Sifar Café, located in the Bamzu area of Anantnag about 40 kilometers from Pahalgam in Indian-administered Kashmir, has become a major tourist attraction following the shooting of the Tamil blockbuster film 'Leo'. Once a quiet local hangout, the café was featured in the movie as 'Café Wild Beans', where actor Vijay portrayed a café owner leading a double life as a gangster.

Since the film’s release in 2023, the café has drawn large numbers of visitors from Tamil Nadu, particularly after Vijay took office as the state’s chief minister. Fans recreate scenes from the movie, make social media reels, and dance to Vijay’s popular songs during their visits.

The café’s signature item, ‘chocolate coffee’, has become a favorite among tourists, as it was served by Vijay in the film. Staff members said Tamil Nadu location scouts first selected the site in 2022, and filming continued there for 25 days with stars including Trisha Krishnan, Sanjay Dutt, and Sandy Master.

Trinamool Congress leader and former West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee appeared at the Kolkata High Court on Thursday morning, dressed in a lawyer’s outfit. She arrived around 10 a.m. local time to face questioning in a case related to alleged attacks on Trinamool party offices following the recent state assembly elections.

The Trinamool Congress suffered defeat in the just-concluded assembly election, where Mamata Banerjee lost her Bhabanipur seat to current Chief Minister and BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari. At present, she holds no legislative position and serves only as the party leader. Against this backdrop, Banerjee personally attended court proceedings concerning the post-election violence allegations.

The case centers on a series of reported assaults on Trinamool offices after the election results, and Banerjee’s court appearance marks a significant development in the ongoing legal process.

At least 56 people have died across India’s Uttar Pradesh state following a severe storm, lightning, and unseasonal heavy rain that struck overnight on Wednesday. The worst-hit districts include Prayagraj, Bhadohi, Fatehpur, and Pratapgarh, where trees were uprooted, electric poles collapsed, and hundreds of homes were damaged. The state government held an emergency meeting led by Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, who directed officials to deliver relief and compensation within 24 hours.

According to official data, Prayagraj recorded 17 deaths, Bhadohi 16, Fatehpur 9, Badaun 5, and Pratapgarh 4, with additional casualties reported in Chandauli, Kushinagar, Sonbhadra, Kanpur Dehat, and Deoria. Rescue and relief operations are ongoing in affected areas, where power outages and blocked roads have disrupted normal life. Agricultural losses are feared, particularly in wheat and vegetable fields inundated by rainwater.

Meteorologists described the storm as unusually intense for this season in northern India, suggesting that climate change may be contributing to more extreme weather events. Authorities have urged residents to remain cautious and avoid taking shelter under trees or in open spaces during storms.

The Indian rupee fell to its lowest level in history on Wednesday, trading at 95.80 rupees against the US dollar after dropping by 12 paisa at the start of foreign exchange trading. The decline occurred amid global political instability and uncertainty in the oil market, marking the steepest fall ever recorded for the Indian currency.

According to the report, the rupee had already been weakening before the recent escalation of conflict in West Asia. Market experts believe that the emerging war situation between the United States and Iran has further accelerated the rupee’s depreciation. The fall reflects heightened market anxiety over geopolitical tensions and energy price volatility.

The continued instability in global markets and regional conflicts may keep the rupee under pressure in the near term, though the report does not specify any official response or policy measures from Indian authorities.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi arrived in New Delhi late Wednesday to attend the BRICS foreign ministers’ meeting. The two-day session, scheduled for Thursday and Friday, is regarded as a key preparatory stage for the 18th BRICS Summit to be held in September, hosted by India.

According to diplomatic sources, Araghchi will hold a bilateral meeting with Indian Foreign Minister S. Jaishankar and engage with other participating ministers and representatives on issues of mutual interest. The visit underscores active diplomatic coordination among BRICS members amid rising regional tensions. The meeting is expected to address global economic instability, energy security, and the future of multilateral cooperation, with a focus on forming a unified stance among member states.

Diplomatic observers view this gathering as not only a routine consultation but also a platform for shaping future policy alignment within the BRICS framework.

The Karnataka government has officially withdrawn the 2022 school uniform directive that had restricted the wearing of religious attire in classrooms. Under the new order issued by the state’s education department, students in government, aided, and private institutions will be allowed to wear limited religious symbols such as hijabs, sacred threads, or rudraksha beads along with prescribed uniforms. The directive emphasizes that uniforms remain mandatory and that religious symbols must not disrupt discipline, safety, or student identification.

The earlier 2022 directive, introduced by the then Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government, had effectively banned religious clothing in classrooms, sparking widespread protests, legal challenges, and national debate, particularly over Muslim students being barred from classes for wearing hijabs. Although the Karnataka High Court upheld the ban, the matter later reached the Supreme Court.

The current Congress-led government under Chief Minister Siddaramaiah had previously indicated plans to review the policy. The formal withdrawal marks a reversal of the earlier stance. BJP legislator Bharath Shetty reacted by saying that if hijabs are permitted, Hindu students should also be allowed to wear saffron scarves.

At least 33 people have died in Uttar Pradesh, India, following a severe storm accompanied by heavy rain and lightning, according to officials on May 14, 2026. The worst-affected districts include Bhadohi, Fatehpur, and Budaun, with additional casualties reported in Chandauli and Sonbhadra. Authorities confirmed that Bhadohi recorded 16 deaths, Fatehpur nine, Budaun five, Chandauli two, and Sonbhadra one.

Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has directed officials to provide compensation to the affected families and complete relief operations within 24 hours. In Bhadohi, Additional District Magistrate Kunwar Birendra Kumar Maurya reported widespread damage, including uprooted trees, fallen electric poles, and damaged houses. The storm also disrupted mobile networks, hampering rescue and recovery efforts.

Police in Bhadohi stated on social media that 16 people died in separate incidents, while six others were injured, two of them critically. Relief and restoration work is ongoing across the affected areas.

At least 90 people have been killed in a severe storm accompanied by hail and lightning across Uttar Pradesh, India’s most populous state. The storm uprooted trees and billboards, damaged electricity poles, and destroyed hundreds of homes. According to a state relief official, several deaths occurred when trees and walls collapsed, though no immediate details of rescue operations were provided. Police said early Thursday that administrative officials were inspecting the affected areas.

The storm also disrupted air traffic at Indira Gandhi International Airport in New Delhi after rainfall hit parts of the capital. Government data showed that Prayagraj reported 17 deaths, Bhadohi 16, Fatehpur 9, Badaun 5, and Pratapgarh 4, while two people each died in Chandauli and Kushinagar, and one in Sonbhadra. Separate lightning incidents were also reported in Kanpur Dehat and Deoria.

Authorities are continuing to assess the extent of damage and losses across the state as relief efforts proceed.

The government of West Bengal has issued new and stricter regulations on animal slaughter, banning the public slaughter of cattle and all other animals across the state. According to the directive, anyone wishing to slaughter cattle or other animals must obtain official approval and a fitness certificate from a government veterinarian. Violations of the new rules may result in up to six months of imprisonment, a fine, or both.

The notification, reported by NDTV, specifies that animals such as cows, bulls, oxen, and buffaloes can only be slaughtered after receiving joint certification from local authorities and government veterinarians. Only animals older than fourteen years or those unfit for work or breeding may be approved for slaughter. Animals suffering from severe injury, disability, or incurable disease may also be permitted for slaughter, provided the certificate clearly states the reason.

The directive further mandates that approved animals must be slaughtered only in designated slaughterhouses or officially approved locations. Open or public slaughter is completely prohibited, and obstruction of inspections by authorized officials will be treated as a punishable offense.

India has increased the import duty on gold and silver from 6 percent to 15 percent, effective from Wednesday, according to a government order cited by Reuters. The move aims to reduce pressure on foreign exchange reserves and limit imports of the two precious metals. The new structure includes a 10 percent basic customs duty and a 5 percent agriculture infrastructure and development cess.

Experts said the higher duty could dampen demand in the world’s second-largest consumer of precious metals but may help narrow India’s trade deficit and support the rupee. However, they warned that the steep tariff could revive smuggling, which had declined after a previous duty cut in 2024. Surendra Mehta of the India Bullion and Jewellers Association noted that the government’s decision was expected as part of efforts to reduce the current account deficit, though it may affect demand amid already high prices.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi recently urged citizens to avoid buying gold for a year to protect foreign reserves. Bullion traders reported that banks had paused imports for over a month due to a 3 percent integrated goods and services tax, leading to a 30-year low in April imports. Imports may fall again following the latest duty hike.

The West Bengal government led by Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari launched a demolition drive in Kolkata’s Tiljala area on Wednesday, following a deadly fire at an illegal leather factory in Topsia the previous day. Acting on Adhikari’s directive, the Kolkata Municipal Corporation and KMDA jointly began demolishing unauthorized buildings, citing the state’s ‘zero tolerance’ policy against corruption. A large police, RAF, and central force presence was deployed to maintain order during the operation.

The fire at the four-storey building in Topsia had claimed two lives and injured five others. Investigations revealed that the building lacked a valid plan and basic fire safety measures. The chief minister’s office received the report on Wednesday morning and ordered the demolition within 24 hours. Two individuals, including the factory owner, were arrested in connection with the incident.

Adhikari warned that any building without a valid plan would face disconnection of electricity and water supply. The Tiljala operation is being viewed as a strong warning to illegal builders across the city.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has ordered a 50 percent reduction in the number of vehicles in his official motorcade. The decision, announced amid a global energy crisis, aims to cut fuel consumption and promote the use of electric vehicles. The Special Protection Group responsible for Modi’s security has already begun implementing the directive.

The move comes as several Bharatiya Janata Party–ruled states follow suit. Chief Ministers Rekha Gupta of Delhi, Bhajan Lal Sharma of Rajasthan, and Mohan Yadav of Madhya Pradesh have also decided to reduce the size of their official fleets. The global energy shortage has been exacerbated by the ongoing United States–Iran war, which has driven up crude oil prices and disrupted supply chains.

Modi urged citizens to adopt a “nationally responsible” lifestyle, use local products, and avoid unnecessary gold purchases for one year to ease pressure on foreign currency reserves. He also advised against foreign travel and destination weddings abroad.

Suvendu Adhikari took oath on Wednesday as a member of the West Bengal Legislative Assembly. Although he won from both Nandigram and Bhabanipur constituencies, he was sworn in as the MLA from Bhabanipur. This seat had previously been represented by Mamata Banerjee, who won it three times and served as Chief Minister. According to legislative rules, Adhikari must resign from one of the two seats he won.

Adhikari has not yet resigned from the Nandigram seat but stated that he will continue to oversee the constituency while fulfilling his duties as Bhabanipur MLA. Several other newly elected legislators, including ministers Dilip Ghosh, Agnimitra Paul, Khudiram Tudu, Nisith Pramanik, and Ashok Kirtania, also took their oaths on Wednesday. Additional lawmakers are scheduled to be sworn in on Thursday.

On Tuesday, BJP legislator Tapas Roy was sworn in as the pro-tem speaker by Governor R.N. Ravi at Lok Bhavan, the former Raj Bhavan. The ceremony was attended by the new Chief Minister, Suvendu Adhikari, following parliamentary tradition.

At least six people were killed and 14 others injured when a temple wall and tin roof collapsed during heavy rain and strong winds in Maharashtra, India. The incident occurred on Tuesday evening at the Margudevi Temple in Modewadi village of Sangli district. Police reported that around 350 devotees and visitors were present in the temple premises at the time of the collapse.

According to Sangli district police superintendent Tushar Doshi, the victims were trapped under the debris after a section of the boundary wall and the tin shed fell on them. The injured were quickly rescued and taken to a local hospital for treatment, where they are currently receiving medical care.

Authorities have not yet provided further details on the condition of the injured or the extent of the structural damage to the temple.

A political controversy erupted in India after Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader and former Barrackpore MP Arjun Singh claimed that Suvendu Adhikari had banned offering prayers on public roads. Singh made the statement in an interview with India Today TV, saying that during a cabinet meeting, the chief minister instructed that prayers should not be performed on roads, though there was no objection to prayers inside mosques. The report was published by BBC Bangla and later discussed widely across national media and social platforms.

The West Bengal government held its first cabinet meeting on May 11, after which several executive orders were reportedly issued to police and district officials. However, a senior police officer, speaking anonymously, said that while such orders were indeed given, they did not specifically mention banning prayers. The issue follows earlier objections by BJP leaders to road prayers, including during Eid gatherings on Kolkata’s Red Road.

Human rights representative Sheikh Abdul Selim supported some of the government’s other directives, such as covering meat during sale and controlling noise levels, calling them reasonable.