VD Satheesan has been selected as Kerala's next chief minister following the Congress-led United Democratic Front's (UDF) sweeping victory in the state assembly elections. The announcement was made by the Congress party on Thursday after extensive consultations within the party leadership. Satheesan emerged as the preferred candidate over senior leaders KC Venugopal and Ramesh Chennithala. This marks the UDF's return to power after defeating the Left government led by Pinarayi Vijayan.
Trump and Xi Project Cooperative Tone at Beijing Summit
US President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping struck a warm and optimistic tone during their summit at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing. Despite ongoing tensions over trade, technology, and security, both leaders emphasized cooperation. Xi stated that the two countries should be partners, not rivals, while Trump praised Xi's leadership and expressed confidence in future bilateral relations. The summit is closely watched as the world's two largest economies attempt to reset ties.
Election Commission Announces Phase III of Electoral Roll Revision
The Election Commission of India has announced Phase III of the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls, covering 16 states and 3 Union territories. The exercise involves over 3.94 lakh Booth Level Officers conducting door-to-door verification for more than 36 crore electors. Himachal Pradesh, Jammu and Kashmir, and Ladakh have been excluded for now due to census and weather-related considerations.
Two More India-Bound LPG Carriers Cross Strait of Hormuz
Two additional LPG carriers carrying cooking gas supplies for India have successfully crossed the Strait of Hormuz, bringing the total number of vessels to 13. Officials stated that the ships were monitored through coordination involving multiple ministries and maritime authorities. This movement underscores India's continued efforts to secure energy supplies amid regional instability in West Asia.
CBI Probe Finds NEET-UG Paper Was Scanned and Circulated in Rajasthan
The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) probing the NEET-UG 2026 leak case has found that a handwritten question paper was allegedly scanned and converted into PDF files in Rajasthan before being circulated to students. Investigators revealed that some aspirants reportedly paid between Rs 2 lakh and Rs 5 lakh for access to the leaked material. The probe follows the National Testing Agency's decision to cancel the examination held on May 3.
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