West Bengal's second phase of Assembly elections is underway, with voting across 142 constituencies spread over seven districts in south Bengal, including Kolkata. Around 3.21 crore voters are deciding the fate of 1,448 candidates in this round. The second phase covers a politically significant stretch of the state, with south Bengal and the state capital traditionally seen as high-stakes territory for all major parties. The outcome of these seats will heavily shape the overall composition of the West Bengal Assembly. Results from this phase, combined with other phases, will determine which party commands a majority. Voter turnout figures and any reports of electoral incidents from Kolkata and the surrounding districts are the immediate indicators to watch as polling progresses.
India's Expenditure Finance Committee has cleared a Rs 1.25 lakh crore outlay for India Semiconductor Mission 2.0, up 64 percent from ISM 1.0's Rs 76,000 crore. The proposal now goes to the Cabinet, as two chip plants begin commercial output and a third, CG Semi, is set to open July 4, 2026.
The Supreme Court blocked Trump from firing Federal Reserve board member Lisa Cook, preserving the Fed's independence from presidential removal power. A separate ruling the same day gave Trump broader authority to dismiss leaders of other independent federal agencies.
The US Supreme Court has blocked President Trump's attempt to fire Federal Reserve governor Lisa Cook, who faced unproven mortgage fraud allegations. The ruling preserves Fed independence for now and keeps a politically charged removal case alive in the courts.
The US Supreme Court, splitting along ideological lines, has allowed the Trump administration to end Temporary Protected Status for Haitian and Syrian immigrants.
