NATIONAL 
EXPRESS

In the United States, Kevin Warsh has taken the oath of office as Chairman of the US Federal Reserve Board of Governors, succeeding Jerome Powell, who had held the position since 2018. The appointment comes amid tensions over interest rate policy following disagreements with former Chair Jerome Powell. Speaking on the occasion, US President Donald Trump said the Federal Reserve had lost its way in recent years and expressed hope that Warsh’s leadership will help restore public trust. He described Warsh as one of the most qualified individuals to head the central bank and expressed confidence that he would be among its most effective chairmen.

In IPL cricket, Sunrisers Hyderabad defeated Royal Challengers Bengaluru by 55 runs in Hyderabad last night. Batting first after winning the toss, Sunrisers Hyderabad posted a massive 255 for 4 in their stipulated 20 overs. Ishan Kishan was the top scorer with an unbeaten 79, while Abhishek Sharma made 56 and Heinrich Klaasen contributed 51. For Bengaluru, Rasikh Salam picked up two wickets. In reply, Royal Challengers Bengaluru could manage 200 for 4 in their allotted 20 overs. Rajat Patidar was the top scorer with 56 runs. For Hyderabad, Eshan Malinga claimed two wickets. Ishan Kishan was named Player of the Match. Despite the win, Sunrisers Hyderabad remain in third place on the points table. Royal Challengers Bengaluru continue to hold the top spot due to their stronger overall record and superior points tally. The victory has significantly boosted Sunrisers Hyderabad’s hopes of qualifying for the playoffs, as they are now firmly in contention for a top-four finish. Today, Lucknow Super Giants will take on Punjab Kings in Lucknow at 7:30 this evening.

The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has extended the last date for obtaining scanned photocopies of answer books for Class 12 board examinations by one more day, until tomorrow. Earlier, the deadline was today. CBSE said the decision was taken after its website experienced unprecedented traffic over the past few days, along with several attempts of unauthorised interference, making it prone to disruptions. The Board informed that students will have up to two days to apply for the next stage of verification of marks or re-evaluation after receiving the scanned copies of their answer books. CBSE has advised candidates to make use of the extended timeline and complete the process accordingly.

Madhya Pradesh continues to reel under intense heatwave conditions, with the Meteorological Department issuing warnings across 42 districts today. Several regions are under red, orange and yellow alerts as temperatures soar well above normal levels. Madhya Pradesh is in the grip of an intense heatwave. The Meteorological Department has issued heatwave warnings in 42 districts today. Tikamgarh, Chhatarpur and Panna are the worst affected and are under red alert. Gwalior and 20 other districts are under orange alert for severe heatwave. Bhopal, Indore and 16 other districts are under yellow alert. Yesterday, the temperature crossed 44°C in 10 cities. Naugaon in Chhatarpur district was the hottest place in the state, where the mercury touched 46.8°C. Nearby Khajuraho also recorded 46.4°C. The bigger concern is that Nautapa has not even begun yet. Nautapa starts on May 25 and lasts for nine days. The Meteorological Department says the heat will remain at its peak till May 31. This means people of Madhya Pradesh should not expect any relief for the next 10 days.

SpaceX launched the largest and most powerful version of its Starship-Super Heavy rocket system this morning, marking another milestone in its efforts to develop a fully reusable spacecraft for missions to the Moon and Mars. The latest test flight used the upgraded Version 3 configuration of Starship, featuring enhancements to both the Super Heavy booster and the upper-stage spacecraft. The rocket lifted off successfully from SpaceX’s Starbase facility in Texas, United States. The mission achieved a successful hot-staging separation, in which the upper-stage Raptor engines ignited before the booster fully detached. Flames were seen through the staging ring as Starship separated from the Super Heavy booster at hypersonic speed. Following separation, the Super Heavy booster began its planned descent toward the Gulf of Mexico but exploded mid-air before reaching the water. Despite the loss of the booster, the upper-stage Starship continued its flight in space, extending the mission beyond the staging phase. Starship is central to SpaceX’s long-term plans, including NASA’s Artemis programme, which aims to use a modified Starship vehicle to land astronauts on the Moon later this decade. The rocket system is also expected to support future Mars missions and large-scale satellite deployment.

A Bangladesh High Court today rejected the bail petition of Sanatani Jagaran Jote spokesperson Chinmoy Krishna Das Brahmachari in an alleged lawyer murder case, while reserving its order on four other bail petitions till tomorrow. The case is linked to the killing of lawyer Saiful Islam Alif during violent clashes at the Chattogram court premises in 2024, when Chinmoy was in police custody. Chinmoy Krishna Das Brahmachari, a former ISKCON leader, has been in custody since his arrest at Dhaka airport in November 2024 in a sedition case related to alleged disrespect to the national flag during a rally in Chattogram. His lawyer argued for bail on health grounds, while state prosecutors opposed the plea, citing the seriousness of the charges and ongoing trial proceedings. The High Court is expected to pronounce its verdict on the remaining bail petitions tomorrow

The Indian Embassy in Madrid, Spain, has said that two Indian nationals aboard a hantavirus-hit cruise ship are safe and asymptomatic. The Dutch-flagged vessel MV Hondius, carrying around 150 people, including two Indians, arrived in Spain yesterday and anchored off the Canary Islands following the outbreak. According to the embassy, passengers disembarked in line with protocols issued by the World Health Organisation and Spanish authorities. The Spanish National Centre for Emergency Monitoring and Coordination said the two Indians, who were working as crew members, have been evacuated to the Netherlands, where they will undergo quarantine under health safety protocols. The embassy added that the Indian Ambassador is in close contact with Spanish authorities and the affected nationals and is closely monitoring the situation to ensure their safety and well-being.

The Madhya Pradesh government has set up a one-member inquiry commission headed by retired High Court judge Sanjay Dwivedi to conduct a judicial investigation into the Bargi Dam cruise accident that took place on April 30 in Jabalpur. The General Administration Department issued an official notification in this regard on Sunday night. The commission will submit its report to the government within three months. It will examine the causes of the accident and whether the rescue operations were carried out properly. The panel will also prepare a new safety Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for all boats and cruise vessels operating in the state and will conduct an audit of all water transport activities. On the evening of April 30, between 5 and 6 pm, an MP Tourism cruise sank in the Bargi Dam reservoir due to a severe storm. Thirteen people lost their lives in the accident, while 28 others were rescued

US President Donald Trump has warned that the United States will target any Iranian trying to reach the country’s highly enriched uranium, saying that the nuclear material is under constant surveillance by the US military. In a televised interview, US President appeared to play down the significance of the uranium, which is believed to be buried under the rubble of nuclear facilities, remaining in Iran for now. Iran’s highly enriched uranium is one of the major sticking points between Washington and Tehran in ceasefire negotiations to end the 10-week US-Israel war on Iran. The US wants Iran to transfer the uranium outside the country and completely shut down its nuclear programme, but Tehran has stressed that it will not give up its right to a domestic enrichment programme.

Union Home Minister Amit Shah has said that the BJP government in West Bengal will secure India’s borders and plug the biggest hole in national security. In his address to newly elected West Bengal BJP MLAs in Kolkata yesterday, Mr Shah said, the BJP’s victory is not about the expansion of our organisation or validation of ideology, it is about fixing the biggest hole in the country’s national security. He said that with the BJP Governments in Assam, Tripura, and now West Bengal, we will turn the border into an impregnable fortress. Mr Shah asserted that infiltration and cow smuggling will become impossible in West Bengal under the BJP Government. Home Minister urged party workers to deliver Sonar Bangla and fulfil the people’s aspirations. He thanked Bengal voters for rejecting “the politics of appeasement” and ending 15 years of TMC rule.

BJP legislature party leader Suvendu Adhikari took the oath as the Chief Minister of West Bengal today, heading the first BJP government in the state. Governor RN Ravi administered the oath of office and secrecy to Mr. Adhikari at a grand ceremony held at the Brigade Parade Grounds, Kolkata. Five Cabinet Ministers also took the oath along with the Chief Minister. The Governor R N Ravi administered the oath of office and secrecy to the Ministers. The Cabinet Ministers are Dilip Ghosh, Agnimitra Paul, Ashok Kirtania, Nisith Pramanik and Kshudiram Tudu. Suvendu Adhikari was sworn in as the new Chief Minister of West Bengal today in a programme at the Brigade Parade Ground in Kolkata. Suvendu Adhikari won from the Bhabanipur and Nandigram assembly constituencies. BJP MLA from Kharagpur Sadar Dilip Ghosh, Agnimitra Paul, MLA from Asansol Dakshin, MLA from Bongaon Uttar Ashok Kirtaniya, Khudiram Tudu, MLA from Ranibandh seat, Nisith Pramanik from Matha Bhanga assembly, took oath as Ministers-designate of the new Council of Ministers of the Government of West Bengal Today is Pochishe Boishak -an auspicious day – the birth anniversary of Kabiguru Rabindranath Tagore, which is celebrated across the state. This day has been selected for the swearing-in ceremony of the new BJP government in West Bengal. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Home Minister Amit Shah, Defense Minister Rajnath Singh, Chief Ministers of other NDA and BJP-ruled states, BJP president Nitin Nabin and other leaders of the Bharatiya Janata Party were present in the swearing-in ceremony. The programme started with floral tribute to Kabiguru Rabindranath Tagore. Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari and other dignitaries paid respect to Kabiguru. Kalyan Laha reporting from Kolkata. Prime Minister Narendra Modi took the blessing of 97-year-old Makhan Lal Sarkar, one of the senior-most state leaders during the BJP’s initial days at the swearing-in ceremony. In a grand gesture, PM Modi hugged and touched his feet. Sarkar was the aide of Shyama Prasad Mookerjee, founder of Bharatiya Jan Sangh. BJP has won 207 seats in the 2026 West Bengal 2026 Assembly elections, while the Trinamool Congress secured 80 seats after ruling the State for 15 years.

Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum has denied claims that Mexican consulates in the United States are interfering in local politics and should come under scrutiny. She stressed that just like the US consulate in Mexico or those of other countries, the Mexican consulate’s role is solely to protect its citizens. Her remarks followed a report broadcast by a News channel that the US State Department is looking to investigate Mexican consulates, and possibly even close some of them, following the deaths of two American CIA officers after a counter-narcotics operation in northern Mexico last month. She said that Mexico’s government has not received any official notification of a supposed review or possible closure of consulates. She added that Mexico’s more than 50 consulates in the United States provide assistance and protection to Mexican citizens abroad, in keeping with international law and standard diplomatic practices. She added that they are very respectful of US policy.