India’s campaign at the U18 Women’s Asia Cup 2026 suffered a heartbreaking setback as they went down 1-3 to China in a shootout after a fiercely contested semi-final ended 2-2 in regulation time on Friday.

Having twice fought their way back into the contest, the Indian side displayed remarkable resilience but fell short in the shootout, where China’s goalkeeper Liu Xue emerged as the difference-maker with a series of crucial saves.

Nousheen Naz and Kiran Ekka found the net for India, while Li ZeYan and Zhang Yuzheng scored for China in a pulsating encounter that swung both ways before being decided from the spot.

India made a dream start to the match, taking the lead in just the third minute. Captain Sweety Kujur threaded a precise pass into the circle for Nousheen Naz, who unleashed a powerful backhand effort to beat the goalkeeper and hand India an early advantage.

China were awarded a penalty corner in the 21st minute, but Feng Jiaxin’s dragflick was beautifully saved by Indian goalkeeper Mahak Parihar. Three minutes later, however, China found the equaliser due to a defensive error by India in the 24th minute, which China’s Li ZeYan capitalised on to level the game with a field goal.

In the third quarter, China were awarded a penalty corner in the 34th minute, but the Indian backline showed great resilience to deny them the opportunity to take the lead. China held more of the possession in the following minutes but couldn’t break the deadlock.

In the 43rd minute, India received consecutive penalty corners, but could not breach the Chinese post. Despite multiple chances at both ends, the match remained tied at 1-1 as the teams entered the fourth quarter.

The third minute of the final quarter saw China go ahead through a penalty corner. Although the initial shot was blocked by India’s first rusher, the ball went to China’s Zhang Yuzheng (48′) on the rebound, and she delivered a calm finish to give her side a slim advantage.

However, China’s lead only lasted for a few minutes as India’s Kiran (54′) converted a penalty corner to equalise and it remained 2-2 at full-time, with a shootout to decide the winner.

China defeated India 3-1 in the shootout courtesy of some brilliant saves by their goalkeeper Liu Xue. Lu Tong Tong, Ge Chen and Guo Jiaxin converted their chances in the shootout for China, while Sandeepa Kumari was the only player for India to score in the shootout.

The second women’s semi-final will be played between Japan and Korea. India will take on the loser of that match for the bronze medal on June 6, 2026, at 9:30 am IST.

(With agency inputs)

With India’s selectors set to meet on Saturday to pick squads for the upcoming tours of Ireland and England, the future of Suryakumar Yadav as T20I captain has emerged as one of the biggest talking points in Indian cricket. Former India cricketer and national selector Devang Gandhi believes Shreyas Iyer has done enough to be considered the leading candidate if the team management decides to usher in a new era.

Suryakumar, who took over the captaincy after Rohit Sharma’s retirement following the 2024 T20 World Cup, enjoyed immediate success by guiding India to a successful title defence earlier this year. However, questions have surfaced over his place in the long-term leadership plans after a disappointing run with the bat in both the World Cup and IPL 2026.

The Mumbai batter managed only 270 runs in 13 IPL innings this season and has struggled to replicate the consistency that made him one of the most feared T20 batters in the world. With Suryakumar set to turn 36 in September and India preparing for a new cycle that includes the Los Angeles Olympics and the 2028 T20 World Cup, selectors face a significant decision over the team’s leadership direction.

Also Read: ‘Overlooking Suryakumar is not right’: Former chief selector warns against removing India’s T20 captain

Gandhi feels the time may have come to look ahead.

“The Olympics are two years away and the next T20 World Cup is part of the bigger picture. The selectors have to decide whether they see him leading the side in that cycle. Shreyas has been doing well, Rajat Patidar has been doing well, and there are always players waiting in the wings. Surya has been phenomenal as captain, but the way he has batted is a matter of concern. Going ahead, I think we need to move on now,” Gandhi told IANS.

Shreyas’ leadership record strengthens his case

Among the available candidates, Gandhi believes Iyer’s leadership credentials place him ahead of the competition.

The right-hander led Kolkata Knight Riders to the IPL title in 2024 and followed it up by guiding Punjab Kings to the final in 2025. He also captained Mumbai to the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy title and has established himself as one of India’s most reliable white-ball performers.

“We always want a captain with experience, whether that comes from international cricket or a successful IPL campaign. Shreyas has shown he can lead teams under pressure. The way he handled Punjab and previously KKR speaks for itself. At the moment, he is the frontrunner and quite deservedly so,” Gandhi said.

Also Read: Shreyas Iyer to replace Suryakumar Yadav as India’s T20I captain, Tilak Verma to be appointed his deputy: Report

Ishan Kishan could be deputy

While Tilak Varma remains one of India’s long-term leadership prospects, Gandhi believes Ishan Kishan has strengthened his case for a leadership role after his recent performances and growing experience.

Kishan captained Sunrisers Hyderabad in Pat Cummins’ absence during IPL 2026 and has also led Jharkhand successfully in domestic cricket.

“Someone who is a regular feature around the squad should be considered. Tilak is certainly one option, but the way Ishan has performed, I think he can be the vice-captain as well. In my opinion, I would favour Ishan Kishan,” Gandhi said.

According to Gandhi, choosing India’s next T20I captain cannot be based solely on current form or long-term planning. Instead, selectors must identify a player capable of leading the side through the next major cycle while continuing to perform consistently.

“It’s a balance of experience, form and long-term vision. You need someone who can lead until the next T20 World Cup and bring stability to the side. Performance matters, leadership matters and so does the ability to handle pressure. You look at a player’s track record, how he has managed teams and whether he has shown leadership qualities. Based on that, you decide who can take Indian cricket forward,” he said.

With the selection meeting around the corner, the captaincy debate is expected to dominate discussions as India weigh continuity against the opportunity to begin preparing their next white-ball leader.

In a significant move to attract long-term overseas capital and deepen India’s financial markets, the Union government has unveiled a fresh set of reforms covering both the equity and government securities segments. The measures seek to simplify investment norms for foreign investors, expand access to government bonds, and make India’s capital markets more competitive globally.

The package includes relaxed investment rules for individual foreign investors, a broader investment framework for Foreign Portfolio Investors (FPIs) in government securities, and tax exemptions on gains earned from sovereign bonds.

Foreign investors get bigger equity access

One of the key changes allows individual Persons Resident Outside India (PROIs) to invest in shares of listed Indian companies through the Portfolio Investment Scheme, a route that was earlier restricted to Non-Resident Indians (NRIs) and Overseas Citizens of India (OCIs).

To implement the proposal announced in the Union Budget 2026-27, the Department of Economic Affairs is notifying amendments under the Foreign Exchange Management framework.

Under the revised norms:

• Individual PROIs can now participate through the Portfolio Investment Scheme.
• The investment cap for a single foreign investor has been increased from 5 per cent to 10 per cent in a company.
• The aggregate ceiling for all such investors has been raised from 10 per cent to 24 per cent.

Government securities market gets a boost

The government has also announced a major overhaul of the framework governing FPI investments in Government Securities (G-Secs).

To widen participation, the list of securities available under the Fully Accessible Route (FAR) will be expanded to include:

• New government bond issuances with 15-year tenor
• New government bond issuances with 30-year tenor
• New government bond issuances with 40-year tenor
• Sovereign Green Bonds issued in FAR-eligible maturities

 Restrictions eased for FPIs

In another major reform, several investment restrictions applicable to FPIs investing through the General Route have been removed. The government has decided to eliminate:

• Short-term investment limits
• Concentration limits
• Security-wise investment caps

However, the overall investment ceilings will remain unchanged at:

• 6 per cent of the outstanding stock of Central Government Securities
• 2 per cent of outstanding State Government Securities

The existing “general” and “long-term” investment categories will also be merged into a unified limit structure.

Tax exemption for foreign investors

In a further incentive aimed at enhancing India’s attractiveness as a bond investment destination, the government has exempted FPIs from income tax on interest earnings and capital gains arising from investments in Government Securities.

The exemption will apply to income generated on or after April 1, 2026.

The same tax treatment has also been extended to the Bank for International Settlements (BIS) for its investments in Indian government bonds.

According to the government, the tax relief is designed to bring India’s sovereign bond market closer to international standards and encourage participation from large institutional investors.

Focus on long-term capital

Officials said the reforms are intended to draw stable foreign capital from global investors such as pension funds, insurance companies and sovereign wealth funds rather than short-term speculative flows.

The government expects the combined measures to expand the investor base for both equities and government securities, improve market depth and strengthen India’s position as a preferred destination for global capital.

A year-long afforestation programme where 1.10 crore trees of different species will be planted across the state was formally launched by West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari on Friday (June 5, 2026).

The initiative titled “Ekti gaach mayer naame/Ek ped maa ke naam” (A Tree in Mother’s Name) was launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Delhi in 2024. PM Modi had then planted a peepal tree at Buddha Jayanti Park in New Delhi and urged citizens to plant a tree in their mother’s name.

The newly sworn-in Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government in West Bengal was quick to launch the same initiative after coming to power in the state.

The Bengal Chief Minister launched the green drive at the state-level World Environment Day celebrations organised by the state government in Nalban, a green complex that has a sprawling waterbody hemmed in by landscaped gardens, in Salt Lake’s Sector V.

BJP MP Locket Chatterjee, MLAs Piyush Kanoria, Shankar Ghosh, Sharadwat Mukhopadhyay and other senior leaders were present at the ceremony.

According to officials, the campaign is intended not merely as a symbolic observance of World Environment Day on June 5, but as a sustained environmental movement focused on increasing the state’s green cover and promoting ecological responsibility.

As part of the initiative, participants planting saplings in their mothers’ names will be encouraged to install nameplates beside the trees and upload photographs on the My Bharat portal, following which digital certificates will be issued to them.

According to the state government’s notification, plantation targets have been fixed at multiple administrative levels. Around 5,000 saplings will be planted at the district and Kolkata Municipal Corporation levels, 100 at the block level, 200 in municipalities, 300 in municipal corporation boroughs and 1,000 saplings in each Assembly constituency.

Former Tamil Nadu BJP president K Annamalai on Friday formally severed ties with the Bharatiya Janata Party and unveiled a new youth-oriented movement, signalling the start of an independent political journey that he said would culminate in contesting future Assembly elections in the state.

The announcement marks a significant development in Tamil Nadu politics, coming months after Annamalai stepped away from key party responsibilities amid differences over the BJP’s electoral strategy in the state. His new platform, named ‘We the Leaders’, is expected to be expanded into a political party and field candidates in the next Assembly elections.

In a video message, the former IPS officer said he had entered public life with the goal of bringing meaningful change to Tamil Nadu and improving people’s lives. According to him, the new movement represents a continuation of that mission through a different route.

Annamalai disclosed that he had informed the BJP leadership about his decision to leave the party as early as December 2025. He said senior leaders had then requested him to stay on until the Tamil Nadu election process was completed, following which he proceeded with his decision after consultations with the party leadership.

While expressing admiration for Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Annamalai acknowledged that he had differed with the BJP on several issues over the last one-and-a-half years. He reiterated his belief that the party should have contested the Tamil Nadu Assembly elections independently, a position that contrasted with the BJP’s alliance approach involving the AIADMK.

“I did not want to become a problem for the party,” Annamalai said, explaining the reason behind his departure.

New movement to focus on youth and public welfare

Launching ‘We the Leaders’, Annamalai described his political journey as a “solo battle” and said he was attempting to create a fresh political alternative rooted in the aspirations and identity of Tamil Nadu.

He said the movement would seek to walk alongside ordinary people and pursue politics centred on public welfare. According to him, national parties often struggle to fully understand the expectations and sentiments of the people of Tamil Nadu.

Criticism of dynasty politics

Annamalai also took aim at the ruling Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) and what he described as personality-driven politics in the state. He argued that politics should not revolve around individual families and asserted that there was no place for cult or dynasty politics in a healthy democracy.

The former BJP leader said he intended to build a people-centric political platform rather than one dependent on individual personalities.

He further claimed that several prominent figures, including superstar Rajinikanth, had encouraged him to join them politically, but he had chosen to pursue an independent path.

Resignation accepted by BJP

His resignation was formally accepted on Friday by BJP national president Nitin Nabin, bringing an end to his association with the party that began in 2020.

Speculation about Annamalai’s future had intensified in recent weeks after he distanced himself from party positions ahead of the Tamil Nadu elections. Despite stepping down from organisational responsibilities, he continued campaigning for the BJP during the Assembly polls.

A former Karnataka cadre IPS officer, Annamalai resigned from the Indian Police Service in 2019 before entering politics. After joining the BJP in 2020, the former IPS officer was appointed state president within a year and went on to become the party’s most recognisable face in the state.

Chinese President Xi Jinping will travel to North Korea next week for his first visit to the country in nearly seven years, as Beijing looks to strengthen ties with its nuclear-armed neighbour amid shifting regional dynamics.

Chinese and North Korean state media announced on Friday that Xi will undertake a state visit from Monday to Tuesday. His last trip to Pyongyang was in June 2019.

The visit comes at a sensitive time, with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un deepening relations with Russia while also seeking to improve ties with China, the country’s largest trading partner and a key source of economic support.

Analysts believe Beijing is keen to maintain its influence in Pyongyang as North Korea’s engagement with Moscow expands. News agency Associated Press mentioned William Yang of the International Crisis Group as saying that China is likely using Xi’s visit to reaffirm its strategic interests in Northeast Asia and reassert its role in North Korea.

The trip was announced a day after North Korea unveiled a new facility believed to be linked to the production of material for nuclear weapons. During a visit to the site, Kim vowed to strengthen North Korea’s nuclear forces at an “exponential rate”, signalling that Pyongyang remains committed to expanding its weapons programme.

Experts say the timing of the disclosure may have been intended to reinforce North Korea’s position as a nuclear weapons state prior to Xi’s arrival.

North Korea’s nuclear programme remains a major concern for the United States, which continues to push for denuclearisation. However, Kim has insisted that Washington must drop that demand as a precondition for future talks.

Xi and Kim last met in Beijing in September, where both leaders pledged deeper cooperation and mutual support.

Tibetan spiritual leader the 14th Dalai Lama arrived in Delhi on Friday to undergo medical treatment for his left knee, according to an announcement issued from his office.

The visit comes weeks ahead of a planned stay in Ladakh and follows a period of public engagements in Dharamshala, where the Nobel Peace Prize laureate recently received his Grammy Award for the audiobook album ‘Meditations: The Reflections of His Holiness the Dalai Lama’.

In a statement shared through the Dalai Lama’s official X account on Thursday, his office said he would travel from Dharamshala to the national capital for treatment.

“His Holiness the Dalai Lama is scheduled to depart Dharamsala tomorrow for Delhi, where he will undergo medical treatment on his left knee,” the announcement said.

The statement also outlined his travel plans after recovery, saying he is expected to head to Ladakh toward the end of June for an extended stay.

Grammy award presented in Dharamshala

The medical visit comes shortly after the spiritual leader formally received his Grammy Award during a special ceremony at his office in Dharamshala on Wednesday.

The award was presented by renowned sarod exponent Amjad Ali Khan along with his sons, Amaan Ali Bangash and Ayaan Ali Bangash, who collaborated on the project featuring the Dalai Lama’s voice.

Speaking to the media, Amjad Ali Khan said, “We are playing sarod with the voice of His Holiness, the Dalai Lama. So we are here to offer this award, Grammy award, to the Holiness, the Dalai Lama.”

Ayaan Ali Bangash described the collaboration as a blessing and thanked the Dalai Lama for allowing the family to be associated with the project.

Dalai Lama’s message after Grammy win

The Dalai Lama won the Grammy earlier this year in the audiobook category, prevailing over a field that included works by Trevor Noah, Kathy Garver, Ketanji Brown Jackson, Fab Morvan and others.

Following the announcement of the award, the spiritual leader issued a message expressing gratitude and humility.

“I don’t see it as something personal, but as a recognition of our shared universal responsibility,” he said, adding that peace, compassion, environmental care and the oneness of humanity remain essential for the well-being of people across the world.

Musician Rufus Wainwright had accepted the Grammy on the Dalai Lama’s behalf during the award ceremony held in February.

The Arunachal Pradesh government has sealed 15 mosque sites in the Itanagar Capital Region after an administrative exercise found them to be operating without the required approvals, bringing the contentious issue of alleged illegal settlements and demographic concerns back into sharp focus in the northeastern state.

The development has once again brought attention to concerns frequently raised by indigenous groups regarding migration, settlement patterns, and demographic shifts in Arunachal Pradesh.

Several organisations have argued that unchecked settlements and unauthorised constructions could affect the state’s tribal character and place pressure on limited land resources.

Crackdown follows indigenous groups’ campaign

The latest action comes after sustained protests and mobilisation by the Arunachal Pradesh Indigenous Youth Organisation (APIYO), which has been raising concerns over unauthorised structures and settlement patterns in parts of the state.

The organisation had previously announced agitation programmes, including a shutdown call in the capital region, while demanding government intervention on what it described as a growing challenge to indigenous interests.

Government cites verification exercise

State government spokesperson and Education Minister P.D. Sona said the matter was formally taken up with the government earlier this year during discussions between APIYO representatives and Chief Minister Pema Khandu.

Following those representations, district authorities were directed to examine the status of religious structures allegedly operating without mandatory permissions.

A verification exercise conducted by officials subsequently identified 15 mosque sites within the Capital Complex area that were found to be unauthorised.

Legal process completed before action

According to the government, authorities followed due process before proceeding with enforcement measures.

Officials completed legal scrutiny and administrative proceedings in most cases before carrying out sealing and eviction-related actions. The remaining cases were reviewed separately before similar action was initiated.

P.D. Sona said the administration had addressed the concerns raised by indigenous organisations through legal and administrative channels and expressed hope that further agitation could be avoided.

Indigenous protection remains key issue

The developments come against the backdrop of recent consultations led by Chief Minister Pema Khandu involving tribal bodies, student organisations, civil society groups, legal experts and political representatives.

Those discussions focused on issues linked to indigenous rights, demographic concerns and implementation of regulatory mechanisms such as the Inner Line Permit system.

During those deliberations, the state government reiterated its commitment to protecting the interests of indigenous communities while addressing concerns related to illegal immigration, settlement patterns and demographic changes through legal and constitutional mechanisms.

A Chinese street food vendor who built a six-figure income selling pancakes on the streets of Los Angeles has announced plans to run for mayor, drawing attention online and sparking debate about immigration, ambition, and the limits of American political life.

Tang, 31, was born to a rural family in Sichuan, southwestern China. He left school after completing secondary education. His father works as a security guard. His mother works as a cleaner.

After secondary school, Tang worked in a factory in Shenzhen, South China Morning Post reports. He later sold cars through live-streams. In his spare time, he taught himself to make savoury pancakes, a popular snack from Hubei province in central China.

He moved to the United States in 2022 with little knowledge of English. He first found work at a used-car showroom. Two years later, he settled in Los Angeles and began selling savoury pancakes on the street. He relied on translation apps to speak with customers.

The business grew quickly.

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According to Jiupai News, Tang charged between US$10 and US$60 per serving. He made more than US$150,000 in his first year. At one point, his monthly income exceeded US$20,000.

His story spread widely on Chinese social media. Followers praised his drive and his ability to build a business in a country where he did not speak the language. Videos of his stall attracted large audiences online.

Then came the arrest.

Immigration agents arrested Tang in Los Angeles on July 19, 2025. The arrest came after dispute with rival vendor. Tang had been operating without a business licence, and concerns about hygiene and unlicensed trading were also raised. Questions about his visa status surfaced online and drew significant backlash.

He was released on bail. The arrest did not end his public profile. If anything, it raised it further.

After the controversy, Tang shifted part of his public image toward charity work. He began distributing free food in poor neighbourhoods. He provided practical help to homeless people. He also started live-streaming videos in which he gave extra portions to women in need. Volunteers began joining him at his stall, wearing the same aprons he used.

The shift attracted a new wave of supporters. Some praised his response to the controversy. His online following continued to grow, and he became a recurring subject of discussion in Chinese-language social media circles inside the United States.

Also Read: Anthropic reveals 80% of its code is now written by Claude and says the world needs a plan to hit the brakes

Now Tang has announced a more ambitious goal. He says he plans to run for mayor of Los Angeles within three years. His stated slogan is to “make Los Angeles great again.”

The announcement has generated substantial buzz, particularly in Chinese-speaking communities and on platforms popular with overseas Chinese audiences. For many followers, his story fits a recognizable narrative of immigrant self-reliance. He arrived without money, built a business with his hands, and now wants a seat at the table in one of the largest cities in the United States.

But the path to any such candidacy faces serious obstacles.

Under United States law, only citizens are eligible to run for most public offices, including mayor of Los Angeles. Tang’s immigration status remains an open question. Reports have noted that his visa situation was already a subject of online scrutiny at the time of his arrest. He has not publicly confirmed his current legal status or whether he holds any pathway to citizenship.

His announcement faces immigration status hurdles that are not simply procedural. Becoming naturalised US citizen typically requires several years of legal residency, passing civics test, meeting additional requirements. Even if Tang resolves his status, the timeline to citizenship alone would make a mayoral run within three years difficult.

Also Read: Explained: Why the US government could soon own stock in the world’s biggest AI firms

There are also questions about party affiliation and how he would navigate the Los Angeles political system. Running for mayor of a city of nearly four million people requires not just legal eligibility but also fundraising, coalition-building, and name recognition beyond social media. No formal campaign infrastructure has been reported.

Los Angeles held its most recent mayoral election on June 2, 2026. Incumbent Mayor Karen Bass sought re-election in that race. Tang did not appear on the ballot.

His profile, however, continues to expand. He has attracted volunteers. He has gained attention from Chinese-language media in the United States and mainland China. His story has been covered by outlets including Jiupai News and picked up across multiple platforms.

India’s R Praggnanandhaa reignited his title hopes at Norway Chess 2026 with a crucial classical victory over world champion D Gukesh, while Wesley So edged past world No. 1 Magnus Carlsen in Armageddon to retain the overall lead heading into the final round.

Playing with the black pieces, Praggnanandhaa outplayed Gukesh in a tense and strategically complex encounter. The 19-year-old seized the initiative in the middlegame, capitalised on his compatriot’s inaccuracies and converted his advantage with precision to earn the full three points.

The victory lifted Praggnanandhaa to 15 points, just half a point behind tournament leader Wesley So, setting up a thrilling finish to one of the strongest tournaments on the chess calendar.

Meanwhile, So kept his nose in front after holding Carlsen to a draw in their classical game before prevailing in the Armageddon tiebreak. The result moved him to 15.5 points and ensured the battle for the Norway Chess title will go down to the final day.

Alireza Firouzja also remains firmly in contention. After surviving a difficult classical game against Vincent Keymer, Firouzja prevailed in Armageddon to collect the additional points. Keymer pressed for long stretches of the classical game, but Firouzja defended resourcefully and kept his title chances alive.

After Round 9, Wesley So leads Norway Chess with 15.5 points. Praggnanandhaa Rameshbabu follows with 15 points, while Alireza Firouzja is close behind with 14.5 points.

Also Read: Norway Chess 2026: Praggnanandhaa beats Magnus Carlsen again; Gukesh and Divya suffer Round 8 defeats

In the women’s section, Bibisara Assaubayeva secured the Norway Chess Women 2026 title with one round remaining after another important result .

Assaubayeva drew her classical game against Anna Muzychuk. Muzychuk later drew the Armageddon game with the black pieces, winning the decider under Armageddon rules and taking the extra points. Even with that result, Assaubayeva’s lead at the top became mathematically uncatchable.

Zhu Jiner produced the only decisive classical victory in the Women’s event, defeating Divya Deshmukh with the black pieces. Zhu kept the pressure on in a tense middlegame and converted after Divya fell into time trouble, earning 3 valuable points and moving into second place.

The game between Humpy Koneru and reigning Women’s World Champion Ju Wenjun also ended in a classical draw. Ju Wenjun then won the Armageddon game with the black pieces, collecting the additional points.

After Round 9, Assaubayeva leads Norway Chess Women with 16.5 points and has secured first place. Zhu Jiner follows with 13 points, while Anna Muzychuk is third with 12 points.

(With agency inputs)

Anthropic said on Thursday that frontier AI developers should establish a coordinated, verifiable way to slow down or temporarily pause development if advanced systems begin improving themselves faster than society can manage the risks.

The proposal came in a blog post written by Marina Favaro and Jack Clark. Favaro leads the Anthropic Institute, the company’s internal research organisation. Clark is Anthropic’s co-founder and head of policy.

The post was titled “When AI Builds Itself.”

The authors wrote: “We believe it would be good for the world to have the option to slow or temporarily pause frontier AI development to enable societal structures and alignment research to keep up with the advance of the technology.”

What is recursive self-improvement?

At the centre of Anthropic’s concerns is the idea of “recursive self-improvement.” This is the theoretical moment when an AI system becomes capable of rewriting its own code, fixing its own weaknesses, and upgrading its own abilities without direct human oversight.

The two authors said model advances appear to be getting closer to this concept, which refers to AI systems that are capable of independently improving themselves and expanding their own capabilities simply by writing their own code.

They acknowledge that this has not happened yet and is not necessarily inevitable, but they warn it could happen much sooner than anyone is prepared for.

Jack Clark told BBC News that reaching fully self-written code could be possible within two years.

Anthropic’s own data

The company disclosed internal data about accelerating model capabilities. Using public benchmarks and previously unreported data from within Anthropic, the Anthropic Institute showed that AI is already accelerating the development of AI systems. Anthropic engineers on average ship eight times as much code per quarter as they did from 2021 to 2025.

As a further example, Anthropic said that as of May, more than 80 percent of the code merged into its codebase was authored by Claude.

The company said such advances could leave governments, regulators, and even AI developers struggling to understand and assess increasingly capable systems as the technology evolves.

Why a single company cannot do this alone

Anthropic cautioned that unilateral or poorly coordinated slowdowns could backfire if less cautious actors continue advancing, potentially reducing overall safety.

“A meaningful slowdown or pause would require multiple well-resourced labs at or near the frontier, in multiple countries, agreeing to stop under the same conditions,” Favaro and Clark wrote.

A unilateral pause by a single company would be easier to implement, Anthropic added, but would have limited impact, primarily shifting leadership rather than fostering broader global deliberation.

The company also said any pause framework would need to include rules on what conditions would trigger or lift it, and clarity on who would oversee compliance.

The verification problem

Anthropic conceded that it would likely require something similar to the Cold War-era treaties that slowed down the pace of nuclear weapons proliferation, but noted that it is a lot easier to mask AI training runs than it is to conceal missile silos.

Unless some kind of ironclad verification regime is put in place, with cooperation from countries such as China, any pause would risk creating a scenario where competing nations simply ignore the pause and take the lead in AI development.

“Tracking decentralized computing resources, private data centers and algorithmic research globally is far more difficult than monitoring something physical, like nuclear facilities,” one analyst noted.

Role of the Anthropic Institute

Anthropic’s research arm, the Anthropic Institute, plans to study and help build systems that would be necessary to support a slowdown.

Anthropic plans to organise conversations in the coming months with policymakers, researchers, and others to help answer questions around recursive self-improvement and a verification system.

The post stated: “The window to investigate the questions together is here, and people outside AI companies should be involved in this deliberation.”

The Anthropic Institute started in March 2026 as a think tank studying AI, led by Jack Clark.

Criticism and context

The proposal has already drawn scepticism. David Sacks, a venture capital investor and informal adviser to President Trump, has accused Anthropic’s leaders of running a “regulatory capture agenda.”

On a recent podcast, Sacks said the regulatory capture agenda in Washington could lead to an effort to ban open-source models, which are versions of AI systems that are far cheaper for organisations to use and develop internally.

Others have suggested that Anthropic’s warnings about the dangerous potential of its own tools could also be a marketing move.

Anthropic’s financial position

The call for a pause comes as Anthropic itself is expanding rapidly. Anthropic’s run rate is on track to reach $50 billion in annualised revenue by the end of this month, up from $9 billion at the end of 2025.

Anthropic recently concluded a fundraising round that valued the company at almost $1 trillion and filed confidential paperwork to begin the process of publicly listing its shares.

The company has recently emerged as the front-runner in a competition for AI supremacy with ChatGPT-maker OpenAI. The latter is also likely to file paperwork for an initial public offering soon.

From backing Prime Minister Narendra Modi against external pressure to offering deeper defence cooperation and praising India’s economic rise, Russian President Vladimir Putin made a series of remarks in support of New Delhi during interactions with international media on the sidelines of the St Petersburg International Economic Forum.

Putin’s remarks covered everything from India’s economic growth and defence ties with Russia to pressure from the West and relations with China. He repeatedly underlined that India should be free to pursue its own interests and decisions.

Five key points are:

1. Pressure on PM Modi is ‘detrimental’

Putin took a swipe at attempts by other countries to influence India’s ties with Russia, saying such pressure was harmful to international relations.

“The US is trying to pressure India, for example, when it comes to cooperation with Russia. But putting pressure on Narendra Modi is detrimental for international relations and bilateral relations. It doesn’t matter where this pressure comes from,” he said.

The Russian leader added that India was fully entitled to make decisions based on its own national interests.

2. India is a ‘great country’ and a leading economy

Praising India’s growth story, Putin described the country as one of the world’s major economies and credited the Modi government for sustaining high growth rates.

“India is one of the leading economies of the world that shows the highest rates of economic growth. This is not something that comes out of the blue. This is a result of the hard work that the government has been doing under the leadership of Prime Minister Modi.”

He also called India a “great country” with a large economy and the world’s largest democracy.

3. Russia is ready to supply and jointly develop Su-57 fighter jets

Putin said Moscow remains open to expanding defence cooperation with India, including on the Su-57 fifth-generation stealth fighter aircraft.

Recalling earlier discussions, he said Russia had once proposed a joint programme with India and remains willing to cooperate on both supplying and further developing the platform.

“We are ready to work with India in this field, to supply this aircraft and to keep developing it,” he said.

He added that Russia would also continue cooperation in air defence systems.

4. India-China ties should be handled without outside interference

Putin said relations between India and China were complex and sensitive, and should not be influenced by external players.

“These are delicate, multi-faceted relations between India and China, and interfering in them is not a good idea,” he said.

Putin expressed confidence that Prime Minister Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping would continue addressing bilateral issues through dialogue.

5. India-Russia trade can touch $100 billion

The Russian President also struck an optimistic note on economic ties, saying bilateral trade could eventually reach $100 billion.

He cited cooperation in energy, nuclear power, hydrocarbons and investments as areas driving growth.

“We have all the foundations to work more actively and to reach more ambitious goals,” Putin said.

The remarks come as India-Russia trade has expanded significantly in recent years, driven largely by energy imports and growing economic engagement.

A relationship built over decades

Putin repeatedly referred to India and Russia as partners with a long and trusted history, describing the relationship as a “special privileged strategic partnership”.

He said ties between the two countries were rooted in decades of cooperation and expressed confidence that defence, economic and diplomatic engagement would continue to deepen in the years ahead.

Brazil will be without star forward Neymar for their final FIFA World Cup warm-up match against Egypt after the Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF) confirmed that the veteran attacker will remain at the team’s training base in New Jersey to continue treatment on a calf injury.

The 34-year-old has been ruled out of Saturday’s friendly in Cleveland as Brazil’s medical staff focus on accelerating his recovery ahead of the World Cup. Rather than travelling with the squad, Neymar will undergo intensive physiotherapy and physical recovery work under close supervision.

Neymar has not featured for nearly three weeks after suffering a grade-two calf strain while playing for Santos against Coritiba in the Brazilian league. The injury has sidelined him from both club and international action, prompting Brazil to adopt a cautious approach with one of their most important players ahead of the tournament.

According to the CBF, Neymar is continuing a specialised rehabilitation programme designed to help him regain full fitness as quickly as possible. Despite concerns surrounding his availability, Brazil head coach Carlo Ancelotti remains confident the forward will be ready to play a role during the World Cup.

“To be clear, Neymar is going to be with us. We think he can recover for the first match [against Morocco] and, if not, for the second [against Haiti]. No doubt that these 26 players are going to play in the World Cup,” Ancelotti said ahead of Brazil’s previous friendly against Panama, as quoted by Goal.com.

The Italian coach has reportedly also held individual discussions with Neymar regarding his tactical role at the tournament, underlining the importance of the forward in Brazil’s plans despite his injury setback.

Also Read: Neymar misses Brazil training ahead of FIFA World Cup after calf injury scare, fitness doubts continue

Brazil’s clash against Egypt will offer Ancelotti a final opportunity to assess his squad before the Selecao open their World Cup campaign against Morocco on June 13. They will then face Haiti on June 19 before concluding their group-stage fixtures against Scotland on June 24.

With the tournament fast approaching, Brazil will be hoping Neymar’s recovery continues on track as they chase a record-extending sixth FIFA World Cup title.

Senior Trump administration officials have opened talks with major AI firms about acquiring government equity stakes. The discussions could reshape how AI wealth is distributed and how the government relates to tech industry.

What NOTUS reported

Senior US officials have held preliminary discussions with major artificial intelligence companies about the potential for the federal government to acquire some shares in their firms, according to three people familiar with the matter. All three sources spoke on the condition of anonymity to reflect private deliberations.

While planning is ongoing and details are in flux, discussions have centered on having the firms voluntarily cede the shares to the government.

The returns on the investment could then be directed to public purposes, such as distributing a dividend payment to all American households.

Reuters said it could not immediately confirm the report. OpenAI, Anthropic, and the White House did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

Who is at the center of these talks

Sam Altman, the CEO of OpenAI, has discussed the idea with senior Trump administration officials periodically since the president began his second term. Altman first pitched the concept directly to President Donald Trump in a conversation in early 2025, and has discussed it again with senior administration officials in recent weeks as a way to more broadly distribute the economic benefits of AI to the public.

Anthropic is a different story. OpenAI CEO Sam Altman has discussed the idea with senior Trump officials, while rival Anthropic was not in conversations over a government equity stake.

In 2025, Altman stated that OpenAI discussed with the US government the potential for federal loan guarantees to accelerate the construction of chip factories domestically, but did not request government guarantees for building its data centers.

Why these talks are happening now

The timing is not accidental. The deliberations come as OpenAI and Anthropic prepare for what are expected to be among the largest initial public offerings in history, and as they struggle with public concern over AI.

Public skepticism toward the technology is significant. Fifty-five percent of Americans think AI will do more harm than good in their day-to-day lives, according to recent Quinnipiac polling. The upsurge of public anger has posed a threat to AI’s development, particularly through local resistance to the construction of data centers crucial to its technological advancement.

OpenAI has itself put public ownership ideas on the table. OpenAI’s own policy report calls for creating a public wealth fund that provides every citizen, including those not invested in financial markets, with a stake in AI-driven economic growth.

The quantum precedent

The AI talks do not emerge in a vacuum. The Trump administration has already moved to take ownership positions in other technology sectors.

The Department of Commerce announced letters of intent to invest $2 billion across nine quantum computing companies under the CHIPS and Science Act. In exchange, the government would receive a minority equity stake in each business.

IBM confirmed it would work with the US government to develop America’s first purpose-built quantum foundry, supported by the proposed $1 billion award. IBM said the initiative would accelerate American quantum innovation and enable advanced quantum wafer production for a broad range of companies.

Other recipients are likely to include D-Wave Quantum, Rigetti Computing, Quantinuum, and Infleqtion, with each company potentially receiving around $100 million. Australian quantum startup Diraq could receive about $38 million.

The government has also taken stakes in other industries. The Trump administration has acquired a 10% stake in Trilogy Metals, a 5% stake in Lithium Americas, a 15% stake in MP Materials, and a 9.9% stake in Intel Corp, among others.

What the executive branch has already done on AI regulation

Separately from any equity discussions, the administration has moved to increase its oversight of AI models. Trump signed an executive order asking leading AI developers to voluntarily submit their most capable models for government cybersecurity tests before releasing them to the public.

Sanders pushes a harder line from the left

While the administration’s discussions focus on voluntary share transfers, Senator Bernie Sanders has proposed a far more aggressive approach from a different direction.

Sanders proposed the American AI Sovereign Wealth Fund Act, which would impose a one-time 50% tax, paid in shares, on OpenAI, Anthropic, and xAI, depositing the equity into a public fund that gives ordinary Americans voting rights, board representation, and eventually dividend checks.

Sanders said the bill would give the public a direct role in determining the future of this technology. He argued that AI companies built and trained their models using the creative work of millions of people, mostly without receiving permission from the creators or compensating them, and that those creative works come from some of the wealthiest people in the world.

Senator Elizabeth Warren, a Democrat from Massachusetts, also published a piece in Time on May 27, 2026, titled “Why We Need to Tax AI,” signaling that Washington politicians across the left are pressing for a share of AI wealth just as the companies prepare for major IPOs.

With Democrats in the minority in both houses of Congress, the initiatives are currently more political statements than any practical legislative threat.

The irony in the numbers

The piece notes the irony that the Trump administration, normally hostile to government ownership of private companies, has already taken equity stakes in roughly 20 firms, completing the ownership step without the redistribution that Sanders and progressives are calling for.

What is still unknown

The NOTUS report is explicit about the limits of what is out. The planning remains ongoing. No formal agreement has been in place. No companies have confirmed participation. The structure of any deal, including the size of any stake or how returns would be distributed to the public, has not been finalized.

Reuters was unable to independently verify the core claims of the report at the time of publication.

What is clear is that the idea of the federal government holding shares in AI companies is no longer a fringe proposal. It is being discussed by the CEO of the world’s most prominent AI company, by senior officials inside the White House, and by elected senators on both sides of the aisle, each with very different visions of what that ownership should look like and who it should benefit.

Also Read: Explained: Is the SpaceX IPO the best opportunity of the decade or Elon Musk’s most expensive con?

The BJP on Friday accepted the resignation of former Tamil Nadu unit chief K Annamalai from the party’s primary membership, a move that has intensified speculation about his political future.

The announcement has triggered fresh political chatter in Tamil Nadu, where Annamalai remains one of the BJP’s most recognisable faces. The decision follows a series of high-level meetings in New Delhi earlier this week and comes against the backdrop of the party’s disappointing performance in the recent Assembly elections in the state.

In a brief statement, the BJP said National President Nitin Nabin had accepted the resignation submitted by Annamalai.

“The National President of the Bharatiya Janata Party, Nitin Nabin, has accepted the resignation submitted by the Tamil Nadu Ex. State President, K. Annamalai, from the primary membership of the Party,” the party said in a press release.

Resignation follows meetings with BJP leadership

The development comes just three days after Annamalai travelled to the national capital and held meetings with BJP president Nitin Nabin, General Secretary BL Santhosh and Union Home Minister Amit Shah.

While neither the BJP nor Annamalai has publicly elaborated on the reasons behind the resignation, the timing has fuelled discussions about his future role in Tamil Nadu politics.

Social media interaction sparks curiosity

A day before the BJP’s announcement, Annamalai had invited people to join him for what he described as an open interaction on social media.

The former IPS officer said he was looking forward to sharing his thoughts with the public. In a post on X, he wrote, “Tomorrow at 12 Noon, I eagerly look forward to interacting with you all on social media to share my thoughts and have an open, heart-to-heart conversation.”

The message drew attention as rumours about a possible new political venture continued to circulate.

Speculation grows after Tamil Nadu poll setback

Talk of Annamalai launching a separate political outfit intensified after the BJP’s poor showing in the Tamil Nadu Assembly elections. Contesting 27 seats as part of its alliance with the AIADMK, the party secured around three per cent vote share.

In recent days, posters carrying slogans such as “Our Leader, Come and Lead Us” appeared across parts of Coimbatore ahead of Annamalai’s birthday on June 4, adding to speculation about his political plans.

During his time as Tamil Nadu BJP chief, the party’s vote share went up from around 3 per cent to 11 per cent in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. However, the gains did not convert into electoral victories, with the BJP drawing a blank in the state. He was replaced by Nainar Nagendran as the Tamil Nadu BJP president the following year.

‘Toy Story 5’ song, “I Knew It, I Knew You” by Taylor Swift has debuted on digital streaming services. Disney had previously billed the track as Swift’s return to country music when they helped her announce it earlier in the week.

The single is available on all major platforms, including Spotify, where it went live Thursday night.

Swift’s message to fans

When the single dropped, Swift shared a post on social media alongside vintage home video footage of herself as a young girl wearing a red cowgirl hat and a shirt embroidered with boots. In her message, she wrote that writing the song felt like “a musical departure and coming home at the same time” and that creating something for the character Jessie was both a new challenge and felt like second nature. She also noted that she has been a ‘Toy Story’ fan since she was five years old.

 

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Swift thanked director Andrew Stanton, saying he had imagined her for the project years ago when writing the film. She also credited Randy Newman for building the sonic world of ‘Toy Story’ across the franchise.

Also Read: Taylor Swift’s net worth is now $2 billion; here is exactly how she built it to be the richest woman musician

Co-written and co-produced with Jack Antonoff

The track is co-written and co-produced by Swift and Jack Antonoff, who is returning to a production role for the first time since “The Tortured Poets Department.” Although Antonoff joined Swift’s circle after she had largely stepped away from country music, the two have worked in that territory before. They collaborated on the country-leaning song “Betty” from her 2020 album “Folklore,” which was also co-produced by Aaron Dessner.

In her social media post, Swift acknowledged Antonoff directly, saying the two wrote the song with deep affection for the ‘Toy Story’ characters that shaped their childhoods.

What the song is about

The song appears to follow the storyline of Jessie reuniting with her owner. It is sprightly and upbeat in tone. Critics have noted it could serve a similar narrative purpose to “When She Loved Me” in ‘Toy Story 2’, which played over a Jessie-focused montage. However, where that song dealt with separation and loss, “I Knew It, I Knew You” carries the opposite feeling, centered on the joy of reunion.

The song also includes one of Swift’s signature extended bridges, a structural element she is known for across her discography.

Lyrics

The song opens with Jessie recalling the details of a childhood friendship:

‘I knew you / Through the daze of the blades of the grass in summer / Parachutes for the free fall of being younger / I memorized the sound of your bare footsteps / Running wild, it’s been a long time.’

The chorus resolves with the lines: ‘I remembered I loved you / Came back when it mattered / I saw you, standing there in the light of the window / Wearing that same smile / Man, it’s been a while / But I knew it, I knew you.’

Physical copies sold out

Alongside the digital release, Swift has been selling both CD and vinyl versions of the single through her website. All physical editions sold out before their 48-hour sales windows closed.

Connection to the broader ‘Toy Story’ legacy

‘Toy Story 5’ is the work of Andrew Stanton, who also has a long history with the franchise. Randy Newman, who has composed and performed songs for every ‘Toy Story’ film, also continues his involvement in the new installment. Swift’s contribution marks the first time an outside artist has recorded an original song specifically tied to a Jessie storyline since Sarah McLachlan performed “When She Loved Me” for ‘Toy Story 2’ in 1999.

A 24-year-old woman was stabbed to death inside the office of a private company in Mohali on Thursday evening, allegedly by a former partner and colleague who later turned the knife on himself in an apparent suicide attempt, police said.

The killing, which was captured on CCTV cameras installed at the office, has raised fresh concerns over workplace violence and crimes linked to failed relationships. Police have registered a murder case and are examining footage from the scene as part of their investigation.

The victim, identified as Dimple, a resident of Patiala, suffered multiple stab wounds and was rushed to Fortis Hospital, where doctors declared her dead. The accused, Harvinder Mann alias Harry, remains in critical condition.

According to preliminary investigations, both worked for a private packers and movers company in Mohali and had known each other for nearly three years. Police said the two were previously in a relationship that had ended some time ago.

CCTV footage captures attack inside office

According to CCTV footage being examined by investigators, Harvinder entered the office around 7.40 pm on Thursday and allegedly launched the attack while Dimple was seated at her workstation.

As the woman tried to flee, the accused is seen chasing her across the office premises. Investigators said he allegedly grabbed her by the hair near the entrance and continued the assault. Several employees attempted to intervene and pull him away, but failed to stop the attack.

Police sources said the victim suffered more than 20 stab wounds. The assault continued even after she collapsed on the floor and stopped responding.

After the attack, the accused allegedly walked back towards the section of the office where Dimple had been working and turned the weapon on himself. As per reports, he repeatedly stabbed himself in the neck and throat in an apparent suicide attempt. Investigators said he inflicted dozens of injuries on himself before collapsing.

Terrified employees alerted police and emergency services, after which both the victim and the accused were taken to a nearby hospital, where Dimple was declared dead. The accused remains in critical condition.

Relationship angle under investigation

Police said the accused had reportedly been trying to reconcile with the victim after their breakup. Investigators are looking into whether an argument over their relationship immediately preceded the attack.

Aman Baidwan, Station House Officer of Phase-11 Police Station, said police received information about the incident around 7.40 pm and immediately dispatched a team to the spot.

A forensic team collected evidence from the office, and CCTV recordings have been seized for examination. Officials remained at the scene for several hours as part of the investigation.

The families of both the victim and the accused, who are from Patiala, have been informed. Police said statements of family members will be recorded as part of the probe.

The victim’s post-mortem examination is expected to be conducted on Friday.