An all-party Indian parliamentary delegation led by Janata Dal (United) MP Sanjay Kumar Jha held high-level discussions with key Malaysian political leaders and think tanks in Kuala Lumpur on Monday, as part of India’s diplomatic outreach under Operation Sindoor.
The nine-member delegation arrived in Malaysia on Saturday for the final leg of its multi-nation tour, which previously included stops in Japan, South Korea, Singapore, and Indonesia.
In a meeting with representatives of Malaysia’s People’s Justice Party (PKR), led by YB Sim Tze Tzin, the Indian side reiterated its zero-tolerance stance on terrorism and reaffirmed national unity in the fight against cross-border threats.
According to a statement from the Indian Embassy in Malaysia, the talks highlighted India’s “resolute approach” under Operation Sindoor.
Delegation leader Sanjay Kumar Jha also met with YB Saraswathy Kandasami, Malaysia’s Deputy Minister of National Unity.
Constructive engagements were also held with the Democratic Action Party (DAP), led by YB M. Kula Segaran, Malaysia’s Deputy Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department for Law and Institutional Reform. Talks centered on Operation Sindoor and diplomatic initiatives taken by India.
The delegation further met with senior leaders of the Malaysian Indian Congress (MIC), including YBhg Tan Sri Dato SA Vigneswaran and Deputy President YB Datuk Seri M. Saravanan.
In addition to political meetings, the Indian MPs held extensive discussions with Malaysian think tanks and academic institutions such as the Asia-Europe Institute, the Economic Club of Kuala Lumpur, and the Institute of Strategic and International Studies.
One think tank delegate described the nine-member team as the “Navaratnas” of India, praising the bipartisan nature of the mission. Discussions focused on India’s “new normal” in national security and the imperative for greater international cooperation in tackling terrorism in all its forms.
In addition to Jha, the delegation includes MPs Aparajita Sarangi (BJP), Abhishek Banerjee (TMC), Brij Lal (BJP), John Brittas (CPI-M), Pradan Baruah (BJP), and Hemang Joshi (BJP), along with former Union Minister and Congress leader Salman Khurshid, and former Indian Ambassador to France Mohan Kumar.
An all-party Indian Parliamentary delegation led by DMK MP Kanimozhi Karunanidhi successfully concluded its visit to Spain in the early hours of Tuesday, conveying India’s zero-tolerance approach to terrorism.
“The visit of All-Party Parliamentary Delegation to Spain was successful in effectively conveying India’s zero-tolerance approach to terrorism to government leaders, lawmakers, civil society and the Indian diaspora- strengthening bilateral ties and mutual understanding,” the Indian Embassy in Spain shared on X.
“The All-Party Parliamentary Delegation met with intellectuals, academicians, think tanks and civil society representatives at a discussion hosted by @Spain_India. During the meeting, they reiterated India’s firm stance against terrorism and its unwavering commitment to global peace. Members of the foundation expressed staunch support for India’s efforts and discussed strategies to combat terrorism,” added the Indian embassy.
Earlier on Monday, the delegation interacted with the Association of Victims of Terrorism (AVT and shared India’s experience in confronting cross-border threats, reaffirming a shared resolve to build a safer and more compassionate world.
With over 4,800 members, the Association of Victims of Terrorism (AVT) represents individuals directly impacted by acts of terrorism, including many who have yet to receive compensation.
The delegation, led by DMK MP Kanimozhi, concluded its international outreach with a visit to Spain. The five-nation tour, which began on May 22, included stops in Latvia, Greece, Slovenia, Russia, and Spain.
Throughout the mission, the delegation engaged with political leaders and civil society organisations to underscore the objectives of Operation Sindoor and reaffirm India’s ongoing efforts to combat Pakistan-sponsored cross-border terrorism.
Apart from Kanimozhi, the delegation includes Samajwadi Party MP Rajeev Rai, BJP MP Captain Brijesh Chowta (Retd.), RJD MP Prem Chand Gupta, AAP MP Ashok Kumar Mittal, and Former Deputy Permanent Representative of India to the UN, Ambassador Manjeev Singh Puri.
The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) provided an update on the status of ₹2000 denomination banknotes on Monday, confirming that 98.26% of these notes have been returned to the banking system since their withdrawal from circulation was announced in May 2023.
As per the RBI, the total value of ₹2000 notes in circulation stood at ₹3.56 lakh crore as of May 19, 2023, the date on which their withdrawal was announced. This figure has now come down sharply to ₹6,181 crore by the end of May 31, 2025.
The facility for deposit or exchange of ₹2000 banknotes was initially available at all bank branches across the country until October 7, 2023. Following this, the exchange facility has remained operational at the 19 Issue Offices of the Reserve Bank. Since October 9, 2023, these offices have also been accepting ₹2000 notes for deposit into individual or entity bank accounts.
In addition to the RBI Issue Offices, the public has also been availing the option of sending ₹2000 banknotes via India Post from any post office in the country to designated RBI offices for direct credit into their bank accounts.
Despite the withdrawal from circulation, the RBI has reiterated that the ₹2000 banknotes continue to remain legal tender. The central bank had first announced the withdrawal through a press release dated May 19, 2023, and has been providing periodic updates since then. The latest status was shared through a press release dated May 2, 2025.
The move to withdraw the ₹2000 notes was part of the RBI’s ongoing currency management operations and has now seen the vast majority of these high-denomination notes returned to the formal banking system.
An all-party Indian Parliamentary delegation led by NCP MP Supriya Sule reached Cairo on Monday to convey India’s zero-tolerance policy on terrorism and further strengthen bilateral ties with Egypt, the League of Arab States, and other key stakeholders.
During their 3-day visit from June 2 to 4, the delegation will meet senior members of the Egyptian Senate, the House of Representatives, and hold a dialogue with the Egyptian Council for Foreign Affairs (ECFA).
They are also scheduled to meet Egypt Minister of Foreign Affairs Dr. Badr Abdelatty and Secretary General of the League of Arab States Ahmed Aboul Gheit.
According to a statement by the Indian Embassy in Cairo, the delegation will also interact with members of the Indian community and Egyptian opinion makers, including senior editors, scholars, and strategic thinkers. The programme includes floral tribute to Mahatma Gandhi’s bust at El-Horreya Park and a visit to Heliopolis War Memorial.
Apart from Sule, the delegation includes BJP leaders Rajiv Pratap Rudy, Anurag Thakur and V. Muraleedharan, Congress leaders Manish Tewari and Anand Sharma, Telugu Desam Party’s Lavu Sri Krishna Devarayalu, Aam Aadmi Party leader Vikramjeet Singh Sawhney, and former diplomat Syed Akbaruddin.
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Kelly Sansom, Research Associate, College of Medicine and Public Health, Flinders University; Research Associate, Centre for Healthy Ageing, Murdoch University
Have you ever noticed how some people bounce out of bed after just a few hours of sleep, while others can barely function without a solid eight hours?
Take Margaret Thatcher, for example. The former British prime minister was known for sleeping just four hours a night. She worked late, rose early, and seemed to thrive on little sleep.
But for most of us, that kind of sleep schedule would be disastrous. We’d be groggy, unfocused, and reaching for sugary snacks and caffeinated drinks by mid-morning.
So why do some people seem to need less sleep than others? It’s a question that’s fascinated scientists for years. Here’s what we know so far.
Natural short sleepers
There is a small group of people who don’t need much sleep. We call them natural short sleepers. They can function perfectly well on just four to six hours of sleep each night, often for their entire lives.
Generally they don’t feel tired, they don’t nap, and they don’t suffer the usual negative consequences of sleep deprivation. Scientists call this the natural short sleep phenotype – a biological trait that allows people to get all the benefits of sleep in less time.
In 2010 researchers discovered genetic mutations that help explain this phenomenon. Natural short sleepers carry rare variants in certain genes, which seem to make their sleep more efficient.
More recently, a 2025 study assessed a woman in her 70s with one of these rare mutations. Despite sleeping just six hours a night for most of her life, she remained physically healthy, mentally sharp, and led a full, active life. Her body, it seems, was simply wired to need less sleep.
We’re still learning about how common these genetic mutations are and why they occur.
Not everyone who sleeps less is a natural short sleeper
But here’s the catch: most people who think they’re natural short sleepers aren’t. They’re just chronically sleep-deprived. Often, their short sleep is due to long work hours, social commitments, or a belief sleeping less is a sign of strength or productivity.
In today’s hustle culture, it’s common to hear people boast about getting by on only a few hours of sleep. But for the average person, that’s not sustainable.
The effects of short sleep build up over time, creating what’s known as a “sleep debt”. This can lead to poor concentration, mood swings, micro-sleeps (brief lapses into sleep), reduced performance and even long-term health risks. For example, short sleep has been linked to an increased risk of obesity, diabetes, high blood pressure and cardiovascular disease (heart disease and stroke).
The weekend catch-up dilemma
To make up for lost sleep during the week, many people try to “catch up” on weekends.
This can help repay some of the sleep debt that has accumulated in the short term. Research suggests getting one to two extra hours of sleep on the weekend or taking naps when possible may help reduce the negative effects of short sleep.
However, it’s not a perfect fix. Weekend catch-up sleep and naps may not fully resolve sleep debt. The topic remains one of ongoing scientific debate.
A recent large study suggested weekend catch-up sleep may not offset the cardiovascular risks associated with chronic short sleep.
What’s more, large swings in sleep timing can disrupt your body’s internal clock, and sleeping in too much on weekends may make it harder to fall asleep on Sunday night, which can mean starting the working week less rested.
Increasing evidence indicates repeated cycles of irregular sleep may have an important influence on general health and the risk of early death, potentially even more so than how long we sleep for.
Ultimately, while moderate catch-up sleep might offer some benefits, it’s no substitute for consistent, high-quality sleep throughout the week. That said, maintaining such regularity can be particularly challenging for people with non-traditional schedules, such as shift workers.
So, was Thatcher a true natural short sleeper?
It’s hard to say. Some reports suggest she napped during the day in the back of a car between meetings. That could mean she was simply sleep-deprived and compensating for an accumulated sleep debt when she could.
Separate to whether someone is a natural short sleeper, there are a range of other reasons people may need more or less sleep than others. Factors such as age and underlying health conditions can significantly influence sleep requirements.
For example, older adults often experience changes in their circadian rhythms and are more likely to suffer from fragmented sleep due to conditions such as arthritis or cardiovascular disease.
Sleep needs vary from person to person, and while a lucky few can thrive on less, most of us need seven to nine hours a night to feel and function our best. If you’re regularly skimping on sleep and relying on weekends to catch up, it might be time to rethink your routine. After all, sleep isn’t a luxury – it’s a biological necessity.
Peter Eastwood has previously received funding from Research Funding Organisations (e.g. NHMRC, MRFF, NHRIF, Raine Study) and has been a consultant for several sleep-related biomedical device companies. He is currently involved in several initiatives with the World Sleep Society, including its Global Sleep Health Taskforce.
Kelly Sansom does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.
Indian equity benchmarks opened slightly lower on Tuesday amid ongoing consolidation, with heavyweight stocks like L&T and Bajaj Finance trading in the red.
At 9:24 am, the BSE Sensex was down 152 points, or 0.19 per cent, at 81,221.39, while the NSE Nifty slipped 36.40 points, or 0.16 per cent, to 24,680.40.
Despite the weak opening in frontline indices, broader markets witnessed buying interest. The Nifty Midcap 100 index gained 167.85 points, or 0.29 per cent, to reach 57,943.40, and the Nifty Smallcap 100 index was up by 107.85 points, or 0.60 per cent, at 18,202.05.
Sectorally, gains were led by auto, PSU banks, pharma, metal, realty, and media stocks. On the other hand, financial services, FMCG, energy, and private bank sectors saw some pressure.
Among the Sensex constituents, Tata Steel, Mahindra & Mahindra, IndusInd Bank, Tata Motors, Asian Paints, and Zomato emerged as top gainers. Meanwhile, L&T, Bajaj Finance, Bharti Airtel, Hindustan Unilever, ICICI Bank, Axis Bank, and Maruti Suzuki were among the major laggards.
Most Asian markets traded higher, with Tokyo, Shanghai, Jakarta, and Hong Kong contributing to the regional gains.
Analysts noted that the market is currently in a consolidation phase, where indices tend to trade within a defined range. “Buy on dips is the most suitable strategy in the current scenario,” said V.K. Vijayakumar, Chief Investment Strategist at Geojit Financial Services. “Amid global uncertainty related to geopolitics, tariffs, and trade, markets are likely to remain volatile.”
On the technical front, Nifty is expected to find immediate support at 24,700, followed by 24,600 and 24,500 levels. Resistance is seen near 24,800, with further upside barriers at 24,900 and 25,000.
In terms of institutional activity, foreign institutional investors (FIIs) continued to reduce their exposure for the second straight session on June 2, offloading equities worth ₹2,589 crore. In contrast, domestic institutional investors (DIIs) maintained their buying streak for the tenth day, investing ₹5,313 crore on the same day.
Harvard University asked a federal judge on Monday to issue a summary judgment ruling to unfreeze $2.5 billion in funding blocked by President Donald Trump’s administration, which Harvard said was illegal.
Harvard’s filing in the U.S. District Court in Boston said that it had received 957 orders since April 14 to freeze funding for research pertaining to national security threats, cancer and infectious diseases and more since the country’s oldest and wealthiest school rejected a White House list of demands.
Trump has said he is trying to force change at Harvard – and other top-level universities across the U.S. – because in his view they have been captured by leftist “woke” thought and become bastions of antisemitism.
The Trump administration did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
U.S. District Judge Allison Burroughs has set arguments for July 21 on Harvard’s motion for summary judgment, which is a request for a judge to decide a dispute without a trial to determine material facts.
Harvard sued the Trump administration in April, alleging the funding freeze violated the school’s right to free speech and was arbitrary and capricious.
In Monday’s court filing, Harvard detailed the terminated grants, including $88 million for research into pediatric HIV, $12 million for increasing Defense Department awareness of emerging biological threats and $8 million to better understand dark energy. The school said ending the funding would destroy ongoing research into cancer treatments, infectious disease and Parkinson’s.
The Trump administration has opened numerous investigations into Harvard. Some are looking at threats against Jewish students and faculty after pro-Palestinian protests broke out following the Oct. 7, 2023 Hamas attack on Israel and subsequent Israeli military actions in Gaza.
Other investigations are probing whether Harvard discriminates based on sex and gender, along with the school’s ties to foreign governments and international students.
The Trump administration revoked Harvard’s ability to enroll international students last month, which a judge temporarily blocked after Harvard sued in a separate case.
Harvard and other universities say Trump’s attacks are threats to freedom of speech and freedom of academics, as well as threats to the schools’ very existence.
Russia told Ukraine at peace talks on Monday that it would only agree to end the war if Kyiv gives up big new chunks of territory and accepts limits on the size of its army, according to a memorandum reported by Russian media.
The terms, formally presented at negotiations in Istanbul, highlighted Moscow’s refusal to compromise on its longstanding war goals despite calls by U.S. President Donald Trump to end the “bloodbath” in Ukraine.
Ukraine has repeatedly rejected the Russian conditions as tantamount to surrender.
Delegations from the warring sides met for barely an hour, for only the second such round of negotiations since March 2022. They agreed to exchange more prisoners of war – focusing on the youngest and most severely wounded – and return the bodies of 12,000 dead soldiers.
Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan described it as a great meeting and said he hoped to bring together Russia’s Vladimir Putin and Ukraine’s Volodymyr Zelenskiy for a meeting in Turkey with Trump.
But there was no breakthrough on a proposed ceasefire that Ukraine, its European allies and Washington have all urged Russia to accept.
Moscow says it seeks a long-term settlement, not a pause in the war; Kyiv says Putin is not interested in peace. Trump has said the United States is ready to walk away from its mediation efforts unless the two sides demonstrate progress towards a deal.
Ukrainian Defence Minister Rustem Umerov, who headed Kyiv’s delegation, said Kyiv – which has drawn up its own peace roadmap – would review the Russian document, on which he offered no immediate comment.
Ukraine has proposed holding more talks before the end of June, but believes only a meeting between Zelenskiy and Putin can resolve the many issues of contention, Umerov said.
Zelenskiy said Ukraine presented a list of 400 children it says have been abducted to Russia, but that the Russian delegation agreed to work on returning only 10 of them. Russia says the children were moved from war zones to protect them.
RUSSIAN DEMANDS
The Russian memorandum, which was published by the Interfax news agency, said a settlement of the war would require international recognition of Crimea – a peninsula annexed by Russia in 2014 – and four other regions of Ukraine that Moscow has claimed as its own territory. Ukraine would have to withdraw its forces from all of them.
It restated Moscow’s demands that Ukraine become a neutral country – ruling out membership of NATO – and that it protect the rights of Russian speakers, make Russian an official language and enact a legal ban on glorification of Nazism. Ukraine rejects the Nazi charge as absurd and denies discriminating against Russian speakers.
Russia also formalised its terms for any ceasefire en route to a peace settlement, presenting two options that both appeared to be non-starters for Ukraine.
Option one, according to the text, was for Ukraine to start a full military withdrawal from the Luhansk, Donetsk, Zaporizhzhia and Kherson regions. Of those, Russia fully controls the first but holds only about 70% of the rest.
Option two was a package that would require Ukraine to cease military redeployments and accept a halt to foreign provision of military aid, satellite communications and intelligence. Kyiv would also have to lift martial law and hold presidential and parliamentary elections within 100 days.
Russian delegation head Vladimir Medinsky said Moscow had also suggested a “specific ceasefire of two to three days in certain sections of the front” so that the bodies of dead soldiers could be collected.
According to a proposed roadmap drawn up by Ukraine, a copy of which was seen by Reuters, Kyiv wants no restrictions on its military strength after any peace deal, no international recognition of Russian sovereignty over parts of Ukraine taken by Moscow’s forces, and reparations.
UKRAINE TARGETS RUSSIAN BOMBER FLEET
The conflict has been heating up, with Russia launching its biggest drone attacks of the war and advancing on the battlefield in May at its fastest rate in six months.
On Sunday, Ukraine said it launched 117 drones in an operation codenamed “Spider’s Web” to attack Russian nuclear-capable long-range bomber planes at airfields in Siberia and the far north of the country.
Satellite imagery suggested the attacks had caused substantial damage, although the two sides gave conflicting accounts of the extent of it.
Western military analysts described the strikes, thousands of miles from the front lines, as one of the most audacious Ukrainian operations of the war.
Russia’s strategic bomber fleet forms part of the “triad” of forces – along with missiles launched from the ground or from submarines – that make up the country’s nuclear arsenal, the biggest in the world. Faced with repeated warnings from Putin of Russia’s nuclear might, the U.S. and its allies have been wary throughout the Ukraine conflict of the risk that it could spiral into World War Three.
A current U.S. administration official said Trump and the White House were not notified before the attack. A former administration official said Ukraine, for operational security reasons, regularly does not disclose to Washington its plans for such actions.
A UK government official said the British government also was not told ahead of time.
Zelenskiy said the operation, which involved drones concealed inside wooden sheds, had helped to restore partners’ confidence that Ukraine is able to continue waging the war.
“Ukraine says that we are not going to surrender and are not going to give in to any ultimatums,” he told an online news briefing.
“But we do not want to fight, we do not want to demonstrate our strength – we demonstrate it because the enemy does not want to stop.”
President Droupadi Murmu on Monday welcomed Santiago Peña Palacios, President of the Republic of Paraguay, at Rashtrapati Bhavan as part of his three-day State visit to India. The ceremonial reception was followed by bilateral discussions and a formal banquet hosted in honour of the visiting dignitary.
During the meeting, President Murmu reaffirmed the cordial and friendly relations between India and Paraguay, underlining the shared values of democracy, human rights, rule of law, freedom of expression, peace, and respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity. “These principles are deeply rooted in our civilizational values and historical experiences,” she said.
President Murmu expressed gratitude to the Government of Paraguay for its strong condemnation of terrorism and for its solidarity following the recent terrorist attack in Pahalgam. She also appreciated Paraguay’s continued support for India’s stance on key global issues, especially in multilateral platforms like the United Nations.
The President acknowledged the growth in bilateral trade between the two countries but underlined the significant potential to expand trade and commercial ties further.
Pointing to shared developmental challenges as members of the Global South, President Murmu stressed that both countries are pursuing similar approaches to progress—focusing on education, employment, and capacity building to empower their populations economically. She added that India prioritizes using technology as a tool for sustainable development and aims to reduce the digital divide, offering to share its expertise in Digital Public Infrastructure with Paraguay.
Both leaders expressed optimism about deepening bilateral ties and agreed that the visit would pave the way for stronger relations and new areas of cooperation.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday congratulated world chess champion D Gukesh for his maiden victory over Magnus Carlsen at the Norway Chess 2025 tournament. The win came in Round 6 of the prestigious event, marking a significant moment in the young grandmaster’s career.
Calling it an “exceptional achievement,” the Prime Minister praised Gukesh’s talent and commitment. In a post on X, PM Modi said, “An exceptional achievement by Gukesh! Congratulations to him for triumphing over the very best. His first-ever win against Magnus Carlsen in Round 6 of Norway Chess 2025 showcases his brilliance and dedication. Wishing him continued success in the journey ahead.”
In another message, Prime Minister Modi lauded the Indian wrestling team for their remarkable performance at the 3rd Ranking Series of the Ulaanbaatar Open 2025. Indian wrestlers brought home a total of 21 medals, including six golds, with women athletes delivering their best-ever performance at the event.
Congratulating the team the Prime Minister said on X, “India’s accomplishments in sports continue! Congrats to our wrestlers for their phenomenal performance at the 3rd Ranking Series in the Ulaanbaatar Open 2025, bringing home 21 medals including 6 Golds. Our Nari Shakti has given their best ever performance at the Ranking Series, making this feat even more memorable. This sporting performance will inspire several upcoming athletes.”
Virat Kohli’s trophy cabinet is chock full of awards from his international career but the batsman can end the long wait to win the Indian Premier League (IPL) title when his Royal Challengers Bengaluru play Punjab Kings in Tuesday’s final.
The 36-year-old has been with Bengaluru since the inaugural edition of the league in 2008, including nine seasons as captain of a franchise that made the finals in 2009, 2011 and 2016 but lost every time.
They have looked a different side altogether under Rajat Patidar this season though, winning all seven away games in the group stage and crushing Punjab in the first qualifier.
Veteran Kohli is their leading scorer in the tournament but while Bengaluru have been criticised in the past for ignoring team balance and packing the side with marquee players they have finally clicked as a team this season.
“It’s a better balanced side, far better balanced side,” former Australia player Tom Moody, who has coached Punjab and Sunrisers Hyderabad in the IPL, told ESPNcricinfo website.
“It’s not top heavy. There’s opportunities for other players to have an impact in the game, whereas previously, you look at RCB and it was always the top three and then you’re concerned about what follows that.”
Bengaluru were reinforced by Josh Hazlewood’s return from a shoulder injury ahead of the playoff and he had an immediate impact as they dismantled Punjab for 101 on Thursday.
Down but not out, Punjab managed to claw their way into the final at Ahmedabad’s Narendra Modi Stadium after beating Mumbai Indians in Sunday’s qualifier.
Shreyas Iyer, who captained Kolkata Knight Riders to the IPL title last year, has led from the front and is Punjab’s top scorer this season.
He produced a captain’s knock of 78 not out to help Punjab chase down a tricky target set by powerhouse Mumbai in the qualifier.
“I love big occasions,” Iyer said after his match-winning knock.
“I say to myself and my colleagues, the bigger the occasion, the calmer you are, and you’ll get the best results.
“Today I was focusing on my breathing rather than sweating it out.”
Iyer, with the full backing of coach Ricky Ponting, has instilled a fearlessness in Punjab’s approach that has given them hope of winning a first IPL crown.
Three-times champion Novak Djokovic reached a century of wins at the French Open in a straight sets victory against Cameron Norrie on Monday and top seed Jannik Sinner produced another masterclass to also blaze into the quarter-finals.
Men’s fifth seed Jack Draper bowed out though, as did women’s third seed Jessica Pegula who was stunned by world France’s world number 361 Lois Boisson.
Serbian Djokovic, the sixth seed, looked serene in outclassing Britain’s Norrie 6-2 6-3 6-2 to edge closer to a record-breaking 25th Grand Slam title.
Djokovic became the second man to win 100 matches at the Paris Grand Slam after retired 14-times champion Rafael Nadal (112), to set up a last-eight clash against Alexander Zverev.
“It’s a number which is very good and nice, but a 101st win is even better,” Djokovic, who won the Olympic gold medal last year in Paris to complete his trophy cabinet, told the appreciative crowd in fluent French.
“It’s not finished for me here the tournament and I feel very good and good to make history here. I hope there will be another win here in two days.”
His German opponent in the last eight spent even less time on the court, third seed Zverev punching his ticket when Dutchman Tallon Griekspoor retired midway through the second set with an abdominal injury.
Zverev has reached his seventh French Open quarter-final in the last eight years and is still looking to secure a maiden Grand Slam title.
“From now on I have the toughest draw in the tournament,” Zverev said. “I’m looking forward to the battles ahead, and I’m looking forward to playing the best in the world.”
SUBLIME SINNER
World number one Sinner lit up the night session with a sublime display to beat Andrey Rublev 6-1 6-3 6-4 and stretch his winning streak in Grand Slam play to 18 matches.
Italian Sinner, the U.S. and Australian Open champion, has won all 12 sets he has played this year on Parisian clay and looks in ominous form as he closes on a first French Open title.
While Djokovic, Sinner and Zverev were all smiles, Britain’s dark horse Draper was heading for home after succumbing to a mesmeric display by Kazakh Alexander Bublik, who a few months ago questioned his future having dropped down the pecking order.
The 27-year-old, among the most naturally gifted players on tour who has admitted to lacking the commitment of other top professionals, seized his moment to drop shot his way past young gun Draper to reach his first Grand Slam quarter-final.
Bublik, who had never got past the second round in Paris, hit a staggering 37 drop shots in his 5-7 6-3 6-2 6-4 win.
“Standing here is the best moment of my life, period,” Bublik, in tears, told the crowd.
“I’m standing here like I won the thing. I can’t cry here, let me be in peace, I’m a professional tennis player, I’ve got one more match, I’ve got to get ready.”
Bublik’s victory was the second upset of the day after unheralded Boisson shook up the women’s draw with a shock 3-6 6-4 6-4 win over Pegula.
Wild card Boisson outplayed the American favourite with the aid of a fierce forehand that had the Chatrier crowd on their feet.
As if that was not enough for the home crowd, they also got to see the Champions League soccer trophy minutes later, after Paris St Germain’s victory over Inter Milan on Saturday.
PSG forward Ousmane Dembele carried it onto the court to ear-splitting cheers as his team became the second French outfit to lift the European Cup after Olympique de Marseille in 1993.
Second seed Coco Gauff was in no mood for surprises, however, as she brushed aside Russian Ekaterina Alexandrova 6-0 7-5 to stay on course for her first title in Paris.
Gauff, who got to the final in 2022 and semis last year, is the youngest American to reach at least the fourth round at seven straight Grand Slams since Venus Williams from 1997-1999.
The Americans are guaranteed a semi-finalist with Gauff next facing Australian Open champion Madison Keys, who eased past Hailey Baptiste.
Russian teenager Mirra Andreeva also booked a last-eight spot by overcoming Australian 17th seed Daria Kasatkina 6-3 7-5 to become the youngest player to reach back-to-back French Open quarter-finals in nearly three decades.
A seething Magnus Carlsen slammed his fist into a table after suffering his first defeat by world champion Gukesh Dommaraju in a classical game in Stavanger before the Norwegian wondered why he was still playing standard chess.
On Sunday, Carlsen had his opponent on the ropes for much of the match in the Norway Chess 2025 tournament but his composure cracked under the pressure of a ticking clock and he committed a blunder that handed India’s Gukesh a decisive advantage.
Carlsen slammed his fist on the table after the defeat before exchanging a quick handshake with Gukesh, apologising for his outburst and storming off.
Norway Chess 2025 marks Carlsen’s first appearance in a standard tournament since the Chess Olympiad last September as the 34-year-old has been turning his focus onto Freestyle Chess, having relinquished his world title citing a lack of motivation.
In Chess960/Freestyle chess, the starting position of the pieces on the back rank are reshuffled, meaning computer-backed preparations leading to sometimes dull openings are meaningless.
“Losses are painful no matter what but at least if you can lose doing something you really enjoy it’s easier,” Carlsen said on Monday after a quick draw with world number two Hikaru Nakamura.
“(In Freestyle chess) I don’t have situations like yesterday where I’m just wondering why am I doing this, what’s the point?
“I will do my best in the last three games (here) and then we’ll see I suppose.”
Carlsen’s outburst left Gukesh shell-shocked on Sunday, although the world champion said he also sometimes loses his temper over the board.
“I mean, (the win was) not the way I wanted it to be, but okay, I’ll take it,” Gukesh told Chess.com.
“… I’ve also banged a lot of tables in my career.”
South Koreans were voting for a new president on Tuesday to cap six months of turmoil triggered by a shock martial law briefly imposed by former leader Yoon Suk Yeol that marred the country’s reputation as a vibrant, if at times chaotic, democracy.
The new leader will face the challenge of rallying a society deeply scarred by the attempt at military rule and an export-heavy economy reeling from unpredictable protectionist moves by the United States, a major trading partner and a security ally.
Turnout is expected to be high with polls open between 6 a.m. (2100 GMT Monday) until 8 p.m. following early voting when more than a third of the 44.39 million eligible voters cast their ballots.
As of 11 a.m., 8.1 million people, or just over 18% of the electorate, had voted at 14,295 polling stations around the country, according to the National Election Commission.
Leading candidates ended three weeks of official campaigning late on Monday, crisscrossing the country before converging on Seoul for final rallies, as they vowed to put months of turmoil behind them and breathe new life into an ailing economy.
Both liberal frontrunner Lee Jae-myung and his conservative rival Kim Moon-soo have pledged change for the country, saying a political system and economic model set up during its rise as a budding democracy and industrial power are no longer fit for purpose.
Their proposals for investment in innovation and technology often overlap, but Lee advocates more equity and help for mid-to-low-income families while Kim has campaigned on giving businesses more freedom from regulations and labour strife.
Overshadowing any social policy initiatives, however, is Yoon’s botched attempt to impose martial law that has loomed large over the poll.
Lee has called the election “judgment day” against Kim and his People Power Party accusing them of having condoned the martial law attempt by not fighting harder to thwart it and even trying to save Yoon’s presidency.
Kim was Yoon’s labour minister when the former president declared martial law on December 3.
The conservative Kim, on the other hand, has branded Lee a “dictator” and his Democratic Party a “monster,” warning if the former human rights lawyer becomes president, nothing will stop them from working together to amend laws simply because they do not like them.
‘POLARISED’
The frontrunner Kim and his rival Lee cast their ballots during early voting last week. Yoon and his wife voted at a school near their private residence on Tuesday, appearing relaxed but ignoring questions as they left the polling station.
Regular voters in Seoul urged the next leader to ease discord and restore stability and address urgent challenges from the fallout of the crisis that have touched their families personally.
“The economy has gotten so much worse since December 3, not just for me but I hear that from everybody,” Kim Kwang-ma, 81, said. “And we as a people have become so polarised… and I wish we could come together so that Korea can develop again.”
Lee is favoured to win, according to polls released a week before the vote, leading Kim by 14 percentage points with 49% public support in a Gallup Korea survey, although Kim had narrowed an even wider gap at the start of the campaign on May 12.
Exit polls conducted by three television networks will be released at the close of the polls at 8 p.m. Ballots will be sorted and counted by machine first, then triple-checked by election officials by hand to verify accuracy.
It was not clear when the result would emerge. In 2022, Lee conceded to Yoon at around 3 a.m. the day after the vote in the closest presidential race in the country’s history, which was decided by a margin of less than 1 percentage point.
The National Election Commission is scheduled to certify the result on Wednesday and the winner’s inauguration is expected within hours. There will be no presidential transition as the office has remained vacant since Yoon was impeached by parliament and then removed by the Constitutional Court on April 4.
Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments
Press release
Bank on the UK in volatile times’ Trade Secretary tells G7 and European businesses
Trade Secretary’s message comes after UK sealed landmark deals with India, the US and EU
Jonathan Reynolds to meet G7 and EU counterparts in Paris and Brussels to discuss economic security and global trade.
Trade Secretary targets economic growth and jobs, saying deals with India, US and EU make UK the most connected economy for global business.
Visit shows how Plan for Change is reducing trade barriers that will boost exports to the EU.
The UK is a country that counterparts and businesses can bank on in increasingly uncertain and volatile times, Trade Secretary Jonathan Reynolds will tell G7 and EU ministers and commissioners on a three-day visit to Paris and Brussels.
He will deliver the message at a G7 Trade Ministerial Meeting in Paris before travelling to Brussels for talks with EU counterparts and a speech to business representatives, policymakers, and diplomats at the European Policy Centre’s Economic Security Forum.
The Trade Secretary’s message comes after the UK sealed landmark deals with India, the US and the European Union, positioning the UK as a global champion of free trade, delivering for British businesses and putting money in the pockets of working people.
This will be delivered through the expected GDP increase by £4.8 billion thanks to the India deal, nearly £9 billion added to the UK economy by 2040 through the EU deal and the thousands of jobs saved across the country because of the deal with the US.
He is also expected to meet US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer, India’s Minister of Commerce and Industry Piyush Goyal and EU Commissioner for Trade and Economic Security Maros Šefčovič to progress implementation of the trade deals and ensure businesses feel the benefits as soon as possible.
Jonathan Reynolds will use the visit to reinforce that Britain is open for business as part of this Government’s Plan for Change to deliver on its core mission to grow the economy, raise living standards and put more money in people’s pockets.
Ahead of the visit, Business and Trade Secretary Jonathan Reynolds said:
Our deals with the US, EU and India are proof that the UK is the most connected country in the world to do business. Along with our modern Industrial Strategy, our Plan for Change is making the UK a safe, stable bet in uncertain times.
We recognise our relationship with G7 allies and EU counterparts must continue to evolve and deliver a better trading environment for our businesses and exporters.
That’s why we want to wipe away costly, business-blocking barriers and open up opportunities to grow our economy, create jobs and put more money in people’s pockets.
The Business Secretary will use his visit to call for the UK’s new relationship with the EU to help businesses, and with almost 100,000 UK businesses exporting goods to the EU last year, and the upcoming Trade Strategy, the UK is continuing its work to build on the recent deals and tear down barriers to doing business around the world.
As part of the trip the Business and Trade Secretary will also discuss the UK’s modern Industrial Strategy being published this Spring in his first ever in person meetings with the European Commission’s Executive Vice-President for the Industrial Strategy Stephane Séjourné and Executive Vice-President for the Clean, Just and Competitive Transition Teresa Ribera.
The Business and Trade Secretary will also use the visit to hold in-person meetings with Laurent Saint-Martin, Don Farrell and Maninder Sidhu, the Trade Ministers of France, Australia and Canada respectively.
A major milestone was achieved on 26 May 2025, when the Member States agreed on the new WHO Global Traditional Medicine Strategy 2025–2034 to take forward the development of evidence-based practice of Traditional, Complementary and Integrative Medicine (TCIM) into the next decade. In discussing the Strategy, Member States deliberated on crucial components for inclusion, such as establishing a robust evidence base for traditional medicine practices, developing regulatory mechanisms for quality and safety, creating integrated health-care service delivery models where appropriate, and ensuring qualified practitioners.
With the Strategy, the Assembly explicitly recognized not only the role of traditional knowledge of indigenous peoples but also the importance of upholding their rights, while promoting environmental sustainability and biodiversity conservation in the context of TCIM.
Under the 2025-2034 Strategy, WHO will assist Member States in strengthening the evidence base for TCIM, bolstering safety, quality and effectiveness, and, where appropriate, facilitating its integration into health systems while optimizing cross-sector collaboration.
The adoption of the Strategy capped an intensive two-year process of global and regional consultations. During the process, Member States, WHO at all three levels, stakeholders and partners, including indigenous representatives and representatives of the World Intellectual Property Organization, provided over 1200 comments. Forty-seven interventions were made during the discussion at the Assembly . All statements were positive, encouraging and supportive of the new Strategy. In addition, there were four interventions from non-State actors.
Building momentum
The adoption of the Strategy followed a series of high-profile side events during this year’s Assembly.
On 20 May 2025, ministers, global health leaders and experts gathered for the event titled “Improving Universal Health Coverage through the Implementation of the WHO Traditional Medicine Strategy 2025–2034”. hosted by China’s National Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine in collaboration with Malaysia, Nepal, Saudi Arabia and Seychelles. The event underscored global momentum behind the Strategy and emphasized China’s influential contributions in policy, education, research and traditional medicine integration into the health-care system.
On 23 May 2025, India, together with 31 Member States of the Group of Friends of Traditional Medicine (GFTM), hosted a second official side event, entitled “Traditional Medicine: From Traditional Knowledge to Frontier Science, for Health for All”. The event highlighted India as a role model and success story for the GFTM countries. With over 250 delegates in attendance, the event showcased national experiences and reaffirmed global commitment to traditional medicine.
Private sector support
The role of private sector support for scaling up evidence-based interventions for traditional medicine was explored during a panel discussion on 20 May 2025, convened by the Geneva-based Health Innovation Exchange.
The event brought together high-level speakers, including:
Dr Pierre Somsé, Minister of Public Health and Population of the Central African Republic;
Dr Benjamin Njoudalbaye, interim head of the African Union’s Africa Medicines Agency;
The panel underscored the need for innovative and sustainable financing models to scale up innovations, as well as related challenges, including the need for standardized frameworks to address regulatory gaps, protect indigenous knowledge and ensure equitable benefit-sharing. Also discussed was the ethical use of tools like artificial intelligence to validate and scale practices.
Delegates were united in the message that bridging gaps can accelerate the path to universal health coverage and produce more inclusive economies and improved planetary health. Watch the session here.
Launches and announcements
The World Health Assembly was also the setting for showcasing innovative tools. WHO launched the first-ever WHO Traditional, Complementary and Integrative Medicine (TCIM) Dashboards on 21 May 2025, featuring comprehensive global and country-level profiles. The project builds on insights from the Third WHO Global Survey on TCIM, conducted between April 2023 and March 2024, and marks a significant leap forward in WHO’s data modernization agenda. The new dashboards transform static survey data into a dynamic, real-time digital platform, empowering Member States to continuously update and manage their national TCIM data.
During the Assembly, the Government of India’s Ministry of Ayush signed a US$ 3 million Memorandum of Understanding with WHO to support the inclusion of Traditional Medicine in the International Classification of Health Interventions. This initiative will classify and standardize traditional Ayush medical practices like Ayurveda, Siddha and Unani, ensuring they are globally recognized within health-care data frameworks. WHO Director-General Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus welcomed the agreement on social media, while Prime Minister Narendra Modi hailed it in his national radio address, Mann Ki Baat, as a proud milestone for India.
Engaging with delegates
To promote awareness and visibility of WHO’s work on Traditional, Complementary and Integrative Medicine, “Ask Me” information stands were set up on 21 May 2025 during WHA78. These interactive hubs offered delegates and participants an opportunity to explore the WHO Traditional Medicine Strategy 2025–2034, the newly launched TCIM dashboards, and key areas of WHO’s ongoing work in TCIM.
Looking ahead to the Global Summit
The adoption of the WHO Global Traditional Medicine Strategy 2025–2034 reflects a global consensus that TCIM, when validated and regulated, offers powerful solutions for advancing equity, inclusion and resilience in health care. As countries move from Strategy to action, the emphasis will be on building trust, supporting research and creating space for traditional medicine within national health plans.
The second WHO Global Traditional Medicine Summit, to be held in New Delhi on 2–4 December 2025, will be a key opportunity to align all stakeholders in joint action behind the goals of the Strategy, and to share evidence and best practices to accelerate learning and innovation.
In the media
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HOUSTON – In support of Operation Take Back America, the Southern District of Texas has filed another 281 cases in immigration and border security-related matters from May 23-29, announced U.S. Attorney Nicholas J. Ganjei.
Among those are 105 people who face charges of illegally reentering the country. The majority have prior felony convictions for narcotics, violent crime, sexual offenses, prior immigration crimes and more. A total of 163 people are charged with illegally entering the country, while seven cases allege various instances of human smuggling with the remainder involving other immigration crimes, child sexual abuse material (CSAM) and firearms.
One such person charged this week is Carlos Enrique Gonzalez-Pena, an alien present in the United States with a work visa who was allegedly found in possession of CSAM. The charges allege he had visited the darknet where he viewed child pornography sites. A forensic examination of his computer allegedly resulted in the discovery of two video files involving a female child approximately four to six years of age, one of which showed her being sexually assaulted. If convicted, he faces up to 20 years in prison.
Another one of the cases involves Humberto Vasquez – a Mexican male who allegedly attempted to exit the United States via the Donna Port of Entry. Upon inspection, law enforcement discovered four pistols belonging to him as well as 870 rounds of assorted ammunition, according to the charges. The complaint alleges he did not possess an export license that would authorize him to transport such items into Mexico and faces up to 10 years in prison if convicted of illegal exportation of firearms.
Authorities also found three Mexican nationals near Mission this week with no legal permission to be in the United States, according to the complaints against them. Victor Manuel Ornelas-Ochoa, Alfredo Samuel Gallegos-Esquivel and Exequiel Solano had allegedly been previously removed from the country and have felonies to include possession with intent to deliver marijuana, human smuggling and aggravated sexual assault of a child, respectively. They are all charged with illegal reentry and could receive up to 20 years in prison. Another man who faces the same charges and penalty is Julio Sanchez-Lorenzo. He is a Mexican male who had just been removed from the United States via Brownsville May 21 with no permission to return, according to the charges. However, authorities allegedly found him just six days later near Roma.
In addition to the new cases, a federal jury in Houston convicted a Mexican citizen for illegally reentering the United States under an assumed identity. On June 11, 2024, authorities found Jose Martin Valdez-Galvan in Laredo. At that time, he provided a false name and claimed to be a U.S. citizen. Testimony revealed Valdez-Galvan originally stole the person’s identity to avoid previous charges for unauthorized use of a motor vehicle. Valdez-Galvan was an illegal alien who had been previously removed but returned to the United States without permission. He had assumed the other person’s identity in 2015 after his second removal. He faces up to a 20-year prison sentence.
“Both public safety and basic common sense require us to know who is entering and residing in our country. Those that adopt false or stolen personas to hide their identities pose an increased criminal risk to our community,” said Ganjei. “Theft of an American citizen’s identity by a foreign national will not be tolerated, and those that engage in such criminality will be charged, punished, and, if appropriate, deported.”
In Corpus Christi, an intoxicated driver admitted he was an alien illegally in possession of firearm. Honduran national Josias Eliseo Ulloa-Pavon had been driving under the influence of alcohol before crashing Feb. 18. Upon arrival at the scene, authorities found him pinned inside the fully overturned vehicle. He had red bloodshot eyes, appeared unsteady on his feet and had a strong odor of alcohol. A search revealed a magazine containing six rounds of ammunition in his pocket and a Bersa Model Thunder .380 caliber pistol in his car.
Two men from Brownfield admitted to conspiring to transport illegal aliens in Laredo federal court this week. On March 22, authorities observed a Ford Expedition circumventing a Border Patrol (BP) checkpoint near Laredo. Mac Quese Howard was driving, and De Richardson Miller was in the front passenger seat providing directions. Authorities conducted a traffic stop and found three illegal aliens hidden in the back seat. Miller and Howard admitted they had travelled to Laredo for the sole purpose of picking up the aliens and transporting them to San Antonio for payment.
Also announced was the sentencing of a Mexican national with a felony criminal history and multiple prior removals for illegally reentering the country again. Juan Humberto Lara Molina’s has a lengthy drug, weapons and immigration criminal history including two other illegal reentry convictions. He was also convicted of dealing cocaine in Indiana and unlawful sale of firearms in Illinois and was previously ordered removed from the United States on multiple occasions, most recently in November 2021. However, law enforcement discovered him at the Falfurrias BP checkpoint Dec. 12, 2024. He was one of seven individuals being transported farther north by human smugglers in a tractor-trailer. He was ordered to serve 24 months in federal prison.
These cases were referred or supported by federal law enforcement partners, including Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) – Homeland Security Investigations, ICE – Enforcement and Removal Operations, BP, Drug Enforcement Administration, FBI, U.S. Marshals Service and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives with additional assistance from state and local law enforcement partners.
The cases are part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime. Operation Take Back America streamlines efforts and resources from the Department’s Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces and Project Safe Neighborhood.
Under current leadership, public safety and a secure border are the top priorities for this district. Enhanced enforcement both at the border and in the interior of the district have yielded aliens engaged in unlawful activity or with serious criminal history, including human trafficking, sexual assault and violence against children.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Texas remains one of the busiest in the nation. It represents 43 counties and more than nine million people covering 44,000 square miles. Assistant U.S. Attorneys from all seven divisions including Houston, Galveston, Victoria, Corpus Christi, Brownsville, McAllen and Laredo work directly with our law enforcement partners on the federal, state and local levels to prosecute the suspected offenders of these and other federal crimes.
An indictment or criminal complaint is a formal accusation of criminal conduct, not evidence. A defendant is presumed innocent unless convicted through due process of law.
Source: United States Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco Firearms and Explosives (ATF)
ORT WAYNE–Yesterday, Jamic C. Johnson, 50 years old, of Fort Wayne, Indiana, was sentenced by United States District Court Chief Judge Holly A. Brady after his guilty plea to possessing methamphetamine with intent to distribute, possessing a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, and being a convicted felon in possession of a firearm, announced Acting United States Attorney Tina L. Nommay.
Johnson was sentenced to a total of 195 months in prison followed by 5 years of supervised release.
According to documents in the case, Johnson had been selling methamphetamine in 2020, and law enforcement located multiple ounces of methamphetamine in his Fort Wayne residence during the service of a search warrant in October of 2020. Officers also found firearms in Johnson’s home that Johnson was using to facilitate and protect his drug trafficking activity. Johnson was previously convicted of dealing in cocaine or narcotic drug and carrying a handgun without a license, meaning that he was a convicted felon and prohibited from possessing a firearm.
This case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration with the assistance of the Fort Wayne Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives. Also assisting in this investigation was the Drug Enforcement Administration’s North Central Laboratory. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Anthony W. Geller.
This case was also part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.
ALBUQUERQUE – A Mescalero man was sentenced to 71 months in prison for assault by strangulation.
There is no parole in the federal system.
According to court documents, between May 5 and May 11, 2022, Kevin El Cavazone, 42, an enrolled member of the Jicarilla Apache Tribe, assaulted Jane Doe by strangling her.
Upon his release from prison, El Cavazone will be subject to 3 years of supervised release.
U.S. Attorney Ryan Ellison and Philip Russell, Acting Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Albuquerque Field Office, made the announcement today.
The Las Cruces Resident Agency of the FBI Albuquerque Field Office investigated this case with assistance from the Bureau of Indian Affairs. Assistant United States Attorney Alyson Hehr is prosecuting the case.
GREAT FALLS – A Browning man who assaulted a woman on the Blackfeet Indian Reservation was found guilty today, U.S. Attorney Kurt Alme said.
Following a one-and-a-half-day trial, a federal jury found William Alvin Potts, 62, guilty of attempted strangulation and assault by striking, beating, or wounding. Potts faces 10 years in prison, a $250,000 fine and 3 years of supervised release.
Chief U.S. District Judge Brian M. Morris presided and will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors. Sentencing was set for October 8, 2025. Potts will remain released on conditions pending further proceedings.
The government alleged in court documents that on June 28, 2024, Potts physically assaulted Jane Doe. That morning a verbal argument escalated to name-calling. Potts then threw a chair to the side and grabbed Jane Doe by the neck. He pushed her backward while applying pressure to her throat and neck. Eventually he pushed her into the corner of the entry wall to the living room. Potts pushed her backward for approximately ten feet, at which point, their legs tangled, and Doe fell to the ground. Potts landed on top of Jane Doe and proceeded to physically strike her with his fists. A witness stopped the assault and physically pulled Potts off Jane Doe. Jane Doe experienced significant pain after the assault and sought treatment at the Browning Community Hospital. Doe suffered a spinal fracture and continues to experience pain.
Potts was interviewed by law enforcement and admitted to pushing Doe. He said he pushed her to make her go down the hall and they then both fell. He denied striking her.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Kalah Paisley prosecuted the case. The investigation was conducted by the FBI and Blackfeet Law Enforcement Services.
This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results. For more information about Project Safe Neighborhoods, please visit Justice.gov/PSN.
Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Guy Reschenthaler (PA-14)
June 02, 2025
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Chief Deputy Whip Guy Reschenthaler (R-PA) announced his staff will hold mobile office hours at various locations throughout Pennsylvania’s 14th Congressional District this month to offer increased assistance to constituents experiencing problems with a federal agency.
During these mobile office sessions, constituents can receive help with Social Security and Medicare issues, federal grant funding, passports and visas, immigration and naturalization services, veterans’ benefits, and the IRS.
The upcoming schedule is outlined below:
What: Fayette County – Uniontown Mobile Office Hours
Date: Wednesday, June 4, 2025, from 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Location: Fayette County Courthouse, 61 East Main Street, Uniontown, PA 15401
What: Greene County Mobile Office Hours
Date: Thursday, June 5, 2025, from 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Location: Greene County Office Building, 93 East High Street, Waynesburg, PA 15370
What: Indiana County Mobile Office Hours
Date: Wednesday, June 11, 2025, from 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Location: Indiana County Courthouse Annex, 827 Water Street, Indiana, PA 15701
What: Somerset County Mobile Office Hours
Date: Thursday, June 12, 2025, from 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Location: Somerset County Commissioner Office, 300 North Center Avenue, Suite 540, Somerset, PA 15501
What: Fayette County – Connellsville Mobile Office Hours
Date: Tuesday, June 17, 2025, from 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Location: Connellsville Municipal Building, 110 North Arch Street, Connellsville, PA 15425
The National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT), in collaboration with police authorities, has escalated its efforts to combat the illegal manufacture, distribution, and sale of pirated NCERT textbooks, a serious offense under the Copyright Act, 1957. Over the past 14 months, NCERT has seized more than 5 lakh pirated textbooks, along with printing paper and machinery valued at over ₹20 crore, while filing 29 FIRs against printers, warehouse owners, and retailers engaged in the illicit trade.
In a recent operation, NCERT, working with the Uttar Pradesh Police, conducted a raid on a warehouse in Muzaffarnagar, confiscating over 1.5 lakh pirated NCERT textbooks worth more than ₹2 crore. The raid also resulted in the seizure of one truck, two cars loaded with pirated books, and numerous printing plates, with eight individuals arrested on the spot. In a follow-up action, authorities raided a printing press in Samalkha, Haryana, seizing additional pirated textbooks, printing plates, and machinery. Investigations are ongoing to uncover the masterminds behind this piracy racket.
Pirated textbooks not only cause significant revenue losses to NCERT and the government but also pose health risks to students due to the use of substandard paper and ink. To address this issue, NCERT has enhanced the quality of paper and printing for its textbooks, ensured timely printing and sufficient market availability, and made textbooks accessible on major e-commerce platforms at the maximum retail price without delivery charges. Additionally, NCERT has taken action against a paper mill in Kashipur producing illegal NCERT watermarked paper. To further strengthen its anti-piracy measures, NCERT has introduced a technology-based solution developed by IIT Kanpur, piloted on 10 lakh copies of one textbook title, with plans to expand this to all titles in the next academic year, replacing the outdated watermarked paper system that pirates have easily replicated.
PHOENIX, Ariz. – Clifton Nez Hamalowa, 47, of the Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community, was sentenced on May 27, 2025, by United States District Judge John J. Tuchi to life plus 10 years in prison.
On August 29, 2020, Hamalowa shot the victim in the head multiple times in front of the victim’s young child while on reservation land belonging to the Gila River Indian Community. After killing the victim, Hamalowa and his siblings attempted to conceal his crimes by disposing of the victim’s car and dumping the victim’s body in a remote area of the Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian reservation. Hamalowa and his sister also intimidated witnesses to prevent them from reporting.
Following a seven-day trial, a federal jury found Hamalowa guilty of First-Degree Murder, Conspiracy to Commit Assault Resulting in Serious Bodily Injury, Assault with a Dangerous Weapon, Assault Resulting in Serious Bodily Injury, and Discharging a Firearm During, in Relation to, and in Furtherance of a Crime of Violence.
Hamalowa’s brother, Thomas Leon Hamalowa, pleaded guilty to Accessory-After-the-Fact to Murder and was sentenced to 108 months in prison on October 23, 2023. Hamalowa’s sister, Devonne Beth Hamalowa, pleaded guilty to Accessory-After-the-Fact to Murder and was sentenced to 84 months in prison on April 1, 2024.
The FBI and Gila River Police Department jointly conducted the investigation in this case. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Jennifer E. LaGrange and Travis L. Wheeler, District of Arizona, Phoenix, handled the prosecution.
CASE NUMBER: CR-22-00751-PHX-JJT RELEASE NUMBER: 2025-084_Hamalowa
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For more information on the U.S. Attorney’s Office, District of Arizona, visit http://www.justice.gov/usao/az/ Follow the U.S. Attorney’s Office, District of Arizona, on Twitter @USAO_AZfor the latest news.
Just before midnight, Bhadreshkumar allegedly stabbed Palak multiple times with an edged weapon in what was a painful and horrific murder. There were still customers inside the shop, unaware of what was happening in the back.
After the attack, Bhadreshkumar fled through a rear door. To evade law enforcement and responsibility for his wife’s murder, Bhadreshkumar went back to his apartment, changed clothes, collected his personal belongings, then quickly left the area, taking a cab to Newark, New Jersey. His last known sighting before vanishing was the following morning at Newark-Penn Station.
Realizing that Bhadreshkumar was an international flight risk, local police requested FBI assistance. Bhadreshkumar was charged with Palak’s murder and as soon as it was confirmed he fled the state, a federal arrest warrant was issued, charging him with unlawful flight to avoid prosecution.
Special Agent Jonathan Shaffer from the FBI Baltimore field office has been working on Palak’s case. He noted, “What was common in domestic violence cases like this—that the perpetrator oftentimes expresses remorse immediately after. And yet in this situation, Bhadreshkumar did not. He immediately formulated a plan to evade law enforcement and to flee the area.”
This unprovoked attack has left investigators with many unanswered questions. The motive remains unclear, other than Palak wanted to go back to India, and Bhadreshkumar was unwilling to let her go.
What we do know, as seen in the video surveillance, is that Palak willingly following Bhadreshkumar to the back of the store where her life was brutally taken.
An all-party Parliamentary delegation led by JD(U) MP Sanjay Kumar Jha on Monday held an engaging discussion with leading Malaysian think tanks and academia including Asia Europe Institute, Economic Club of Kuala Lumpur, Institute of Strategic and International Studies, and academia briefing them on the heinous April 22 terrorist attack in Pahalgam and outlining Operation Sindoor – India’s precise, measured, responsible, and non-escalatory response.
The delegation elaborated on India’s zero-tolerance policy towards terrorism and emphasised that it will no longer make a distinction between terrorists and the States that support them.
The discussion began with a think tank delegate describing the nine-member delegation as ‘Navaratnas’ from India while commending the ‘all party’ nature of the delegation. The deliberations focussed on India’s ‘new normal’ and new security doctrine in fight against cross-border terrorism and also ways to enhance international cooperation in a collective fight against terrorism in all its forms.
The delegates also met senior representatives of Malaysian Indian Congress (MIC) led by President Tan Sri Dato Sri SA Vigneswaran and Deputy President YB Datuk Seri M Saravanan, highlighting India’s unwavering stand against terrorism, as demonstrated during Operation Sindoor.
The delegation conveyed India’s ‘new normal’ of responding firmly against any act of terror on Indian soil. MIC expressed solidarity with India’s position on the fight against cross-border terrorism.
Earlier in the day, the delegation met with representatives from Democratic Action Party led by YB M. Kulasegaran, Deputy Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Law and Institutional Reform) of Malaysia conveying India’s perspectives and national resolve against terrorism. The discussions centered on India’s resolute response to terrorism under Operation Sindoor. There was also emphasis on India’s zero tolerance to terrorism, and the view that “Water and blood cannot flow together”.
They also interacted with YB M Kulasegaran, Deputy Minister of the Prime Minister’s Department (Law and Institutional reform) during the meeting with representatives.
Additionally, they held constructive talks with the representatives of Parti Keadilan Rakyat led by YB Sim Tze Tzin in Malaysia. India’s zero-tolerance approach to terrorism was outlined, reaffirming our national unity against cross-border threats. The party representatives appreciated the detailed explanation provided by the delegation and engaged in a constructive discussion on the way forward and the responsibilities each nation has in fighting the menace of terrorism.
“As part of our diplomatic engagements in Malaysia, our All-Party Parliamentary Delegation held meaningful discussions with leaders of Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) — the party of Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim — and the Democratic Action Party (DAP), both key members of the ruling coalition. We conveyed India’s unwavering stance on cross-border terrorism, briefed them on the Pahalgam attack, and outlined our calibrated response under Operation Sindoor,” Jha said in a post on X.
“The dialogue reflected shared democratic values and a strong commitment to peace, prosperity, and global security. We deeply appreciate the solidarity expressed by leaders from both parties, including YB Tuan M. Kulasegaran, Deputy Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department, and YB Saraswathy Kandasami, Deputy Minister of Unity, who reaffirmed that terrorism in any form is unacceptable and expressed Malaysia’s support for India’s principled stand against cross-border terrorism,” the post added.
The delegation led by Jha also includes BJP MPs Aparajita Sarangi, Brij Lal, Hemang Joshi, and Pradan Baruah, Trinamool Congress MP Abhishek Banerjee, CPI(M) Rajya Sabha member John Barittas, senior Congress leader Salman Khurshid, and Former Indian Ambassador to France, Mohan Kumar.
After concluding visits to Japan, South Korea, Singapore, and Indonesia, the delegation is in Malaysia for the last leg of the tour to highlight the significance of Operation Sindoor and India’s continued fight against Pakistan-sponsored cross-border terrorism.
HOUSTON — U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement and U.S. Customs and Border Protection seized 50,000 kilograms of di-cumyl peroxide, a chemical precursor used by drug traffickers to produce methamphetamines and other illicit narcotics, May 30 at the Port of Long Beach, California.
The shipment, which originated in China and was destined for the Sinaloa Drug Cartel in Mexico, was identified as a result of an initiative launched by ICE in 2019 that leverages the agency’s extensive expertise in illicit cross-border trade and sophisticated analytical tools and techniques to identify suspicious shipments of chemical precursors from China, India and other source countries that are destined for the drug cartels in Mexico.
“For far too long, the Mexican drug cartels have raked in billions of dollars at the expense of our local communities leaving nothing but addiction, death and despair in their wake,” said ICE Homeland Security Investigations Houston Special Agent in Charge Chad Plantz. “This initiative provides HSI with a game-changing method to stay one step ahead of the cartels by disrupting the flow of chemicals that they depend on to produce illicit narcotics.”
Since the initiative first launched, it has led to the interdiction of more than 1,700,000 kilograms of chemicals used to manufacture methamphetamines and fentanyl. Just this past March, it led to the seizure of nearly 44,000 kilograms of glacial acetic acid at the Port of Houston, which was also destined for the Sinaloa Cartel. In addition to preventing the chemicals from reaching the cartels, the initiative has also helped expose the location of clandestine drug labs in Mexico. In conjunction with Mexican authorities, 13 drug labs operated by the Chapitos faction of the Sinaloa Cartel have been located and eliminated since January 2025 as a result of the initiative.
For more news and information on ICE’s efforts to combat illicit drug trafficking in Texas follow us on X at @HSIHouston.
Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation Amit Shah on Monday chaired a high-level review meeting in New Delhi to discuss the progress of the world’s largest cooperative food grain storage scheme, a flagship initiative of the Modi government aimed at bolstering rural economies and achieving self-reliance under the vision of Atmanirbhar Bharat. The meeting was attended by Ministers of State for Cooperation Krishan Pal Gurjar and Murlidhar Mohol, alongside senior officials from the Ministry of Cooperation, Ministry of Food and Public Distribution, Food Corporation of India (FCI), NABARD, National Cooperative Development Corporation (NCDC), and other key institutions.
Addressing the gathering, Amit Shah emphasized that the scheme aligns with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of Sahkar Se Samriddhi (Prosperity through Cooperation). He highlighted its dual objectives of boosting India’s economic growth by contributing to Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and generating rural employment opportunities. The scheme is designed to enhance the financial viability of Primary Agricultural Credit Societies (PACS) by increasing their income through active participation in the storage initiative.
To ensure the scheme’s success, Shah called for expanding loan facilities for PACS under the Agriculture Infrastructure Fund (AIF) and urged immediate action to strengthen their financial condition. He directed the Ministry of Food and Public Distribution and FCI to undertake a nationwide mapping of warehouses to streamline implementation based on regional needs. Additionally, he instructed FCI, the National Cooperative Consumers’ Federation (NCCF), the National Agricultural Cooperative Marketing Federation of India (NAFED), and State Warehousing Corporations to integrate PACS with as many warehouses as possible to maximize their involvement.
The meeting also resolved to encourage states and state-level marketing federations to engage more PACS in the scheme, fostering a robust cooperative supply chain. Shah stressed the importance of coordinated and timely implementation to ensure the initiative becomes a cornerstone of Atmanirbhar Bharat and Sahkar Se Samriddhi.
Professor Sir Cato T. Laurencin, MD, Ph.D., KCSL, received the prestigious Bioactive Materials Lifetime Achievement Award at a ceremony held in May at a recognition ceremony in China. It was the highlight of the Westlake Advanced Regenerative Medicine Engineering Conference, which was the first international meeting on regenerative engineering, a field he founded and has pioneered.
The Bioactive Materials Lifetime Achievement Award was established in 2020 to recognize excellence in research and development in the field. The award transcends individual honor, serving as a catalyst for advancing the field, fostering international collaboration, and inspiring innovation.
Bioactive Materials is an international, peer-reviewed research publication covering all aspects of bioactive materials.
The presentation ceremony was chaired by Prof. Zheng Yufeng of Peking University, editor-in-chief of Bioactive Materials. More than 300 experts and scholars from the global biomaterials and medical engineering fields convened to witness this milestone event. Bioactive materials have emerged as a core driver of medical revolution. At the event, Laurencin announced the beginning of the “Year of Regenerative Engineering.”
Three eminent scholars spoke in celebration of Laurencin’s legacy and outstanding achievements in the field of regenerative engineering. Professor Robert Langer, F.R.Eng. Sc.D., (MIT), gave a moving tribute, “Dr. Laurencin is a distinguished scientist who has made groundbreaking discoveries in regenerative engineering, trained generations of students, demonstrated leadership across universities and globally, and inspired countless individuals as a role model.”
Professor Liu Changsheng (Shanghai University), a 2021 Inaugural Lifetime Achievement Award recipient, noted, “As a pioneer in regenerative engineering, Professor Laurencin has driven the integration of engineering and biology, enabled clinical translation of technologies, and pioneered polymeric biomaterials for musculoskeletal repair. His contributions are profound, and this award is well-deserved.”
Professor Guillermo Ameer (Northwestern University) a 2022 Bioactive Materials Lifetime Achievement Award recipient said, “We look to Dr. Laurencin to continue leading the field of regenerative engineering as a role model, bridging gaps and advocating for equity for those with limited resources.”
At UConn Laurencin is the University Professor and Albert and Wilda Van Dusen Distinguished Endowed Professor of Orthopaedic Surgery at UConn School of Medicine, professor of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, professor of Materials Science and Engineering, and professor of Biomedical Engineering at the University of Connecticut. He is the chief executive officer of The Cato T. Laurencin Institute for Regenerative Engineering, a cross-university institute created and named in his honor at the University of Connecticut.
Laurencin is the founder and pioneer of the field of Regenerative Engineering. He is an expert in biomaterials science, stem cell technology, and nanotechnology and was named one of the 100 Engineers of the Modern Era by the American Institute of Chemical Engineers. He received the Founder’s Award (highest award) from the Society for Biomaterials, the Von Hippel Award (highest award) from the Materials Research Society, and the James Bailey Award (highest award) from the Society for Biological Engineering and the Priestley Medal (highest award) from the American Chemical Society. He received the NIH Director’s Pioneer Award, NIH’s highest and most prestigious research award, for his field of Regenerative Engineering and the National Science Foundation’s Emerging Frontiers in Research and Innovation Grant Award. Laurencin is the editor-in-chief of Regenerative Engineering and Translational Medicine, published by Springer Nature, and is the founder of the Regenerative Engineering Society. He is a fellow of the American Chemical Society, a fellow of the American Institute of Chemical Engineers, a fellow of the Biomedical Engineering Society, a fellow of the Materials Research Society, and a AAAS fellow. The American Association for the Advancement of Science awarded Laurencin the Philip Hauge Abelson Prize given ‘for signal contributions to the advancement of science in the United States’.
Laurencin is an elected member of the National Academy of Sciences, an elected member of the National Academy of Engineering, an elected member of the National Academy of Medicine, and an elected fellow of the National Academy of Inventors. He is the first surgeon in history elected to all four of these academies. He is an elected fellow of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences and an elected fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science. Active internationally, he is an elected fellow of the Indian National Academy of Sciences, the Indian National Academy of Engineering, the African Academy of Sciences, The World Academy of Sciences, and is an Academician of the Chinese Academy of Engineering.
Laurencin is the recipient of the National Medal of Technology and Innovation, America’s highest honor for technological achievement, awarded by President Barack Obama in ceremonies at the White House. He is the first individual in history to receive one of the oldest/highest awards of the National Academy of Medicine (the Walsh McDermott Medal) and the oldest/highest award of the National Academy of Engineering (the Simon Ramo Founder’s Award).