At least three workers were killed and around 15 others injured after an explosion triggered a major fire at a firecracker factory in Madhya Pradesh’s Dewas district on Thursday, 14 May, officials said.

The incident took place at a firecracker manufacturing unit in the Tonk Kalan area. The injured were rushed to hospitals in Dewas and Indore for treatment.

Dewas collector Rituraj Singh, who visited the site after the incident, confirmed that three people had died in the blaze.

Visuals from the aftermath, which surfaced on social media, showed thick plumes of white smoke rising from the factory premises near the Agra-Mumbai national highway. Videos also captured frantic efforts by locals and rescue personnel to shift the injured to hospitals amid cries for help. Human remains were seen scattered across the site following the explosion.

The collector said the fire had been brought under control and the administration had secured explosives stored at another location within the factory premises.

According to officials, the unit belonged to a man identified as Anil Malviya and had started manufacturing small firecrackers only around 15 days ago. The factory had a valid licence, Singh said. He added that a detailed investigation had been launched to ascertain the cause of the explosion.

Chief minister Mohan Yadav expressed grief over the deaths and announced financial assistance of Rs 4 lakh each for the families of those killed. He also said all injured persons would receive free medical treatment.

“I have directed deputy chief minister and Dewas district guardian minister Jagdish Devda, the home secretary and senior officials to visit the spot. An inquiry has also been ordered into the incident,” Yadav said in a post on X.

Local residents described the explosion as extremely powerful, claiming body parts of victims were flung far from the site due to the impact. They also said construction work was underway at the premises and several sheds were being built within the factory complex.

With PTI inputs

Senior US Air Force officials have indicated that the Pentagon may need to expand its planned fleet of B-21 stealth bombers beyond the current target of 100 aircraft, citing the rapidly growing military challenge posed by China.

Testifying before the House Armed Services subcommittee on projection forces, Lieutenant General David Tabor said the changing strategic environment had prompted the Air Force to reconsider whether the existing B-21 procurement plan would be sufficient for future conflicts.

“My sense is that we do need more than 100,” Tabor told lawmakers, while clarifying that internal assessments were still underway to determine the exact requirement.

The B-21 Raider, designed as the next-generation long-range stealth bomber, is expected to play a central role in US military operations in highly contested regions, particularly in the Indo-Pacific.

Republican Congressman Rob Wittman argued that the security landscape had shifted dramatically since the programme was first conceived more than a decade ago.

“The capability that aircraft provides is pretty amazing,” Wittman said, adding that the bomber would be vital in confronting “a large-scale threat” in increasingly hostile operational environments.

The hearing focused on the Air Force’s proposed fiscal year 2027 budget and broader efforts to modernise ageing fleets of bombers, tankers and transport aircraft.

Subcommittee chairman Trent Kelly warned that rival powers were rapidly advancing their military capabilities.

“Our bomber fleet is the cornerstone of our strategic deterrent,” Kelly said. “Our mobility platforms are the backbone of our operational effectiveness.”

Air Force acquisition chief William Bailey defended ongoing efforts to strengthen aerial refuelling fleets and improve aircraft survivability in future conflicts.

Bailey said the Air Force was investing in enhanced tanker protection systems, improved satellite communications and advanced countermeasures to address concerns over operating large support aircraft near contested airspace.

“We have hundreds of tankers,” Bailey told lawmakers. “We have hundreds and hundreds of airlifters that also face those same style of threats.”

Tabor added that the Air Force intended to modernise the ageing KC-135 tanker fleet over the next six years by equipping aircraft with upgraded communications systems, tactical data links and hybrid satellite connectivity.

Lawmakers also pressed officials over the growing threat posed by drones, particularly following lessons learned from conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East.

Congressman Eugene Vindman questioned whether the Air Force was investing sufficiently in offensive and defensive unmanned systems.

Bailey acknowledged the rapidly evolving threat environment and cautioned against relying on costly missile systems to counter inexpensive drones.

“Shooting a $1 million weapon at a $4,000 drone does not make sense,” he said.

The Air Force said it was working alongside Joint Task Force 401 and the wider “Golden Dome” missile defence initiative to improve counter-drone capabilities at military installations and overseas operations.

Concerns were also raised over the ageing US airlift fleet, with Congressman Joe Courtney noting that some tanker aircraft currently in service average nearly 64 years old.

Officials confirmed that early planning had begun for a future transport aircraft programme intended to eventually replace ageing C-17 and C-5 fleets.

With IANS inputs

Instagram has introduced a new feature called “Instants”, allowing users to share temporary photos with close friends and selected followers in a move aimed at encouraging more casual and authentic interactions on the platform.

The new feature, rolled out by Meta, is designed to offer a more spontaneous alternative to heavily edited posts and polished Stories. Shared photos disappear once viewed, although users can save them privately in an archive for up to a year and later repost them as recap Stories.

Instants can be accessed directly from the Instagram inbox, where they appear as a stack of small photo previews in the bottom-right corner of the direct messages section. Unlike Instagram Stories or Reels, Instants are displayed in their original format without editing tools or filters.

Users can choose whether to share their Instants with their Close Friends list or with followers they mutually follow. Recipients can react to the images, reply to them and share their own Instants in response.

Instagram said all viewed Instants would automatically move to a private archive after 24 hours. Archived content remains visible only to the account holder and cannot be accessed by followers or friends.

The platform has also introduced an optional standalone Instants camera app in selected countries, including India, to provide faster access to capturing and sharing photos instantly.

To reduce clutter in the messaging interface, users can temporarily hide the Instants photo stack using a long-press and swipe gesture within the inbox.

A Business Today report said the feature includes the same privacy and safety protections already available across Instagram, including options to block, mute and restrict users. Teen accounts will also continue to operate under parental supervision settings.

With Instants, Instagram appears to be targeting users seeking more private and low-pressure ways to share everyday moments, as social media platforms increasingly compete to promote more personal and real-time communication.

US President Donald Trump entered high-level talks with Chinese President Xi Jinping in Beijing on Thursday amid growing political pressure at home to adopt a tougher stance on China over trade, human rights, Taiwan and national security.

The summit, taking place at the Great Hall of the People during Trump’s three-day visit to China, marks the first face-to-face meeting between the two leaders since their encounter on the sidelines of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit in Busan, South Korea. The discussions are expected to focus heavily on trade tensions, technological rivalry, the war involving Iran and regional security issues.

Before the meeting, Trump received a ceremonial welcome featuring military honours, national anthems and greetings from children waving Chinese and American flags. Opening the talks, Trump described Xi as a friend and expressed optimism about future relations between the two countries.

“It’s an honour to be with you. It’s an honour to be your friend, and the relationship between China and the USA is going to be better than ever before,” Trump said.

The summit comes as bipartisan voices in Washington intensify demands for stronger action against Beijing. In one of the most prominent appeals, Congressman James Walkinshaw and Senator Tim Kaine urged Trump to confront China over its treatment of North Korean refugees.

The lawmakers accused Beijing of violating international obligations under the 1951 UN Refugee Convention by forcibly repatriating North Koreans despite the severe risks they face upon return, including torture, imprisonment, forced labour and execution.

Their intervention followed reports from the Congressional-Executive Commission on China alleging that Chinese authorities deported around 600 North Korean refugees in October 2023 — described as the largest such operation on record — followed by a further 200 in April 2024.

The appeal drew support from several Democratic lawmakers, including Senators Chris Van Hollen, Jeff Merkley and Peter Welch, alongside Representatives Ami Bera, James McGovern and Suhas Subramanyam.

Trade disputes also remain central to the talks. Republican lawmakers led by Budget Committee Chairman Jodey Arrington called on the administration to push for the removal of China’s 10 per cent tariff on American cotton, arguing that Chinese retaliation had caused US cotton exports to China to plunge by 87 per cent this year.

The lawmakers stressed China’s importance to global textile production, noting that China and India together account for more than half of worldwide textile mill consumption.

Meanwhile, senior Senate Democrats accused Trump of weakening America’s strategic position ahead of the summit. Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer criticised the administration’s handling of export controls, alliances and efforts to curb fentanyl trafficking.

Speaking on the Senate floor, Schumer warned against any concessions that could undermine US manufacturing, semiconductor development or Taiwan’s security.

“Donald Trump may have no interest in helping the American people get ahead, but he certainly seems willing to give China a leg up,” Schumer said.

At the same time, the US House of Representatives prepared to vote on a resolution urging Trump to raise the cases of political prisoners during the talks. The resolution, introduced by Congressman Chris Smith, highlighted jailed Hong Kong publisher Jimmy Lai, detained religious leaders, Uyghur detainees and imprisoned American citizens in China.

“America will not be silent while the Chinese Communist Party imprisons the innocent and reaches across borders to threaten their families,” Smith told lawmakers during debate on the measure.

Beyond trade and human rights, the summit is expected to address the escalating conflict involving Iran and concerns over the Strait of Hormuz, a vital shipping route for oil and global commodities. Trump is reportedly seeking Chinese cooperation in efforts to stabilise the region and restore secure maritime passage.

Taiwan and technological competition, particularly in artificial intelligence and semiconductor development, are also expected to dominate discussions.

Some analysts believe North Korea may feature in the talks as well, given Trump’s repeated interest in reviving diplomacy with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un and China’s continued influence over Pyongyang.

Following Thursday’s formal meetings, Trump and Xi are scheduled to visit Beijing’s Temple of Heaven before attending a state banquet. Further discussions are planned over tea and a working lunch on Friday before Trump departs for Washington.

With IANS inputs

India has imposed a ban on sugar exports until 30 September 2026 in a bid to safeguard domestic supplies and keep prices under control amid concerns over lower-than-expected production.

The Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT), operating under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, announced the decision through a notification revising the country’s export policy for sugar.

Under the new rules, the export status of raw sugar, white sugar and refined sugar has been changed from “restricted” to “prohibited”. The restrictions will remain in place until the end of September next year or until further government orders are issued.

The government said the move was aimed at ensuring adequate domestic availability of sugar in one of the world’s largest producing and consuming nations.

However, exports to the European Union and the United States under existing CXL and Tariff Rate Quota (TRQ) arrangements will continue through established procedures outlined in official public notices.

Authorities also clarified that exports carried out under the Advance Authorisation Scheme (AAS) would still be permitted in line with the provisions of the Foreign Trade Policy 2023 and the associated Handbook of Procedures.

India, the world’s second-largest sugar producer after Brazil, had previously approved exports of around 1.59 million metric tonnes after estimating that production would comfortably exceed domestic demand.

The latest restrictions are expected to tighten global sugar supplies and could support international raw and white sugar prices. Analysts believe the curbs may create opportunities for competing exporters such as Brazil and Thailand to increase shipments to markets across Asia and Africa.

The announcement comes shortly after an industry report showed that sugarcane production in India had risen by roughly 10 per cent compared with the previous year, providing support for both sugar manufacturing and ethanol production.

However, the report noted that growth across the sector remained uneven, with stronger gains largely concentrated among mills that have integrated ethanol production facilities.

With IANS inputs

Ten days after the results of the Kerala assembly elections were declared, in which the Congress-led UDF registered a resounding victory, the Congress on Thursday put all speculation to rest by electing V.D. Satheesan as the next chief minister of the state.

Party in-charge Deepa Dasmunsi, addressing a hurriedly convened press conference, announced that Satheesan had been elected leader of the Congress Legislature Party, paving the way for his appointment as chief minister.

Satheesan was among the three main contenders for the top post, along with K.C. Venugopal and Ramesh Chennithala.

The announcement came a day after former Congress chief Rahul Gandhi held a nearly 40-minute meeting with party president Mallikarjun Kharge, following which the party indicated that all deliberations by the high command had been completed.

A decision on the chief ministerial face had been pending since 4 May, when the Congress-led United Democratic Front (UDF) secured a sweeping mandate, winning 102 out of 140 seats — well above the two-thirds majority mark.

Satheesan had emerged as the frontrunner early in the process, with strong backing within the party.

With his elevation, Venugopal’s bid for the top post has effectively come to an end. Although he did not contest the Assembly elections, he had emerged as a key contender in the race for Chief Minister.

Reacting to the decision, Venugopal said he was “fully satisfied” and would abide by the party’s choice.

“I am fully satisfied. I will stand with the high command’s decision. I accept the party’s choice of V.D. Satheesan as Chief Minister,” he said.

Interestingly, a day earlier on Wednesday, Ajay Maken had announced on X that the name of the Chief Minister would be declared on Thursday. He also drew a comparison between the Congress and the BJP over the time taken to finalise leadership decisions.

Taking a swipe at both the BJP and a section of the media, Maken said the Congress had never taken more than 9 days to elect a Chief Minister. In a post on X, he wrote: “And on this very 9th day, BJP and its godi media are making such a racket as if the Constitution has been shattered.”

The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has sought seven days’ police custody of four men arrested in connection with the alleged NEET-UG 2026 paper leak case, telling a Delhi court that the medical entrance examination was compromised through the online circulation of question papers before the test.

In its remand application filed before Special Judge (CBI) Ajay Gupta, the agency said the accused — Yash Yadav, Mangilal Khatik alias Mangilal Biwal, Vikash Biwal and Dinesh Biwal — were arrested in Jaipur on 13 May.

The CBI alleged that the National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test (NEET-UG) 2026, conducted by the National Testing Agency (NTA) on 3 May, had been compromised after question papers were circulated in PDF format through WhatsApp and Telegram ahead of the examination.

The agency registered an FIR on 12 May based on a complaint lodged by Varun Bhardwaj, director of the Department of Higher Education’s NTA division.

According to the CBI, a preliminary inquiry conducted by Rajasthan Police’s Special Operations Group (SOG) confirmed the authenticity of some of the leaked questions, prompting the government to cancel the examination.

“In April 2026, one Shubham of Nasik informed Yash Yadav that Mangilal had approached him for arranging leaked NEET-UG 2026 question papers before the examination for his younger son for Rs 10-12 lakh,” the remand application stated.

The probe agency alleged that on 29 April, Yash Yadav shared leaked Physics, Chemistry and Biology question papers in PDF format through Telegram.

According to the CBI, Mangilal allegedly procured the papers from Yadav as part of a Rs 10 lakh deal and later distributed printed copies among NEET aspirants, including his son Aman Biwal, relatives and acquaintances.

The agency further alleged that Vikash Biwal contacted several candidates and shared their details with Yadav via WhatsApp and Instagram to facilitate circulation of the leaked papers.

“On April 29, 2026, Shubham allegedly informed Yash Yadav that he would provide leaked question papers of Physics, Chemistry and Biology papers, which will have approximately 500-600 questions capable of securing very good marks and ensuring admission in reputed medical colleges,” the CBI said.

The agency told the court that incriminating chats, leaked question papers and other digital evidence had been recovered from the accused persons’ mobile phones. It added that some deleted data would require forensic examination.

Seeking custodial interrogation, the CBI argued that police custody was necessary to identify other accused persons, trace the source of the leak, analyse digital and financial trails, recover further evidence and examine the possible involvement of NTA officials.

“The arrested accused persons are required to be taken under police custody for custodial interrogation to prevent further commission of similar offences involving leakage of question papers, and to identify and apprehend other co-accused persons involved in the offence,” the agency said in its remand plea.

With PTI inputs

In scenes rarely witnessed within the historic premises of the Calcutta High Court, Mamata Banerjee on Thursday alleged that she was manhandled and heckled by a group of lawyers and outsiders after attending a hearing linked to post-poll violence cases.

The dramatic confrontation unfolded shortly after Banerjee stepped out of the courtroom dressed in a lawyer’s robe — a striking and symbolic appearance that had already triggered intense political speculation across Bengal. As she attempted to leave the court premises, lawyers allegedly surrounded her on the staircase and began shouting “chor, chor” slogans, making it nearly impossible for her to move towards the exit.

Eyewitnesses said the situation quickly turned chaotic as hundreds gathered near the exit gates, with some raising aggressive political slogans, including calls to “send Mamata Banerjee to Bangladesh”. Her security personnel reportedly struggled to create a safe passage through the crowd before finally escorting her to her car amid heavy commotion.

According to Kalyan Banerjee, Trinamool Congress MP and senior advocate, the incident was orchestrated by individuals linked to the BJP. He specifically accused lawyer Suryaneel Das, counsel associated with BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari, of organising the gherao.

“The lawyers came dangerously close to the former chief minister and her security personnel found it extremely difficult to handle the situation,” Kalyan Banerjee said. He questioned how such a breach could occur within the high court premises, adding that if this was the situation inside the court, one could imagine the wider law-and-order scenario in the state.

The Trinamool leader also criticised the sloganeering inside and around the courtroom, saying the high court was not a place for political intimidation or street-style protests.

The tension reportedly began even before Banerjee left the courtroom. During the hearing, one lawyer allegedly shouted, “Don’t do drama here,” further escalating the atmosphere. At one stage, Kalyan Banerjee reportedly returned to the courtroom and requested the Bench to intervene after the chief minister found herself unable to descend the staircase because of the crowd pressing around her.

Several lawyers associated with the Trinamool Congress, including Chandrima Bhattacharya and senior advocate Baiswanor Chatterjee, were also present during the confrontation.

Many senior lawyers later remarked that they could not recall a similar scene unfolding inside the high court premises in recent memory, describing the incident as unprecedented and deeply disturbing for the dignity of the institution.

The confrontation came against the backdrop of a politically sensitive hearing related to alleged post-poll violence in West Bengal. The petition was reportedly filed by Shirshanya Bandopadhyay, son of Kalyan Banerjee, before a division bench headed by chief justice Sujoy Pal.

Banerjee’s arrival at court earlier in the day wearing a black lawyer’s gown had itself become the centre of political discussion in Kolkata. Her appearance revived memories of earlier legal battles following the 2021 assembly elections, particularly after her defeat in Nandigram to Suvendu Adhikari.

Political circles were rife with speculation over whether the chief minister was preparing for another significant legal move, possibly connected to the Bhabanipur assembly constituency or broader electoral disputes.

While the Trinamool Congress maintained silence on the exact legal purpose of her visit, the visual impact of the former chief minister entering court in full legal attire dominated headlines throughout the day.

The BJP, however, strongly denied responsibility for the ugly scenes. A BJP-aligned lawyer claimed the confrontation was created by lawyers once associated with the Trinamool Congress and insisted the BJP had no role in the incident.

BJP spokesperson Debjit Sarkar accused the ruling party of hypocrisy. “These are the things the Trinamool Congress itself taught people over the years. They had heckled lawyers and judges before and even threatened members of the judiciary. If Mamata Banerjee believes something improper happened, she should file a police complaint,” he said.

Meanwhile, BJP state president Samik Bhattacharya launched a sharp political attack while speaking to reporters. Referring to alleged corruption involving Trinamool leaders, he claimed public anger against the ruling party was growing rapidly and described the incident as “a fallout of the Trinamool Congress’s own politics”. He also reiterated the BJP’s commitment to implementing the Uniform Civil Code.

Despite the political sparring that followed, visuals of a former chief minister being jostled, surrounded and shouted down within one of the country’s oldest constitutional institutions left many in Bengal shocked. For supporters of Mamata Banerjee, the incident was seen not merely as a political protest, but as a troubling moment that crossed the line between democratic dissent and personal intimidation inside a court of law.

At least 89 people were killed after powerful storms, heavy rain, hail and lightning battered several districts of Uttar Pradesh, uprooting trees and electricity poles, collapsing houses and leaving widespread destruction in their wake, according to the relief commissioner’s office.

The state government said 53 people were injured, 114 livestock deaths were reported and 87 houses were damaged in the extreme weather that swept across the state on Wednesday.

Chief minister Yogi Adityanath took cognisance of the large-scale loss of lives and property and directed officials to ensure relief reaches affected families within 24 hours.

In a post on X, the relief commissioner’s office said, “Due to bad weather on May 13, including storms, rain, hailstorm and lightning, reports of 89 deaths, 53 injured persons, 114 livestock losses and damage to 87 houses have been received in the state.”

The office said Adityanath had instructed all divisional commissioners and district magistrates to verify incidents “with full sensitivity” and ensure immediate financial assistance and support for affected families.

Officials said the state administration was maintaining direct coordination with district authorities and releasing funds for relief operations.

The worst-hit districts included Prayagraj, Bhadohi and Fatehpur.

According to the Prayagraj district administration, seven deaths were reported from Handia, four from Phulpur, three from Soraon, two from Meja and one from Sadar due to storm- and rain-related incidents.

In Bhadohi, district officials said at least 16 people died in separate storm-related incidents. Additional District Magistrate Kunwar Virendra Kumar Maurya said extensive damage was reported across the district.

“Trees and electric poles were uprooted in several areas while many houses were damaged in the storm,” Maurya said.

Fatehpur Additional District Magistrate Avinash Tripathi said nine people were killed and 16 injured in the district.

“Eight people, including five women, died in Khaga tehsil, while another woman died after a house wall collapsed in Sadar tehsil,” he said.

In Pratapgarh, four people died in separate incidents involving collapsed walls, cemented sheds and lightning strikes.

Superintendent of Police Deepak Bhukar said 25-year-old Bhim Yadav died after being trapped under the debris of a collapsed cemented shed in Ojha Ka Purwa village under Lalganj Kotwali limits.

Bhukar said Bhushan Pandey (56) died after a wall collapsed in Sari Swami village under Baghrai police station area, while Shanti Devi (46) and Lal Bahadur (44) also lost their lives in separate storm-related incidents.

In Kanpur Dehat, a 19-year-old woman identified as Ruchi was killed after lightning struck a neem tree under which she had taken shelter with goats during heavy rain in Bhauthari village under Rasulabad area. Several goats also died in the incident, police said. A 60-year-old man standing nearby sustained injuries.

Additional District Magistrate Dushyant Kumar said local officials had been directed to submit reports on human and livestock losses so compensation could be processed under government norms.

In Deoria, Komal Yadav (62) and Ramnath Prasad (65) died in separate lightning strike incidents, while two others were injured.

In Sonbhadra, Madhav Singh (38) died after being trapped beneath a tree uprooted during the storm.

Adityanath also directed officials from the revenue and agriculture departments, along with insurance companies, to conduct a detailed survey of the damage and submit reports to the government to expedite compensation and rehabilitation measures.

With PTI inputs

Santanu Sinha Biswas, a deputy commissioner of Kolkata Police, appeared before the Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Thursday in connection with an alleged land-grabbing and extortion case after repeatedly evading summons issued by the central agency.

Biswas, who previously served as the officer-in-charge of Kalighat Police Station and is considered close to former chief minister Mamata Banerjee, had skipped multiple appearances despite being summoned several times by ED investigators.

“He has arrived before our officials today,” an ED officer said.

According to officials, Biswas had also been asked to appear before the agency on 28 April, a day ahead of the second phase of polling in West Bengal, but failed to turn up.

“Following this, a lookout circular was issued to prevent him from leaving the country,” the officer said, adding that the alert was circulated across airports and Border Security Force outposts.

Biswas’ name allegedly surfaced during the ED’s investigation into accusations of land grabbing, extortion and other offences linked to Golpark-based businessman ‘Sona Pappu’.

Officials said the agency also gathered additional inputs against the police officer after the arrest of Behala businessman Joy Kamdar in a separate financial irregularities case.

The ED has been attempting to trace and question Biswas for weeks as part of its widening probe into the alleged nexus involving extortion, illegal land dealings and financial irregularities, officials said.

With PTI inputs

At least five people, including a 12-year-old girl, were killed after Russia launched one of its largest drone and missile assaults on Ukraine since the start of the war, with residential buildings in Kyiv among the targets.

The large-scale overnight bombardment came days after a three-day US-brokered ceasefire between Russia and Ukraine collapsed, with Moscow resuming major aerial attacks across multiple Ukrainian cities.

According to Ukrainian authorities, Russia launched more than 670 drones and 56 missiles overnight, targeting over 180 locations across the country and damaging more than 50 residential buildings.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Ukrainian air defences intercepted around 93 per cent of the incoming aerial threats but described the assault as among the heaviest since Russia’s full-scale invasion began in 2022.

Apartment block hit in Kyiv

In Kyiv, rescue teams continued searching through the rubble of a partially destroyed nine-storey residential building after a direct strike overnight.

Police said the bodies of two men aged 21 and 30 and an unidentified woman were recovered from the debris of the collapsed section of the building. Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko later confirmed that the body of a 12-year-old girl had also been recovered nearby.

Another man reportedly died in hospital after a petrol station came under attack during the strikes.

Officials said more than 1,500 emergency responders and police personnel were deployed across affected areas, including nearly 600 in Kyiv alone. More than 10 people were feared trapped under rubble as rescue operations continued.

The strikes also damaged schools, veterinary clinics and water infrastructure in the Ukrainian capital.

Attacks spread across Ukraine

Apart from Kyiv, attacks were reported in Kremenchuk, Bila Tserkva, Kharkiv, Sumy and Odesa regions.

Prime Minister Yulia Svyrydenko appealed for stronger international air defence support, saying Ukraine urgently needed assistance to protect civilians and cities.

Zelenskyy urged allies to maintain pressure and sanctions on Moscow, saying the scale of the assault contradicted suggestions that the war was nearing an end.

“This is definitely not the actions of those who believe the war is coming to an end,” he said.

The drama over the lack of an official broadcaster for the FIFA World Cup in India, with less than a month to go for the world's largest football extravaganza, seems like a poor reflection on the country’s desire to be seen as a sporting nation. A visit to the FIFA website shows that more than 100 countries have finalised their broadcast deals with the world governing body, but India does not feature among them.

With the days ticking by and the absence of any takers, the matter has now reached Delhi High Court, which on 11 May issued a notice to Prasar Bharati over a plea seeking directions to ensure that the marquee event is broadcast in India, especially through free-to-air platforms like Doordarshan and DD Sports.

Advocate Avdhesh Bairwa had filed the writ petition under Article 226 of the Constitution, raising fears that millions of football fans in India could miss out on live telecast of the ‘greatest show on earth’.

There are reports that Prasar Bharati has held exploratory discussions with FIFA as a fallback option should commercial negotiations with private broadcasters fail, which may see a throwback to the days when only knockout matches were beamed on Doordarshan. The world governing body, which initially sought close to $100 million for the combined India media rights package for the 2026 and 2030 World Cups, is reported to have lowered it to the region of $35 million, but still there are no takers.

JioStar, formed through the Reliance-Disney merger, reportedly offered around $20 million for the upcoming edition but the bid was rejected and the impasse continues. The question that is quietly doing the rounds is: while the broadcasters would certainly be looking at a return on investment (RoI), are the exorbitant price tags to acquire media rights for cricket properties like ICC events or the IPL coming in the way of someone like JioStar playing ball?

The answer is yes and no. Despite the Indian media rights landscape being dominated by cricket, Viacom 18 had acquired the rights for the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar for a reported price tag of $60 million. JioCinema, which provided free live streaming in India on its mobile app and website, recorded more than 110 million digital viewers during the tournament, with the Argentina vs France final alone drawing 32 million viewers.

‘’The match timings in India are making a huge difference in terms of marketability unlike the Qatar edition. Most of the matches have kick-off times of 12.30 am, 3.30 am or 6.30 am, and this is making broadcasters wary,’’ a well known industry insider told National Herald.

While the argument holds, he also broke down why it’s quite challenging to monetise a football match. ‘’Any broadcaster depends on two avenues for revenue generation from a sporting event — commercials and subscription. While the match timings for this World Cup are inconvenient in our time zone, FIFA has certain restrictions against pop-up ads etc during a game. Hence, the only window is half-time, but viewers mostly take a break rather than listen to experts,’’ he observed. ‘’It’s also not very tenable to levy additional subscription charges when people already have Jio connections.’’

What has also not helped is that since the merger between Viacom18 and Disney Star, JioStar now controls a dominant share of India’s sports broadcasting ecosystem and enjoys almost near-monopoly leverage in rights discussions. There have been reports that Sony explored the possibility of bidding, but eventually decided against a formal offer.

Football fans live in hope that there could be a late compromise between FIFA and JioStar. Reacting to a query on the subject, All India Football Federation deputy secretary-general M. Satya Narayan said: ‘’See, the AIFF has no role in this but we feel India is too big a market for FIFA to finalise a plan without us on the radar. The hesitation on the part of the broadcasters could be because of timings but hopefully, there will be a solution soon so that the million of football fans here are not deprived.’’

Key regional broadcasters:

USA: Fox, Telemundo, Peacock, Universo

Canada: CTV, TSN, RDS

UK: ITVX

Sub-Saharan Africa: SuperSport

Australia: SBS

Germany: ARD, ZDF

India: No official broadcaster yet; negotiations ongoing with broadcasters like JioStar

Digital and Global

YouTube: Will air live match action, including the first 10 minutes of games as an appetizer, in addition to select full matches per a March 2026 deal

FIFA+: FIFA's direct-to-consumer platform is available for streaming