiple times. Maliwal's complaint to the Delhi Police alleges severe physical assault by Kumar, including being beaten with sticks and hit in the stomach. The report, however, did not specify the nature of her injuries.

Former Vice President Mohammad Hamid Ansari, former Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh, former Deputy PM LK Advani, and former Union Minister Dr. Murli Manohar Joshi have voted using Delhi's home voting facility. This service for elderly voters and persons with disabilities (PwDs) started Thursday and runs until May 24. By Friday, 1,409 voters had used the facility, with West Delhi recording the highest participation at 348 votes. In total, 2,956 home votes were cast over two days. Dr. Manmohan Singh and Dr. Murli Manohar Joshi voted from home on May 17 in the New Delhi constituency.