The BJP government in West Bengal has removed a controversial football-themed sculpture near Kolkata’s Salt Lake Stadium. The structure was designed by former Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and installed in 2017 before the FIFA U-17 World Cup. Many football fans had criticised the sculpture’s unusual design for years. The demolition came days after Sports Minister Nisith Pramanik called it “grotesque” and promised to remove it. BJP leaders welcomed the decision, while the government said it plans to improve infrastructure around the iconic football stadium in Kolkata.

Tulsi Gabbard has announced her resignation as the US Director of National Intelligence. She said she is stepping down to support her husband, Abraham, who was recently diagnosed with bone cancer. Her resignation will take effect on June 30. US President Donald Trump praised Gabbard and said she had done an “incredible job”. Aaron Lukas will serve as acting director after her departure. Gabbard joined Trump’s administration in 2025 and led the US intelligence community during major international tensions, including conflicts involving Iran and Cuba. (PC: Getty Images)

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio arrived in India on Saturday for his first official visit and is expected to hold key talks with Prime Minister Narendra Modi in New Delhi later in the day. The meeting will focus on trade, defence cooperation, technology, energy and the QUAD partnership involving India, the US, Japan and Australia. Rubio first landed in Kolkata before travelling to Delhi. He is also scheduled to meet External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar on Sunday. US Ambassador Sergio Gor described the visit as “historic” and said it would help strengthen ties between the two countries.

Russian President Vladimir Putin has threatened retaliation after Russia accused Ukraine of attacking a student dormitory in the occupied town of Starobilsk in eastern Ukraine. Russian officials said 10 people were killed and 38 injured in the overnight drone strike, while 11 people are still missing. Ukraine’s military said it targeted the headquarters of Russia’s Rubicon drone unit in the same area. Putin claimed there were no military facilities near the building and rejected suggestions that Russian air defence caused the damage. He ordered the military to prepare proposals for a response as tensions between both countries continue to rise. (PC: Reuters)

At least 90 people died after a gas explosion at a coal mine in China’s Shanxi province on Friday night. The blast happened at the Liushenyu coal mine in Qinyuan county while 247 workers were underground. More than 200 workers were rescued safely, while rescue teams continued search operations. Chinese President Xi Jinping ordered authorities to carry out full rescue efforts and provide treatment to the injured. He also asked officials to investigate the cause of the accident and take strict action against those responsible. Company executives connected to the mine have reportedly been detained as investigations continue. (PC: Xinhua)

A man linked to Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) has been arrested for allegedly plotting to kill Ivanka Trump, the daughter of US President Donald Trump and his former adviser. The suspect, Mohammad Baqer Al-Saadi, was arrested in Turkey and later extradited to the US. Officials said he wanted revenge for the 2020 killing of Iranian commander Qasem Soleimani in a US drone strike. Investigators found a blueprint of Ivanka’s Florida home during his arrest. Al-Saadi is also accused of involvement in attacks on US and Jewish targets in Europe and Canada. Authorities are continuing the investigation.

Villagers in Uttar Pradesh’s Shankargarh block are facing a serious water shortage during the ongoing heatwave. Many people are walking nearly 10 kilometres every day to collect drinking water. Residents say there is no proper water supply and no electricity in the area. Around 150 people in one village are struggling in extreme heat. Temperatures in the region have crossed 40 degrees Celsius. Officials said they have ordered a review of the situation and asked local teams to send water tankers if needed. Authorities have also shared heatwave advisories and arranged cooling centres in some areas of the district.

India’s state-run film institutes, the Film and Television Institute of India and Satyajit Ray Film and Television Institute, have emerged among the most successful film schools at the Cannes Film Festival in recent years. FTII student Mehar Malhotra’s Punjabi-language diploma film Parchave Masseah Rataan De (Shadows of the Moonless Nights) was selected in the La Cinef competition this year from 2,750 global entries. FTII previously won top La Cinef prizes in 2020 and 2024 through student filmmakers Ashmita Guha Neogi and Chidananda S Naik. Alumni including filmmaker Payal Kapadia have also gone on to achieve major international recognition, highlighting the growing global influence of Indian film schools. (PC: First Post)

Russian President Vladimir Putin has vowed retaliation after accusing Ukraine of carrying out a deadly drone strike on a student dormitory in Starobilsk, an occupied town in Ukraine’s Luhansk region. Russia said six people were killed, 39 injured and 15 remained missing after the overnight attack. Ukraine’s military said it targeted the headquarters of Russia’s elite Rubicon drone unit in Starobilsk but did not confirm whether the dormitory was hit. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has accused Russia of targeting civilians throughout the war, allegations Moscow continues to deny. (PC: BBC)

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio arrived in India on Saturday for a four-day visit focused on strengthening India-US strategic ties. Rubio landed in Kolkata and visited the Missionaries of Charity headquarters before heading to New Delhi. He is scheduled to hold talks with External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar and meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi later today. Discussions are expected to cover the Quad partnership, trade, defence cooperation, energy security and critical technologies. The visit also comes as both countries work to address trade tensions linked to US tariff measures on Indian exports. (PC: HT)