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India and Venezuela Set for Energy Talks as Delcy Rodríguez Arrives Next Week

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Dhruv
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Rodríguez
Rodríguez

Venezuela’s interim President Delcy Rodriguez is set to visit India from June 3 to June 7, the Ministry of External Affairs announced on Tuesday. The visit comes at a time when India has significantly increased crude oil purchases from the South American nation amid ongoing disruptions in global energy supplies.

According to Reuters, India emerged as the second-largest buyer of Venezuelan crude in May, importing around 427,000 barrels per day. Reliance Industries has been among the leading purchasers of Venezuelan oil in recent months.

During her visit, Rodriguez is expected to hold talks with Prime Minister Narendra Modi. MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said discussions will cover the entire spectrum of India-Venezuela ties, with a focus on strengthening cooperation in sectors such as energy, trade, investment, pharmaceuticals, healthcare, transportation and renewable energy.

Rodriguez is also expected to engage with key players in India’s energy sector during meetings in Mumbai, according to people familiar with the matter.

This will be her second visit to India in recent years. She previously travelled to the country in February 2025 as Venezuela’s oil minister, leading a delegation at India Energy Week.

The trip comes as India, the world’s third-largest importer and consumer of crude oil, continues to navigate supply challenges caused by the conflict involving the United States, Israel and Iran. The disruption of traffic through the Strait of Hormuz, a vital route for global energy shipments, has added pressure on India’s energy security and prompted refiners to diversify sourcing options.

India had suspended Venezuelan oil imports last year after the United States introduced a 25 per cent discretionary tariff on countries purchasing crude from Venezuela. Imports resumed in February after sanctions were eased following a major oil agreement between Washington and Caracas.

Under that arrangement, reached after political changes in Venezuela earlier this year, proceeds from Venezuelan oil sales are routed through accounts overseen by the US Treasury Department, with commercial transactions also subject to its guidance.

Heavy Cyberattack Activity Hits Central Board of Secondary Education Class 12 Portal

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Dhruv
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Education

The Central Board of Secondary Education on Tuesday said its re-evaluation portal came under a “barrage of cyberattacks” shortly after thousands of students began accessing the platform. Despite the disruption, the board confirmed that services have now been restored and more than 16,000 students have successfully completed their submissions.

In a statement shared on social media, CBSE said the portal witnessed nearly 1.5 million hits within just two minutes as malicious actors allegedly attempted to interrupt operations. The board further revealed that there were over one lakh attempts to gain unauthorised access to files hosted on the system.

CBSE added that based on feedback received from students, several improvements have been introduced to make the process smoother. These include extending session time limits on the portal to ensure students get enough time to complete their applications without interruptions.

The board said its technical teams continue to closely monitor the platform to ensure students are able to access services without difficulty.

The re-evaluation portal for Class 12 board exam results was officially opened on Tuesday after multiple delays. Initially, the portal was expected to go live on May 29, but CBSE later postponed the launch to June 1, saying additional time was needed to guarantee a transparent and error-free process.

Students seeking verification of marks or re-evaluation can access the application link through the official CBSE website.

The reopening of the portal comes amid an ongoing controversy surrounding the board’s on-screen marking system. The Ministry of Education has already sought a detailed report from CBSE regarding the OSM process and the contract awarded to Hyderabad-based Coempt EduTeck.

Earlier in the day, a parliamentary panel also discussed concerns related to the on-screen marking system along with issues surrounding the implementation of the three-language policy for Classes 9 and 10.

June 18 Voting Date Set for Rajya Sabha and Council Elections by Election Commission of India

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sabha
sabha

The Election Commission of India on Monday announced the schedule for elections to 27 seats across the Rajya Sabha and legislative councils in three states. According to the poll body, voting for all the seats will take place on June 18.

As per the schedule released by the ECI, polling will be conducted between 8 am and 4 pm, while counting of votes will begin at 5 pm on the same day.

The nomination process will start from June 1 at 11 am. Candidates can file their nominations until June 8 at 3 pm. Scrutiny of nomination papers is scheduled for June 9, while June 11 has been fixed as the final date for withdrawal of candidatures.

The Election Commission said biennial elections will be conducted for 24 Rajya Sabha seats spread across 10 states. In addition, bye-elections for Rajya Sabha seats will also take place in Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu and Odisha.

Apart from the Upper House elections, Bihar will witness biennial polls for nine seats in the state legislative council along with a bye-election for one additional seat.

In Karnataka, elections will be held for seven seats in the legislative council.

‘I Was Heartbroken’: Kangana Ranaut Reflects on Family Reaction to First Film

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ranaut

Kangana Ranaut made an impactful Bollywood debut with Gangster back in 2006, but despite the praise she received for her performance, the actor recently revealed that her parents’ reaction to the film deeply upset her. While promoting her upcoming movie Bharat Bhhagya Viddhaata, Kangana spoke about how her family struggled to accept her career in cinema and how things only changed after she received national recognition.

Speaking about her early days in the industry, Kangana said her family viewed the film world with suspicion and believed it was heavily influenced by the underworld. Although they trusted she would manage her life independently, they were uncomfortable with the choices she had made.

Recalling their response to Gangster, Kangana shared that her father barely reacted after watching the film. When she asked her mother about it, she was told that the family felt uneasy seeing her perform certain scenes at such a young age. Kangana admitted she was devastated that instead of appreciating her acting, her parents were more worried about how society would judge the film and her role in it.

She said the experience left her emotionally hurt and eventually made her stop expecting any feedback about her films from her parents because cinema was never really a part of their world.

Kangana further reflected on how differently artists viewed her work compared to her family. She remembered feeling emotional when Amitabh Bachchan sent her a heartfelt letter praising her performance in Queen. She said it made her realise that while artists could understand and appreciate her craft, her father came from a completely different background and perspective.

According to Kangana, things changed significantly after she won the National Award. She described receiving the honour from the President of India as a turning point that finally made her parents proud and helped them understand the value of her work.

Kangana received her first National Film Award for Best Supporting Actress for Fashion. She later went on to win Best Actress awards for Queen, Tanu Weds Manu Returns, and jointly for Manikarnika: The Queen of Jhansi and Panga.

Her upcoming film Bharat Bhhagya Viddhaata is inspired by real-life events and explores the resilience of healthcare workers during a crisis. Instead of focusing solely on violence and chaos, the thriller highlights the courage shown by hospital staff members who worked tirelessly to protect lives inside a government hospital while tragedy unfolded outside.

The film portrays how nurses, ward boys, cleaners, security personnel, lift operators and administrative staff united during a terrifying night to save nearly 400 people inside Cama Hospital.

Presented by Pen Studios, the movie is backed by Pen Studios, Manikarnika Films and Paramhans Creations in association with Eunoia Films LLP and Floating Rocks Entertainment Pvt Ltd. Directed by Manoj Tapadia, the film also stars Girija Oak, Smita Tambe, Amrutha Namdev, Esha Dey, Priya Berde and Asha Shelar. The film is scheduled to release on June 12.

Fresh Health Update on Donald Trump Raises Eyebrows Over Fitness and Eating Habits

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Dhruv
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trump
trump

The latest medical evaluation of Donald Trump described the 79-year-old president as being in “excellent health,” despite noting weight gain since his previous examination. However, the report drew attention for omitting any mention of a skin rash that had recently appeared on Trump’s neck, according to a report by The Independent.

White House physician Sean Barbabella said Trump remained fully fit for office and showed strong cardiac, pulmonary, neurological and overall physical functioning. The assessment largely mirrored the conclusions of previous health evaluations issued during Trump’s presidency.

According to the report, Trump currently weighs 238 pounds, around 14 pounds heavier than during his last medical examination in April 2025. Barbabella reportedly advised the president to increase physical activity and make dietary adjustments in an effort to reduce weight.

The health summary painted a generally positive picture of Trump’s condition, though public discussions surrounding his health have continued in recent years due to recurring concerns over his physical appearance and cognitive fitness. Trump has frequently been seen with bruising on his hands, which doctors have linked to regular aspirin use and repeated handshaking. He has also previously been diagnosed with chronic venous insufficiency, a condition associated with swelling in the legs.

While the report addressed both the venous condition and Trump’s aspirin therapy, it did not reference the neck rash that surfaced in March. At the time, Barbabella had said the irritation was linked to a commonly used skin cream being applied as a preventive treatment.

The dermatology section of the medical evaluation did not include any details about the rash or the medication involved in treating it. Barbabella again stated that the bruising visible on Trump’s hands was consistent with soft tissue irritation caused by frequent public handshakes while on aspirin medication intended to lower cardiovascular risk. He also reportedly suggested reducing the aspirin dosage.

The omission of the recent skin issue has once again fuelled discussion about Trump’s long-standing reluctance to publicly disclose detailed medical information.

Throughout his political career, Trump has often faced scrutiny over transparency surrounding his health. During the 2024 presidential campaign, he declined to release full medical records.

Questions about his medical disclosures also date back to the 2015 election cycle, when his former physician Harold Bornstein famously released a letter claiming Trump would become “the healthiest individual ever elected to the presidency.” Bornstein later stated that the note had been dictated by Trump himself.

Protesters Gather Outside Education Ministry Amid Growing Anger Over NEET and Central Board of Secondary Education Issues

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Dhruv
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cbse
cbse

Fresh demonstrations broke out outside Ministry of Education in New Delhi on Monday as anger continued to mount over the NEET-UG paper leak controversy, delays in the CUET-UG examination and criticism surrounding the Central Board of Secondary Education’s digital paper evaluation system.

Members of All India Students Association and Krantikari Yuva Sangathan gathered outside the ministry demanding accountability over the examination controversies that have triggered nationwide outrage among students.

The protests also came shortly after the satirical political outfit Cockroach Janta Party announced plans for a larger demonstration on June 6. Its founder, Abhijeet Dipke, posted on social media saying he would return to India that day and urged supporters to join a protest demanding the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan.

Outside the ministry premises, several protesters were detained by police during the demonstration.

One protester told reporters that students were protesting because repeated exam leaks and administrative failures had destroyed trust in the system. She questioned why the government was still not seeking the resignation of the education minister and accused the National Testing Agency and the education ministry of being incapable of managing the country’s examination structure properly.

The student added that young people would continue protesting and said they were no longer afraid of government action, insisting that accountability must be fixed for the repeated disruptions affecting students’ futures.

The protest also referenced the controversy surrounding remarks made earlier by Surya Kant. The student said that if students were being compared to “cockroaches,” then the treatment they were receiving from authorities reflected that mindset. The remarks had sparked widespread backlash online and eventually contributed to the formation and rise of the Cockroach Janta Party. The Chief Justice later clarified that his comments were aimed only at fake degree holders and not students in general.

Calls for Pradhan’s resignation intensified after the NTA cancelled the NEET-UG exam conducted on May 3 following allegations of a paper leak.

At the same time, the education ministry faced further criticism after a 19-year-old hacker highlighted alleged concerns with CBSE’s on-screen marking portal soon after the Class 12 board results were announced.

Public anger further escalated after technical issues disrupted the CUET UG Examination at multiple centres across the country. The glitch reportedly delayed the morning shift by several hours, prompting protests by students and parents demanding answers over repeated failures in the examination process.

Farah Khan Reveals Family’s Financial Downfall Was Tied to Deb Mukherjee

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Dhruv
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Farah Khan
Farah Khan

Farah Khan recently revisited memories from her childhood while filming a cooking vlog with Tanishaa Mukerji and her cook Dilip. During the episode, the filmmaker candidly spoke about the financial struggles her family once faced and jokingly blamed filmmaker Ayan Mukerji’s father, veteran actor Deb Mukherjee, for it.

The vlog featured Farah visiting Tanishaa’s home, where the actress showed her around the house filled with traditional Bengali decor and elements. The duo later cooked sabudana khichdi together before moving to the terrace for a relaxed conversation about family, films and difficult phases in life.

During the chat, Farah recalled how her family’s financial condition changed dramatically after one of her father’s films failed at the box office. She said she often jokes with Ayan Mukerji that his father was responsible for her family becoming poor because her father had cast Deb Mukherjee in his first big color film, which flopped immediately after release.

Farah explained that in those days, filmmakers frequently invested their own savings into movies, unlike the current studio-backed system. The film she referred to was the 1971 movie Aisa Bhi Hota Hai, directed by Kamran Khan and starring Deb Mukherjee alongside Nandita Bose, Tun Tun, and Jalal Agha.

Reacting to the story, Tanishaa shared that her own family had experienced similar financial instability depending on the success of films produced by her father, Shomu Mukherjee. She said there were periods when the family struggled financially for years if his films did not perform well at the box office. Shomu Mukherjee was known for producing films such as Pathar Ke Insan, Lover Boy, and Chaila Babu.

Tanishaa also revealed during the vlog that she has now ventured into writing. She shared that she has already completed scripts for a web series and a feature film, though she has not pitched them to anyone yet.

Farah’s cooking vlog series, which began in 2024, has become widely popular online because of her light-hearted chemistry with Dilip. The show usually features celebrity home visits, cooking sessions, and candid conversations, while Dilip himself has become a social media favorite through the series.

Farah had earlier mentioned that the vlog’s success helped Dilip clear his debts and begin building a house in his hometown.

The filmmaker also recently confirmed that she plans to start work on her next directorial venture later this year. While details about the project remain under wraps, she revealed that it will star Shah Rukh Khan. The two have previously collaborated on films including Main Hoon Na, Om Shanti Om, and Happy New Year.

Hormuz Tensions Rise as US Threatens Fresh Crackdown on Iranian Airlines

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Dhruv
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US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent
US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent

The United States is preparing fresh measures against Iran that would block Iranian airlines from accessing international landing slots, refueling services, and ticket sales, as Washington steps up pressure on Tehran over the continuing crisis around the Strait of Hormuz.

US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent announced the move on Thursday through a post on X, saying the restrictions are part of broader efforts to intensify economic pressure on Iran and push for a resolution to ongoing negotiations.

Bessent said the US would move to cut off Iranian airlines from key aviation services, though he did not identify the carriers involved. Iran’s national carrier, Iran Air, has previously faced action from the US State Department, while Mahan Air has also been sanctioned by Washington in the past.

While outlining the restrictions, Bessent clarified during a later press briefing that humanitarian and religious travel would still be allowed. He said Iranian citizens traveling for pilgrimages to Mecca or Medina would not face restrictions, and exceptions would also remain in place for valid humanitarian cases.

The announcement comes shortly after the US Treasury imposed sanctions on Iran’s newly formed Persian Gulf Strait Authority, an agency created by Tehran to oversee and collect transit fees from ships moving through the Strait of Hormuz.

The strategic waterway has remained heavily disrupted since US and Israeli strikes on Iran began on February 28. Tehran has effectively tightened control over the route, leading to major disruptions in global energy flows and a sharp rise in fuel prices worldwide.

Although a ceasefire between American and Iranian forces has technically been in place since April 8, tensions remain fragile. Diplomatic negotiations are continuing, but both sides exchanged fresh strikes on Thursday, adding to fears of another escalation in the region.

Bengal Authorities Hold 386 Undocumented Foreign Nationals Ahead of Deportation

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deportation bengal
deportation bengal

Authorities in West Bengal have shifted at least 386 undocumented immigrants to 13 holding centers spread across eight border districts ahead of their planned deportation to Bangladesh, officials said on Friday.

According to police officials, the largest number of detainees is currently housed in three holding centers in Basirhat, where nearly 335 people are being kept. The group reportedly includes 109 women and 95 children. Officials added that 19 undocumented immigrants are being held in Murshidabad, while nine are in Malda and eight in South Dinajpur.

The newly formed Bharatiya Janata Party government in the state recently announced the creation of holding centers in districts across Bengal as part of its electoral commitments on undocumented immigration.

Following the announcement, officials said several undocumented Bangladeshi immigrants gathered near the Border Security Force checkpoint at Hakimpur, located close to the India-Bangladesh border, in an attempt to cross into Bangladesh. Police later transferred all of them to the holding facilities in Basirhat.

Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari on Tuesday warned undocumented immigrants to leave voluntarily, saying the government would otherwise take action. He also questioned why the state should continue bearing the cost of their food, clothing, and healthcare.

Officials said several government-owned properties, including cyclone shelters, motels, and community halls, have now been converted into temporary holding centers with tight security arrangements in place.

This is not the first such movement near the border. In November 2025, thousands of undocumented immigrants had gathered at Hakimpur after the launch of the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls in the state. Many of them had reportedly been living in and around Kolkata for years while working as domestic helpers, e-rickshaw drivers and sanitation workers, despite possessing Indian identity documents such as Aadhaar cards.

A senior police officer said the current situation is significantly smaller in scale compared to the previous wave. While thousands had assembled last year, officials estimate that around 100 Bangladeshis have gathered near the BSF checkpoint since Tuesday this time.

West Bengal shares the longest stretch of the India-Bangladesh border, spanning nearly 2,216 kilometers out of the total 4,096-kilometer boundary. Officials say roughly 600 kilometers of this border remains unfenced, making it vulnerable to illegal crossings, smuggling, and trafficking activities. The state government has already handed over nearly 142 acres of land to the BSF to facilitate fencing work in these areas.

Adhikari has also directed authorities to hand over detained Bangladeshi immigrants directly to the BSF for deportation instead of presenting them before courts, following a newly introduced rule. Over the past year, several people suspected of being undocumented immigrants have reportedly been “pushed back” across the border into Bangladesh.

Vinesh Phogat Gets Relief from the Supreme Court of India Ahead of Asian Games Trials

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Vinesh Phogat received relief from the Supreme Court of India on Friday after the court allowed her to take part in the Asian Games selection trials scheduled to begin on Saturday, while also questioning parts of a recent order passed by the Delhi High Court regarding the Wrestling Federation of India’s selection policy.

A bench comprising Justices PS Narasimha and Alok Aradhe said the court was stepping in primarily because of Phogat’s stature and achievements for the country, though it expressed concerns over how the high court had interfered with the federation’s policy framework.

The high court had earlier ruled that the Wrestling Federation of India selection policy for the Asian Games unfairly ignored the past achievements of established wrestlers by restricting eligibility only to athletes who won medals during the 2025 season. According to the high court, the policy left no room for the federation to consider accomplished wrestlers such as Phogat, who had taken a break from competition due to maternity leave.

The court had observed that the timing of her maternity break and recovery period directly affected her ability to compete in the qualifying tournaments required under the new eligibility rules. It also noted that the federation’s approach marked a departure from earlier years when previous performances of top athletes were considered during selections.

However, while hearing the federation’s appeal, the Supreme Court remarked that constitutional courts must exercise caution while intervening in matters involving national and international sports. The bench said such interference could create complications for sports bodies and even affect participation in international events, citing similar concerns seen in football administration disputes.

Senior advocate Madhavi Divan, appearing for Phogat along with advocates Ritwik Prakash and Ashita Khanna, argued that the federation had changed its long-standing approach this year by refusing to consider the past accomplishments of elite wrestlers. She said Phogat was not asking for any special exemption but only seeking the opportunity to compete in the trials.

The Supreme Court then issued notice on the federation’s appeal and allowed Phogat to participate in the selection trials until the matter is heard again next week.

During the proceedings, Divan told the court that Phogat had faced hostility from authorities and argued that preventing her from even appearing in the trials would itself be unfair. She also pointed to a relaxation clause that had allegedly been available in previous years but was denied in this case despite the federation being aware of her medical condition and absence from competition.

The bench, however, also flagged concerns regarding anti-doping compliance, noting that Phogat had reportedly missed a scheduled dope test earlier this year. The judges stressed that athletes representing India must prioritise international sporting regulations and warned that any violation or disqualification at the global level would ultimately reflect poorly on the country.

Appearing for the federation, senior advocate DN Goburdhan argued that the high court’s intervention had exceeded its limits and failed to consider the wider impact on the sport and selection process. He said the federation had already submitted names to Asian Games organisers by May 14 and had not granted exemptions to any athlete this year.

The Supreme Court concluded by observing that disputes of this nature cannot always be resolved through court intervention alone and stressed the need for stronger sports institutions and better support systems for athletes.

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