Amid growing trade negotiations between Washington and New Delhi, US President Donald Trump on Thursday voiced optimism about reaching a trade agreement with India, while describing Prime Minister Narendra Modi as a close friend with whom he shares a strong working relationship.

Trump’s remarks come at a time when the United States has unveiled a new set of tariff measures affecting several economies, including India, over what it says are shortcomings in curbing imports of goods produced through forced labour. The development has added a fresh dimension to ongoing trade discussions between the two countries.

Speaking to reporters at the White House, Trump said India and the United States would eventually arrive at a mutually acceptable arrangement despite past trade disagreements.

“For years, India took advantage of the United States. They charged us tremendous tariffs and paid nothing. Now it is the exact reverse, and we are making a lot of money with India. But we will get to a deal because I like your Prime Minister (Narendra Modi) a lot; he is a good friend of mine, and we get along well. We have a good relationship,” Trump said.

#WATCH | President Donald Trump says, “For years, India took advantage of the United States… They charged us tremendous tariffs and paid nothing… Now it is the exact reverse and we are making a lot of money with India. But we will get to a deal because I like your Prime… pic.twitter.com/IR2x2MqUV5

— ANI (@ANI) June 4, 2026

New US tariff measures target over 50 economies

Earlier this week, the United States announced additional tariff measures under Section 301 of the Trade Act of 1974, citing concerns related to the import of goods allegedly produced through forced labour.

The Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR) identified 54 economies, including India, claiming they had failed to impose and effectively enforce prohibitions on imports linked to forced labour.

Countries named in the list include India, Singapore, South Korea, Australia, Taiwan, Thailand, China, Russia, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Sri Lanka, Switzerland, Turkiye, Israel, Japan, Qatar, and the United Kingdom.

According to the USTR, economies that already have some form of forced labour import prohibition, or have committed to implementing such measures through trade agreements, could face an additional tariff of 10 per cent. Others may be subject to an extra duty of 12.5 per cent.

Textile imports may get limited tariff relief

The proposed action also includes a textile mechanism that would allow a specified volume of apparel and textile imports from certain economies to enter the US market at a reduced Section 301 tariff rate.

The USTR said the measures are aimed at addressing what it termed “unreasonable” policies and practices related to the failure to prohibit imports of goods produced with forced labour, arguing that such practices place a burden on US commerce.

Separately, the trade body flagged six economies for allegedly failing to effectively enforce existing prohibitions on the import of goods produced through forced labour. Those named include the European Union, Pakistan and Canada.

James Handy, a character actor with a career spanning nearly five decades, was fatally stabbed on Wednesday, June 4, 2026, in Los Angeles. He was 81.

Handy was killed in the Tarzana neighborhood of Los Angeles. According to the LAPD, West Valley area patrol officers responded around 9:30 am to a radio call of unknown trouble in the 19200 block of Erwin Street.

The first call to 911 set an unusual tone for the incident. The caller stated: “I am the son of man, I just killed the man of sin.”

Upon arrival, officers discovered Handy in the front yard of the residence, unconscious and suffering from a stab wound to his chest. He was transported to a local hospital by Los Angeles Fire Department paramedics, where he was pronounced deceased.

Also Read: Peabo Bryson dies at 75: The voice gave Disney songs its soul

The suspect

The suspect flagged down nearby responding officers and told them he was the one they were looking for.

He resides at the location with his mother, who was Handy’s girlfriend. He was identified as 44-year-old Michael Gledhill, who was arrested and booked at Van Nuys Jail for one count of murder with $2 million in bail.

The LAPD confirmed the case did not appear to be part of a broader threat. Detectives believe the incident was one of it’s kind and that there is no danger to the public.

His career in film

Handy had his first screen credit in 1977. Over the following decades, he built an extensive resume in both film and television.

His most recent notable role came in 2022’s “Top Gun: Maverick,” where he appeared as the bartender. He also played the same role in the original “Jumanji.”

In 2017’s “Logan,” Handy played the doctor who treated Hugh Jackman’s character. His earlier film appearances include roles in “The Rocketeer,” “Brighton Beach Memoirs,” “The Verdict,” and “K-9.”

In 1995’s “Jumanji,” Handy played the exterminator, while in “Arachnophobia,” he played Milton Briggs.

Television work

Handy was a familiar face on American television for years. He played Arthur Devlin in eight episodes of “Alias” and had recurring roles on “Melrose Place” and “NYPD Blue.”

Beyond those recurring parts, he accumulated guest appearances across dozens of other TV series throughout his career.

Background

Handy was born in New York. He was 81 at the time of his death. His career placed him in some of the most commercially successful and critically recognized productions of the last four decades, from action blockbusters to prestige dramas to network procedurals.

No additional details about his survivors have been out. The investigation is under the LAPD’s West Valley division.

‘Euphoria’ closed out its run on HBO and HBO Max with 8.7 million viewers across both platforms in its first three days. The figures come from live-plus-three-day viewership data released by Warner Bros. Discovery.

That is a slight uptick from the Season 3 premiere, which scored 8.5 million viewers in three days. The finale was not, however, the most-watched episode of the season. Warner Bros. Discovery did not release individual episode figures for every week of Season 3. The last time the company published mid-season data was after the second episode, which held steady with the premiere audience.

Season 3 episodes are now averaging 25 million viewers globally. That is a 17% increase over the average viewership Season 2 reached at the same point in its run. Season 2 was averaging approximately 21.5 million viewers at the equivalent stage.

Also Read: Every fan theory about the ‘Euphoria’ finale that was wrong, ranked by how confidently it was posted

Comparison to Season 2

The Season 3 premiere outpaced the Season 2 premiere by 44%. For context, the Season 2 finale scored 6.6 million live-plus-same-day viewers across all platforms, which was a series high at the time. The jump from that Season 2 finale benchmark to the 8.7 million posted by the series finale reflects how significantly the show’s audience grew between its second and third seasons.

How it compares on HBO

Another 2026 HBO drama, ‘The Pitt’, reached 9.7 million viewers with its Season 2 finale and crossed a 15.4 million viewer average for that season. However, those ‘Pitt’ numbers are U.S.-only. ‘Euphoria”s figures are measured globally, which makes a direct comparison between the two shows difficult. HBO has said ‘Euphoria’ is now one of the most-watched series in the network’s entire history.

The season and the time jump

Season 3 premiered on April 12, 2026, on HBO and HBO Max. It consists of eight episodes. A five-year time jump moved the story past the characters’ high school years. The official logline for Season 3 described the characters wrestling with questions of faith, redemption, and evil after the jump.

Production on the season wrapped in November 2025, after nine months of filming. The finale, titled “In God We Trust,” aired on May 31, 2026.

The finale and Rue’s fate

In the finale, Zendaya’s character Rue Bennett dies of a fentanyl overdose after relapsing on laced Percocet given to her by Alamo Brown, played by Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje. Creator Sam Levinson addressed the decision directly in a behind-the-scenes video released after the episode. Levinson said the honest ending for someone like Rue is that she does not survive. He cited wanting to tell a truthful story about addiction, grief, and the emotional turmoil it causes.

Levinson also noted the death mirrors how former cast member Angus Cloud, who played Fezco O’Neill, died in 2023, from complications related to substance use. Levinson said the ending was meant in part to honor Cloud. Archival footage of Cloud was used in the series finale.

Sam Levinson confirms the end

Levinson confirmed the show was over in an interview on the ‘New York Times” Popcast, speaking with hosts Joe Coscarelli and Jon Caramanica. HBO confirmed Levinson’s announcement separately to Variety.

Levinson made the confirmation on May 31, hours before the finale aired. The announcement did not come as a surprise. Series lead Zendaya had previously said in interviews she believed the show was ending after Season 3. A full four years passed between Seasons 2 and 3, during which Zendaya and several co-stars built careers in major film projects.

After seven years, three seasons, and 26 episodes, ‘Euphoria’ is officially over.

The cast

Alongside Zendaya, the cast for Season 3 included Hunter Schafer, Eric Dane, Jacob Elordi, Sydney Sweeney, Alexa Demie, Maude Apatow, Martha Kelly, Chloe Cherry, Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje, Toby Wallace, and Colman Domingo. The series was created, directed, and executive produced by Sam Levinson.

Critical reception vs. ratings

Despite strong viewership, the critical response to Season 3 was mixed. The season holds a 44% score on Rotten Tomatoes, with critics describing it as a fragmented collection of uneven storylines that left its cast with little to work with despite their individual talents. The first two seasons both earned Certified Fresh distinctions on Rotten Tomatoes. Season 3 did not.

Sydney Sweeney, who played Cassie Howard across all three seasons, received an Emmy nomination for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series for her work in Season 2 in 2022.

Social media footprint

When the Season 3 premiere aired in April, ‘Euphoria’ trended on X for 12 consecutive hours in the United States, including six hours at No. 1. On TikTok, the hashtag #Euphoria reached 63 million views in the U.S. alone during the debut window, making it the No. 2 most-viewed Movies & TV hashtag on the platform during that period.

Where to watch

All three seasons of ‘Euphoria’ are currently streaming on HBO Max.

Lalit Modi has never been short of drama. The man who built the IPL from scratch, got banned for life by the BCCI, fled to London, and somehow still managed to stay in every headline has now decided his life needs a film. Not a quiet documentary. A full Bollywood production.

Speaking in an interview with ANI, the former IPL commissioner confirmed that a biopic based on his life and the creation of the IPL is currently in development. The project is in the scripting stage, and Modi says he has already participated in “hundreds of hours” of interviews with scriptwriters to help shape the story.

Hundreds of hours. For a man with Lalit Modi’s life story, that might still not be enough.

Also Read: ‘Bigger than any Hollywood or Bollywood star’: Lalit Modi predicts superstardom for Vaibhav Sooryavanshi

A surprise call, a london meeting

The most talked-about part of the interview had nothing to do with cricket and everything to do with Bollywood. When asked who he would want to play his role in the biopic, Modi revealed that Ranveer Singh had personally reached out to meet him a few years ago.

“Ranveer wants to play me. He came and saw me. I would like him to play. But if he has the time, now he’s become so big. I didn’t know Ranveer. I knew Deepika very well. And I never met Ranveer. One day, I get a call saying Ranveer wants to see you. And he comes to London to see me.”

“It wasn’t me asking him”

Modi was keen to clarify that the interest came entirely from the actor’s side. “He said in his life, if there was one role he wanted to play, it would be Lalit Modi as commissioner. That’s how that role came up. It wasn’t me asking him,” he said.

That detail matters to Modi. He is not the one chasing Bollywood. Bollywood is chasing him. At least, that is how the story is being told from his London living room.

Modi acknowledged that he is not sure whether Ranveer is still interested, given how busy the actor has become. “Without doubt, he’s amazing. And what he has done with Dhurandhar is amazing. Whether he still wants to play me or not, I don’t know,” he said.

About Dhurandhar

For those who need catching up, Ranveer Singh’s recent film Dhurandhar has been one of the biggest commercial hits in recent memory. Directed by Aditya Dhar, the film stars Ranveer as an undercover agent spearheading a mission targeting a terror network in Lyari, Karachi. Inspired loosely by real events including the Parliament attack and IC-814 hijacking, the film grossed more than five times its original budget and holds an IMDb rating of 8.6 out of 10.

The biopic’s bigger vision

Modi described the scale of the proposed film as ambitious, saying the IPL story is not just an India story. “It’s a global story, it’s a business story, and it’s a humanity story,” he said.

The biopic is being developed with a full team under Sneha Rajani, who previously ran Sony. Modi confirmed that an extensive research and writing process is currently underway.

As if one production was not enough, Modi also revealed that a television series focusing on the history of the Modi family is in development. He described his family’s past as highly dramatic. “Ours is worse than Dynasty and Dallas put together,” he said.

Forbes published its ‘Iconoclast 50’ list on June 3, 2026. Taylor Swift made the cut. Her net worth now stands at $2 billion. That figure is double what it was when she first became a billionaire in October 2023. It is also up from $1.6 billion in October 2024.

The Iconoclast 50 list recognises leaders across finance, business, technology, media, entertainment, philanthropy. Swift appears alongside figures such as Elon Musk, Beyoncé, and Bad Bunny.

What makes up the $2 billion

Forbes breaks the fortune into three buckets.

Royalties and touring account for nearly $800 million. Her music catalog is estimated to be worth $600 million. Her real estate holdings add roughly $110 million.

Properties in Nashville, Los Angeles, New York, Watch Hill, Rhode Island make up real estate total.

Forbes previously declared Swift the first musician to reach billionaire status primarily through songs and performances, rather than outside ventures such as fashion lines or business deals.

Also Read: Weeks of billboards and countdowns led to this: Taylor Swift confirms ‘Toy Story 5’ song

The Eras Tour

The Eras Tour ran from March 2023 to December 2024. It spanned North America, Asia, Australia, and Europe. Total run time: 21 months, five continents.

The tour generated $2.2 billion in revenue. That makes it the highest-grossing concert tour in recorded history.

By the end of its first year alone, the Eras Tour had crossed $1 billion in revenue, becoming the first tour in history to do so. At one point, Bloomberg estimated the tour added $4.3 billion to America’s gross domestic product.

Swift used proceeds from the tour to buy back the masters to her first six albums for an estimated $360 million in May 2025. That acquisition means all future royalties from those recordings flow directly to her.

The re-recording strategy

In 2020, Swift began re-recording her first six albums. Goal was to reclaim control of her music after her original masters were sold to private equity firm, Shamrock Capital, without her consent.

The re-recordings released under “Taylor’s Version” branding kept royalties in her pocket instead of flowing to previous owners. Forbes credited this move as one of the key factors in her financial rise.

She also inspired other artists to consider re-recording their own work as a way to assert ownership.

New albums add fuel

Swift has released two albums since becoming a billionaire.

The Tortured Poets Department arrived in April 2024. It sold 2.61 million copies in its first week in the United States. That placed it second on the all-time list of biggest debut weeks in the country, behind only Adele’s 25.

The Life of a Showgirl followed on October 3, 2025. It is her 12th studio album. She recorded it in Sweden with producers Max Martin and Shellback during the European leg of the Eras Tour. The album spent 17 weeks atop the US Billboard 200. It sold over four million copies in its first week globally, setting a new record for the biggest opening week in music history.

A theatrical release event tied to the album, The Official Release Party of a Showgirl, screened at 3,700 theaters from October 3 to 5. Pre-sales hit $15 million on the first day.

Where she stands among musicians

Swift is the wealthiest woman musician in the world. She surpassed Rihanna when her net worth hit $1.6 billion in 2024.

At $2 billion, she also surpasses Kim Kardashian, whose net worth sits at $1.9 billion.

She is not, however, the richest musician overall. That title belongs to Jay-Z, whose net worth is listed at $2.8 billion by Forbes.

A historic milestone, built on music alone

Swift turned 36 in December 2025. She has sold over 200 million albums worldwide across a career that began with her self-titled debut in 2006.

Swift has won 14 Grammy Awards. She was the world’s highest-paid musician in 2016, 2019, 2021, and 2022.

Forbes noted in her Iconoclast 50 profile that Swift’s wealth doubled from its initial billionaire level to $2 billion by March 2026. Unlike many celebrity billionaires who diversify into fashion, beauty, or other industries, Swift built her fortune almost entirely on music.

The Tamil Nadu State Cyber Crime Wing has arrested six more persons in connection with the piracy and illegal circulation of the film ‘Jana Nayagan’, starring actor-politician Thalapathy Vijay. The arrests were made as part of the continuing investigation into the piracy and leak of the yet-to-be-released film. The six latest arrests bring total number of people held in this case to 16 since leak first surfaced in April 2026.

What the six did

Investigation revealed that the accused had obtained access to leaked copy of the film and subsequently shared, circulated, promoted content through various digital platforms, including social media accounts, cloud storage links, messaging applications.

Digital devices used in the commission of the offence have been seized for forensic examination. Further investigation is in progress to identify additional persons involved in the piracy network and to trace the complete chain of dissemination.

Also Read: ‘I don’t even have the courage to tell you the truth’: H Vinoth on why Vijay’s ‘Jana Nayagan’ is still in limbo

How the leak began

The main accused was working as a freelance assistant editor on a separate project. He allegedly accessed ‘Jana Nayagan’ footage at an editing studio without authorisation. Investigators suspect the individual copied the film’s reels, assembled the material into a complete version, and shared it with others, allowing it to spread quickly across piracy networks.

The controversy began late Thursday when brief clips from the film surfaced across social media platforms. Within hours, the situation escalated dramatically. By Friday morning, high-definition versions of entire film had reportedly made their way onto piracy websites. Earlier, only short clips ranging from five to ten minutes had appeared online.

Timeline of arrests

The police acted in phases after the leak broke on April 9.

The Cyber Crime Wing arrested six people on Sunday, April 12, for their alleged involvement in the illegal circulation of leaked content. Authorities also took down over 300 links from social media accounts.

A cable operator was separately arrested for illegally airing the film on a local television channel in Coimbatore. The unauthorised telecast came to light after a member of Vijay’s political party flagged the issue to the police. According to police officials, they arrested a 44-year-old cable operator for airing the film.

The Tamil Nadu Cyber Crime Wing then took three more individuals into custody, bringing the total at that point to nine. The primary suspect was a freelance assistant editor. He was officially onboard to work on a different film but used this position to gain unauthorised access to an editing studio. While inside, he accessed the raw footage of Jana Nayagan. He allegedly copied the files and processed the data into a complete version. The suspect then shared this finished cut with associates. It quickly spread across piracy networks in HD quality.

Three more arrests followed including main culprit who stole footage from editing studio. Total number of arrests rose to ten. The six new arrests reported on June 4, 2026, bring that total to 16.

Court orders and platform action

The Madras High Court issued an interim injunction directing internet service providers and cable operators not to stream or broadcast any unauthorised or uncertified versions of the film.

The Madras High Court also ordered internet providers and social media apps to quickly block all illegal links and stop sharing leaked movie clips.

Police issued public warnings stating that downloading, forwarding, sharing, circulating leaked content through social media or digital platforms could lead to legal action.

Editor suspended

The leak triggered professional consequences beyond the criminal investigation. The South Indian Film Editors Association suspended editor Pradeep E Raghav following an emergency meeting on April 17, attended by senior members and leading editors. During this period, all professional cooperation with Raghav was withheld, and other industry bodies were urged to support the action

New Alipore police arrested Swarup Biswas on Thursday evening. He is the former president of the Federation of Cine Technicians and Workers of Eastern India. He is also the brother of former West Bengal minister Arup Biswas. The charges against him include extortion and criminal intimidation.

The complaint

A woman member of a make-up artists’ association in Tollygunge filed the complaint. She alleged that she was denied work for nearly two years. When she approached Biswas seeking employment, she was allegedly asked to pay money. She also claimed she was threatened.

Wider allegations

Police are examining the complaint but are looking beyond it. Investigators are probing allegations that Biswas extorted several lakh rupees from multiple individuals. He allegedly used threats and his influence within the industry to do so.

His role in Tollygunge

Biswas had been a dominant figure in Tollygunge’s film industry for years. As federation president, he held considerable sway over employment in the sector. Sections of technicians and workers had previously accused the federation of exercising undue control over who got work and who did not.

Industry overhaul underway

The arrest comes as the Bengali film industry’s labour organisations undergo major restructuring. BJP MLA Papiya Adhikari announced this week that the federation will cease operations in Tollygunge. Technicians and workers will now fall under the Eastern India Motion Pictures Confederation, a Delhi-based body.

Adhikari said the move is aimed at bringing greater transparency and rooting out corruption. Tollywood workers will now be affiliated with the confederation instead of the federation previously headed by Biswas.

Also Read: NIA raids ex-TMC MLA Saokat Molla’s residence in South Bamunia blast investigation

Nepal’s Foreign Minister Shisir Khanal is set to visit New Delhi on a three-day official visit beginning June 6. The visit comes at the invitation of India’s External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar. This is Khanal’s first official visit to India after being appointed Foreign Minister on April 27.

The Foreign Ministry of Nepal said Khanal will hold formal talks with Jaishankar in New Delhi. The two sides will discuss matters of mutual interest, with a focus on enhancing cooperation in trade, investment, connectivity, energy, and people-to-people ties. Sources in Kathmandu and New Delhi confirm Khanal will also hold meetings with Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal. The two foreign ministers are also expected to discuss the possibility of higher-level visits from both sides, including a potential Jaishankar visit to Kathmandu.

Minister Khanal is scheduled to return to Kathmandu on June 7.

Also Read: Explained: The Nepal-India border dispute that Balen Shah just made more complicated

Trip was postponed last month

Khanal’s visit comes after his planned trip to Delhi last month was postponed. India had deferred the International Big Cat Alliance Summit due to the rise in Ebola cases in Africa, which pushed back the visit.

Although Khanal had already held discussions with Jaishankar and other regional leaders during the Ninth Indian Ocean Conference in Mauritius in April, those were not considered an official bilateral visit.

Lamichhane set the stage this week

RSP President Rabi Lamichhane held a meeting with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday during his five-day visit to India. India’s National Security Advisor Ajit Doval and External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar attended the meeting.

Lamichhane talked with Modi for over an hour in the presence of his wife Nekita Poudel Lamichhane, two party leaders Bipin Acharya and Deepak Bohora, and New Delhi-based Nepali diplomats. Jaishankar, NSA Doval, and Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri were present from the Indian side.

Lamichhane arrived in New Delhi on Monday at the invitation of the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party President Nitin Nabin. Since Tuesday, he had been busy with high-level meetings. He met top leaders including BJP President Nabin at the BJP headquarters. After that, he also met Jaishankar and Home Minister Amit Shah.

Lamichhane was also scheduled to visit the Ram Mandir in Ayodhya on Thursday.

“No Political Baggage”: Lamichhane to Modi

RSP chief Lamichhane and Prime Minister Modi agreed to chart a new course in Nepal-India relations in a changed political context.

According to the Kathmandu Post, Lamichhane told Modi that RSP carried no historical political baggage and sought to build a new framework for engagement with India. Modi, congratulating the party on its strong electoral performance, said India was ready to work closely with Nepal’s new leadership and support the country’s development priorities.

Modi told Lamichhane: “You first decide your priorities, we will provide all possible support in that.” He added that India is always with Nepal and willing to be a partner in Nepal’s development, economic progress, and prosperity.

After the meeting, Modi posted on X that he welcomed and fully shared Lamichhane’s desire to work closely together for a shared and prosperous future. “Nepal is a priority partner under our Neighbourhood First policy and we look forward to collaborating with the new government to elevate the special and multifaceted relationship between our two countries to greater heights,” Modi wrote.

Key projects on the agenda

Among the key issues on Khanal’s agenda will be the Pancheshwar multipurpose project, the proposed East-West Railway, plans for a rail link connecting Janakpur and Ayodhya, expanded petroleum pipeline infrastructure, and efforts to improve trade and transit arrangements.

Nepal is also seeking additional air entry routes from India to support operations at the country’s two newest international airports, in Pokhara and Bhairahawa, both of which have struggled to attract international traffic since opening.

A top Ministry official told IANS that bilateral talks are scheduled for June 6. “During the visit, there are plans to discuss enhancing connectivity between the two countries in line with the priorities highlighted during RSP President Lamichhane’s tour. Improving railway, road, air, and people-to-people connectivity will be a major focus of the bilateral discussions,” the official said.

Border dispute adds friction

There is friction in bilateral relations due to a boundary dispute. The issue flared after Prime Minister Balendra Shah made a statement in Parliament that Nepal had sought the UK’s help to settle the border dispute. India subsequently responded that the issue should be handled through established bilateral mechanisms, rejecting third-party mediation of the international border.

The two foreign ministers are expected to discuss ways to resolve the boundary dispute during Khanal’s visit.

Digital cooperation also on the table

As Lamichhane outlined possible cooperation in the digital sector during his Delhi trip, the two foreign ministers will also take up the digital agenda during Khanal’s visit.

Diplomatic sequence raises expectations

RSP lawmaker Deepak Bohora told BBC Nepali Service from New Delhi that as soon as Lamichhane returns, Minister Khanal will fly to India. He said that as Lamichhane has already opened the discussion, Khanal will represent the government in formal talks.

The Nepali side has already sent a request to the Indian side for a meeting between Khanal and Indian Prime Minister Modi.

Modi had described Nepal as a priority partner under India’s Neighbourhood First policy and expressed confidence that the special relationship between the two countries would continue to grow.

Nepal’s Foreign Ministry said the visit forms part of regular high-level engagement between the two countries and is expected to further consolidate the long-standing and multifaceted ties between the two neighbours.

Putting efforts to end the impasse over monthly meetings of Kolkata Municipal Corporation (KMC), Chairperson of the civic body Mala Roy today announced 19 June as the date of the KMC House.

The announcement comes after the court upheld that the chairperson of the civic body had the authority to convene councillors’ meetings further allowing her to call the monthly House meeting on 19 June as was proposed by her. The KMC chairperson had challenged the civic body secretary’s “unlawful” notice deferring the monthly session by filing a petition in the court.

Speaking to the reporters at a Press conference today, the South Kolkata Parliamentarian said: “Last month, there were efforts from the KMC to cancel the monthly meeting on 22 May. Whatever orders we give are done through the municipal secretary. Even in case of postponement, it is the authority of the chairperson to do so. However, the postponement letter to the public representatives was sent without our knowledge. We had approached the High Court on this matter and the division Bench has now made it clear that it is the power of the chairperson to announce and give a call for the monthly House meeting. On being asked we had informed that we want the House to be held on 19 June at 2 p.m. which has been granted. We have sent a letter to the municipal secretary accordingly and the court order would also reach the people concerned.”

With speculation on Mayor Firhad Hakim’s decision to step down, the chairperson informed that the resignation letter from him has not yet been received. The chairperson asserted that all the conduct would be as per the norms of the KMC Act 1980 only.

Last month, the crucial MMiC meeting was cancelled and later the monthly meeting was deferred a day before escalating the slugfest between the TMC majoritarian KMC and the commissioner. As the Main Chamber which is the venue of the monthly House meeting was closed, the meeting was held in the Councillors’ Club Room of the civic body’s headquarters.

In a major boost for the state government, the country’s first underground coal gasification (UCG) project at the Kasta West coal block in the Pandaveswar area of West Burdwan district is nearing commercial production. The final trial run, which is expected to continue for the next three months, is currently underway.

The project, being implemented by Eastern Coalfields Limited (ECL), is expected to mark a significant milestone in India’s sustainable energy sector and attract further investment to the state.

Speaking on the development, ECL Chairman-cum-Managing Director Satish Chandra Jha said: “Work has already started on the project and we hope that the trial phase will be completed within the next three months. Thereafter, we will be able to commence commercial production from the country’s first underground coal gasification project, which was allotted to ECL by the Central government.”

Managed by ECL, a subsidiary of Coal India Limited, the pilot project is a pioneering initiative that converts unmineable coal directly into valuable industrial gases while the coal remains underground.

Mr Jha also said that a surface coal gasification project at Sonepur Bazari in West Bengal is being planned by ECL, although it is expected to take another year before becoming operational. The Coal India Limited-GAIL joint venture project, which will produce synthetic natural gas (SNG), is being developed at an estimated cost of Rs 13,052.8 crore.

Mr Jha said ECL is poised to become a key player in the country’s transition towards cleaner energy once commercial production begins, which is expected around September this year. Although the Ministry of Coal has set a production target of 56 million tonnes for ECL this year, the company has fixed an internal target of 62 million tonnes. “Over the past month, following the change in the state government, illegal coal mining has almost completely stopped in ECL’s leasehold areas in West Bengal,” Mr Jha claimed.

Bidhannagar Municipal Corporation (BMC) Mayor Krishna Chakraborty resigned on Thursday, saying she was unable to provide services to the people in the present circumstances.

Though Chakraborty in her resignation letter cited “personal reasons” for her decision, she later told mediapersons that the board has “become defunct” after the change of regime in West Bengal.

“Councillors are not coming to the Poura Bhawan (BMC headquarters). I am sitting without work. The board meetings are not being held, MMiC meetings are not taking place. I’m unable to provide services to the people the way I am supposed to. I love to work. This state of affairs is not to my liking,” she said.

Chakraborty, a prominent Trinamul Congress leader and known for her proximity to party chief Mamata Banerjee, sidestepped a query about whether she had spoken to her leader before taking the decision. “I can only say I have spoken to everybody. However, I will not disclose specifically who I’ve spoken to”.

She rubbished a poser on whether she had taken the decision under duress. “Nobody has pressured me, nobody has intimidated me. And there is no reason for anybody to behave like this with me. Am I a thief? I have been working for the masses since I was very young.”

The veteran leader said she would be coming to Poura Bhavan as she would continue to work as Councillor (of Ward 29). “I hold no grudge against anybody. I’ll remain forever indebted to the people of Bidhannagar. They have showered a lot of love and affection on me.”

Asked about the functioning of the new BJP government, she said: “A new government will come up with its fresh policies. We have to keep our trust in it.”

The previous BMC polls were held in February 2022, when the Trinamul Congress retained the board by winning 39 of the 41 wards. Bidhannagar, a posh satellite town of Kolkata is situated on the eastern edge of the city.

Mera Yuva Bharat (MY Bharat), the flagship youth engagement platform of the Department of Youth Affairs, Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, Government of India, has been awarded the Guinness World Records [GWR] title for the “Most Users to Take an Online Quiz in One Week” after 390,812 participants successfully completed the full-length quiz during the official assessment period.

The Guinness World Records Certificate was presented to MY Bharat by GWR Adjudicator Sh. Rishinath at a ceremony held on Thursday at Shram Shakti Bhawan, New Delhi. Rishinath at a ceremony in the presence of Union Minister of Youth Affairs & Sports and Labour & Employment Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya, Minister of State for Youth Affairs & Sports Raksha Nikhil Khadse, Secretary, Department of Youth Affairs Dr. Pallavi Jain Govil, senior officials of the Ministry, representatives of Guinness World Records and youth participants.

The recognition was conferred for the Viksit Bharat Young Leaders’ Dialogue (VBYLD) Quiz, a nationwide youth engagement initiative aimed at strengthening awareness and participation among young citizens in the vision of Viksit Bharat@2047. Conducted through the MY Bharat portal, the initiative witnessed participation from over 50.42 lakh youth representing all 28 states and 8 Union Territories, making it one of the largest digital youth engagement exercises undertaken in the country.

The Minister congratulated MY Bharat and the entire team on this remarkable achievement. He said the portal caters to the aspirations of India’s youth, who constitute nearly 65 per cent of the country’s population below the age of 35 years.

He further stated that the trust and confidence of young people in the portal is evident from the fact that, in just three years, MY Bharat has recorded 2.19 crore registrations, with thousands of new youth joining every day.

The Minister also congratulated the youth of India for this Guinness World Record, saying this recognition truly belongs to them and reflects the faith they have placed in the journey towards Viksit Bharat.

He added that the MY Bharat portal is not merely a digital platform, but a credible and empowering space where young people can engage meaningfully, share their ideas, and contribute to the Prime Minister’s vision to achieve Viksit Bharat@2047. This, he said, was clearly demonstrated when ideas shared by youth through VBYLD found reflection in the Union Budget 2026.

The Secretary, Department of Youth Affairs, Pallavi Jain Govil, said the MY Bharat portal has emerged as a credible platform for meaningful youth engagement across India.

She added that the portal enables multiple forms of engagement through the organic and voluntary participation of young people.

During the official Guinness World Records assessment period from 25 to 31 October 2025, more than 8.39 lakh quiz participations were recorded on the platform.

Following a comprehensive verification process involving independent digital forensic audits, evidence validation and detailed scrutiny of participation records, Guinness World Records certified 390,812 eligible participants, thereby establishing a new world record.

The achievement underscores the Government of India’s commitment to leveraging digital technologies to expand opportunities for youth engagement and participation. It also highlights the growing role of MY Bharat as a national platform for volunteering, experiential learning, leadership development and community-driven action.

The Guinness World Records recognition marks a significant milestone in India’s efforts to harness digital innovation for youth empowerment and citizen participation while advancing the shared vision of Viksit Bharat@2047.

Looking to increase its strength in the Rajya Sabha, the BJP on Thursday announced its national general secretary Tarun Chugh, Dr. Alka Gurjar and former Rajasthan BJP chief Dr. Satish Poonia as its candidates for the upcoming elections to Upper House.

The BJP’s Central Election Committee announced the list of 11 candidates for the biennial Rajya Sabha polls scheduled across several states, along with the by-election in Odisha.

The polls for 24 Rajya Sabha seats spread across 10 states are set to take place on June 18, as announced by the Election Commission.

The elections will cover seats from 10 states including Andhra Pradesh, Gujarat, Jharkhand, Madhya Pradesh, Manipur, Meghalaya, Rajasthan, Arunachal Pradesh, Karnataka, and Mizoram. These posts fell vacant due to the retirement of sitting lawmakers from the Upper House, between June 21 and July 19.

Tarun Chugh and Rajneesh Agarwal have been announced as the party’s candidates from Madhya Pradesh.

In Gujarat, the saffron party has announced a strong list of four candidates which includes Rajubhai Shukla, Mukeshbhai Rathwa, Mansingh Parmar and Jitendra Meghjibhai Kanjariya.

From Arunachal Pradesh, the BJP nominated Tai Tagak, a prominent figure in the state’s political field while Manipur will be represented by A Sharda Devi, a leader known for her organisational acumen.

From Rajasthan, the BJP fielded prominent party leaders Dr. Alka Gurjar and Dr. Satish Poonia, both of whom bring significant political experience and grassroots connect to the table.

For the Rajya Sabha by-election in Odisha, the saffron party fielded Debasish Samantaray, a crucial move in a state where the party continues to expand its footprint.

According to the poll panel, the tenure of 24 Rajya Sabha members elected from 10 states is set to expire during the June-July period.

Among prominent leaders whose terms are ending are Digvijaya Singh from Madhya Pradesh, H D Deve Gowda and Mallikarjun Kharge from Karnataka.

The election will also be held for the seat held by the late Shibu Soren from Jharkhand, which has remained vacant since August 4, 2025.

The Rajya Sabha, also known as the Council of States, is the Upper House of Parliament, where members are elected by elected representatives of the states and union territories through a system of proportional representation.

Shreyas Iyer is set to make a stunning comeback in the national team in the shortest format as the BCCI has reportedly chosen him to replace Suryakumar Yadav as the captain of the Indian men’s national cricket team in T20Is.

According to a report by news agency ANI, Tilak Verma is likely to be appointed as vice-captain of the team.

BCCI chief selector Ajit Agarkar and head coach Gautam Gambhir, along with other members of the selection committee have reportedly reached a consensus on Iyer’s name for the skipper.

The report further stated that Iyer is also likely to attend the selection committee meeting, scheduled to be held on June 6 to pick India’s squad for their upcoming tour to Ireland and England.

While Surya led the Indian team to the ICC T20 World Cup 2026 victory, he had an average campaign with the bat as he could manage only 242 runs in nine innings.

His poor form continued in the recently concluded IPL 2026 as well, where he scored just 270 runs for the Mumbai Indians.

Shreyas Iyer, who last played an international T20I match against Australia in Bengaluru in December 2023, will make his comeback after his strong performance in the IPL 2026. The skipper of the Punjab Kings scored 498 runs in the season.

In an instance of foolproof investigation and swift judicial process, a theft case registered under Laxmisagar police limits in Bhubaneswar ended in the conviction of the accused within just 22 days of the FIR being lodged.

The complainant, Susanta Kumar Behera, had reported on May 8 that an unidentified person had trespassed into his residence on the intervening night of May 4 and 5 while the family was asleep. The intruder allegedly attempted to steal a box kept near the complainant’s head, police said.

Behera woke up during the incident and raised an alarm. Family members chased the offender, whom the complainant identified as Manoj Kumar Samantaray. Although the accused managed to flee, it was later discovered that gold and silver ornaments, including a mangal sutra, a pair of earrings and a pair of silver bangles, had been stolen from the box.

Acting swiftly, police arrested Manoj Kumar Samantaray on May 9 and produced him before the court the same day. The investigation was completed in a time-bound manner, and the chargesheet was filed on May 15, merely seven days after the registration of the case.

The matter was taken up for priority trial, which concluded on May 30 with the court holding the accused guilty. The court sentenced Samantaray to two years and five months of imprisonment and imposed a fine of Rs 30,000.

Police officials said the entire process—from registration of the FIR to conviction—was completed within 22 days, underscoring coordinated efforts by the investigating team, prosecution and judiciary in ensuring speedy justice.

The Urban Police District (UPD), Bhubaneswar, has been placing special emphasis on fast-track investigation and prosecution of criminal cases. The district recorded 35 speedy convictions during 2025 and has secured 25 such convictions till May 31, 2026, reflecting its sustained focus on professional policing and timely justice delivery.

Delhi BJP spokesperson Praveen Shankar Kapoor on Thursday called out AAP leader Saurabh Bharadwaj for his remarks on the Delhi Fire Services (DFS) during a building collapse in the city, terming his reaction extremely shameful.

The Delhi BJP spokesman called Bharadwaj’s remark tthat the Fire Service personnel reached late at the Hauz Rani, Malviya Nagar fire on Wednesday deeply unfortunate.
He said the Fire Department received an emergency call around 8:48 am, and in response, after navigating the narrow lanes of the dense Hauz Rani area, the firefighting operations began at around 9:15 am. Several media personnel present at the site can testify to this fact.

The spokesperson further said that whether it was the fire incident in Palam, the tragedy in Vivek Vihar, the accident in Said-ul-Ajaib, or Wednesday’s incident in Hauz Rani, Bharadwaj has consistently blamed the Fire Service and the local police administration. But in reality, firefighters and police personnel risked their lives during each such incident to carry out rescue operations. He stated that nearly 10 police and fire personnel were also injured during yesterday’s rescue efforts.

According to him, while the DFS faces infrastructure shortages and several other challenges, firefighters still reach accident sites on time despite limited resources.
He said that 27 years of alleged corruption and misgovernance by the Congress and Aam Aadmi Party governments are responsible for any shortage of equipment and infrastructure.
Kapoor, sharpening his attack alleged that the AAP leader, repeatedly makes false statements, must explain why during the previous AAP government’s eleven years, not even a single firefighter was recruited in the Delhi Fire Service, while Bharadwaj should also answer how many fire tenders were added during AAP’s tenure.

Congress MP and Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi’s Almora rally was cancelled on Thursday owing to bad weather conditions in the Kumaon region. After arriving at Pantnagar Airport, Rahul was forced to return to Delhi as weather conditions prevented his helicopter from completing the flight to Almora.

Inclement weather in the high-altitude Kumaon region played spoilsport for the Uttarakhand Congress on Thursday. Rahul was forced to return to Delhi midway from Pantnagar Airport, leaving him unable to address a large public gathering at the Almora Ground, where state leaders had gathered by setting aside their factional feuds. Although days of intense preparation by the state Congress leadership went in vain, Rahul managed to address the gathering virtually. During his address, he also spoke to the parents of the deceased 19-year-old girl, Ankita Bhandari, who was killed by a resort owner and his two accomplices. The main accused is the son of a former RSS leader from Haridwar.

Rahul’s two-day visit to Uttarakhand was cancelled owing to bad weather conditions and a similar forecast by the Meteorological department for the next 2-3 days. He later returned to Delhi from Pantnagar.

The former Congress president’s Uttarakhand itinerary included addressing a massive public rally in Almora on Thursday morning, followed by an interaction with ex-servicemen in Pauri. After his Pauri meeting, Rahul Gandhi was to fly to Mussoorie for a night’s stay on June 4. On Friday, Rahul had a daylong programme featuring a series of interactive sessions and meetings with Congress leaders, PCC office bearers, party workers, district and block presidents, and leaders of other frontal organisations from across the state. More than one thousand passes had been issued by the state Congress leadership for these meetings with Rahul Gandhi. However, all meetings and programmes of the party were cancelled after Rahul returned to Delhi from Pantnagar Airport.

Expressing his regret for not being able to address the party gathering at Almora, Rahul said, “We came to Uttarakhand this morning to meet people. We took a helicopter from Pantnagar to Almora, but the pilot said it was difficult to reach Almora due to inclement weather. We had to return midway to Pantnagar. I wanted to meet you and talk about the political and economic situation in Uttarakhand. It is disappointing that we had to turn back, but we will reschedule this programme as soon as possible.”

Following his statement, Rahul addressed the people and party workers gathered at the Almora Ground virtually.