Photo Credit: Agencies

NAXXAR: Malta’s Labor Party won an unprecedented fourth term on Sunday in a victory over outgoing Prime Minister Robert Abela, who had called for snap elections amid geopolitical uncertainties.Fireworks were set off across the small Mediterranean island and excited Labor supporters dressed in the party’s red chanted “Four times!” Raised the slogan of. Officials at the counting house in Naxxar said preliminary results had given the election to the governing party.“I’ve voted Labor since I was a little girl, I’m thrilled they’ve made history,” Margaret Camilleri, 73, told AFP.Abela, 48, sent the country to the polls a year early, saying the government needed a new mandate to save the small, import-heavy island from the Middle East crisis.While Malta’s economy grew 4.0 percent last year, there are concerns that the conflict could have an impact on tourism due to rising aviation fuel costs and rising inflation.Abela campaigned on Labor’s economic record since 2013, promising stability in a period of uncertainty.“All indications show that the Malta Labor Party has made history by winning four consecutive elections,” he said.His main rival was Nationalist Party (PN) candidate Alex Borg, a 30-year-old lawyer and former “Mr. World Malta” beauty pageant winner, who has urged Maltese to vote for change.Borg acknowledged in an address posted on social media on Sunday that he had “personally called Robert Abela to congratulate him” on the victory.Abela has led Malta since 2020, when his predecessor stepped down in 2017 following a political crisis over the murder of reporter Daphne Caruana Galizia, who exposed corruption at the highest levels in the country.Malta lags far behind in the fight against corruption, according to a 2025 Council of Europe report – but the issue was not a hot topic during the campaign.population boomMalta’s economic performance outweighed other concerns.Located off the coast of Sicily, Malta is the European Union’s smallest and most densely populated country, with about 550,000 people living in 316 square kilometers (122 sq mi).The island’s economy is largely based on tourism, online gaming and financial services and has one of the lowest unemployment rates in the European Union.But despite the low birth rate, the population has increased by about 30 percent in a decade, mainly due to the contribution of foreigners.This has led to a surge in construction work, filling the skies with cranes, creating traffic snarls and putting pressure on key services.Heritage groups have condemned environmental degradation and threats to UNESCO World Heritage sites in the former British colony.The country has very few natural resources and imports most of its energy, making it vulnerable to external shocks.Labor heavily subsidizes energy bills and has pledged to continue doing so.Malta is also on the front lines of climate change and is at risk of desertification and drought, but none of the main parties has made the issue a priority.There is one Green party, the ADPD, but no third party has held even a seat in the Parliament of Malta since independence in 1964.

New Delhi: TMC MP Abhishek Banerjee Thanked the leader of the opposition in the Lok Sabha on Sunday Rahul Gandhi To extend support after he was attacked by a mob in Sonarpur, West Bengal.Responding to Rahul’s post on Twitter, Abhishek described himself as a “victim of state-sponsored terrorism” and alleged BJP Using political violence and intimidation against one’s opponents.The TMC MP said, “Thank you for your concern and continued support, Rahul ji. We remain united and determined in our fight to protect the soul of India, protect its democratic institutions and uphold the values ​​enshrined in our Constitution. Last year, I traveled to five countries representing India as part of an all-party delegation for Operation Sindoor. I defended my country and stood united against terrorism.”He said, “Today, I am a victim of political violence and state-sponsored terrorism spread by those who claim to be guardians of nationalism. This is the reality of today’s BJP. If you support them, you are a patriot. If you question them, you become a target. If you stand with them, you are celebrated. If you stand against them, they try to silence you.”Furthermore, the Diamond Harbor MP said he would “prefer to face intimidation while protecting democracy rather than enjoy the comfort of surrendering our principles”.He said, “Power is temporary. The will of the people is permanent. I will bow only before the people, never before those in power.”The TMC leader said, “We will continue our fight against those who want to weaken democracy and divide our country. India is united and we will ensure that the politics of fear, hatred, violence and intimidation is defeated and the voice of the people prevails.”Earlier on Saturday, Rahul Gandhi condemned the attack on the TMC leader and said it was a “disgusting expression” of the BJP’s “politics of vengeance”.Rahul said, “The attack on MP Abhishek Banerjee in Sonarpur is completely condemnable. An attack on an MP is not just an attack on an individual – it is an attack on the people who elected him, and an attack on the democracy that is our shared heritage.”“This is the ugly face of BJP’s vendetta politics. Political differences can never justify violence. The Central Government and the West Bengal Government should take immediate action against the culprits and ensure that no public representative, irrespective of party affiliation, has to worry about his safety.” Abhishek ji, my condolences are with you and your family. Wishing you a speedy recovery.”Meanwhile, former West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee said that many opposition leaders, including Rahul Gandhi, reached out to her after the attack.She said, “Rahul Gandhi called me and said that if anything is needed, I can tell him and he can take Abhishek Banerjee to Hyderabad or somewhere else for treatment.”TMC national general secretary and MP Abhishek Banerjee was manhandled in South 24 Parganas district on Saturday as he went to meet the family of Sanju Karmakar, whom the party alleged was killed by “BJP-backed miscreants” in the post-poll violence.According to the police, unidentified people threw stones, shoes and eggs at them and allegedly tried to attack them while raising slogans.The Diamond Harbor MP was later seen being taken out of the area wearing a police helmet and his shirt torn.The incident sparked sharp political reactions, with opposition parties raising concerns over the law and order situation in the state and the continuing cycle of post-poll violence.Meanwhile, the BJP said the public welcome of the TMC MP reflected deep resentment among local residents against the governance policies of the ruling government, which it alleged had led to large-scale displacement and distress across the state.

TV antiques expert Ian Towning

Celebrity antique dealer Ian Towning has closed his prestigious Chelsea jewelery emporium and decided to leave London after a violent armed robbery left him traumatized.Towning, 78, known for his appearances on TV shows including Dickinson’s Real Deal and Posh Pawn, said he has never fully recovered from a brutal raid on his store in March 2024, during which he was hit over the head with a hammer.

Dealer shocked by violent raid

Towning and her security guard, Mark Simmons, were attacked when armed robbers carrying hammers including sledgehammers stormed her Chelsea jewelry store.CCTV footage of the incident shows the attackers entering the premises, before one of them allegedly attacked the antiquities expert on the head and knocked him to the ground.The gang made away with hundreds of thousands of pounds worth of jewellery, while Towning and Simmons both suffered injuries during the raid.Speaking about the aftermath, Towning said the attack left her dealing with flashbacks, emotional distress and sleepless nights.He said, “I am almost 80 years old now and it is difficult to recover from such a shock.” He said that this incident has had a very bad impact on his health and well-being.

Conviction came months later

In November 2024, 42-year-old James Dixon and 41-year-old Thomas Loring were convicted of a series of violent robberies and burglaries that took place in and around London, including an attack on Towning’s store.The raid also resulted in additional security costs for the business, which Towning had operated from Chelsea since 1997.

End of an era for Chelsea’s antiques business

The closure marks the end of London’s decades-long association with the antiques trade. Towning was a familiar figure in Chelsea’s antiques scene from the 1970s and built a reputation as a respected jewelery and antiques expert through his television programmes.Reflecting on the decision, he said he had always hoped to continue working at the Emporium for the rest of his career, but ultimately felt unable to recover from the trauma of the attack.The 2024 robbery was the second major violent incident at the store. In 2008, Towning was left bloodied after confronting another gang who reportedly came armed with hammers and guns.

Criticism of London’s crime situation

According to the Daily Mail, Towning blamed London Mayor Sadiq Khan for failing to tackle rising crime in the capital, describing the situation as extremely worrying and claiming there was an increased fear of thefts and robberies among residents and customers.“I think Sadiq Khan has been a disaster for London,” Towning told the Daily Mail. He said, “He only cares about bike lanes and he wants to give money to more youth clubs when someone is stabbed to death. It’s despicable. He’s a joke.”The antiques dealer told the newspaper that security concerns and the impact of repeated criminal incidents contributed to his decision to close the business and leave London.

Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge

congress president Mallikarjun Kharge CBSE on Sunday hit out at the Center over the evaluation process controversy and its treatment of students who have raised concerns, claiming they are being branded as “Pakistani”. The issue gained widespread attention when a student alleged that the answer sheet uploaded by the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) under his roll number was not his. The board later admitted that an incorrect Physics answer sheet was uploaded under Vedanta’s roll number and later provided him with the correct answer sheet.In a post on Twitter, Kharge said that both CBSE students and NEET aspirants have become victims of the government’s failures in the education sector.Kharge said, “They planned to create ‘Pariksha Yodha’ but instead branded them ‘deep state agents’ and ‘Pakistanis’. Be it 17-year-old CBSE aspirants or NEET aspirants, the Modi government has trapped the youth of the country in its web of corruption by conspiring to destroy the country’s education system.”The Congress chief also alleged that institutions which once played a vital role in nurturing talent are now in decline under the BJP-led government.Kharge said, “There was a time when IITs, IIMs, central universities and national institutes used to produce the talent of the country. Now, because of BJP’s loot, we are not able to conduct even a single board exam properly. They have brought us to such a situation.”He further accused the government of weakening educational institutions and suppressing the voice of students.Kharge said, “Look at any institution – they ruined the UGC; started vendetta politics in JNU and central universities; erased history from NCERT textbooks; suppressed the voice of students in universities and crushed their movements; ideologically hijacked the appointment of vice-chancellors; closed more than 90,000 government schools; and cut the education budget year after year.”The comments came on a day when Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi met CBSE Class 12 students who were branded “anti-nationals”, “Pakistani” and “Soros agents” on social media after raising concerns over wrong answer sheets.Continuing his attack on the government, Kharge alleged that youth who raise their voices are regularly targeted and denied justice. They also renovated congress partyDemand for resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan.“Whenever the youth take to the streets, whenever Gen Z raises their voices… every time, their voices have been suppressed, baseless allegations have been made against them, and they have been put behind bars! The BJP did not give jobs, they filled their pockets through recruitment exams, and completely ruined the education system!!”Kharge said, “I am repeating once again – demand the resignation of Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan… Only then, Modi, the youth will get real justice.”

As bobby deol Preparing to be in the headlines Anurag KashyapIn the much-awaited thriller ‘Bandar’, releasing across theaters on June 5, 2026, the actor has been unusually candid about the professional wounds that quietly shaped him into the artist he is today. In a revealing reveal in ‘Aap Ki Adalat’, Bobby revisits one of the most painful chapters of his career: It was revealed that the production house for which he had made ‘Jab We Met’ had gone ahead and made an exact similar film with the same director. Imtiaz AliAnd the same leading lady, Kareena Kapoor just replacing it shahid kapoor As the main man. Nearly two decades later, Bobby says heartbreak hasn’t broken him, but made him.

The ‘Jab We Met’ story: What really happened?

Long before ‘Jab We Met’ became today’s favorite romantic classic, Bobby Deol was the man trying to make it. He had recognized Imtiaz Ali’s talent from the rough cut of the filmmaker’s debut film ‘Socha Na Tha’ in 2005 and personally got both Imtiaz and Kareena Kapoor involved in it. Bobby was then actively shopping projects to production houses, confident that he had found the right creative partnership at exactly the right time.Bobby told Aap Ki Adalat, “That story is now complete. We are friends. I was heartbroken because I needed a film like that at that stage of my career.” “I had a lot of confidence in Imtiaz when he was making ‘Socha Na Tha’ with Abhay. When I saw the rough cut, I was very impressed and excited by his work. I thought he is such a good director, I should work with him.”Production house Bobby advocated passing on the project, calling Imtiaz a very expensive director.“That’s when we first decided that we would make a film together. But when your market position is not good, no one supports you. A lot of time was spent trying to start the film. The production house I spoke to said that Imtiaz is a very expensive director. But the same production house made the film with Imtiaz, and with the same heroine, that I had joined,” Bobby recalls with mild disbelief.

When Bobby Deol first spoke openly about ‘Jab We Met’

This isn’t the first time Bobby Deol has addressed the ‘Jab We Met’ episode, but his language has evolved from raw hurt to hard-won perspective. Speaking on Raj Shamani’s podcast ‘Figuring Out’ last year, the sentiment was still close to the surface.“I was heartbroken. I wasn’t getting work. I was doing films with a few directors… they were typical Bollywood films. I have nothing against Imtiaz. I love the guy; he’s one of the most talented directors in the industry. I think, at that moment in his career, he was also insecure and had to make a choice. But it happened in a very bad way.”

Imtiaz Ali’s side of the story

Like most stories in the industry, there is more than one version of this story. Speaking to The Lallantop in 2023, Imtiaz Ali introduced context that complicates a simple betrayal story.Imtiaz said, “I thought it was over, but I still didn’t make the film for two years because I wanted Bobby to start it. But he was getting other offers from big directors, so he was waiting for that to happen. He kept postponing my film, but then there came a time when I didn’t feel right because a lot of time passed.” “Because I did Soch Na for five years and then I didn’t do any films for two years, so it was putting financial pressure on me. Then I said to Bobby, ‘Let’s not make this film. Let’s join hands and decide that we will not do this film together because then our point will be affected.

How did Bobby Deol turn pain into purpose?

Instead of positioning himself as a victim of industry politics, Bobby Deol has moved closer to gratitude, not for the experience, but for the experience that was forced upon him.These things happen. It never happens that only good things happen to someone. When I started working on myself, I decided that the hurt and anger I had gone through should become my strength. Because you can’t keep crying about it. These things made me a better person and a better actor. I have learned from him only. I have no complaints against anyone.”

More information about Bobby Deol

Bobby Deol staged one of the most unexpected and celebrated comebacks of Hindi cinema, first with Prakash Jha’s ‘Aashram’ on Amazon MXPlayer, then with a scene-stealing turn in Sandeep Reddy Vanga’s ‘Animal’ in 2023, and most recently with Aryan Khan’s Netflix India directorial debut ‘The Ba***ds of Bollywood’.

More information about ‘Monkey’

‘Bandar’, which will release on June 5, 2026, stars Bobby as Samar Mehra, a once-famous pop star whose life gets thrown into a brutal media and legal storm after sexual harassment allegations surface. Directed by Anurag Kashyap and written by Sudeep Sharma and Abhishek Banerjee, the team behind ‘Paatal Lok’, ‘Kohra’ and ‘Udta Punjab’, ‘Bandar’ also stars Sanya Malhotra, Sapna Pabbi, Saba Azad, Raj B Shetty, Indrajit Sukumaran and Jitendra Joshi.

Street protests have erupted over the legal right of Sikhs to carry sabers in public following the conviction of British-born Sikh Vikram Singh Digwa for the murder of 18-year-old Southampton University student Henry Novak.Around 40 members of protest group Southampton Patriots gathered outside Southampton Central Police Station on Thursday, demanding accountability over the police response to a fatal stabbing in December 2025. Authorities monitored the demonstration, which featured music and was monitored by a police drone.The case has also gained traction among right-wing activists and political groups.UKIP leader and Turning Point UK COO, Nick Marcel Tenconi, joined calls for Hampshire and Isle of Wight Constabulary to release bodycam footage from the incident, as demands for accountability over the police response continue to grow.

Police apologize after handcuffing victim

The controversy stems from the actions of the police officers who responded to the stabbing. During the murder trial, jurors heard that DeGwa allegedly misled officers by claiming he was the victim of a racist attack.As a result, officers initially treated Henry Novak as a suspect and placed him in handcuffs, despite the teen suffering multiple stab wounds.Deputy Chief Constable Robert France later apologized, saying he was “genuinely sorry” that Henry had been arrested and handcuffed shortly before he became unconscious.The Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) has confirmed that an investigation into Hampshire and Isle of Wight Constabulary’s handling of the incident is ongoing.

Murder trial rejects self-defense claim

Novak, a first-year university student from Chafford Hundred in Essex, was walking back to his accommodation after a night out with football teammates when he encountered DeGwa.The 23-year-old used a 21cm ceremonial kirpan, a blade held by some Sikhs as an article of faith, during the attack. Digwa claimed he acted in self-defense, alleging Novak was drunk, racially abused him and removed his turban.However, prosecutors argued that the account was a fabricated “evil lie” designed to avoid responsibility. Evidence presented during the trial showed that Novak’s alcohol level was below the legal drunk-driving limit when he died. The jury unanimously found Digva guilty of murder.Digwa’s mother was also convicted of assisting an offender after helping to remove the weapon after the attack.

Saber exemption becomes political issue

The case has since fueled calls for changes to Britain’s knife laws, particularly the legal exemptions that allow Sikhs to carry kirpans in public for religious reasons.Reform UK chairman Zia Yousaf said the party would end the exemption if it came to power, arguing that no member of the public should be allowed to carry bladed weapons.Yusuf on social media platformThe party has also proposed expanding stop and search powers as part of a wider strategy to tackle knife crime.The proposal has been criticized by politicians and representatives of the Sikh community, who argue that the actions of any one individual should not be used to restrict a long-standing religious practice.Labor MP Sarah Coombs rejected calls for a ban, saying it would unfairly stigmatize the entire religious community.He said, “Both the Tories and Reform are now saying that sabers should be banned. This is completely wrong.”

Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge

New Delhi: As a Congress leader DK Shivakumar The party president is preparing to take oath as the Chief Minister of Karnataka on June 3. Mallikarjun Kharge Sunday said she was still looking for the right person to replace her as the next Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) president.Speaking to reporters at Kalaburagi airport, Kharge said the party is carefully considering its options and is looking for a leader who can strengthen the organization before the next assembly elections.Kharge said, “Naturally, after these people leave, someone else has to come. We are all searching. We have to look at good people and look at the combination and do it with a view to taking the party forward.”Elaborating on the qualities the party is looking for, he said the next state president should be able to work efficiently while keeping the organization united.He said, “Since now we have only 24 months, we have to find a leader who will work very fast and who will be collective and take everyone along. There should also be people who will support him. It is only after considering all this that we are doing this.”

Cabinet composition has not been finalized yet

Kharge also said that discussions on the composition of the new Karnataka Cabinet are still ongoing and no final proposal has been received regarding the number of ministers or deputy chief ministers.His comments come amid speculations over the composition of the new government after Shivakumar was unanimously elected leader of the Congress Legislature Party following the resignation of former Chief Minister Siddaramaiah.“We will have to wait and see, no proposal has come yet. Once the proposal comes, how many ministers should be made, how many DCMs should be made, or if important, the Speaker should also be made along with it…” All these discussions have taken place. This will be known after June 3,” Kharge said.He also indicated that cabinet expansion may happen in phases.He said, “The proposal has not come yet. The idea is to take the remaining cabinet members in the next 15 days or a month. But what the Chief Minister thinks is not known yet.”Kharge’s comments come a day after DK Shivakumar formally informed Thaawarchand Gehlot of his unanimous election as CLP leader.The Governor accepted Siddaramaiah’s resignation and asked him to continue in office till the new government is sworn in.The swearing-in ceremony of the new government of Karnataka is scheduled to take place in Bengaluru on June 3.(With inputs from ANI)

RCB’s Josh Hazlewood (Image: X)

As Royal Challengers Bangalore prepare to face Gujarat Titans in the IPL 2026 final, they will take confidence from Josh Hazlewood, a player who has made a habit of performing well on the biggest stage.The defending champions are aiming to win back-to-back IPL titles, a feat achieved only by Mumbai Indians and Chennai Super Kings. Standing in their way is a strong Gujarat Titans side led by Shubman Gill, but RCB will be relieved by the presence of Hazlewood, whose record in T20 finals is nothing short of remarkable.

The man who never lost a final

Hazlewood enters the IPL 2026 final with a perfect record in the T20 title decider. The Australian fast bowler has played in five major T20 tournament finals in international and franchise cricket and has emerged victorious in all five. What’s even more impressive is that he has never gone wicketless in a T20 final.In those five title matches, Hazlewood has taken 10 wickets at an average of 13.9 and an economy rate of 7.1, proving his ability to thrive under sustained pressure. Hazlewood’s first major T20 final success came while representing Chennai Super Kings in the IPL 2021 final. Facing Kolkata Knight Riders, the Australian returned figures of 2/29 in four overs, removing Sunil Narine and Nitish Rana at crucial moments. His disciplined spell helped CSK stop KKR from chasing the target and win by 27 runs. This was the first IPL trophy of Hazlewood’s career and the beginning of a remarkable finals streak.Perhaps the best performance of Hazlewood’s career came during the 2021 T20 World Cup final against New Zealand. On the batting-friendly Dubai surface, Hazlewood produced a masterclass in fast bowling, finishing with figures of 3/16 from four overs. He dismissed Glenn Phillips and, most importantly, Kane Williamson, who looked set to take the game away from Australia with a blistering 85. Australia eventually chased down the target to win their first T20 World Cup title, with Hazlewood playing a central role in the victory.

RCB gets a historic title

Four years later, Hazlewood once again demonstrated his ability to perform when the stakes were greatest. In the IPL 2025 final against Punjab Kings, the Australian fast bowler took two wickets and was tasked with defending 29 runs in the final over of the match. Despite facing the dangerous Shashank Singh at the crease, Hazlewood maintained his composure and closed out the game, helping RCB secure their first IPL title after a wait of 18 years.Hazlewood’s finals success extends beyond the IPL and international cricket. The fast bowler was also a part of the title-winning campaign with the Sydney Sixers in the Big Bash League. A mixed IPL 2026 campaignDespite his impressive finals record, Hazlewood’s IPL 2026 season has not been entirely easy. The right-arm fast bowler has taken 13 wickets in 12 matches at an average of 35.15 and an economy rate of 9.62. Although those numbers are low by his usual standards, they do not fully reflect his impact.