MUMBAI: Caught between a slowing economy and the threat of fresh price hikes due to conflict in West Asia, the RBI on Friday left the repo rate unchanged at 5.25%, cut its growth forecast for fiscal 2027 and raised inflation estimates, while signaling that inflation risks could spread beyond fuel and commodities to the entire economy if supply-side pressures persist.Governor Sanjay Malhotra refrained from tightening policy but left no doubt that the central bank is wary of “normalizing” inflation. While high oil prices and disrupted supply chains have already begun to drive up costs, the Monetary Policy Committee preferred to wait for more clarity on the duration and intensity of the conflict before taking action.“Although the impact of cost pressures is beginning to be visible, further disruptions are likely to weigh on economic activity, including increases in energy and other input prices,” the governor said.The MPC voted unanimously to keep the policy repo rate unchanged at 5.25% and maintain the neutral stance. The decision reflects an effort by the central bank to balance inflation risks against emerging signs of a slowdown in economic activity. Citing the deteriorating global environment, the RBI has reduced its growth forecast for fiscal year 2027 to 6.6% from the earlier estimated 6.9%. Quarterly growth is now estimated at 6.6% in Q1, 6.3% in Q2, 6.5% in Q3 and 6.8% in Q4. The downgrade marks the RBI’s acknowledgment that the economic fallout from the conflict is no longer limited to energy markets. “Disruptions in global supply chains, volatility in global financial markets and weather-related shocks are posing downside risks to the domestic growth outlook,” Governor Malhotra said.The inflation outlook has deteriorated further. The RBI raised its FY27 CPI inflation forecast to 5.1% from 4.6%, a 50-basis-point revision that largely reflects the rise in crude oil prices. The Indian basket has averaged around $110 a barrel over the past two months, much higher than the $85 assumption used in the April policy review. Malhotra hinted at policy action if prices remain stable. Food inflation is further threatened by a weak monsoon-El Nino combination. RBI now sees inflation at 4.2% in Q1, 5.1% in Q2, 5.9% in Q3 and 5.4% in Q4, with core inflation at 4.7%. At present, Mint Road is on fire. But if input-cost inflation spreads and expectations tighten, growth support could be helpful in fighting inflation. The RBI argued that India is entering this turmoil with stronger fundamentals than previous oil shocks and is ready to readjust policy as the situation evolves.

India’s struggles under new head coach Khalid Jamil continued as the Blue Tigers suffered a 1-3 defeat against higher-ranked Tajikistan in the first of two international football friendlies at the Talco Arena in Tursunzoda on Friday.

The defeat is India’s third consecutive defeat in international friendlies after their disappointing campaign at the Unity Cup 2026 in London, where they lost to Jamaica 0-2 and Zimbabwe 0-1 without scoring any goals.

Tajikistan took control of the contest early when Sheridin Bobov converted a penalty in the ninth minute to give the hosts the lead. India struggled to get off to a meaningful start against a disciplined Tajik defense in the first half and trailed by a goal at the break.

The host team strengthened its hold on the match by scoring two more goals within six minutes after the resumption of the match. Mekhrubon Karimov doubled Tajikistan’s lead in the 61st minute, before Ehsan Panjshanbay effectively sealed the result with the third goal in the 67th minute.

India showed some fight in the closing stages and managed to pull one back through substitute Farooq Choudhary. The forward scored India’s first goal in the last three matches with a brilliant finish from a free-kick in the 88th minute, but it proved to be no more than a consolation.

The friendly formed part of India’s preparations for the upcoming continental assignment, with Jamil continuing to assess his squad and experiment with combinations against quality opposition.

Despite the defeat, the Indian coach will take some positives from the second half response as his team looked to take the lead after the break. However, defensive lapses and a lack of cutting edge in attack once again proved costly against a well-organized Tajikistan outfit.

The two teams will meet again in the second and final friendly match on June 9, giving India another chance to end their losing streak and build momentum ahead of future international commitments.

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Canadian man shares experience of staying in Bengaluru with wife’s family, says he loves Cubbon Park.

A Canadian man shares his experience of permanently relocating to Bengaluru, India with his wife and how his first five months in India have been both frustrating and rewarding. Five months passed but the man could not open a bank account. He is a foreigner and now he needs Aadhar card and PAN in India, so he had to make a lot of trips to the bank. The man said, international cards are not accepted and no one has cash so his wife pays for everything.“I went to a bank to open an account. The lady at the counter told me they don’t open accounts for foreigners. That’s not true. Came back a few days later and was told I needed to register with the FRRO. This meant a lot of hooping on the government portal and asking my parents to apply for my marriage certificate in Canada. Got FRRO, went back to bank, now they need Aadhaar and PAN. 182 days are required for Aadhaar in the country. So 5 months in, I still can’t pay for things. International cards aren’t really accepted outside of delivery apps, and cash doesn’t work since no one has change. My wife pays for everything when we’re out,” he wrote on Reddit.The Canadian man is also dissatisfied with the products available in India, as he says there are a lot of lies and pretenses involved. On a regular basis, he faces a language barrier and has no real friends in India, but he said that both he and his wife had quit jobs before coming to India and now they are organizing outings at Cubbon Park, groups for rock climbing, etc.

‘Still the right call…’

The Canadian said that despite all the shortcomings, he thinks they made the right call. The cost of living is much lower than Toronto and it’s the startup energy in Bengaluru that they are liking. “Despite all this, I still think we made the right decision. The cost of living is much lower than Toronto, so our runway is quite long here. Hiring a maid frees up a lot of time. South Indian food is incredible. Genuine ingredients and very affordable. I can eat ghee puri masala dosa every day. Since I’ve been here, I’ve lost 14 pounds. And almost everyone I meet here is building something. So many founders. That’s the energy I wanted to be around,” he wrote.“It took 5 months, but I’m finally getting into a nice rhythm and working on something that excites me. No commute. No committee saying no to every idea. No panic attacks like I used to have at my banking job. I can go to the gym in the afternoon, take the afternoon off, work late, whatever I want. The bad things are mostly one-time annoyances. The good things are doing what I love.” Want to do every day on our schedule. This is the right place for us right now. Whether it’s forever, who knows. Air quality and traffic are real concerns, especially for children,” he said.

Srinagar: The women’s wing of the Ladakh Buddhist Association (LBA), one of the region’s largest religious organizations with a strong grassroots presence, has criticized the Union Territory’s move to allow the sale of liquor, arguing it could lead to social problems and warning of protests if it is not reconsidered.The women’s wing of the LBA called for strengthening efforts against drug trafficking by targeting supply chains rather than expanding legal alcohol access. The sale of liquor was allowed under a new excise policy approved by Lieutenant Governor Vinay Kumar Saxena on May 31 to curb “the increasing dependence on narcotics and drugs in the Ladakh region and to give people a wider choice of liquor with lower alcohol content”.Till now only beer, wine and ready-to-drink beverages were allowed to be retailed through shops, except in Leh where there was no partial restriction. Under the new policy, 20 liquor shops will be opened, which are now only two in Leh.The LBA women’s wing pointed out that there are limited entry and exit points into Ladakh – mainly Leh airport, Manali-Leh highway and Srinagar-Leh highway. “Increased surveillance can curb the inflow of narcotics and illicit substances into the area to a great extent,” the wing said in a statement.The LBA wing argued that the argument that increased availability of alcohol could serve as a substitute for drugs is illogical and that one social problem cannot be solved by introducing another.The LBA wing said the increased availability of alcohol would have serious long-term social and economic consequences on Ladakh, especially its youth. It warns of increase in domestic violence, increase in road accidents, greater pressure on law enforcement agencies, adverse effects on the psychological well-being of children, increase in crime rates and increase in rehabilitation and health care costs for the government if the sale of liquor is allowed.According to the LBA wing, women have been at the forefront of preserving the social fabric of Ladakh by preventing the dowry system from taking root in the region, campaigning against plastic bags and creating awareness against drugs and alcohol. The LBA wing said that if liquor concerns were ignored, women would launch peaceful protests, including rallies and voluntary market closures, to thwart a policy detrimental to the social and cultural well-being of the region.A government statement on the new policy said its approval followed meetings with civil society organisations, NGOs, religious organisations, medical experts, public representatives and officials in recent months. Under the policy, liquor consumption has also been allowed within hotels, while guest houses and homestays can get licenses to sell liquor for the first time.

Sikhs in Southampton say they are living in fear and avoiding going out after a Sikh man named Vikram Singh Digwa was jailed for the murder of student Henry Novak. Sikh community leaders are warning of increasing racial abuse and intimidation in the city.Community representatives told The Times that many Sikhs are now reluctant to leave their homes, with some afraid to walk to gurudwaras or visit elderly relatives outside alone. Incidents of abuse in workplaces and public spaces have increased, while a planned memorial event for a man from the Sikh community was canceled due to security concerns.A spokesperson for Gurdwara Khalsa Darbar in Southampton said the situation had left people feeling targeted. “We are feeling victimized and people are afraid to come out of their homes. The gurudwara is empty because people will not walk here.”The spokesperson spoke candidly about several incidents of racial abuse, including in the workplace and in supermarkets. “Two people were called p***s at the Southampton cruise terminal where they work, and another person was shopping in Tesco and someone said to them: ‘You don’t need to be here.’ A man working in a care home was refused care because he wore a turban.He said that public discussion about the murder case has increased tension. “This far-right movement has really filled everyone with hatred towards Sikhs, through no fault of ours. We have never been exposed for the wrong reasons, we always lived in Southampton and were friends, and with just one isolated incident Sikhs are bad. Especially the men, who have turbans and beards and kirpans, they are afraid to go out.“He also said that there were no previous problems associated with Kirpan: “But politicians and social media and news, it’s all Sikh, Sikh, Sikh and it’s just against Sikhs. It’s the way social media and politicians have used their words and they have instilled negativity in everyone around Sikhs.”The fears arose after 23-year-old Vikram Digva was sentenced to life in prison for the murder of 18-year-old Henry Novak, who was stabbed with a 21 cm Sikh ceremonial dagger known as a kirpan as he walked home from a night out. Digwa later claimed that the victim had racially attacked him. This claim was rejected in the court.Following the killing, an anti-police protest in Southampton on Tuesday erupted into rioting, attended by far-right figures, leaving 11 officers and a police dog injured and several arrests.Police bodyworn footage released this week shows a wounded Novak being handcuffed and interrogated despite repeatedly saying he had been stabbed and was pleading for medical attention, saying he couldn’t breathe. An officer was heard saying: “I don’t think you have, buddy.” He later died of blood loss on the road.The murder and its aftermath have shocked the Sikh community. A member of Gurudwara Nanaksar said the community was in shock and urged solidarity. “It was not the kirpan that did it; it was the person who did it. I am very sad to see people protesting why Sikhs are allowed to carry the kirpan. This is not a kirpan issue; it is a humanitarian issue. The saber is a spiritual object. The murderer should be punished no matter which community he belongs to. We all need to stand together against crime.”A neighbor of Digwa’s family said: “For me personally, I can’t understand it. How can you think it’s a good idea to use a weapon when there is a dispute?”One of the officers involved in the case had resigned last year, while three others remain in service.

JD Vance’s sharp comment on Britain in the case of stabbing of Vikram Digva has created controversy.

vice president JD Vance Expressed concern over the stabbing of British student Henry Novak by Sikh man Vikram Digva and blamed mass migration for it. Holding the police and the government responsible for the stabbing, after which the victim was handcuffed by police because DeGwa lied that Novak had racially attacked him, Vance said he feared Novak would not be the last. Vance’s social media post comes a day after the US State Department said two-tier policing is a clear symptom of civilizational decline. “Ideological conditioning and two-tier policing are clear symptoms of civilizational decline,” it posted on the department’s official account on Thursday. “They should be rejected throughout the West.”“Henry Novak died the same way a civilization dies: abandoned, handcuffed by authorities who neither trusted nor cared about him, and accused him of hate crimes he did not commit. His murder is as sad as it is infuriating. JD Vance posted, “He should still be alive today, and he would be if the last few generations of European elites had stood up against the politics of self-hatred and the mass invasion of immigrants, many of whom hate the West and the people who love it.”“Henry was far from the first to lose his life unnecessarily, and I fear he will not be the last. Every time a life like his is lost, the appropriate response – the only response – is righteous anger. One of the most important things the Trump administration has proven to the world is that stemming the flow of mass migration and protecting national sovereignty is a matter of political will and leadership. Anything more than that is an excuse,” the vice president wrote.“It’s because we love the West that we want to preserve it. We love our civilization. We love our country. We love our children. And no one – no one – should have to die the way Henry Novak died. May God console those who loved him and may his soul rest in peace.”“Two-tier policing” is a political term used primarily by critics in the UK, who argue that police enforce the law differently depending on a person’s political views, ethnicity, religion or social group.As Elon Musk continues to post about the Ax stabbing case, UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer accused Musk of interfering in UK politics.

A federal judge invalidated Donald Trump’s ban on 39 countries.

A US federal judge ruled Friday that an immigration ban imposed by the Donald Trump administration on 39 countries following last November’s DC shootings was unlawful. Chief US District Judge John McConnell in Providence, Rhode Island ruled that US Citizenship and Immigration Services had adopted a number of unlawful policies targeting people from 39 African, Asian, Latin American and Middle Eastern countries.The Obama-appointed judge said those policies have put the lives of countless immigrants living in the United States in uncertain legal jeopardy. He wrote, “USCIS’s hold on the decisions cannot be attributed to anything that these individuals have done wrong; rather, it arises entirely from the phenomenon of their birth.” “But the rule of law must apply equally to everyone, and as is clear here, USCIS neither ‘followed the law’ nor ‘did things the right way,'” McConnell wrote in the 135-page decision. “In fact, the agency has violated the same immigration laws that Congress has charged it to enforce, as well as the administrative laws that govern the agency’s actions.”The Department of Homeland Security did not immediately comment on the decision. The administration can appeal the decision and if they do not want the ban to be lifted, they can appeal for an immediate stay of the decision.The policies barring immigrants from any of the list of countries from receiving any immigration benefits, visas, green cards, travel visas were announced after two National Guard members were shot in Washington by an Afghan national, Rahmanullah Lakanwal. Lakanwal pleaded not guilty.The judge wrote, “The Court is reminded of an oft-repeated line in discussions of immigration policy: If people want to immigrate to the United States, they must ‘obey the law’ and ‘do things the right way.'” “This case is a perfect example of immigrants doing just that.”

list of 39 countries

full suspension: Afghanistan, Burkina Faso, Burma, Chad, Republic of the Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Haiti, Iran, Laos, Libya, Mali, Niger, Sierra Leone, Somalia, South Sudan, Sudan, Syria, YemenPartial suspension: Angola, Antigua and Barbuda, Benin, Burundi, Côte d’Ivoire, Cuba, Dominica, Gabon, Gambia, Malawi, Mauritania, Nigeria, Senegal, Tanzania, Togo, Tonga, Turkmenistan, Venezuela, Zambia, Zimbabwe