Kumar

• Professor C. Raj Kumar, Founding Vice Chancellor of O.P. Jindal Global University (JGU), and MP Dr. Shashi Tharoor addressed the Japanese parliament. • The event took place on the eve of Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi's official visit to India to strengthen bilateral relations. • This engagement serves to deepen academic and diplomatic ties between India and Japan, highlighting the role of higher education in international cooperation.

• Prof Raj Kumar and Shashi Tharoor addressed Japan's National Diet to discuss strengthening the strategic partnership between India and Japan. • The discussions focused on leveraging education and parliamentary diplomacy as key pillars to deepen bilateral ties beyond traditional crisis management. • Shashi Tharoor emphasized that diplomacy should transcend the mere negotiation of interests, advocating for a more holistic approach to international relations.

• Ahmed Khan's 'Welcome to the Jungle' has crossed Rs 100 crore worldwide in its first 4 days. • The film, led by Akshay Kumar, has performed well despite sharing screens with Shahid Kapoor's 'Cocktail 2'. • 'Welcome to the Jungle' is the third instalment in the 'Welcome' franchise and has appealed to family audiences with its nostalgic value.

• Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar stated on Monday that India's electoral process is the most transparent among the world's major democracies. • He highlighted that every stage of the exercise, including voter list preparation, polling, and counting, is audited by candidates and political parties. • These remarks were made while Kumar was chairing a session for International IDEA, emphasizing the robustness of India's democratic systems.

• Akshay Kumar's film *Welcome to the Jungle* has earned ₹93 crore globally within its first three days, becoming the third-highest Bollywood opener of 2026. • The movie collected ₹63.75 crore domestically during its opening weekend, while overseas gross earnings reached ₹16.70 crore. • This strong performance highlights the film's immediate commercial appeal and its ability to compete with the year's top releases.

• On June 26, 2026, reviews and netizen verdicts were released for the comedy film "Welcome to the Jungle," starring Akshay Kumar and over 30 other actors. • The film's release is part of a broader trend of high-budget ensemble comedies within the $2.83 trillion global entertainment industry. • This coverage matters as it gauges the commercial viability and audience reception of a major star-studded production.

• Bihar Sports Minister Shreyasi Singh felicitated Sawan Kumar following the Indian men's team's gold medal victory at the Hockey U-18 Asia Cup. • India secured the championship on June 6 by defeating hosts Japan 4-1 in the final held at Kakamigahara, featuring a hat-trick by Ashish Tani Purti and a goal by captain Ketan Kushwaha. • The event marked a significant achievement for Indian hockey, as the women's team also reached the podium by winning the bronze medal.

• D K Shivakumar is set to be sworn in as the Chief Minister of Karnataka, marking a significant leadership transition in the state. • Geopolitical tensions are escalating between the United States and Iran, raising concerns over potential conflict in West Asia. • Delcy Rodriguez is visiting India, while K Annamalai considers his political options amid the shifting regional landscape.

• Mumbai Indians coach Mahela Jayawardene commented on Suryakumar Yadav's 183 runs in nine IPL 2026 innings amid team's struggles. • Jayawardene said Yadav is in a phase where things aren't working but must keep grinding hard. • MI's ninth-place standing with two wins threatens early exit from playoffs.