The Dhulagarh cattle market near Kolkata sits nearly empty days before Eid al-Adha, as fear spreads following the new BJP government's enforcement of cattle slaughter laws. (Global 1 News)

KOLKATA, India — Just days before Eid al-Adha, one of Islam's most sacred festivals, a historic political shift in West Bengal has turned a sprawling cattle market into a ghost town.

The Dhulagarh cattle market, normally teeming with thousands of animals and buyers ahead of the festival of sacrifice, now sits nearly empty. Traders huddle in small groups, speaking in hushed tones. Most have packed up their livestock. Many have fled.

"I brought 30 bulls here on Monday. I have sold two. My truck driver is refusing to stay another night because he is afraid of being stopped and beaten," said Mohammad Aslam, a 45-year-old trader who has worked the Dhulagarh market for two decades. "I don't know if I'll come back."

The atmosphere of fear follows the May 6 electoral victory of the Hindu nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party — the first time the BJP has won control of West Bengal's state assembly. New Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari, who took office the following day, immediately ordered strict enforcement of a 1950 state law that bans the slaughter of cows and most bulls.

https://imgen.x.ai/xai-imgen/xai-tmp-imgen-984fb658-9d46-4827-a107-1870e5e164e6.jpeg" alt="Cattle traders fear new policies" style="width:100%;max-width:800px;border-radius:8px;margin-top:15px;" />

Muslim cattle traders at the Dhulagarh market say they fear vigilante attacks and police enforcement under the new government. (Global 1 News)

Under the previous administration of Mamata Banerjee's Trinamool Congress, the 1950 law was largely ignored. That has changed abruptly.

Traders say the enforcement has empowered vigilante groups. "Who will protect us from the cow vigilantes?" asked Abdul Karim, a livestock broker from nearby Howrah.

Local Muslim leaders have appealed to the chief minister for a temporary exemption for the holy festival. No response has been given.

"We are asking for mercy, for understanding," said Maulana Shafiqur Rahman, a cleric near the market. "But we do not expect any. The silence from the government is louder than any statement."

— Jessica Ali, Global 1 News | Published May 25, 2026

1. Starship glows with bright pink plasma — Saturday 23 May 2026
2. SpaceX just pulled off another jaw-dropping feat with its Starship megarocket, lighting up the sky in a blaze of bright pink plasma during its twelfth test flight. The massive spacecraft, built right here in Texas, completed a controlled splashdown in the Indian Ocean even after losing one of its engines mid-flight. That fiery glow captured on video shows the intense heat of reentry, a critical hurdle for future missions that could one day carry American astronauts deeper into space.
   
   This latest run highlights SpaceX's rapid progress under Elon Musk's push to make the vehicle reusable and reliable. Despite the engine glitch, the ship managed a precise landing, proving it can handle real-world problems that would ground older rockets. For U.S. space goals, every successful test brings us closer to launching heavy payloads from Florida's Kennedy Space Center and supporting NASA's Artemis program to return humans to the Moon.
   
   The achievement also strengthens America's edge in the global space race, where private innovation like this outpaces traditional government timelines. With Starship glowing through plasma and splashing down safely, the path to Mars and beyond looks more realistic than ever from right here in the States.
3. Watch the full video from CNN below.

1. La fiebre del sushi - antojos y extinción de especies | DW Documental — Friday 22 May 2026
2. The global appetite for sushi has transformed it from an exclusive Japanese delicacy into an everyday convenience food available in supermarkets and restaurants worldwide. Yet this surge in popularity carries severe environmental costs, as highlighted in a new documentary examining the supply chains of its key ingredients, tuna and salmon. From the disputed fishing grounds of the Indian Ocean to massive salmon farms in northern Europe, the production process reveals widespread overfishing and unsustainable practices that threaten marine ecosystems on a planetary scale.
   
   Investigations trace how yellowfin tuna, prized for sushi, faces extinction risks due to aggressive harvesting methods. In Europe, facilities near Gdansk produce around 23 tons of ready-made sushi daily for export to markets like Germany, underscoring the industrialized scale of the trade. Experts from organizations such as the WWF point out that truly sustainable yellowfin tuna is nearly nonexistent, with modern slavery in fishing fleets compounding the ecological damage from mass breeding and resource depletion.
   
   For consumers everywhere, from Asia to the Americas and Europe, the documentary urges more discerning choices to curb demand. As sushi's low-calorie appeal drives its spread, the hidden toll on biodiversity demands greater scrutiny of sourcing and a shift toward alternatives that protect endangered species rather than accelerate their decline.
3. Watch the full video from DW Documentary below.

1. Seattle Storm head coach Sonia Raman reflects on making WNBA history — Friday 22 May 2026
2. Sonia Raman has made history as the first head coach of Indian descent in the WNBA, taking the reins of the Seattle Storm this season. In a recent interview, Raman described the milestone as a tremendous honor, reflecting on the path that led her from player development roles to leading one of the league's storied franchises. Her appointment comes at a time when the WNBA continues to grow in popularity across the United States, drawing larger crowds and television audiences than ever before.
   
   Raman's journey highlights the increasing diversity in American professional sports coaching ranks. As an Indian American, she joins a small but growing group of South Asian leaders in basketball, a sport long dominated by other demographics. The Seattle Storm, based in a city with a significant Asian American population, now has a coach whose background resonates with fans seeking more representation at the highest levels of the game.
   
   The achievement also underscores broader conversations about inclusion in women's professional leagues. With the WNBA expanding its reach through new teams and international broadcasts, Raman's role could pave the way for other aspiring coaches from underrepresented communities. Her leadership of the Storm, a team with multiple championships, positions her to influence both on-court strategy and off-court narratives about opportunity in U.S. sports.
3. Watch the full video from CBS News below.

1. Every Challenge Builds a Leader | Dr Maneesh Agarwal | TEDxLakhotaLakeStudio — Friday 22 May 2026
2. In a compelling new TEDx talk from Lakhota Lake Studio, Dr. Maneesh Agarwal explores how adversity shapes effective leadership. Drawing from his own journey through personal and professional setbacks, he argues that every challenge serves as a crucial stepping stone rather than an obstacle. His message resonates far beyond the Indian context of the event, reminding viewers worldwide that resilience often emerges in the most unexpected moments of difficulty.
   
   Agarwal emphasizes the importance of mindset shifts, sharing stories that highlight how cultural expectations around success can either hinder or accelerate personal growth. For audiences in regions facing economic shifts or social transformations, his insights offer a fresh perspective on turning local struggles into opportunities for community impact. He weaves in thoughtful reflections on empathy and adaptability, qualities that transcend borders and help leaders navigate complex global issues like inequality and rapid change.
   
   Ultimately, the talk invites people everywhere to reframe their experiences, suggesting that leadership is not reserved for the privileged but built through lived trials. As communities from diverse backgrounds grapple with uncertainty, Agarwal's words encourage a collective reevaluation of what it means to lead with purpose and humanity.
3. Watch the full video from TED Talks below.

1. Modi and Meloni go viral with toffee video — Thursday 21 May 2026
2. In a surprising twist that has the internet buzzing, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Italian leader Giorgia Meloni stole the spotlight with a simple bag of toffees during their recent meeting. The lighthearted clip shows the two world leaders grinning as they pose together, turning what could have been a standard diplomatic photo op into a global sensation. For American viewers watching from afar, it highlights how even top officials can connect over everyday treats amid high-stakes talks.
   
   This viral moment comes as India and Italy look to deepen economic ties, including potential deals on technology and defense that could ripple through U.S. markets. American companies with interests in South Asia stand to benefit from smoother relations between these nations, especially as supply chains shift away from China. The toffee exchange adds a human touch to negotiations that might otherwise focus on trade tariffs or energy imports, areas where U.S. policymakers keep a close eye.
   
   From Atlanta to Washington, folks know that strong alliances matter for everything from job growth to national security. Modi and Meloni's sweet gesture underscores how personal rapport can pave the way for bigger partnerships, much like the robust U.S.-India friendship that has boosted tech investments here at home. It is a reminder that behind the serious headlines, diplomacy often starts with small, relatable steps.
   
   As the video racks up millions of views, it offers a fun contrast to the intense political drama playing out in the United States. World leaders showing their playful side might just encourage more open conversations on global issues that hit American families directly, from inflation to international stability.
3. Watch the full video from CNN below.

1. نقاش الساعة - مصير هرمز.. هل تتراجع إيران عن السيطرة الكاملة على المضيق؟ — Wednesday 20 May 2026
2. A panel of regional and international experts convened to assess whether Iran might ease its firm hold over the Strait of Hormuz, the narrow waterway that carries nearly one-fifth of global oil supplies. The discussion featured Dr. Hassan Ahmadian of Tehran University, former U.S. deputy assistant secretary Joey Hood, Kuwaiti analyst Dr. Saleh Al-Mutairi, and Al Jazeera researcher Dr. Liqa Maki, who examined Tehran’s strategic calculations amid renewed sanctions pressure and maritime incidents in the Gulf.
   
   Analysts noted that Iran continues to treat control of the strait as a core deterrent against external threats, particularly from the United States and its Gulf partners. While some voices suggested economic hardship could encourage limited Iranian flexibility on shipping rules, others argued that any visible retreat would weaken Tehran’s leverage in nuclear talks and regional security negotiations. The exchange underscored how local decisions in the Gulf directly affect energy prices and supply stability for importers across Asia and Europe.
   
   For global audiences, the debate illustrated the enduring risks to maritime trade routes that connect the Middle East to major markets in China, India, and Japan. Even modest disruptions remain capable of driving up costs worldwide, reminding policymakers that the strait’s future management will continue to shape both energy security and diplomatic maneuvering in the months ahead.
3. Watch the full video from Al Jazeera English below.

1. Colman Domingo on 'Michael': 'Audiences are eating it up' — Wednesday 20 May 2026
2. Colman Domingo is turning heads with his portrayal of the King of Pop in the upcoming biopic Michael, and the buzz from early screenings shows American audiences cannot get enough. In a recent chat with BBC News, the Philadelphia native and star of Euphoria shared that viewers are eating it up, drawn in by the film's raw look at Michael Jackson's rise from Gary, Indiana, roots to global superstardom. For fans across the States who grew up blasting Thriller on car radios and dancing at family reunions, this project hits close to home as a celebration of Black excellence in music history.
   
   Domingo revealed he received the highest praise possible from Katherine Jackson herself, who called his performance spot on and offered some of the best compliments an actor could hope for. That endorsement carries serious weight here in the US, where the Jackson family's story remains woven into our cultural fabric from Motown hits to the iconic Super Bowl halftime shows. It underscores how the film aims to honor the legend's legacy while navigating the complex chapters of his life that still spark debates from coast to coast.
   
   Looking ahead, Domingo is shifting gears to the second season of The Four Seasons, bringing his signature intensity to another high-profile project. As Hollywood continues to mine iconic American tales for the big screen, his work keeps reminding us why these stories resonate so powerfully with audiences right here at home.
3. Watch the full video from Associated Press below.