Sebastian Stan and Renate Reinsway shed tears as ‘Fjord’ gets 10-minute standing ovation at Cannes 2026 Film Festival

Sebastian Stan and Renate Reinsway shed tears as 'Fjord' gets 10-minute standing ovation at Cannes 2026 Film Festival

Sebastian Stan and Renate Reinsway became emotional at the Cannes Film Festival when their family drama ‘Fjord’ received a 10-minute standing ovation during its premiere on Monday night. The Cristian Mungiu film was screened at the Grand Palace and received a strong reaction from audiences for its story about a Romanian family in Norway whose lives fall apart after state authorities take away their children due to alleged abuse.According to Variety, ‘Fjord’ follows the Gheorghiu family, led by a Romanian father played by Stan and a Norwegian mother played by Reinsve. The family moves to a quiet Norwegian village, where they build a new life before coming under investigation. Their children are then removed from their care, leading to a painful legal and personal crisis.

‘Fjord’ Cannes premiere gets emotional reaction

The Cannes audience reacted strongly during the screening, with the audience gasping as the parents came to terms with the loss of their preteen, teen, and infant. The film focuses on the clash between strict religious beliefs, social norms and state power. After the screening, Mungiu thanked the audience in French and English. “I want to thank everyone here for believing in me,” he said.The filmmaker also said that Cannes is an important test for his work and whether a film will stand the test of time. The story follows Gheorghias as he settles in his mother’s birthplace, a remote village near a bay. They soon became close to the neighboring family, the Halbergs. The children from both houses grow closer, but Gheorghias’ life changes when he faces suspicion over his disturbing behavior.

Christian Mungiu returns to Cannes with ‘Fjord’

Mungiu has a long history with Cannes. He won the Palme d’Or in 2007 for ‘4 Months, 3 Weeks and 2 Days’. He later won Best Screenplay for ‘Beyond the Hills’ in 2012 and Best Director for ‘Graduation’ in 2016. His 2022 play ‘RMN’ also competed at the festival. Stan and Reinsway are also Cannes stalwarts. Stan attended the festival for ‘The Apprentice’, while Reinsway won Best Actress for ‘The Worst Person in the World’. She also returned with ‘Sentimental Value’, which won the Grand Prix. Neon chose ‘Fjord’ a year before its Cannes debut. The distributor also has ‘Hope’ and ‘Paper Tiger’ at Cannes this year.

Source link

Poor English boy crowned King of England at age 10 and years later, he worked in the royal kitchen

Poor English boy crowned King of England at age 10 and years later, he worked in the royal kitchen

For a brief moment in medieval England, a poor boy stood at the center of a royal rebellion and wore a crown made for kings. Lambert Simnel was only 10 years old when Yorkist supporters presented him as a claimant to the English throne during the turbulent years following the Wars of the Roses. In 1487, he was crowned in Dublin in a dramatic challenge to the rule of King Henry VII. Yet the glory lasted only for months. After the rebellion collapses in battle, the boy who was once treated like a king is saved from execution and quietly sent to work in the royal kitchen. His extraordinary rise and fall is one of the strangest stories in English history.

How did a poor English boy become one? boy king

Lambert Simnell was probably the son of Thomas Simnell, a joiner or carpenter of Oxford, although much about his early life is uncertain. At the time England was still recovering from the Wars of the Roses, a bitter conflict between the rival houses of Lancaster and York.A priest named Richard Symonds reportedly caught the eye of the young boy because of his looks and behavior. Symonds believed that Simnel could be used by Yorkist loyalists who still opposed the first Tudor king Henry VII.The conspirators initially invented different royal identities for the child and eventually presented him as Edward, Earl of Warwick, a Yorkist claimant with deep connections to the throne. Since few people outside royal circles knew what the real Warwick looked like, the deception gained support surprisingly quickly.The rebellion gained momentum in Ireland, where Yorkist allegiance remained strong. In May 1487, Simnel was crowned as ‘King Edward VI’ in Dublin in a grand ceremony, turning the poor child into a symbolic king.To the powerful people behind him, the coronation was more important than theatre. He hoped to depose Henry VII and restore Yorkist control over England. Foreign mercenaries and English nobles joined the cause, and soon an invading army crossed into England to directly challenge the Tudor king.

the war that ended his reign

Simnel’s short-lived claim collapsed at the Battle of Stoke Field in June 1487. Henry VII’s forces defeated the rebels in what historians often describe as the last major battle of the Wars of the Roses.Many of the leaders of the rebellion are killed, but Henry VII makes an unusual decision regarding the child at the center of the plot. Rather than ordering Simnel’s execution, the king reportedly viewed him as a pawn manipulated by ambitious adults.That decision changed the boy’s life forever.

From crowned king to kitchen worker

After the rebellion ended, Simnel was brought into the royal household and assigned to work in the royal kitchen as a spit-boy or low-ranking kitchen servant responsible for difficult and tiring tasks.The contrast was extraordinary. A boy who once stood before cheering crowds dressed as a king is now behind palace walls working in the kitchen for the same dynasty he was used against.Historical accounts suggest that Simnel later went into the service of Sir Thomas Lovell, one of Henry VII’s trusted officers. Some later summaries also claim that he eventually became an imperial falconer, although the details of his later life are less clearly documented.

forgotten boy king of england

The life of Lambert Simnel remains one of the most remarkable vicissitudes in English royal history. He was never actually king, yet for some time powerful nobles considered him the future ruler of England.His story shows how unstable the English throne remained after years of civil war, when even a poor child could suddenly become the face of national rebellion.Centuries later, Simnel is still remembered as the forgotten boy king who briefly wore the crown before disappearing into the royal household of the same king he tried to overthrow.

Source link

Promise or pressure? Why did TMC candidate Jahangir Khan withdraw from Falta re-poll?

Promise or pressure? Why did TMC candidate Jahangir Khan withdraw from Falta re-poll?
Jahangir Khan (file photo)

New Delhi: Trinamool Congress Falta (TMC) candidate Jahangir Khan withdrew his candidature on Tuesday, days before re-polling was scheduled for Falta.He cited this in a press conference Chief Minister of West Bengal Suvendu Adhikari’s “special package” for Falta is the reason for their retreat.“I am a son of Falta and I want there to be peace and development in the region,” he said. “The Chief Minister has announced a special package for the development of Falta, which is why I have decided to step away from the re-polling process in the constituency,” he said.However, the TMC gave its clarification that Khan’s decision was personal, adding that “some people succumbed to pressure”. “Jahangir Khan’s decision to withdraw from the Falta re-poll is his personal decision and not that of the party. More than 100 of our party workers have been arrested in Falta AC alone since the election results were declared on May 4. Many party offices have been vandalized, locked down and forcibly taken over in broad daylight through intimidation, while the Election Commission continues to turn a blind eye despite repeated complaints,” a post on X said.It further said, “Despite such pressure, our workers have stood firm and continue to resist the BJP’s intimidation spread through agencies and administration. However, some ultimately succumbed to the pressure and decided to withdraw from the field. We strongly condemn this. Our fight against the anti-Bangla BJP will continue – both in West Bengal and Delhi.”The repoll in the Falta constituency was ordered after the Election Commission canceled the entire original poll at all 285 polling stations, citing “serious electoral crimes and subversion of the democratic process”. In its statement, the commission said the decision was taken following reports of serious electoral crimes and large-scale subversion of the democratic process during voting on April 29. The observers’ report highlighted several alleged irregularities, including tampering with electronic voting machines, voter intimidation and violation of voting norms. Ballot unit buttons at several booths were reportedly covered with black tape, disrupting the voting process. There were also allegations of unauthorized persons entering polling stations and voting in place of others. Missing or inconsistent video footage further raised concerns over transparency.Now re-polling is to be held on May 21, while counting of votes will take place on May 24.

Source link

Jasprit Bumrah, Ravindra Jadeja rested for AFG series, Prince Yadav, Gurnoor Brar included in the squad for the first time

Jasprit Bumrah, Ravindra Jadeja rested for AFG series, Prince Yadav, Gurnoor Brar included in the squad for the first time
AHMEDABAD: India’s Jasprit Bumrah during a training session on the eve of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 final cricket match between India and New Zealand at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad, Gujarat. (PTI Photo/Shailendra Bhojak)(PTI03_07_2026_000358A)

New Delhi: Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli were named in India’s ODI squad for the upcoming Afghanistan series as the BCCI on Tuesday announced the squads for the one-off Test and three-match ODI series in June.Jasprit Bumrah and Ravindra Jadeja He has been rested for both the Test and ODI matches, while wicketkeeper-batsman Rishabh Pant is not included in the ODI squad.Rohit’s inclusion in the ODI team along with Hardik Pandya is subject to fitness clearance.India’s ODI team will be led by Shubman Gill and the series is expected to be part of the team’s preparations for the 2027 ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup.Gill will lead India in both formats, with KL Rahul appointed as the vice-captain for the one-off Test. The team has a mix of established names and new faces, with Gurnoor Brar, Harsh Dubey and Manav Suthar included in the Test setup.The ODI squad includes Prince Yadav alongside senior players Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer – named vice-captain – and KL Rahul for the first time as India continue to prepare for next year’s ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup.India will face Afghanistan in the one-off Test in New Chandigarh from June 6 before the ODI series begins in Dharamshala on June 14.

Indian team for the one-off Test in Afghanistan:

Shubman Gill (captain), Yashasvi Jaiswal, KL Rahul (vice-captain), Sai Sudarshan, Rishabh Pant, Devdutt Padikkal, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Washington Sundar, Kuldeep Yadav, Prasidh Krishna, Gurnoor Brar, Manav Suthar, Harsh Dubey, Dhruv Jurel.

Indian team for Afghanistan ODI series:

Shubman Gill (captain), Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer (vice-captain), KL Rahul, Ishan Kishan, Hardik Pandya, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Washington Sundar, Kuldeep Yadav, Arshdeep Singh, Prasidh Krishna, Prince Yadav, Gurnoor Brar, Harsh Dubey.India last played the Test in November last year against South Africa in Guwahati, where Rishabh Pant captained the team in the absence of injured Gill.The Afghanistan series will be only the second Test meeting between the two countries. Afghanistan had earlier played their first Test in India in Bengaluru in 2018.India Afghanistan tour 2026 schedule:

  • One-off Test: June 6-10, New Chandigarh
  • 1st ODI: June 14, Dharamshala
  • Second ODI: June 17, Lucknow
  • Third ODI: June 20, Chennai

The selectors have largely retained key players from the squad that last featured in ODI cricket during the home series against New Zealand earlier this year, although a few new faces have also found a place in the setup.

Source link

Why Reed Hastings’ Netflix culture memo says working harder could be quietly hurting your company

Why Reed Hastings' Netflix culture memo says working harder could be quietly hurting your company
Netflix’s famous cultural meme champions results from mere effort, challenging traditional workplaces that reward engagement. It advocates ‘talent density’ and autonomy, urging managers to evaluate tasks based on their impact rather than time spent. (AP Photo/Richard Drew, File)

Netflix’s culture memo is one of the most famous documents in the history of Silicon Valley’s management practices. First published in the late 2000s, it was renowned for describing corporate culture with an unusual level of clarity. Rather than discussing abstract values, it stated that companies should reward efficiency, judgment and contribution above mere effort.This approach is unique in that it is contrary to the common corporate mentality. Most workplaces praise their employees for working overtime, attending too many meetings, or appearing overly busy throughout the day. Netflix challenged that tradition by saying that results matter, not the drama involved in achieving them.The company continues to publish updated versions of its corporate philosophy website and through other official media. According to its corporate culture, effective performance is based on employing highly skilled professionals and letting them take responsible decisions themselves.Due to the effect of the memoCorporate experts often refer to the memo because it deals with an issue that most organizations ignore. The work environment can be extremely busy without being extremely productive. In some firms, the apparent level of activity supersedes actual efficiency. Workers realize that being busy can sometimes bring more praise than solving problems effectively. This creates what some scholars call “productivity theatre”.The Netflix memo ran against that trend. Rather than rewarding busy work, it prompted managers to consider whether the work helped advance business goals. According to management expert Erin Meyer, co-author of the book no rules no rules With Reed Hastings, the Netflix culture emphasized “talent density” and individual responsibility over strict control mechanisms. He believed that talented employees achieve better results when they have the freedom and responsibilities associated with autonomy.effort vs effectThe effort is necessary, yet Netflix claimed it was insufficient on its own. An employee may spend many hours attending meetings or preparing papers without making any improvements.Effectiveness, on the other hand, presents another question:

  • What change was made because of the work?
  • Has the customer experience improved?
  • Is there an easy process?
  • Are business decision-making processes more efficient?

These cannot be easily measured, but their impact is usually more profound. This is where the wisdom of culture memo logic comes in, especially valuable for small enterprises or startups. Founding teams create habits that last forever. If leadership values ​​noticeable fatigue over tangible accomplishments, employees will soon learn how to simulate effort without any real results. This can result in an elaborate system of communication, excessive reporting and unnecessary meetings. there is a widely PDF copy of Netflix culture slides distributed Which clearly mentions performance criteria like judgment, communication, curiosity, innovation and influence.

The surprising reason why Netflix

The surprising reason Netflix stopped rewarding “engaged” employees changed the way startups think about productivity. Image credit – Wikimedia

How can companies use this conceptThe most practical takeaway from the memo may surprise you. Managers can now assess a task through an “impact review” in addition to reviewing the efforts invested. Instead of considering, “How much effort was put in?” The leader may consider:

  • What was achieved by solving a particular issue?
  • What improvements have resulted from the efforts made?
  • Has this saved time, money or frustration?
  • Has it benefited customers or contributed to decision making?

A good test may involve recurring workplace routines. If an activity does not improve decisions but is done to show how hardworking one is. It would be wrong to say that organizations should abandon structure. Netflix’s ideology does not promote anarchy. It suggested reducing excessive control and focusing on responsibility for results.Reasons why this strategy is still inconvenientMany organizations struggle to adopt such a mindset, because the effort is more visible and easier to track. Working hours can be measured. Responsibility and contribution are less tangible.Some managers fear that allowing more freedom will reduce discipline in their teams. Still, Netflix disagreed. Netflix believed that great people act more responsibly with higher standards and fewer processes.It also doesn’t work for all types of businesses. Netflix’s culture has also received criticism for the stress it creates for workers. However, the memorandum continues to shape contemporary discourse within business administration because it addresses genuine concerns about organizational efficiency. Engagement does not necessarily equate to productivity among employees. That’s why this Netflix culture memo is still relevant after all these years.

Source link

NCSC issues notice to Punjab over use of casteist words in questionnaire

Census 2027: NCSC issues notice to Punjab over use of casteist words in questionnaire
Census 2027 (Image Credit: ANI)

The National Commission for Scheduled Castes (NCSC) on Tuesday issued a notice to Punjab authorities after taking cognizance of the alleged use of casteist words in the official list prepared for the upcoming census operations in the state.The commission said it has decided to investigate the matter under the powers conferred under Article 338 of the Constitution of India.Notices have been sent to the Director of Census Operations, Punjab and the Principal Secretary, Social Justice and Empowerment Department of the Punjab Government. Both the departments have been directed to submit detailed action taken report within 15 days.“The Commission had decided to investigate/inquire into the matter in pursuance of the powers conferred under Article 338 of the Constitution of India. The notice states that you are requested to submit the action taken report to the undersigned within 15 days.The Commission further warned that if no response is received within the stipulated time, it can exercise the powers of a civil court under Article 338 of the Constitution.“The Commission may also issue summons to you to appear before the Commission in person or through a representative,” the notice said.Also read: CM Yogi completes self-count for Census 2027When will the census be held in Punjab?The self-counting facility available in Punjab from April 30 to May 14 has ended. The door-to-door census work will now be conducted in two phases across the state.The first phase, known as house listing and house census, will be conducted from May 15 to June 13. During this phase, enumerators will visit households and collect information through 33 questions related to housing conditions and available facilities.The second phase, population census, is scheduled to take place from February 9 to February 28, 2027.Census 2027 will be the 16th census of India and the eighth after independence.Census 2027 will be the 16th census of India and the 8th after independence. The last census was conducted in 2011, while the 2021 census was postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.Also read: Ground visits begin for house listing work under Census 2027

Source link

Double blow to Mumbai Indians, star batsman and all-rounder out of IPL 2026

Mumbai Indians have been dealt a double blow as Quinton de Kock and Raj Angad Bawa have been ruled out of the remainder of IPL 2026, the franchise confirmed on Tuesday.

De Kock has been ruled out due to a tendon injury in his left wrist, which Mumbai Indians said he suffered before their home match against Sunrisers Hyderabad. The absence of the South African wicketkeeper-batsman is a blow for the five-time champions, who lose an experienced top-order option for the final stages of the campaign.

Meanwhile, Bawa has been ruled out due to a ligament tear in his right thumb during the Mumbai Last match against Punjab Kings. The injury to the young all-rounder has further weakened the team’s depth, especially in the all-round department.

In an official statement, Mumbai Indians said that both players will continue their rehabilitation from their respective homes, with the support and guidance of the franchise’s medical team.

“Both Quinton and Raj Bawa will continue their rehabilitation at their respective homes with the support and guidance of the Mumbai Indians medical team to help them return to playing as soon as possible,” the franchise said.

Mumbai also wished both players a speedy recovery and confirmed that replacements will be announced accordingly IPL guidance.

Mumbai are already out of the playoff race due to injuries, ending a disappointing campaign for the franchise. With only two league matches remaining, the focus will now turn to finishing the season on a positive note while assessing options for the future.

Mumbai are scheduled to face Kolkata Knight Riders at the Eden Gardens on Wednesday, May 20, before concluding their season at home against playoff hopefuls Rajasthan Royals on Sunday, May 24.

While De Kock’s departure removes an experienced international presence from the batting group, Bawa’s absence also removes a developing domestic option who could have provided valuable opportunities in the final matches.

with their Playoff hopes are already over, Mumbai can now use the final two fixtures to test bench strength and provide opportunities to fringe players before focusing on rebuilding for the next season.

The announcement of replacements will be closely watched, although with only two matches remaining, any incoming players may have a limited impact on the campaign.

ipl 2026 | ipl schedule | ipl points table | ipl player stats | purple cap | orange cap | ipl video | cricket news | live score

– ends

published by:

Amar Panikkar

Published on:

May 19, 2026 14:44 IST

Source link

Nia Sharma reacts to Niharika Tiwari’s ‘didn’t know you before Splitsvilla 16’ comment; Says ‘being well paid is unknown’

Nia Sharma reacts to Niharika Tiwari's 'didn't know you before Splitsvilla 16' comment; Says 'being well paid is unknown'

Splitsvilla However, the final episode was filled with cheating allegations, confrontations and intense confrontations. During the finale episode, there was a heated argument between contestant Niharika Tiwari and Mischief Maker host Nia Sharma. Niharika Tiwari told host Nia Sharma that she did not know her before Splitsvilla 16. While Nia didn’t give any strong reaction at the time, now she seems to have responded to the comment subtly through a cryptic post on social media.In the finale episode, Nia Sharma, who is one of the hosts along with Uoffi Javed, confronted Niharika over claims that she had called Nia “biased” in a post-show podcast. “To be biased one must be aware of one’s existence,” Nia said. This was my first time on Splitsvilla. Did I know anyone before this show? No. Did I know you, Niharika? Not at all, babe.Responding to this, Niharika said, “You also did not know me before this show.”Nia Sharma then replied that if someone makes allegations against the host of a show, they should have proper proof and evidence to prove their claims. He said, “Nobody is biased, we don’t have the right to be biased. Now you have become famous within 3 months. I have been here for 15 years. I have seen ups and downs.”Nia’s reaction irked Niharika, who replied, “Kya baat kar rahi hai yeh faltu ki? 3 mosh mein fame mila hai kya mereko? (What is she talking about? Have I got fame in just 3 months?).”Although Nia Sharma did not react to Niharika’s “Mujhe bhi aap nahi pata thi” comment during the episode, she later shared a cryptic Instagram post which many fans thought was directed at the contestant. On Monday, Nia posted a series of pictures and behind-the-scenes clips from the Splitsvilla sets. Along with the post, she wrote, “Having a job that pays well is the unknown. ✅🫶 #splitsvilla16 Another unknown of my favorite trips in my 15 years has come to a close.” Lived the moments.. wouldn’t have changed it for anything else. @mtvsplitsvilla @mtvindia @jiohotstar! Thanks for taking me along on this!”As soon as Nia shared the post, many fans took to the comments section to reply to the cryptic message. One user wrote, “Niharika should apologize to you.” Another fan commented, “Audacity for a contestant to say this to a TV star.” One user wrote, “There was no need to shout. There was no need to bow down. This is the real strength.”There were some users who came in support of Niharika Tiwari and criticized Nia Sharma. She accused him of indirectly targeting the contestant through his post. One user commented, “If you are so polite then why the sarcasm now? Why so much impact? You said good to you Niharika. Then you were pretending to be good?” Another fan wrote, “Insulting someone just because you are more senior in this industry is really disgusting!”

Source link

UAE to launch 16 new Indian passport and visa centers as Alhind takes over consular services

UAE to launch 16 new Indian passport and visa centers as Alhind takes over consular services
UAE to get 16 new Indian passport and visa centers in key expatriate services / Image: File

Over four million Indians living in the UAE will see a major overhaul of passport, visa and consular services after India awarded a large-scale outsourcing contract to Kerala-based Alhind Group, which will launch 16 new service centers across all seven emirates from July 1, 2026.The move ends a long era for BLS International, which has handled Indian passport and visa support services in the UAE since 2011. Under the new arrangement, Indian residents in the UAE will now use Alhind-run centers for passport renewal, visa application, OCI card, Police Clearance Certificate (PCC), surrender certificate and other key consular services attached to the Embassy of India in Abu Dhabi and the Consulate General of India in Dubai.The announcement is being closely watched across the Gulf as the Indian community in the UAE is the largest expatriate population in the country, estimated at over 4.3 million. Any changes to the passport and visa system directly impact the daily lives of workers, professionals, families and businesses in the emirate.

UAE passport and visa services to change in 2026

The contract was officially awarded by the Embassy of India after a competitive tender process involving four leading bidders, Alhind, VFS Global, DU Digital Global and SGIVS Global. According to the embassy, ​​Alhind won the deal after submitting the lowest financial bid.In an official notice, the Indian Mission confirmed that the contract includes:

  • Passport renewal and new applications
  • Indian Visa Processing
  • OCI Card Services
  • police clearance certificate
  • surrender certificate
  • Global Entry Program Verification
  • Apostille and Attestation Services

The company says the change will officially begin on July 1, with the rapid expansion of operations across the UAE.Speaking to Gulf media, Mohammed Haris T said the goal is to make services “more affordable and accessible” to Indian residents. He confirmed that the company will introduce a unified all-inclusive service charge of Dh19 on top of the embassy fee, which will include services such as photography and photocopying.“We want to make this process as affordable as possible,” Harris said, outlining the company’s expansion plans in the emirate.

16 new Indian consular centers in UAE

One of the biggest changes for the Indian diaspora will be the expansion of physical service centres. Alhind says it plans to operate from 16 locations across the UAE, including Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Sharjah, Ajman, Fujairah, Al Ain, Kalba and Khor Fakkan.For many Indian residents outside central Dubai and Abu Dhabi, the new rollout could significantly reduce travel time for routine paperwork and passport appointments.The company also plans to digitize backend operations in a big way. According to Arun Radhakrishnan, while the application process itself will remain widely familiar, the company intends to introduce advanced online systems and digital processing tools.“The website will change, the process will be the same, but we plan to make everything digital,” Radhakrishnan said.This change is also creating a huge wave of hiring in the UAE. Alhind has announced recruitment for over 300 new operational roles, including submission officers, operations officers, branch heads and front-desk staff. The company says that fresh graduates with a valid UAE residence visa are also being considered for a number of positions.

Alhind’s UAE expansion

founded in Kerala In 1992, Alhind began operations in the Gulf region in the mid-1990s and has since expanded into travel, foreign exchange, IT services and luxury transportation businesses. The company is also building a larger aviation presence in India after getting approval to launch a domestic airline project.Although Alhind is better known in travel circles than large-scale consular outsourcing, the company already operates authorized attestation and apostille collection centers across India and has experience in managing documentation systems.However, for the UAE’s Indian community, the focus is now on how smoothly the July transition goes. With millions of people relying on passport and visa services every year, the success of the rollout could shape the future of Indian consular operations across the Gulf for years to come.

Why is change big news?

This development is attracting huge attention among Indian residents as consular services are essential for almost every major life event in the UAE, from visa renewal and passport update to family sponsorship, newborn registration and emergency travel documents.Over the years, many Indian expatriates have been connecting to these services at BLS centers in UAE. The sudden switch to a new operator therefore represents one of the biggest operational changes to Indian consular services in the Gulf in more than a decade.The change comes after India’s Ministry of External Affairs barred BLS International from participating in new Indian mission tenders for two years due to allegations of complaints and legal matters involving applicants. BLS has previously said the action will not impact its existing global operations.Industry observers say the first few months after the changeover will be closely monitored due to the sheer scale of Indian expatriates in the UAE. Even small disruptions could potentially impact thousands of appointments, travel plans and document submissions every day, analysts say.Some concerns have also emerged over operational readiness, staffing and data security as consular systems contain sensitive personal documents, biometric details and financial information. Experts quoted in UAE reports have urged authorities to ensure strong monitoring during the rollout phase.Nevertheless, many residents hope that the larger network of centers and lower service fees may eventually make passport and visa services faster and more convenient.

Source link

TMC candidate Jahangir Khan withdraws his name from Falta repoll 2 days before voting

West Bengal: TMC candidate Jahangir Khan withdraws his name from Falta repoll 2 days before voting

New Delhi: Trinamool Congress Jahangir Khan, candidate from Falta constituency in West Bengal, withdrew his nomination on Tuesday, just two days before re-polling.TMC spokesperson Arup Chakraborty said the party has received information about Khan’s decision, but the reason behind it is not yet known.“We have heard that Jahangir Khan has decided not to participate or contest the Falta repoll,” he told reporters.“We still don’t know the reason behind their withdrawal,” he said.comes after this Election Commission The election in the Falta assembly constituency was cancelled, citing “serious electoral crimes and subversion of the democratic process”.In its statement, the election body said the decision was taken following reports of serious electoral crimes and large-scale subversion of the democratic process during voting on April 29.The observers’ report highlighted serious irregularities, including tampering with electronic voting machines, voter intimidation, and violations of voting rules.Ballot unit buttons at several booths were reportedly covered with black tape, preventing proper voting. Unauthorized persons were also reportedly found entering polling stations and voting in place of others. Missing or inconsistent video footage raised concerns over transparency.Re-polling on Falta seat is to be held on May 21, while counting of votes will take place on May 24.Earlier, West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari had taken a direct aim at Jahangir, comparing himself to the smuggler-turned-powerful character from the film “Pushpa: The Rise”.Addressing a rally in Diamond Harbour, the officer said, “Where is that dacoit Pushpa? She is nowhere to be seen now. The National Human Rights Commission has declared 19 people as notorious criminals in 2021.” Jahangir was one of them. Leave him to me. I will take care of him.”Ahead of the rally, police arrested Saidul Khan, a close aide of Jahangir and Trinamool’s Falta vice president, on charges including threatening to kill.In the 2026 assembly elections, BJP secured 207 seats, ending TMC’s 15-year rule in the state. At the same time, TMC managed to win only 80 seats.

Source link