Iran has accused the United States of refusing visas to several members of its national football team's backroom staff ahead of the FIFA World Cup, despite allowing players and essential support staff to enter the country.   Iran's embassy described the move as politically motivated and called it discriminatory, urging FIFA to intervene. Iranian media reported that senior football federation officials were among those denied entry.   The US said visas had been issued to players and necessary staff but added that the system would not be used to allow individuals linked to terrorism into the country. Iran will begin its World Cup campaign against Belgium in Los Angeles on June 15. (PC: BBC)

  The National Testing Agency (NTA) on Saturday rejected claims of a leak or sale of the NEET UG 2026 re-examination question paper, calling the messages circulating on social media "false, fraudulent and intended to mislead."   The agency said organised cheating rackets were spreading fake question papers and trying to extort money from students and their families. It stressed that the examination process remains secure and that no unauthorised person has access to the question paper.   The NTA said it is taking legal action against those spreading misinformation and urged candidates to rely only on official updates and stay focused on their preparation.  

  BJP national president Nitin Nabin on Saturday criticised the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) protest, saying India's youth would not become "puppets" in the hands of people trying to influence them from abroad.   His remarks came hours after a large gathering at Delhi's Jantar Mantar, where students and young professionals demanded the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan over alleged examination irregularities.   The CJP later issued a seven-day deadline for Pradhan to step down, warning that the movement would expand across the country if no action was taken. The BJP maintained that young people should pursue positive and democratic politics while contributing to nation-building.  

Singapore has ordered social media platforms to block and remove racist content targeting the Indian community after authorities found the posts were likely originating from the Chinese online space.   The Ministry of Home Affairs said the content spread false claims that Singapore was being overrun by Indians and attacked the country's multicultural model. Officials described the campaign as a malicious attempt to create social divisions and incite ill-will against the Indian community.   The government directed platforms including X, Facebook and YouTube to prevent the circulation of such material, while stressing that Indian migrant workers are valued contributors to Singapore's growth and development. (PC: The Print)

  Students, parents and young professionals gathered at Delhi's Jantar Mantar on Saturday for the first major street protest by the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP), a youth-led movement that began online. The protesters demanded accountability over alleged irregularities in examinations and recruitment tests and sought the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan.   Wearing cockroach masks and carrying books, flowers and the national flag, participants called for greater transparency in exams such as NEET, CBSE, CUET and SSC.   Activist Sonam Wangchuk backed the protest and urged participants to remain peaceful. CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke also appealed for non-violence as heavy security was deployed across the national capital. (PC: India Today)

  The BCCI has decided to allow the parents of 15-year-old batting sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi to travel with him during India's T20I tours of Ireland and England. According to reports, the board will bear all their expenses to help the youngster adjust to international cricket.   BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia said the decision was taken because Sooryavanshi is still a child and family support will help him settle into the new environment.   The teenage star earned his maiden India call-up after a record-breaking IPL 2026 season, where he scored 776 runs for Rajasthan Royals. Chief selector Ajit Agarkar said the explosive batter had "picked himself" for the squad with his outstanding performances. (PC: NDTV)

"Who gained from communal politics?" Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) founder Abhijeet Dipke asked supporters at a rally in Delhi's Jantar Mantar, where he renewed his demand for Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan's resignation.   Addressing a large gathering, Dipke said the focus should shift to issues affecting young people. "We should ask what happened to jobs, education and the future of students," he said, while criticising alleged irregularities in examinations and recruitment processes.   The protest, held under heavy security, drew students and young professionals from different states. The CJP also called for greater accountability, transparency and reforms in the education system. (PC: HT)

  Former India captain Sourav Ganguly has denied reports that he acted as an intermediary for Trinamool Congress chief Mamata Banerjee to ask Baharampur MP Yusuf Pathan to resign from his Lok Sabha seat.   In a signed statement, Ganguly said he was never asked by Banerjee to convey any message to Pathan and had never contacted the former cricketer over the matter. He described the claims as being made in "reckless disregard of the truth".   The clarification comes amid speculation over Banerjee's possible return to Parliament and a political crisis within the TMC following the party's poor performance in the West Bengal Assembly elections.  

Russia said Ukraine carried out an "unprecedented" drone attack on and around St Petersburg, with authorities claiming more than 140 drones were intercepted over the Leningrad region. Governor Alexander Beglov urged residents to stay indoors for the first time since the war began.   Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said the strikes targeted Russian naval arsenals and a base in Kronstadt, calling them a response to continued Russian attacks. He also claimed an oil depot in the Krasnodar region was hit.   The attacks came a day after Russian President Vladimir Putin rejected Zelensky's call for direct peace talks, saying Moscow would end the war only after achieving its objectives. (PC: HT)

A lecture by Chief Justice of India Surya Kant at Birkbeck, University of London, was disrupted after some attendees raised questions about dissent in India and his earlier "cockroach" remarks. The incident took place during a June 4 event on artificial intelligence and international law.   Videos shared online showed audience members questioning the CJI over India's democratic record before the moderator declined to take up the issue, saying it was unrelated to the topic. Organisers also appealed for calm as tensions rose.   The Indian High Commission in the UK condemned the disruption, calling the behaviour "indecorous" and saying differences of opinion should be expressed in a civil and respectful manner.   The controversy has also revived debate over the CJI's earlier remarks made during a court hearing, which had drawn criticism and sparked online discussions.