Kolkata, West Bengal, 22 May 2026 – The West Bengal government has issued a strong new directive to state police to hand illegal immigrants not protected under the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) directly to the Border Security Force (BSF) for deportation to Bangladesh.   West Bengal Orders Direct Deportation of Illegal Immigrants to BSF In a major administrative shift announced on 22 May 2026, West Bengal chief minister Suvendu Adhik

Prime Minister Narendra Modi chaired a focused Council of Ministers meeting lasting around 4.5 hours, demonstrating India’s commitment to achieving the long-term Viksit Bharat 2047 development plan. Senior cabinet ministers discussed strategies for administrative reform, governance efficiency, and citizen-centric initiatives. Key Focus Areas of the Meeting Administrative Reforms: Streamlining government services, reducing bureaucrac

Summit Postponed Due to Ebola Outbreak The Fourth India-Africa Forum Summit, originally scheduled to take place in New Delhi from May 28, 2026, has been postponed due to an escalating Ebola outbreak in several African countries. The Democratic Republic of Congo’s South Kivu province has reported the latest cases, contributing to concerns about regional health security. India and the African Union, followin

Flamingo Season Makes Pulicat Lake A Birding Hotspot Pulicat Lake, a historic lagoon town near Chennai, has become one of the most popular bird watching places near Chennai, especially during the Pulicat Lake flamingo season. Every year, birders, wildlife lovers and photographers visit the lake to witness graceful flamingos moving across the shallow waters. The calm surroundings, open wetlands and still ref

UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer triggered laughter in the House of Commons on Wednesday, May 20, after accidentally claiming that the United Kingdom had secured a trade deal with North Korea instead of South Korea. He quickly corrected the statement, describing it as a “slip of the tongue” and apologising to MPs. “I’ve just been handed a note saying that I inadvertently said we did a trade deal with North Korea rather than South Korea. That would be breaking news and not very good. So,

The United Arab Emirates has achieved a major milestone with 50% completion of the West-East Pipeline, a strategic crude oil project designed to bypass the Strait of Hormuz. Managed by ADNOC and accelerated under Crown Prince Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed, the pipeline aims to increase crude export capacity via the port of Fujairah by 2027. ADNOC CEO Sultan Al Jaber highlighted that even after the resolution of regional conflicts, global oil flows could take several months to

Kalighat Kali Temple in Kolkata, India, is one of the most revered Hindu pilgrimage sites dedicated to Goddess Kali. The temple is widely recognized as a sacred Shakti Peetha and is closely linked to the legend of Goddess Sati, Lord Shiva and the origin of holy sites across India. Kalighat Kali Temple and the Shakti Peetha Legend

The TMC-controlled Kolkata Municipal Corporation has issued demolition notices to 17 properties linked to party MP Abhishek Banerjee, sparking speculation about internal friction within the party. KMC’s Demolition Notices to Abhishek Banerjee In an unusual political twist, the Kolkata Municipal Corporation (KMC), controlled by the Trinamool Congress (TMC), sent demolition notic

The Dallas Mavericks parted ways with Jason Kidd on Tuesday, May 19, 2026, ending his five-season run as head coach after a difficult 2025-26 NBA season. The organization said the decision was mutual and confirmed that it will begin a comprehensive search for its next head coach. Mavericks Begin Head Coach Search After Jason Kidd Exit The move comes shortly after Masai Ujiri joined Dallas as president of basketball operations,

Tottenham Premier League safety is the central storyline as Spurs visit Chelsea at Stamford Bridge at 8:15 PM BST on Tuesday, May 19, 2026. For US viewers, kickoff is 3:15 PM EDT on Tuesday, May 19, 2026, with the match available on Peacock. Spurs enter the London derby knowing a win would secure their place in the Premier League next season. NBC Sports reported that Tottenham need two points from their final two matches to guarantee safety, while even one point would likely be enou

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said on Tuesday, May 19, 2026, that the World Health Organization was “a little late” in detecting the Ebola outbreak spreading in the Democratic Republic of Congo, as deaths continued to rise and Washington prepared support for the response. The outbreak has intensified concern among global health officials because of its speed, suspected death toll and spread in difficult field conditions. Reuters reported at least 131 fatalities linked to t

Bengal Police Crackdown After Park Circus Namaz Protest Violence Tension continued to grip Kolkata’s Park Circus area after violent protests over restrictions on roadside namaz and anti-encroachment drives left several police personnel injured and triggered a large-scale police crackdown. The unrest, which erupted on Sunday evening at the busy Park Circus Seven Point Crossing, has now become one of the biggest law-and-or

The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) on Saturday arrested Manisha Mandhare, a Botany professor and member of the National Testing Agency’s (NTA) paper-setting committee for the 2026 NEET-UG exam held on May 3. Mandhare was taken into custody in Delhi after interrogation at the CBI headquarters. According to the CBI, Mandhare was a key source behind the leak of the NEET-UG 2026 Biology questions, acting as a “mastermind” following information obtained from retired Chemistr

Hantavirus is a deadly virus carried primarily by rodents like mice and rats. Humans usually get infected by breathing air contaminated with rodent urine, droppings, or saliva. This virus can cause two serious diseases: HFRS (Hemorrhagic Fever with Renal Syndrome), which affects kidneys and may lead to internal bleeding, and HPS (Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome), which affects lungs and can become life-threatening. Understanding hantavirus, its symptoms, and prevention is essential for public safe

Mamata Banerjee appeared in the Calcutta High Court in a lawyer's gown to argue the post-poll violence case following TMC's defeat to BJP, as incidents of political violence continue in West Bengal. Mamata Banerjee, the former Chief Minister of West Bengal, appeared at the Calcutta High Court on Thursday dressed in a black lawyer’s gown, representing her commitment to addressing the ongoing case related to post-poll violence in the state. The violence came after the Trinamool Congress (TMC) suffered a historic defeat in the 2026 West Bengal Assembly elections, which saw the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) take control of the state. The case, filed by Shirshanya Bandopadhyay, son of senior TMC leader and advocate Kalyan Bandopadhyay, involves allegations of widespread attacks on political workers and damage to TMC party offices after the elections. Since the election results were declared on May 4, reports of violent incidents, including clashes, bomb attacks, and vandalism, have emerged across multiple districts in Bengal. Both the BJP and TMC have blamed each other for the unrest, which has escalated tensions in the state. Mamata Banerjee’s appearance in court was seen as a sign of her ongoing commitment to the people of Bengal, as the TMC’s official post stated. It emphasized her role in upholding justice, constitutional values, and standing firm against the political violence, regardless of her party’s loss. Her supporters argue that she continues to demonstrate resilience and compassion in confronting the challenges facing her state. The case remains under judicial review, as the political environment in West Bengal remains highly charged following the party's defeat. The tensions are further amplified by the high-profile killing of Chandranath Rath, a close aide to Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari, which occurred on May 6, intensifying the public outcry over the violence and lawlessness in the state.

Actor-turned-politician Vijay has secured his place as the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu for the first time, leading his new party, the Tamil Maanila Congress (TVK), to victory. However, his government’s stability may depend on a delicate balancing act. Despite being sworn in, Vijay's fragile majority in the Tamil Nadu Assembly relies heavily on the support of parties and factions previously aligned with the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK), led by MK Stalin. Vijay’s TVK government now holds the support of 120 MLAs, just above the majority mark of 118. However, the coalition is propped up by the Congress, VCK, IUML, and the Left, most of which still have strong ties to Stalin’s DMK. This leaves the door open for Stalin to pull strings in the background, with his allies in the assembly potentially exerting significant influence over the TVK’s decision-making processes. Despite this, Vijay appears to have a backup plan. The AIADMK, Tamil Nadu’s principal opposition party, has seen internal rifts, and one faction led by senior MLAs SP Velumani and Shanmugam has pledged support for Vijay’s TVK. This move gives Vijay a potential lifeline, increasing his backing to 150 MLAs, provided the faction secures the necessary numbers to avoid disqualification under anti-defection laws. Vijay's decision to meet Stalin following his oath-taking was seen as a sign of political maturity, acknowledging Stalin's influence while maintaining a delicate balance with his own supporters. The political dynamics surrounding Vijay’s government reflect the challenges he faces, relying on support from both Stalin’s allies and AIADMK factions to stay in power. While the immediate future of Vijay's government appears secured with these arrangements, the optics of his reliance on former political adversaries could pose long-term challenges. As the political situation in Tamil Nadu continues to evolve, the success of Vijay’s tenure will depend on his ability to navigate these complex alliances and avoid potential pitfalls in the coming years.

FIFA is racing to finalize 2026 FIFA World Cup TV rights in China and India, with broadcast deals still unresolved less than a month before the tournament begins on Thursday, June 11, 2026. The delay matters because China and India represent two of the world’s largest sports audiences. Without final agreements, millions of football fans could face uncertainty over where to watch the tournament. China CCTV Talks Move Forward Senior FIFA offici

Seventeen Americans from the MV Hondius cruise ship arrived in Nebraska early Monday, May 11, 2026, after a rare hantavirus outbreak linked to the vessel prompted a US medical response. The passengers landed at Omaha Eppley Airfield at about 2:30 a.m. ET and were taken for medical evaluation and monitoring, officials said. One US Passenger Tests Positive US health officials said one American passenger tested mildly positive for the Andes strain

TMC Announces New Assembly Leadership Team in West Bengal The All India Trinamool Congress has announced its new leadership structure in the West Bengal Assembly following the recent political developments in the state. Senior party leader and Kolkata Mayor Firhad Hakim has been appointed as the Chief Whip of the opposition in the Assembly. Veteran Trinamool Congress leader Sobhandeb Chattopadhyay, a 10-time MLA, has been named the Leader of Opposition. The party also appointed Asima Patra and Nayna Bandyopadhyay as Deputy Leaders of Opposition. The appointments come amid major political changes in West Bengal after Suvendu Adhikari took oath as the new Chief Minister. The Trinamool Congress leadership said the new Assembly team will coordinate the party’s strategy and strengthen its role inside the House during the upcoming sessions.

Suvendu Adhikari Takes Oath as West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari was sworn in as West Bengal’s first-ever BJP chief minister on Saturday, May 9, 2026, after the party secured a historic landslide victory in the state assembly elections. The oath ceremony began at 11:00 AM IST at Kolkata’s Brigade Parade Ground, where Governor R. N. Ravi administer