India and Bangladesh have started steps to restore full visa services after months of strain. Bangladesh has resumed visas for Indian citizens in all categories. India plans a gradual restart of its visa services in the coming weeks. Riaz Hamidullah said operations that were paused last year were restored in February. Officials said visa services for Bangladesh citizens are now running at limited capacity, with priority for medical and family cases. The two sides are also working on improving political ties. High-level meetings and closer cooperation in trade and energy may follow soon. (PC: The Indian Express)

Zohran Mamdani faced criticism after saying he would urge King Charles III to return the Kohinoor diamond before meeting him at the 9/11 Memorial. Critics described the remark as “rude” and said it focused too much on colonial issues during a sensitive visit. Mamdani made the comment before the brief interaction, though officials shared no details about what was discussed. The Kohinoor has long been a subject of dispute between India and the UK. The exchange drew political reactions, with some questioning Mamdani’s approach. (PC: X)

Around 55% voter turnout was recorded in two West Bengal seats during repolling on Saturday. Magrahat Paschim saw about 56.3% turnout, while Diamond Harbour recorded 54.6% till 1 pm. Repolling is being held at 15 booths in South 24 Parganas after complaints of EVM tampering. The Election Commission of India ordered fresh voting in 11 booths in Magrahat Paschim and four in Diamond Harbour. “Repolls have been ordered in these polling stations,” an official said. Earlier, the poll panel received at least 77 complaints. Issues included taped buttons and ink marks on EVMs, which affected voting.

Naveen Patnaik said rapes and murders have become a “daily affair” in Odisha and claimed some countries have advised their women citizens not to travel to the state. The BJD president made the remarks outside the Assembly and during a discussion on women’s participation in democracy. He criticised the Bharatiya Janata Party government, saying it has failed to ensure women’s safety. “Major embassies have told their women citizens not to visit Odisha,” he said. The BJP came to power in 2024 after defeating the BJD, which ruled the state for 24 years. (PC: X)

Iran’s armed forces said a conflict with the United States could resume and claimed Washington is not honouring agreements. Mohammad Jafar Asadi said “evidence shows the US is not committed to any agreements or treaties.” He added that US actions are “media-driven” and aimed at managing oil prices. Iran said its forces remain on high alert and are ready to respond. The remarks come amid a fragile ceasefire between the two sides. Donald Trump recently said he was “not satisfied” with Iran’s proposal for talks. The ceasefire has been in place for about three weeks. (PC: India Today)

Preliminary tests by the Maharashtra Food and Drug Administration (FDA) found no adulteration in the watermelon eaten by a Mumbai family before their deaths. Other food samples also tested clean. Officials said the cause of death is still unknown. Police are waiting for the Kalina forensic lab report to confirm whether it was food poisoning or a toxic substance. “Only the FSL report will establish the cause,” an official said. Doctors had earlier noted the symptoms were not typical of food poisoning, as the condition worsened very quickly after the family fell ill after eating watermelon. (PC: The Indian Express)

Donald Trump said Iran should be allowed to take part in the FIFA World Cup 2026, adding “let them play”. Iran’s participation had been uncertain after recent US and Israeli strikes. Gianni Infantino had earlier confirmed that Iran would compete and play matches in the United States. Trump said, “If Gianni said it, I’m OK.” He added, “You do whatever you want.” Iran is set to begin its campaign against New Zealand in Los Angeles. The issue had raised questions about safety and travel amid ongoing tensions between the two countries. (PC: X)

People across India received a loud emergency alert on their phones during a government test on Saturday. The message began with “Extremely severe alert” and caused confusion. It later clarified that it was a test and “no action is required”. The system is part of a nationwide rollout using cell broadcast technology. The Department of Telecommunications and National Disaster Management Authority are leading the project. Officials said multiple test alerts may be sent in different languages. The aim is to check performance before launch. A similar test was also conducted earlier this year. (PC: HT)

An Indian worker in the US on an H-1B visa could not reach India before his mother died of cancer due to visa delays. He tried for weeks to get an appointment for visa stamping but failed to secure a slot. Travelling without it risked his job and legal status in the United States. He stayed back and could only speak to his mother on video calls. She died before he could return. He later said, “I will carry that pain forever.” The case has drawn attention to visa issues faced by many Indian professionals working abroad. (PC: AI)

The Supreme Court of India said the Election Commission of India circular on using central staff for vote counting is “not contrary to rules”. The court made the remark while hearing a plea by the All India Trinamool Congress. The party had challenged the move to appoint central government and PSU staff as counting supervisors. The bench said the ECI can choose personnel from one pool. It added the circular “cannot be said to be incorrect”. The court said party agents will still be present during counting. It declined to give further directions and said the circular will be implemented. (PC: X)