Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday sharpened his attack on the ruling Trinamool Congress during a rally in Malda. After flagging off the Vande Bharat sleeper trains, he coined a new slogan in Bangla: “Paltano darkar, chayee BJP sarkar.”   Modi accused the government led by Mamata Banerjee of corruption and blocking central schemes like Ayushman Bharat. “A heartless and cruel government is looting public money,” he said.   With Assembly elections due soon, Modi urged voters to back the Bharatiya Janata Party, citing recent BJP wins in other states. (PC: ANI)

The US Justice Department is investigating Minnesota Governor Tim Walz and Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey over alleged attempts to block immigration enforcement. The probe follows protests in Minneapolis after Renee Nicole Good was shot dead by an ICE agent last week. (PC: Getty Images)   Walz called the inquiry “authoritarian”. Frey said he would not be intimidated. A federal judge has limited ICE tactics against peaceful protesters. President Donald Trump accused local leaders of losing control, but said he would not deploy troops for now.

Composer A R Rahman has blamed his reduced Bollywood work on industry changes. “Non-creative people now control decisions,” Rahman said in a recent interview, hinting at outsider bias and rumours.   Critics, however, say his post-2015 Hindi albums also hurt his standing. After Tamasha, films like Mohenjo Daro and Heropanti 2 failed to impress. “The music became forgettable,” many reviewers noted.   While Rahman’s South Indian projects remain strong, his inconsistent Bollywood output has weakened his legacy. Fans say a full-blooded comeback is still possible if the composer returns to bold choices.

American lawmakers have urged Donald Trump to seek tariff relief for US pulse exports to India. Senators Kevin Cramer and Steve Daines wrote that India’s 30% duty on pulses harms American farmers.   They said states like North Dakota and Montana lead US pulse production, while India is the world’s largest market. “Unfair Indian tariffs put US producers at a serious disadvantage,” they wrote. The senators noted the duty on yellow peas began in November 2025. They urged Trump to raise the issue with PM Narendra Modi, saying tariff cuts would help farmers and Indian consumers alike.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday flagged off India’s first Vande Bharat sleeper train from Malda Town in West Bengal. The train will connect Howrah with Kamakhya in Guwahati.   “This train will make long journeys faster, safer, and more comfortable,” the Prime Minister’s Office said. The sleeper train is fully air-conditioned and offers modern berths, clean linen, and advanced safety systems. It can reach 180 kmph but will run at 120–130 kmph.   The service is expected to cut travel time by 2.5 hours and boost tourism in eastern India.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday attacked the ruling Trinamool Congress at a public rally in Malda. He called the state government “extremely insensitive and ruthless”.   “The money sent for the poor is being looted,” Modi said. He claimed central schemes like Ayushman Bharat were blocked in Bengal.   Modi urged people to vote for change. “It is time to say goodbye to this cruel government,” he said. He promised jobs, flood control, and support for mango farmers if the BJP comes to power.

Tension between India and Bangladesh was visible during their Group B match at the Under-19 World Cup in Bulawayo on Saturday. After the toss, Indian captain Ayush Mhatre and Bangladesh skipper Md Azizul Hakim Tamim did not shake hands. Both captains walked away without speaking or making eye contact.   There was also no interaction during the national anthems. Indian opener Vaibhav Suryavanshi later exchanged words with Bangladesh players.   The incident comes amid rising political strain between the two countries. Similar no-handshake scenes were earlier seen in India–Pakistan matches.

An audio clip shared online has renewed focus on the case of Sarabjeet Kaur, an Indian woman who travelled to Pakistan for a Sikh pilgrimage and later married a Pakistani man. In the unauthenticated clip, Kaur says she is being harassed and wants to return to India. She claims her condition in Pakistan is “not good” and says she cannot live without her children. Kaur went missing after the pilgrimage in November last year. Police later said she married Nasir Hussain in Sheikhupura. Authorities have placed her in a government shelter home in Lahore. The audio clip has not been independently verified. (PC: NDTV)

Protests in Iran appeared to ease this week amid a prolonged internet blackout and reports of a heavy crackdown. Rights groups said at least 3,000 protesters were killed, while some estimates placed the toll above 5,000. Despite the lull, a senior cleric called for harsh action against detainees. Ayatollah Ahmad Khatami urged that “armed protesters should be put to death,” according to state media. US President Donald Trump said executions had been halted, claiming it helped calm tensions. Internet services remain largely shut, though limited international calls have resumed in parts of the country. (PC: HT)

Boards barring the entry of non-Hindus were put up at Har Ki Pauri in Haridwar on Friday. The boards were installed by the Ganga Sabha, which manages the ghat. Sabha president Nitin Gautam said areas falling within Kumbh limits should remain restricted to non-Hindus, citing a 1916 agreement. The Kumbh is scheduled in early 2027. The state government said the matter is under review. Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami said consultations are ongoing with religious groups. Opposition leaders criticised the move, calling it against constitutional principles.