Petrol and diesel prices were increased by about 90 paise per liter, the second hike in less than a week after state-run oil companies stopped their four-year price freeze. Kharge claimed Modi’s government is failing to protect public interests while favoring businesses like Adani.

He referred to the U.S. Department of Justice dropping all criminal charges against Gautam Adani and his nephew Sagar, ending a high-profile fraud case. Kharge also criticized Modi for seeking American permission to buy Russian oil, saying it humiliates India.

Kharge questioned why fuel prices are rising if India is allowed to purchase Russian oil. He called Modi’s approach compromised and accused the BJP of lacking foresight and leadership.

The U.S. sanctions waiver for buying Russian oil expired on May 16, but India continues to buy Russian oil based on commercial needs. Kharge said BJP leaders were focused on elections during the crisis and failed to act responsibly.

He urged Modi to focus on solving real issues instead of personal image-building. Kharge emphasized that Modi must be accountable to the people and address their concerns to truly serve as their leader.

A Bench led by Justices M.M. Sundresh and S.C. Sharma upheld the trial court’s conviction of the accused, including P. Ponnusamy, his wife Mary Pushpam, and their sons P. Basil and P. Boris. The trial court had sentenced seven of them to death in August 2021, while Ms. Pushpam and another accused received life imprisonment.

The State of Tamil Nadu, represented by lawyers Siddharth Luthra, MF Philip, and Purnima Krishna, had appealed to the Supreme Court against the High Court’s acquittal of all nine accused.

According to the prosecution, Dr. Subbaiah was attacked by a three-person gang as he prepared to leave his car near R.A Puram in Chennai on September 14, 2013. He died nine days later due to his injuries. After his death, police upgraded the initial charges from attempted murder (Section 307) to murder (Section 302) and arrested ten people, with one turning state witness.

The police alleged that Ponnusamy and his family had hired the gang to kill Dr. Subbaiah due to a property dispute.

The bench of Justices Vikram Nath, Sandeep Mehta, and N.V. Anjaria stated that the Constitution does not allow a society where vulnerable groups must rely on others’ mercy for safety. They highlighted the severity of the issue, noting that repeated incidents reflect failures in implementing the Animal Birth Control (ABC) Rules, 2023, under the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960.

The court urged states and union territories to work together to improve infrastructure and address the stray dog problem effectively. Officials who fail to follow these instructions could face contempt charges or disciplinary action. The order was part of the court’s own initiative to create a national framework for managing stray dogs and ensuring compliance with existing laws.

In January, the court had expressed dissatisfaction with how Punjab, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, and Tamil Nadu were implementing its November 2025 directions. The current ruling reinforces the need for strict adherence to the guidelines.

He said that India today is much more capable than before and is ready to protect its national interests. At the same time, he repeated India’s official nuclear policy of “no first use,” meaning India will never be the first to use nuclear weapons in any conflict. However, he also warned that India will not accept or be pressured by nuclear threats from any country and will respond strongly if provoked.

Mr. Singh praised the progress India has made in recent years under the leadership of Narendra Modi. He said the country is moving forward quickly in many areas, including defence, technology, and industry, which is helping India gain a stronger position globally.

He also highlighted India’s rapid development in the semiconductor sector. According to him, this growth is not only about technology but also represents the idea of a “New India” that is modern, skilled, and competitive in the global market. Semiconductors are important because they are used in phones, computers, defence systems, and many electronic devices.

The Defence Minister invited other countries and global companies to work with India for peace, development, and shared economic growth. He said India believes in cooperation and wants to play a major role in ensuring global stability and prosperity.

Mr. Singh also encouraged members of the Indian diaspora to stay connected with India and contribute to nation-building. He said Indians living abroad can play an important role in supporting India’s development journey by sharing knowledge, skills, and investments.

Overall, his speech focused on India’s rising global status, strong defence posture, and growing economic and technological strength.

The report was prepared under the rules of the Judges (Inquiry) Act, 1968, which lays down the legal process for investigating complaints against judges. The committee followed the required procedures before finalising its findings.

This inquiry committee was formed on August 12 last year by the Lok Sabha Speaker after receiving allegations against Justice Yashwant Varma. The panel was tasked with examining the charges and submitting a detailed report based on evidence and hearings.

According to officials, the report will now be placed before both Houses of Parliament in the coming days for further consideration and action as per procedure.

The committee was headed by Supreme Court Judge Justice Aravind Kumar. The other members included Justice Shree Chandrashekhar and senior advocate B.V. Acharya from the Karnataka High Court.

Together, the panel reviewed documents, examined legal aspects, and studied the complaints before preparing the final report. The submission of the report marks an important step in the inquiry process.

Further action will depend on how Parliament examines the report and what decisions are taken after discussion in both Houses.

A senior MEA official responded by highlighting India’s population and its constitutional guarantees of fundamental rights. The official also pointed out that India ensures equal rights for women, dismissing the journalist’s tone as disrespectful.

Earlier in the day, the same journalist, Helle Lyng Svends, questioned why neither leader took media questions, which is customary in Norway. After Modi left, Store met with Norwegian journalists and later Indian reporters to answer their questions.

This is the second time during the tour that Modi’s decision not to take live press questions has been challenged. While he has occasionally joined press conferences with foreign leaders, this is not usual practice.

During a previous stop in the Netherlands, similar concerns were raised. The MEA official explained that such questions often stem from a lack of understanding of India’s democratic traditions and human rights record.

When asked if host governments had requested Modi to address media queries, the MEA official stated it was their responsibility to handle media interactions but denied any pressure to change policies.

In New Delhi, petrol prices went up from ₹97.77 to ₹98.64 per litre, while diesel prices increased from ₹90.67 to ₹91.58 per litre. The fresh hike has added to concerns among vehicle owners, transport operators, and businesses that depend heavily on fuel.

In Mumbai, petrol became costlier by 91 paise and is now priced at ₹107.59 per litre. Diesel prices also increased by 94 paise, reaching ₹94.08 per litre. Mumbai continues to have some of the highest fuel prices in the country.

Kolkata recorded the sharpest increase among the four metro cities. Petrol prices rose by 96 paise to ₹109.70 per litre, while diesel climbed by 94 paise to ₹96.07 per litre.

In Chennai, petrol prices increased by 82 paise and are now being sold at ₹104.49 per litre. Diesel prices also went up by 86 paise, reaching ₹96.11 per litre.

The repeated fuel price hikes are expected to affect the cost of transportation, food delivery, public travel, and other daily expenses. Higher fuel prices often lead to increased transportation costs, which can eventually raise the prices of goods and services in the market.

Many commuters and middle-class families have expressed concern over the continuous increase in fuel costs. Transport companies and small business owners may also face higher operating expenses if prices continue to rise in the coming weeks.

Fuel prices in India are revised based on international crude oil rates, currency exchange values, taxes, and transportation costs. Any increase in global crude oil prices can directly impact petrol and diesel rates in the country.

A team of 10 church leaders from the Council for Baptist Churches in North East India (CBCNEI) and the Manipur Baptist Convention (MBC) met with Manipur’s Chief Minister Yumnam Khemchand Singh on May 18, 2026. The meeting included Deputy Chief Minister Losii Dikho.

The church leaders proposed sending two teams to ease tensions. One team will visit Kuki-majority Kangpokpi district, while the other will go to Naga-majority Senapati district. This follows a violent incident where gunmen killed three Thadou church leaders and took hostages, including members from both communities.

The Chief Minister praised the churches’ efforts to calm the situation. The CBCNEI spokesperson said their team would meet with families of the slain leaders in Kangpokpi before traveling to Senapati to discuss peace with Naga leaders.

On May 15, some hostages were released, but more remain captive. Both communities are demanding the release of all hostages to restore peace.

Meanwhile, blocked highways due to the shutdown have stranded hundreds of trucks carrying goods in Manipur’s Imphal Valley and Senapati district. Drivers report shortages of food and water and are seeking safe passage.

The Kuki Inpi Manipur called for a shutdown to protest the killings and government inaction. The United Naga Council responded with an economic blockade, demanding the release of their hostages.

Government officials stated that security forces are searching for missing individuals and conducting operations in affected districts.