An Indian imam in the United Kingdom has been sentenced to life in prison for raping seven women and girls over nine years. Abdul Halim Khan used his position as a religious leader in London to gain the trust of victims from the Bangladeshi Muslim community. He falsely claimed he was possessed by a djinn and could remove evil spirits. Some victims were as young as 12. A court found him guilty of 21 offences, including rape and child sexual abuse. He must serve at least 20 years before being considered for release. (PC: London Metropolitan Police)

The India Meteorological Department has forecast that the southwest monsoon will reach Kerala on May 26, six days earlier than the usual June 1 onset. The weather office said conditions are favourable for the monsoon to advance over the Andaman Sea and nearby regions. Heavy rain is expected along the southern west coast in the coming days. However, experts warned that an emerging El Niño could weaken rainfall later in the season. The IMD has predicted below-normal rainfall for India during the June to September monsoon period this year. (PC: PTI)

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and UAE President Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan agreed to expand energy cooperation during talks in Abu Dhabi. Under the agreement, the United Arab Emirates will store up to 30 million barrels of crude oil in India’s strategic petroleum reserves. The two countries also signed long-term deals for LPG supply and discussed creating strategic gas reserves in India. Both sides stressed the need to keep the Strait of Hormuz open and announced $5 billion in UAE investments in India.

US President Donald Trump said American and Nigerian forces killed Abu-Bilal al-Minuki, the second-in-command of Islamic State, in Nigeria. Trump said the joint operation was carried out on his orders. He called al-Minuki one of the world’s most active terrorists. US officials say he helped direct ISIS operations in Africa and supported attacks against Americans. The United States Department of State designated him a global terrorist in 2023. Trump said his death would weaken ISIS’s international network and reduce its ability to plan attacks. (PC: Getty Images Via AFP)

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will meet Dutch Prime Minister Rob Jetten, King Willem-Alexander and Queen Máxima on Saturday during his visit to the Netherlands. Talks are expected to focus on semiconductors, renewable energy, defence, technology and trade. Modi said the India-EU free trade agreement will help strengthen economic ties. He will also meet Dutch business leaders and interact with the Indian community. The Netherlands is one of India’s largest trade partners and investors in Europe.

India’s first locally built Airbus C295 military transport aircraft is expected to roll out soon from Tata Advanced Systems Limited’s facility in Vadodara. The same aircraft model was recently used by the United States Air Force in a mission to rescue pilots from Iran. The aircraft is being produced under a ₹21,935 crore deal between Airbus and the Indian Air Force. India will receive 56 C295 aircraft, with 40 being manufactured in the country. The project marks a major step in India’s private defence manufacturing sector. (PC: Airbus, Indian Air Force)

State-run oil companies on Friday increased petrol and diesel prices by ₹3 per litre across India. This is the first retail fuel price hike since 2022. In Delhi, petrol now costs ₹97.77 per litre and diesel ₹90.67. Compressed natural gas prices were also raised by ₹2 per kg in and around Delhi. The increase comes as the US-Iran conflict has pushed global crude oil prices above $108 per barrel. Oil companies are still facing heavy losses despite the hike. Opposition parties criticised the move, saying it will increase the burden on common people. (PC: ANI)

Iran and Oman are reportedly coordinating efforts to manage ship movements through the strategic Strait of Hormuz as tensions in the Gulf continue to disrupt global energy trade. Iranian officials are pushing for a new system requiring vessels to coordinate with Tehran and potentially pay transit-related fees, a move criticized by Western diplomats as unlawful under international maritime law. The Strait of Hormuz handles nearly 20% of global oil shipments, making the situation critical for international markets. Several countries, including the UAE and China, are exploring alternative shipping arrangements while global powers urge de-escalation to avoid further economic and energy instability. (PC: Reuters)

The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has arrested a Pune-based chemistry professor, identified as PV Kulkarni, in connection with the NEET-UG 2026 paper leak scandal. Investigators allege that Kulkarni, who was associated with the examination process through the National Testing Agency (NTA), used insider access to leak question papers before the exam. The controversy has impacted nearly 23 lakh students across India and triggered nationwide outrage over exam security failures. The probe has expanded across Maharashtra, Rajasthan, and other states, with multiple arrests already made. Following the scandal, the government cancelled the exam and announced a re-test on June 21, along with stricter security reforms. (PC: NDTV)

The Central government revised export duties on petroleum products effective May 16, increasing the levy on petrol exports to ₹3 per litre while reducing duties on diesel and aviation turbine fuel (ATF). Diesel export duty was cut to ₹16.5 per litre and ATF levy to ₹16 per litre. The move aims to balance government revenue with domestic fuel availability amid volatile global crude oil prices and ongoing West Asia tensions. Officials clarified that excise duties on petrol and diesel sold within India remain unchanged, ensuring no immediate rise in retail fuel prices for consumers across the country. (PC: PTI)