IPL 2024 Playoff Qualification Scenarios After MI's Defeat Against LSG

Mumbai Indians' playoff hopes were dealt a massive blow following their four-wicket loss against Lucknow Super Giants in IPL 2024 on Tuesday. Marcus Stoinis slammed a gritty half-century after a solid bowling performance from the LSG bowlers to guide his team to victory. As a result, LSG moved up to the third position in the IPL 2024 Points Table with six wins and a Net Run Rate (NRR) of +0.094. However, MI's situation got worse as they remained ninth in the table with just 6 points from 10 matches. This means that MI will have to win all of their remaining four matches and they will have to depend of other results to go their way as wins in every match will only take them to 14 points.

IPL 2024 playoffs qualification scenarios -

Rajasthan Royals (Played 9, Won 8, Lost 1, Total Points 16, NRR +0.694)

Inaugural champions Rajasthan Royals (RR) have been the most dominant team in IPL 2024. The Royals have won eight of their nine matches this season and are currently placed at the top of the IPL 2024 standings with 16 points. With five games in hand, the Royals should qualify for IPL 2024 playoffs with games to spare. Led by Sanju Samson, they are one of the favourites to clinch the coveted title this season.

Kolkata Knight Riders (Played 9, Won 6, Lost 3, Total Points 12, NRR +1.096)

Two-time winners Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) have been one of the most impressive sides this season. Under mentor and former captain Gautam Gambhir, the Knight Riders have registered six wins and suffered three losses so far. The Shreyas Iyer-led side has been one of the standout teams with the bat and have the best net run-rate of +1.096 in the ongoing tournament. KKR need to win at least two of their remaining five games to book their spot in the IPL 2024 playoffs. Going by recent form, KKR will be overwhelming favourites to qualify for the playoffs and finish in the top two.

Lucknow Super Giants (Played 10, Won 6, Lost 4, Total Points 12, NRR +0.094)

Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) will be one of the strong contenders to pip either CSK or SRH to finish in the top four this season. Led by star wicketkeeper-batter KL Rahul, the Super Giants have already secured two playoff qualifications in as many seasons. Having already accumulated 12 points from 10 matches, LSG will need two more wins as they aim to make it three out of three in the IPL playoffs. Their next match against Kolkata Knight Riders will be extremely crucial for their IPL 2024 playoffs qualification.

Chennai Super Kings (Played 9, Won 5, Lost 4, Total Points 10, NRR +0.810)

Defending champions Chennai Super Kings (CSK) have struggled away from home in IPL 2024. The five-time IPL winners, CSK, have registered just a solitary away victory over MI at the Wankhede Stadium, while winning four of their five games at Chepauk this season. Led by new captain Ruturaj Gaikwad, CSK have 10 points from nine matches and need to win three of their remaining five games to seal an IPL 2024 playoff berth. With two more matches still to be played at home, CSK will be one of the favourites to qualify for IPL 2024 playoffs.

SunRisers Hyderabad (Played 9, Won 5, Lost 4, Total Points 10, NRR +0.075)

SunRisers Hyderabad (SRH) started their IPL 2024 campaign in an emphatic fashion as they won five of their first seven matches. The SunRisers later lost their winning momentum as they suffered defeats in their previous two fixtures. The Pat Cummins-led outfit has been overly reliant on their opening batters - Travis Head and Abhishek Sharma - who have produced blitzkrieg starts in most matches. Just like CSK, SRH have 10 points from nine matches and need to win three of their remaining five games to finish in the top four. With four home games still to go, the SunRisers should qualify for IPL 2024 playoffs.

Delhi Capitals (Played 11, Won 5, Lost 6, Total Points 10, NRR -0.442)

Delhi Capitals (DC) have won five of their 11 matches this season so far. While the Rishabh Pant-led Capitals are currently placed sixth in the IPL 2024 standings with 10 points, they have played the most number of matches at this juncture of the league. Having won three of their last five matches, the Capitals have still kept themselves in the hunt for a playoffs spot. With a net run-rate of -0.442, DC will need to win all their remaining three games with a good margin, if they are to have any hopes for IPL 2024 playoffs qualification.

Gujarat Titans (Played 10, Won 4, Lost 6, Total Points 8, NRR -1.113)

Last season's finalist Gujarat Titans (GT) have had a disappointing IPL 2024 campaign so far. Under new captain Shubman Gill, the Titans have registered four victories and suffered six defeats this season. With eight points from 10 matches, GT's IPL 2024 playoffs qualification chances looks bleak. With a net run-rate of -1.113, the Titans not only need to win their remaining four matches with a huge margin, but they will also need favours from other teams to have any chance of securing qualification in the IPL 2024 playoffs.

Punjab Kings (Played 9, Won 3, Lost 6, Total Points 6, NRR -0.187)

Punjab Kings' record-breaking eight-wicket win over Kolkata Knight Riders have kept them alive in IPL 2024. Having registered three wins and suffered six losses, the Kings are languishing eighth in the IPL 2024 standings with six points from nine games. Interestingly, the Kings have not qualified for IPL playoffs since reaching the finals in 2014. Considering their negative NRR, PBKS need to win all their remaining five games with a good margin and also hope other results go their way if they are to make the IPL 2024 playoffs.

Mumbai Indians (Played 10, Won 3, Lost 7, Total Points 6, NRR -0.272)

Five-time IPL champions Mumbai Indians (MI) have had a dismal campaign this season. Under newly-appointed captain Hardik Pandya, MI have secured just three wins in 10 matches in IPL 2024. With just six points on the board, MI are languishing ninth in the IPL 2024 standings and almost need another miracle to finish in the top four. As a result, Hardik Pandya's men need to win all their remaining four games to finish with 14 points and hope other results go their way to squeeze into the IPL 2024 playoffs.

Royal Challengers Bengaluru (Played 10, Won 3, Lost 7, Total Points 6, NRR -0.415)

With a morale-boosting nine-wicket victory over Gujarat Titans, Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) still have a mathematical chance to qualify for IPL 2024 playoffs. Having bagged six points from 10 matches, RCB are placed at the bottom of the 10-team standings with three wins and seven losses. As a result, the Faf du Plessis-led side not only need to win their last four games with a massive margin, but also hope all the other contenders falter dramatically. Any more defeats will automatically knock RCB out of IPL 2024 playoffs contention. Hence, RCB have the least chance to qualify this season.

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Case Against Salman Khurshid, His Niece Over "Vote Jihad" Remark Row

The Uttar Pradesh Police Tuesday filed a case against Congress leader Salman Khurshid and his niece Maria Alam after she called for a "vote jihad" in favour of the INDIA bloc candidate from Farrukhabad Lok Sabha seat.

Seeking votes for INDIA bloc candidate Naval Kishore Shakya on Monday, Ms Alam, a Samajwadi Party (SP) leader, made an appeal for "vote jihad", terming it as necessary in the current situation for the minority community to drive away the BJP government.

Taking cognisance of the remarks made by Maria Alam, a case was registered against her for violating the provisions of the IPC and Representation of People Act following a complaint made by the Flying Squad and Surveillance Team, police said, and added that a case was also registered against Mr Khurshid, who was the chief guest at the election meeting in Kaimganj.

The SHO of Kaimganj police station, Ramautar, on Tuesday told PTI, "A case was registered against Maria Alam and Salman Khurshid on the basis of a complaint made by the Flying Squad and Surveillance Team.

"The case was registered under sections 188 (disobedience to order duly promulgated by public servant), 295A (deliberate and malicious acts, intended to outrage religious feelings of any class by insulting its religion or religious beliefs) of the IPC and section 125 (promoting enmity between classes in connection with election) of the Representation of People Act," he said.

She said, "Together do vote jihad -- with intelligence, without being sentimental and with silence. As we can only do vote jihad to drive away this Sanghi government." Stressing that it was time to join hands, she said otherwise this "Sanghi government will succeed in wiping out our existence".

"People say that Constitution and democracy are under threat. But I say that insaniyat (humanity) is under threat.

"Now there is an attack on 'insaniyat'. If you want to save the country, its beauty and 'ganga-jamuni' (composite) culture, then vote very intelligently without getting influenced by anyone," she stressed.

The video of Ms Alam's statement has also gone viral on social media.

Asked to comment on the statement of his niece, Mr Khurshid said generally he avoids using such words because its literal meaning is misinterpreted.

"Jihad means to fight against a situation. Her intention must have been to carry out vote jihad to protect the Constitution," he said.

On his candidature from INDIA bloc from the Farrukhabad seat, Mr Khurshid said he was offered a Congress ticket from Aligarh. But he politely declined saying that "I am Salman Khurshid from Farrukhabad and I stay that only".

This was the first public meeting of the INDIA bloc in Farrukhabad with most of the senior leaders of the Congress and the SP present together on the dias.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

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UK Couple Quit Hectic Jobs To Live On Rs 1 Crore Yacht With Children

A couple from the United Kingdom recently quit their jobs and moved with their family to a yacht in Greece, as per a report in the New York Post. The pair, Laura and Ross Colledge said that they took the decision as they were worried that their family was "too disconnected".

The wife said, "Ross was working 50-plus hours a week, and we were like ships in the night. He felt our children's formative years were slipping away before our eyes and he was missing so much."

As per the outlet, the couple wished to give their children "an exciting, adventurous, non-consumerist upbringing" and "make them more worldly". They also said that they wanted to work on the "extra educational needs" of their children as one of the sons has ADHD.

In the summer of 2019, the family moved to Greece after refinancing their newly renovated home and purchasing a 2005 Bavaria 42 yacht that they had seen a few months earlier.

The Colledge family then departed from Mykonos, travelled through the Dodecanese and Aegean seas, and finally settled in the Ionian Islands. "We have both been water babies as surfers and kayakers in Newquay for many years, so the ocean has always drawn us in," Ms Laura about living in the UK.

For the past five years, the Colledges have been travelling the Greek islands, and they have enjoyed their nomadic lifestyle despite the uncertainty it brings to their lives. "Sailing life is very changeable, so getting a work/life balance is tricky. Maintaining any kind of routine is a challenge. You have to be able to 'go chameleon' when the weather or other circumstances demand a change of plan," she said.

One of their kids is homeschooled and the other attends an online virtual secondary school.

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A post shared by LAURA - ROSS - JOSH - NOAH (@sailinghollyblue)

Laura is the first mate and Ross is the captain of the family's yacht. They are also directors of BoatFit, an online fitness and wellness website, and Sailing Holly Blue, a blog that documents their adventures on the sea.

The family wishes to upgrade to a bigger boat as their children grow. However, they have made many modifications to the boat to accommodate themselves. "We've included solar power, lithium-ion batteries, a watermaker and other mod-cons that mean we can live completely off grid, utility bill-free and self-sufficient if we choose," Laura said. She said that they mostly collaborate with sponsors from their social media accounts.

"There's nothing more grounding than being so close to nature and at the mercy of elements. All other things become so trivial," Laura said about living amidst nature.

She added, "And relationship-wise, you will soon learn if the person you are with is your soulmate. Sailing life is a 24/7 pressure cooker at times, and you not only have to learn to pick your battles but also where you will and will not compromise. Your relationship deepens to an incredible level and your respect - as well as admiration for each other - strengthens, too."

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Man Uses PM's Name In Wedding Card, Poll Officials Visit His Karnataka Home

A groom found himself embroiled in controversy after his wedding invitation sparked debate over his political affiliation, police said on Monday.

Uppinangady police in Puttur taluk of Dakshina Kannada, responded to a complaint lodged by officials overseeing election code adherence.

The focal point of contention was the tagline in the wedding invitation. "The best present you will give the couple is electing Modi as PM once again," it said.

According to police, a complaint was lodged by one of the groom's relatives to the Election Commission regarding the tagline.

Based on the complaint, Election Commission officials visited the groom's residence in Puttur taluk on April 14. The groom explained that the invitations were printed on March 1, before the election dates were announced. He also clarified that the tagline expresses admiration for Prime Minister Narendra Modi and concern for the nation. The marriage took place on April 18.

Despite the groom's explanation, EC lodged a complaint with Uppinangady police on April 26, following which a FIR was registered.

Furthermore, the press owner responsible for printing the invitation is also under the scanner of the EC and the police.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

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Video: Srinagar-Jammu Highway Hit By Massive Landslide After Heavy Rain

Non-stop rains and snowfall have triggered landslides and flash floods in several of Jammu and Kashmir causing damage to public infrastructure and private property. The Srinagar-Jammu national highway was closed today due to landslides at multiple places along the highway.  A large number of vehicles are stranded along the Highway.

A video showed rocks and debris sliding down a mountainside and falling on the highway.

The highway, the only all-weather road linking Kashmir with rest of the country, was blocked by landslides at Mehar, Gangroo, Mom Passi and Kishtwari Pather in Ramban district.

The rains are continuing, hampering restoration works, officials said, advising commuters to avoid journeys on the highway till it is cleared of the debris.

Kupwara district in north Kashmir was cut off from the rest of the Valley due to flood waters inundating roads and several villages have also been affected by floods.
 
In Ramban district, a 13-year-old boy was killed after he was hit by a boulder after a landslide.

In the Boniyar area of Baramulla district, seven members of a family were injured after their house collapsed due to landslides.

All schools across Kashmir will remain closed tomorrow in the wake of incessant rains, flash floods and landslides in  several areas.

The Kashmir University has postponed exams that were scheduled for tomorrow.

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Jailed In Israel, Palestinian Writer Wins Top Prize For Arabic Fiction

Palestinian writer Basim Khandaqji, jailed 20 years ago in Israel, won a prestigious prize for Arabic fiction on Sunday for his novel "A Mask, the Colour of the Sky".

The award of the 2024 International Prize for Arabic Fiction was announced at a ceremony in Abu Dhabi.

The prize was accepted on Khandaqji's behalf by Rana Idriss, owner of Dar al-Adab, the book's Lebanon-based publisher.

Khandaqji was born in the Israeli-occupied West Bank city of Nablus in 1983, and wrote short stories until his arrest in 2004 at the age of 21.

He was convicted and jailed on charges relating to a deadly bombing in Tel Aviv, and completed his university education from inside jail via the internet.

The mask in the novel's title refers to the blue identity card that Nur, an archaeologist living in a refugee camp in Ramallah, finds in the pocket of an old coat belonging to an Israeli.

Khandaqji's book was chosen from 133 works submitted to the competition.

Nabil Suleiman, who chaired the jury, said the novel "dissects a complex, bitter reality of family fragmentation, displacement, genocide, and racism".

Since being jailed Khandaqji has written poetry collections including "Rituals of the First Time" and "The Breath of a Nocturnal Poem".

He has also written three earlier novels.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

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Indian Googled "How To Kill Instantly" Before Stabbing Ex Girlfriend In UK

The Hyderabad man who slashed his ex-girlfriend's throat before stabbing her nine times at a London restaurant in 2022 searched for ways to "kill a human instantly with a knife", his online search history shows.

Sriram Ambarla, a 25-year-old from Hyderabad attacked his ex-girlfriend Sona Biju, 23, at the restaurant where she worked after threatening to murder her if she did not agree to marry him.

When Ms Biju turned him down by saying that she "did not want to live by his rules", Ambarla grabbed her by the neck and began stabbing her. She survived the vicious attack but had to spent a month at a hospital in a critical condition.

Ambarla has been found guilty and sentenced to 16 years in jail in London.

During his sentencing hearing, the court was told that moments before Ambarla attacked, he searched online for “What happens if a foreigner murders someone in the UK”, “How easy is it to kill someone with a knife” and “How to kill a human instantly with a knife.”

“Jealous, possessive, and determined”

The 2022 attack came after Ambarla manipulated and physically and mentally abused Ms Biju for years, the court was told. The two began dating in 2017 after they met at a Hyderabad college.

However, the relationship quickly turned abusive, leading to their split around 2019 during which Ambarla used threats of self-harm to control Ms Biju. He repeatedly showed up at her house unexpectedly and tried to blackmail her into marrying him, the victim said. 

In 2022, both Ambarla and Ms Biju moved to UK in 2022 to pursue a master's degree at the University of East London but the abuse continued. Ambarla would regularly contact the restaurant she worked at to talk to her and order food in hopes that she would deliver it to his house.

Weeks after they moved, he visited the restaurant, where Ms Biju served him food, treating him just like any other patron. He sat there looking through his phone in an unsettling manner, she said.

Moments later, he approached her and repeated his offer to marry her or else he would kill her. When she refused, he took out a knife and stabbed her repeatedly. He told the police that he snapped when he overheard her talking about wanting to celebrate the breakup.

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Iraq Passes Bill Criminalising Same-Sex Relations, Jail Upto 15 Years

Iraq's parliament passed a bill on Saturday criminalising same-sex relations, which will receive a sentence of up to 15 years in prison, in a move rights groups condemned as an "attack on human rights".

Transgender people will be sentenced to three years' jail under the amendments to a 1988 anti-prostitution law, which were adopted during a session attended by 170 out of 329 lawmakers.

A previous draft had proposed capital punishment for same-sex relations, in what campaigners had called a "dangerous" escalation.

The new amendments enable courts to sentence people engaging in same-sex relations to between 10 to 15 years in prison, according to the document seen by AFP, in the country where gay and transgender people already face frequent attacks and discrimination.

They also set a minimum seven-year prison term for "promoting" same-sex relations and a sentence ranging from one to three years for men who "intentionally" act like women. 

The amended law makes "biological sex change based on personal desire and inclination" a crime and punishes transgender people and doctors who perform gender-affirming surgery with up to three years in prison.

Homosexuality is taboo in Iraq's conservative society, however there had not previously been a law that explicitly punished same-sex relations.

Members of Iraq's LGBTQ community have been prosecuted for sodomy or under vague morality and anti-prostitution clauses in Iraq's penal code. 

"Iraq has effectively codified in law the discrimination and violence members of the LGBTI community have been subjected to with absolute impunity for years," said Amnesty International's Iraq researcher Razaw Salihy.

"The amendments concerning LGBTI rights are a violation of fundamental human rights and put at risk Iraqis whose lives are already hounded daily," Salihy added.

The amendments also ban organisations that "promote" homosexuality and punish "wife swapping" with a prison sentence of 10 to 15 years.

"The law serves as a preventive measure to protect society from such acts," lawmaker Raed al-Maliki, who advanced the amendments, told AFP.

He said passing the new amendment was postponed until after Iraqi Prime Minister Mohamed Shia al-Sudani's visit to the United States earlier this month.

The United States and the European Union oppose the law and "we didn't want to impact the visit," he said.

"It is an internal matter and we do not accept any interference in Iraqi affairs."

The US State Department is "deeply concerned" about the legislation, spokesman Matt Miller said Saturday, adding that the law threatens those most at risk in Iraqi society and "undermines the government's political and economic reform efforts."

LGBTQ Iraqis have been forced into the shadows, often targeted with "kidnappings, rapes, torture and murders" that go unpunished, according to a 2022 report by Human Rights Watch and the IraQueer non-governmental organisation.

Iraqi politicians and social media users have increasingly resorted to anti-LGBTQ rhetoric, which stokes further fear among members of the community.

Human Rights Watch's Iraq researcher Sarah Sanbar said the new law change "is a horrific development and an attack on human rights".

"Rather than focusing on enacting laws that would benefit Iraqis -- like passing the draft domestic violence law or draft child protection law -- Iraq is choosing to codify discrimination against LGBT people," she said.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

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Siddaramaiah Sets Up Team To Probe Sex Scandal Involving JDS MP

A day after voting took place in the constituency, Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has ordered the formation of a special investigation team to probe a sex scandal allegedly involving Hassan MP and Janata Dal (Secular) candidate from the seat, Prajwal Revanna. Mr Revanna, grandson of JDS chief and former Prime Minister HD Deve Gowda, has left for Germany.

After videos depicting sexual acts began circulating in Hassan, some of which allegedly involved women being forced or filmed without their consent, the Karnataka State Commission for Women had, on Thursday, asked the chief minister to set up a special investigation team. 

Announcing the decision on Saturday, Siddaramaiah wrote in Kannada on X, "The government has decided to form a special investigation team in connection with the Prajwal Revanna obscene video case. Obscene video clips are circulating in Hassan district, where it appears that women have been sexually assaulted.

"In this backdrop, the Chairperson of the Women's Commission had written a letter to the government to conduct an SIT investigation. This decision has been taken in response to their request," he wrote.

Mr Revanna left for Germany on Saturday morning.

The JDS is in an alliance with the BJP and, earlier in the day, Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar demanded answers from the ruling party at the Centre as well. 

"The allegations of sexual assault are not just on some random Hassan leader. (Karnataka BJP Chief) BY Vijayendra and others must answer. I read reports of them saying that the Women's Commission is trying to tarnish their image. The Commission has written a letter to the chief minister and the home Minister," Mr Shivakumar was quoted as saying by news agency ANI. 

On JDS leader and former chief minister HD Kumaraswamy's indirectly accusing him of involvement in the case, Mr Shivakumar said, "Let him bring up my name. I will expose him. Is he justifying sexual assault against women by talking like this?"

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Nearly Half Of Bengaluru Voters Skip Voting In Phase 2 Of Lok Sabha Polls

Nearly half of Bengaluru's voters did not turn up to vote in the Lok Sabha elections on Friday.

Voting took place in 14 constituencies in Karnataka, with the Election Commission estimating the turnout at 69.23 per cent.

However, the percentage of voters who exercised their franchise in three urban constituencies in the city -- Bangalore Central, Bangalore North and Bangalore South -- was significantly lower.

The approximate voter turnout in Bangalore Central was 52.81 per cent, Bangalore North - 54.42 per cent and Bangalore South - 53.15 per cent.

In the 2019 Lok Sabha election, the turnout in Bengaluru Central was 54.32 per cent, Bengaluru North - 54.76 per cent and Bengaluru South - 53.70 per cent.

Election Commission officials were disappointed due to the turnout despite their vigorous efforts to increase participation.

"There is no explanation for it. That is the truth," a top EC official said.

According to poll officials, scorching summer heat is said to be one of the reasons for the people not turning up at polling booths in the city.

However, Bangalore Rural saw an approximate voter turnout of 67.29 per cent.

Mandya and Kolar had a turnout of 81.48 per cent and 78.07 per cent, respectively.

The Election Commission in Karnataka came out with several initiatives to increase turnout in this election in urban constituencies -- from encouraging the public to use various apps to putting QR codes on voter slips to locate polling booths.

Voter Helpline, 'Know Your Candidate' and updating details about number of voters in queue and kind of parking facilities available at polling booths, especially in Bengaluru, and an elaborate booth election management plan were among the other measures taken.

The EC had also come up with better facilities at the polling stations in the urban constituencies based on the feedback they received following a survey conducted by the Election Commission in the areas which registered low voter turnout in the 2023 Karnataka Assembly election and the previous Lok Sabha elections. 

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

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Explained: Why Is South Korea Reportedly Banning iPhones For The Military

The South Korean military is considering a comprehensive ban on iPhones within its buildings, citing concerns about potential leaks of sensitive information through voice recordings. The decision came after joint meetings held by the army, navy, and air force headquarters, with nationalistic motives also playing a role in favouring homegrown brands over foreign ones, The Korea Herald reported.

Korean Air Force issues directive

The Korean Air Force took the lead in enforcing the widespread ban. In an internal directive issued on April 11, it instructed its personnel to stop using iPhones inside the facilities.

The ban also named other devices capable of recording and sharing voice recordings beyond third-party app controls. In addition to iPhones, other products, including Apple Watches, are also reportedly included in the ban.

The military document stresses the importance of blocking voice recording in all communication scenarios within military buildings, whether formal or informal.

Are Androids banned too?

Android-based devices, particularly those manufactured by Samsung, are exempt from the ban within the South Korean military.

The ban will reportedly extend across the entire South Korean military, with the army reportedly testing similar restrictions. While restrictions on smart devices in secure facilities are common, implementing a total ban is unusual.

How the ban helps local brands

The decision seems to favour local brands such as Samsung, but there still appear to be doubts regarding how well the current security measures work and if they're consistent. If enforced across all military units, the ban would impact nearly 500,000 personnel within the South Korean military.

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Lowest Turnout More Than Your Highest: S Jaishankar On West's Poll Critique

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar has hit out at the Western media, emphasising that they criticise our democracy because they think they are also political players in our election and not because they lack information.

Addressing a forum for nationalist thinkers in Hyderabad on Tuesday, the minister said, "I get a lot of these noises from the Western press and if they criticise our democracy, it's not because they lack information. It is because they think they are also political players in our election."

Mr Jaishankar said that in an article by the Western media, they asked why elections were being held amid a heatwave in India. "Now I read that article and I wanted to say listen, in that heat my lowest turnout is higher than your highest turnout in the best run," Mr Jaishankar said.

He added that these are games that are being played.

"These are politics. These are our domestic politics which is going global, global politics which feels they must now intrude in India. How can these chaps decide who should be ruling without consulting us?" he said.

"They (West) actually think they are part of our electorate... I think it's time today that we disabuse them and the best way that we do that, is by confidence," Mr Jaishankar stressed.

The minister emphasised the need to stand up to these kinds of attacks and criticisms and rankings and reports because they will question everything.

"They will question your election system, your EVM, your election commission, even the weather," he said.

"And one complaint is...it is so unfair, BJP thinks it's going to win very big," he said, adding that, in a kind of way, today, we are at a very important inflexion point.

Mr Jaishankar said that the decisions the government will be making are not just for the next five years, but will give our nation, our society, and our coming generations a very big vote of confidence.

"It is the guarantee, the guarantee is an expression of confidence. It is an expression of confidence based on what we have delivered for the last ten years," he added.

He highlighted how India has been regarded across the world in the past ten years, how the country is today preparing for the next 25 years is the mindset with which we need to approach the world.

Moreover, recalling the G20 Summit, Mr Jaishankar said that during the presidency, several countries wanted to connect to India.

"During our G20 presidency, a number of countries, but particularly this was an initiative called IMEC through Saudi Arabia, they wanted to connect India to Europe. Russia and Iran also want a connectivity passage to Europe. In the east, countries like Vietnam, and Cambodia, want a passage through Myanmar to India," he said.

Lauding India's prominence on the global stage, Mr Jaishankar said that there is a lot of interest in somehow accessing India, connecting to India and working with India

Praising Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the minister said, "It is the combination of all of this and, as I said, the stature which the Prime Minister personally commands...I see that because I travel with him often."

Recalling when India got the G20 presidency, Mr Jaishankar said, "When we got our G20 chair presidency, it was on December 1, 2022. I think most of the world said, you know, I don't know where you guys got stuck. You know how this is going to happen. You are going to have a really difficult time managing this. And yet, actually, when the G20 summit met, within the first day, we were actually able to forge a consensus."

He further emphasised that when something happens, people can only see the final outcome and not the work done behind the scenes.

"It's worth thinking why? Because when something happens, we think it's natural. It's not natural. Something happens behind the scenes, you are only seeing the final production, but behind the scenes there is a lot of work," he said.

The fact is, when the G20 met, there was a lot of respect in the rest of the world "for PM Modi personally and for Modi's Bharat", Mr Jaishankar stressed.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

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Encounter Breaks Out Between Security Forces, Terrorists In J&K's Sopore

An encounter broke out between security forces and terrorists in Jammu and Kashmir's Baramulla district on Thursday, police said.

"An encounter has started at Check Mohalla Nowpora in the area of PD (police district) Sopore," the Jammu and Kashmir Police (Kashmir Zone) said in a post on X.

An #encounter has started at Check Mohalla Nowpora in the area of PD #Sopore. Police & security forces are on the job. Further details shall follow.@JmuKmrPolice

— Kashmir Zone Police (@KashmirPolice) April 25, 2024

The operation is currently underway, the police said.

Further details were awaited. 

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

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Vladimir Putin Biopic Set For Release, With An AI Twist

An upcoming film titled 'Putin' has grabbed attention for its promise to delve deep into the life and personality of Russian President Vladimir Putin. Using advanced AI technology, the movie aims to portray Putin's character over six decades, including moments from Russia's invasion of Ukraine. Scheduled for release in September, the trailer shows Putin in unusual situations, like wearing a soiled diaper and practicing karate.

Directed by Polish filmmaker Besaleel, also known as Patryk Vega, the film is described as a "psychological thriller" that aims to uncover the mysteries surrounding Putin's personality. Vega highlights the extensive three-year process of filming, advanced AI techniques, and careful storytelling used to explore the motives and actions of one of today's most talked-about political figures.

The producers are dedicated to presenting a detailed and realistic depiction of Putin's story, utilising cutting-edge AI to achieve this. Set to be released in English, 'Putin' promises to provide viewers with an unprecedented look into the complexities of Putin's life and influence.

In a statement released via PR Leap, Polish studio AIO said the film will be released in 35 countries and describes itself as "up close and personal with the Kremlin leader's story.".

The studio has released a 2.5-minute trailer for the film.

According to the makers, the movie was filmed over three years in locations such as the Russian Federation, Ukraine, Israel, Syria, Jordan, and Poland. The movie's timeliness is one of its most significant aspects.

"Putin is not just a film," filmmaker Vega states. "It's a response to a global quest to understand the motives and actions of one of the most controversial figures in contemporary politics. My production's mission is to provide viewers with a 'user manual' for Putin.

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Revanth Reddy's Loan Waiver Promise With Bizarre Attack On KCR

Telangana Chief Minister Revanth Reddy today reiterated his promise to waive farmer loans upto Rs 2 lakh, "come what may",. Then came a bizarre addition -- "even if KCR (his predecessor K Chandrasekhar Rao) were to die by hanging in his farm house, I will waive farmer loans by August 15," he thundered.

Revanth Reddy was addressing a meeting in his Kodangal assembly constituency, which falls in his native Mahbubnagar constituency.

His comments come on the eve of Mr Rao, the chief of Bharat Rashtra Samithi, starting his Lok Sabha campaign. The journey begins tomorrow by a special bus.

Even before that, Mr Rao has been touring drought-hit districts, meeting with farmers in distress to tell them that they were much better off when he was Chief Minister. There was no shortage of water and farmers harvested plenty, he told them.

Revanth Reddy's promise of waiving Rs 2 lakh loans of farmers before August 15 was made two days ago in Bhongir. BRS leader and nephew of KCR, T Harish Rao, had asked yesterday whether Mr Reddy would resign if he was unable to fulfil his loan waiver promise.

Today, it was Revanth Reddy's turn to retort and he asked if KCR would disband his party if he kept his word on waiving farmer loans by August 15.

"Your uncle knows better than you that Revanth does what he says and keeps his word," the Chief Minister said.

This is not the first time Revanth Reddy is talking about hanging Mr Rao. A few days ago, he said it would not be wrong to hang KCR and his son for the way in which they had allegedly looted real estate in Hyderabad.

On April 6, when Rahul Gandhi was in Tukkuguda, on the outskirts of Hyderabad, Revanth Reddy had attacked KCR, declaring that he would send him to jail. He would also build a 2BHK for Mr Rao in Cherlapally so he could cool his heels inside with his family, Mr Reddy said.

In 2015, just an year after KCR became Telangana Chief Minister, Revanth Reddy, then with the TDP, went to jail in a cash-for-votes scam. He had to come out on bail to attend his daughter's engagement ceremony. Revanth Reddy had vowed revenge against KCR when he came out of jail.

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Ankita-Vicky, Rashami Lit Up Arti Singh's Sangeet Ceremony

Television actress and Krushna Abhishek's sister Arti Singh is all set to marry her fiance Dipak Chauhan on April 25. The to-be-wed couple kicked off their pre-wedding celebrations earlier this week. On Tuesday night, Arti and Dipak hosted a sangeet ceremony in the presence of friends and family. For the night, bride-to-be Arti Singh was seen wearing a stunning green lehenga while her fiance can be seen complimenting her in a printed kurta. In one photo, bride-to-be Arti could be seen holding Dipak close. Another photo featured Dipak and Arti posing with their family. Arti's brother, Krushna Abhishek also joined the couple for a happy picture.

Other attendees at the sangeet included Ankita Lokhande, Vicky Jain, Rashami Desai, Yuvika Singh, Devoleena Bhattacharjee, Karan Singh Grover, Kishwer Merchant, Shefali with her husband Parag among others.

Take a look at some pictures from the night:

Earlier, several photos and videos from the actress' haldi function went viral on the Internet. In one of the viral videos, Arti Singh can be seen dancing joyfully while planting a kiss on Dipak's cheeks. Her brother Krushna Abhishek and sister-in-law Kashmera Shah also joined in the celebration.

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A post shared by Star Style Story 🦋 (@starstylestory)

Arti Singh shared two photos on her Instagram handle. Sharing the pictures, she wrote, "Sabse Khoobsurat Rang, Haldi Ka Rang, Mere Pyar Ke Rang. (Most beautiful colour, Haldi's colour) Couldn't be happier as dreams turn into reality. #Day1 #Haldi #DipakKiArti."

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A post shared by Arti singh sharma (@artisingh5)

Opening up about her marriage, Arti Singh told ETimes TV that it is a "purely arranged marriage." She said, "It's purely an arranged marriage. There was obviously a period of courtship where we wanted to get to know each other better and assess our compatibility. We first spoke on July 23 last year and met after his birthday (August 5). As things progressed, I decided to commit to this relationship in November. However, we didn't move forward until both our families approved of our union. On January 1, Dipak proposed marriage to me with a ring at my guruji's temple in Delhi and I said yes. I consider that moment as my engagement.”

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Wallets, Mobiles Stolen During BJP Candidate's Ramayan Roadshow

A Meerut businessman raised both his hands and chanted the Jai Shri Ram slogan as a BJP roadshow featuring Ramayan stars crossed his shop. The downside: he lost Rs 36,000 as someone from the crowd picked his pocket.

Along with the businessman, Kulbhushan, a dozen people, including some journalists, and a BJP leader were mugged and mobiles were stolen during the roadshow.

"Jai Siyaram my dear ones of Meerut. Today, Sita, Ram and Laxman who acted in Ramayana, will be among you from 3:00 onwards at Nandan Cinema Kailashpuri, New Road, Shastri Nagar, Surajkund, to have your darshan. I will be fulfilled by seeing you all," Arun Govil, of Ramayan fame, BJP's Meerut candidate posted on X.

जय सियाराम मेरे मेरठ के प्रियजनों
आज आपके बीच रामायण में अभिनय करने वाले सीता राम और लक्ष्मण आपके दर्शन करने के लिए आपके बीच 3:00 से नंदन सिनेमा कैलाशपुरी नई सड़क शास्त्री नगर सूरजकुंड पर पहुंचेंगे आप सभी दर्शन से में कृतार्थ हो पाऊंगा आपकी प्रतीक्षा में आपका अरुण गोविल pic.twitter.com/MYW29xkRWt

— Arun Govil (@arungovil12) April 22, 2024

The roadshow featured his other co-stars from the iconic show - Dipika Chikhlia, who played Sita, and Sunil Lahri, who essayed the role of Lakshman.

ऐसे ही मेरठ को नहीं कहा जाता क्रांतिधरा जब यहां से ज्वाला उठाती है तो वह पूरे राष्ट्र में जाती है रामराज्य की ज्वाला जल चुकी है लिए आप भी अपनी आहुति अधिक मतदान कर प्रदान करें pic.twitter.com/EyrcMS3qQr

— Arun Govil (@arungovil12) April 22, 2024

"I was at sitting at my shop. I raised my hands and chanted Jai Shri Ram. There was a big crowd. As I got back and searched my pocket, there was no money. I fainted right there. I lost Rs 36,000," said a crestfallen Kubhushan.

Businessman who lost Rs 36,000 during the roadshow

 Police have detained at least 3 people and are questioning them

An investigation is underway. 
 

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UP Man Bludgeoned To Death By Cousin For Performing Occult Rituals

A 62-year-old man was bludgeoned to death allegedly by his cousin on suspicion of doing occult practice to kill him, police said on Sunday.

The incident happened in Bharhki village on Saturday afternoon. Indrajit Pathak, who is physically challenged, was taking a bath near a hand pump outside his house when his cousin Mahendra Nath Pathak (54) came there and attacked him with a thick wooden block, they said.

Due to the repeated attack, Indrajit fell to the ground and started bleeding profusely. Hearing the commotion, the victim's daughter Aanchal, who is also physically challenged, came outside but her uncle fled, police said.

Superintendent of Police Meenakshi Katyayan said the villagers and police rushed Indrajit to the district hospital. On Sunday, he was referred to a trauma centre in Varanasi, where he died.

During interrogation, Mahendra told the police that Indrajit used to do occult practices and was planning to kill him, she said.

The accused claimed about 14 years ago Indrajit performed some 'tantra' on his son due to which he died. Mahendra asked his cousin to stop practising the occult but he did not agree so he killed him, the SP said.

Based on Aanchal's complaint, a case under sections 304 (culpable homicide not amounting to murder), 504 (intentional insult with intent to provoke breach of the peace) and 506 (criminal intimidation) of the IPC has been registered and Mahendra was arrested, police said. 

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

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"No Warranty For Modi's Guarantee": Revanth Reddy On Congress's Chances

Telangana Chief Minister Revanth Reddy has expressed confidence his party the Congress will win 14 of the 17 Lok Sabha seats in the state.

Mr Reddy became Chief Minister in December 2023 after the Congress defeated K Chandrashekar Rao's Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS).

"Every medicine has an expiry date," Mr Reddy told reporters in Karnataka's capital Bengaluru during an informal interaction, adding Prime Minister Narendra Modi will lose the Lok Sabha elections 2024.

The Chief Minister did not tell whether his confidence comes from the party winning the assembly election in the southern state.

The BJP and its ideological mentor Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) have been against the well-being and development of southern states, the Chief Minister alleged.

"There is no warranty for Modi's guarantees," Mr Reddy said.

He dared the Opposition BRS to win even a single seat in the Lok Sabha elections.

The BJP may stand to gain from the votes that the BRS will lose, but the Congress will still be able to take at least 14 seats, Mr Reddy said.

He said the Congress party, unlike the BJP and the RSS that have been discriminating against southern states, has always been inclusive by appointing leaders from these states to key cabinet and party positions, even when the Congress had swept the Hindi heartland.

Though Mr Reddy criticised Asaduddin Owaisi's AIMIM of allegedly colluding with the BJP to polarise voters during election season, he admitted that in a city as Hyderabad where terror groups have tried to radicalise young Muslims, the presence of a political party as AIMIM helped in containing radicalisation.

Mr Reddy recently campaigned in Kerala too. He said the BJP will likely be restricted to a maximum of 20 among the 130 seats in the southern states. In the northern states, the BJP's numbers will decrease from what it had got in 2019.

The elections are being held in seven phases. Votes will be counted on June 4.

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US House Votes To Ban TikTok If It Doesn't Cut Ties To China

Lawmakers in the US House of Representatives on Saturday quickly passed two key aid bills to counter China and bolster Taiwan while also threatening a ban on TikTok if it fails to divest from Beijing.

Voting on major bills on Ukraine and Israel was yet to come.

Lawmakers began voting on the foreign aid and arms bills, totaling some $95 billion, at 1:00 pm (1700 GMT), and embattled Republican Speaker Mike Johnson was forced to rely on Democratic votes for passage.

The bills are the product of months of acrimonious negotiations, pressure from US allies and repeated pleas for assistance from Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.

Spending bills cost the last Republican speaker of the House his job, and funding for Ukraine has been at the heart of the partisan squabbling.

At the request of President Joe Biden, some $8 billion would be used to counter China through investment in submarine infrastructure and boosting competition with Beijing on projects built in developing countries.

Several billion dollars would be devoted to weapons for Taiwan, the self-ruled island that is claimed by China.

Another provision would force TikTok to divest from its Chinese parent company ByteDance or face a nationwide ban in the United States, where it has around 170 million users.

Western officials have voiced alarm over the popularity of TikTok with young people, alleging that it is subservient to Beijing and a conduit to spread propaganda -- claims denied by the company.

In a statement on Friday, the White House said it "strongly supports" the legislation.

The United States has been the chief military backer of Ukraine in its war against Russia, but Congress has not approved large-scale funding for its ally for nearly a year and a half, mainly because of the bickering across the political aisle.

President Joe Biden and Democratic lawmakers in Congress have been pushing for a major new weapons package for Ukraine for months.

But Republicans, influenced by the party's presidential candidate Donald Trump, are reluctant to provide funding to Kyiv for the drawn-out conflict.

The financing of the war has become a point of contention ahead of a presidential election in November that is expected to pit Biden against Trump once again.

Johnson, after months of hesitation, finally threw his support behind a $61 billion package for Ukraine that includes economic assistance and weapons.

The bill also allows Biden to confiscate and sell Russian assets and provide the money to Ukraine to finance reconstruction, a move that has been embraced by other G7 nations.

"To put it bluntly, I'd rather send bullets to Ukraine than American boys," Johnson said.

If the bill passes the House, the upper chamber could take it on as early as Tuesday, Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer said.

A total of $13 billion in military assistance has been allocated for America's historic ally Israel in its war against Hamas in Gaza.

The money will essentially be used to reinforce Israel's Iron Dome air defenses.

More than $9 billion will be earmarked to address "the dire need for humanitarian assistance for Gaza as well as other vulnerable populations around the world," the legislation says.

"The world is watching what the Congress does," the White House said earlier, adding that Biden would sign the various bills as soon as they were passed by both chambers of Congress.

US allies are expected to warmly welcome passage of the bills in the House, but it could cost the Republican House speaker his job.

A handful of far-right isolationist Republican lawmakers have warned they may oust Johnson for supporting the bills.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

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Repolling At 11 Manipur Polling Stations After Gunfire, EVMs Destroyed

Manipur chief electoral officer on Saturday announced repolling at 11 polling stations in the Inner Manipur Lok Sabha constituency on April 22.

The decision follows a directive from the Election Commission to declare the polls held at these stations on April 19 as null and void and schedule fresh polling.

The affected polling stations are Moirangkampu Sajeb and Thongam Leikai in the Khurai constituency, four in Kshetrigao and one in Thongju in Imphal East district and three in Uripok and one in Konthoujam in Imphal West district, the official said.

Incidents of firing, intimidation, destruction of EVMs at some polling booths and allegations of booth capturing were reported from conflict-hit Manipur that recorded a turnout of 72 per cent in the two Lok Sabha constituencies - Inner Manipur and Outer Manipur - on Friday.

Earlier in the day, the Congress had demanded repoll in 47 polling stations alleging that booths were captured and elections were rigged.

Manipur Congress president K Meghachandra said the party had lodged a complaint with the Chief Electoral Officer demanding repoll in 36 polling stations in the Inner Manipur constituency and 11 in the Outer Manipur constituency.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

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UP Man Books Cab From Salman Khan's Home Under Gangster's Name, Arrested

A 20-year-old man has been arrested for booking a cab from Bollywood superstar Salman Khan's home in the name of gangster Lawrence Bishnoi, said police on Friday.

According to Mumbai police, the accused has been identified as Rohit Tyagi, a 20-year-old man from Ghaziabad, Uttar Pradesh.

Sharing details, police said that the accused had booked a cab in the name of Lawrence Bishnoi from Galaxy Apartment, the house of actor Salman Khan, to the Bandra Police Station.

"When the cab driver reached Galaxy Apartment at Salman Khan's house and asked the watchman there about the booking, the watchman who was stunned at first, immediately informed about the booking to the nearby Bandra Police Station," said police.

Acting on the same, Bandra Police of Mumbai interrogated the cab driver and tracked the information about the person who booked the cab online.

"The person who booked the cab turned out to be a 20-year-old student from Ghaziabad, identified as Rohit Tyagi," said the police.

The police further said that during the investigation it was revealed that the accused had booked the cab in the name of gangster Lawrence Bishnoi as a prank.

The police registered a case against the accused and arrested him from Ghaziabad, Uttar Pradesh.

He was thereafter brought Mumbai and presented before the court after which he was sent to the custody of Bandra Police for two days.

Further details into the matter are awaited.

Earlier, on Tuesday, Kutch Police arrested the two accused persons and handed them to the Mumbai Crime Branch. Later, a city court sent the two accused to the custody of the Mumbai Crime Branch until April 25 in connection with the firing incident.

The accused, identified as Vicky Gupta (24) and Sagar Pal (21) from Bihar, were presented before the court after a medical examination.

The two men, who came on a motorbike, fired four rounds outside the Galaxy Apartments, where the actor resides, around 5 am on Sunday morning and fled.CCTV footage showed that both accused sported caps and carried backpacks.

The clip also showed them firing in the direction of the actor's home.

After the arrest of the accused, Kutch DSP AR Zankant said preliminary investigations revealed that the accused were in contact with the Lawrence Bishnoi gang.

Notably, since November 2022, Salman Khan's security level has been elevated to Y-Plus after threats from gangsters Lawrence Bishnoi and Goldy Brar.

The actor was also authorised to carry a personal firearm and has also acquired a new armoured vehicle for added protection.

On Monday, Salman's brother Arbaaz Khan issued a statement on the family's behalf, saying they all have been affected due to the 'disturbing' firing incident.

He also shared that the family was fully cooperating with the Mumbai Police in the ongoing probe into the incident.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

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Top 10 Contests In Phase 1 Of Polls That Would Get The Most Attention

The Lok Sabha election begins today with a scintillating first phase that would see voting in 102 seats across 21 states and Union Territories. Among the contestants are ministers, senior leaders and multiple winners out to defend their territory. There are issues at stake also, including tribal rights,  and Article 370. Here are the Top 10 contests that would grab eyeballs:

Bikaner, Rajasthan

Rajasthan's Bikaner, once a Congress stronghold, has become a BJP bastion since 2004. Tomorrow, the sitting MP, the BJP's Arjun Ram Meghwal will contest against Congress's Govind Ram Meghwal for the fourth time. This is a fight where the Congress is hoping for a win this time. The BJP MP has won the seat four times in a row since 2009. Arjun Ram Meghwal was part of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's cabinet also, while the Congress candidate is a former state minister.

Chennai Central, Tamil Nadu

Chennai Central, one of Tamil Nadu's 39 constituencies, has been a DMK stronghold, which will be defended by incumbent Dayanidhi Maran. The former union minister is being challenged by the BJP's state president Vinoj P. Selvam. The BJP candidate had lost to the DMK's PK Sekhar Babu in the Harbour Assembly constituency in 2021.

Chhindwara, Madhya Pradesh

Chhindwara is the only Congress bastion still standing in Madhya Pradesh. The seat has been the pocketborough of Kamal Nath's family for 44 years. This time, Kamal Nath's son Nakul Nath is defending his father's seat against BJP challenger Vivek Bunty Sahu. The BJP, determined to take over Chhindwara, has deployed its heavy weights to campaign for its candidate. Chief Minister Mohan Yadav has campaigned for Mr Sahu six times from this seat in the Mahakoshal region.

Dibrugarh, Assam

Dibrugarh, one of Assam's 14 constituencies, will witness a high-profile battle between former Union minister and Assam Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal and Asom Jatiya Parishad's Lurinjyoti Gogoi, who is part of the INDIA bloc.  Mr Sonowal has won from this constituency once as a candidate of the Asom Gana Parishad. For the last two terms the constituency has been represented by Rameswar Teli, a member of the tribal community that forms a chunk of the electorate. Neither candidate this time belongs to the community, making for an interesting fight. The candidate belonging to the tea tribe in this triangular contest is Aam Aadmi Party's Manoj Dhanowar, who is likely to eat into the votes of the AJP candidate.

Jamui, Bihar

Jamui, one of the 40 Lok Sabha seats in Bihar, is expected to see a straight fight between Rashtriya Janata Dal's Archana Ravidass, who is up against NDA's Arun Bharti. Mr Bharti is the brother-in-law of Lok Janshakti Party chief Chirag Paswan, who won the seat last time.  Both are first-time candidates and the battle is expected to be tough, with Ms Ravidass being the wife of local RJD leader Mukesh Yadav.

Jorhat, Assam

Jorhat, of the 14 Lok Sabha seats in Assam, is expected to be the most keenly watched with three-time Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi's son Gaurav Gogoi attempting to snatch back this erstwhile Congress bastion from the BJP. For both parties, it is a prestige battle. Jorhat was the place from where Tarun Gogoi won twice in the 1970s. From 1991 to 2014, the seat belonged to Congress's Bijoy Krishna Handique, a six-time legislator, till it was wrested by the BJP in 2014. Gaurav Gogoi's opponent is sitting MP Topon Kumar Gogoi, in whose campaign Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma is taking a personal interest. Gaurav Gogoi, the Congress's Deputy leader in the Lok Sabha, a two-time MP from Kaliabor, had to shift to Jorhat after delimitation.

Nagaur, Rajasthan

Nagaur, one of Rajasthan's 25 Lok Sabha seats, is going to be the other closely-watched contest in the desert state, and is expected to settle the question of whether voters look at the party or candidate while casting the ballot. Both candidates have changed sides over the last years. Jyoti Mirdha, who won the seat for the Congress in 2009, is now with the BJP. Rashtriya Loktantrik Party chief Hanuman Beniwal, who won the 2019 contest for the NDA, is now part of the INDIA bloc.

Nagpur, Maharashtra

Maharashtra's Nagpur, one of the state's 48 constituencies under which the headquarters of the BJP's ideological mentor, Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh is located, switched support to the party in 2014 after decades of voting for Congress. Union minister and BJP heavyweight Nitin Gadkari had stormed the seat, defeating Congress's seven-time MP Vilas Muttemwar by a margin of nearly 3 lakh votes. The Grand Old Party's efforts to wrest the seat failed in 2019, when the current state Congress chief Nana Patole was the candidate. Mr Gadkari, a two-time winner is all set to defend the seat a third time. The Congress is banking on Vikas Thakre, a former Mayor of the city and sitting MLA of Nagpur West.

Tura, Meghalaya

Meghalaya's Tura is all set for a scintillating three-corner contest between the ruling National People's Party, a BJP ally, and the Congress. Mamata Banerjee's Trinamool Congress, which is officially part of the INDIA bloc, has also fielded a candidate – a move that's expected to eat into the Congress votes. The candidate of the ruling NPP is the sitting legislator Agatha Sangma.  Meghalaya accounts for two of  the 25 Lok Sabha seats in the northeast. Assam chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma – the BJP's pointsperson in the northeast – has predicted the NDA will win at least 22 of the 25 seats.

Udhampur, Jammu and Kashmir

Udhampur in Jammu and Kashmir is expected to be he acid test for the BJP claims of development following the revocation of Article 370 that gave the erstwhile state its special status. While Article 370 is the dominant issue in Kashmir Valley, Udhampur in Jammu region is dominated by Rajputs. As in Kashmir, Article 370 is a issue here but issues like unemployment and development are crucial for the Hindu-majority area. The battle is expected to be tough, with Congress's Choudhury Lal Singh challenging two-time winner and Union minister Jitendra Singh. Ghulam Nabi Azad's DPAP (Democratic Progressive Azad Party) has fielded former J&K Minister GM Saroori, making for a triangular contest.

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Ashutosh Sharma - PBKS' Explosive Batter Who Once Sank Into Depression

Punjab Kings batter Ashutosh Sharma slammed a sensational 28-ball-61 but it ended up in the losing effort during the IPL 2024 match against Mumbai Indians on Thursday. It was a valiant effort from the 25-year-old who has shown glimpses of brilliance in the competition this year and his knock took PBKS extremely close to victory despite losing four wickets early. His knock comprised of 2 fours and 7 sixes at an impressive strike rate of 217.86 which took his tournament tally to 156 runs in 4 matches. This was the not first time that he played an explosive knock as he stitched together a brilliant partnership with Shashank Singh to complete a brilliant victory over Gujarat Titans in IPL 2024.

This was a huge moment for a cricketer who went through a tough phase in his life from 2020 to 2022 when he was not clear about where his career was headed. "There was a time when I wasn't even allowed to get a feel of the cricket ground," Ashutosh revealed during that period of time.

The youngster had an alleged falling out with then Madhya Pradesh head coach Chandrakant Pandit.

"I would go to the gym and retire to my hotel room. I was sinking into depression and no one told me what my fault was. A new coach had joined Madhya Pradesh and he had strong likes and dislikes and despite scoring 90 odd in 45 balls in a trial match, I was dropped from the team," Ashutosh said.

"I had three fifties in six Mushtaq Ali games in the previous season yet I wouldn't even be allowed to go to the ground. I was very depressed," the 25-year-old told reporters.

During that time, it was a job offer from Railways that proved to be his saviour and during the 2023 Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, the batter equalled Yuvraj Singh's record of scoring the fastest T20 half-century when he slammed 50 in just 11 deliveries against Arunachal Pradesh.

That was the knock that got him noticed by Punjab Kings batting coach Sanjay Bangar and he was picked up by Punjab Kings in the auction ahead of IPL 2024 for the base price of Rs 20 lakh.

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Delhi-Bagdogra Flight Lands Without Luggage, SpiceJet Responds

Several SpiceJet passengers faced inconvenience at the Bagdogra airport in West Bengal on Wednesday when they found that their luggage had been left behind in Delhi.

SpiceJet said the offloaded baggage would be connected through subsequent flights and regretted the inconvenience caused to passengers.

The matter came to light as a passenger, Rajesh Kumar, took to social media to highlight his plight.

"Today the flight SG8841 from Delhi to Bagdogra lost and misplaced our luggage and the staff had no response! They still do not have any resolutions," Kumar, a resident of Noida, posted on X.

The 2.30-hour long direct flight took off from Terminal 3 of the Indira Gandhi International Airport in Delhi at 12.30 pm.

"On April 17, SpiceJet flight SG 8841 operating from Delhi to Bagdogra faced payload restrictions due to operational reasons, demanding some baggage to be offloaded from the aircraft," an airline spokesperson said.

"The offloaded baggage will be connected through subsequent flights. In the interest of safe flight operations, cargo and baggage are offloaded when payload restrictions are faced," the spokesperson said.

SpiceJet said it "deeply regrets" the inconvenience caused to the affected passengers. 

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

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US To Hit Iran With Fresh Sanctions Following Attack On Israel

The United States said Tuesday it would soon impose new sanctions on Iran's missile and drone program after its weekend attack on Israel, and that it expects its allies and partners to follow with parallel measures.

US National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan's announcement came after Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen indicated punitive measures were in the works, and European Union foreign policy chief Josep Borrell said his office was working on it.

Iran sent more than 300 missiles, drones and rockets at Israel over the weekend, in what it said was retaliation for a deadly strike on Tehran's consulate in Damascus. Nearly all of the projectiles were intercepted, and there was little damage.

"In the coming days, the United States will impose new sanctions targeting Iran, including its missile and drone program" as well as the Revolutionary Guards and the Iranian defense ministry, Sullivan said in a statement.

"We anticipate that our allies and partners will soon be following with their own sanctions," he added.

"These new sanctions and other measures will continue a steady drumbeat of pressure to contain and degrade Iran's military capacity and effectiveness and confront the full range of its problematic behaviors."

US authorities have been using economic tools to counter Iran's activities, taking aim at its drone and missile programs, as well as its financing of groups like Hamas, which launched its own attack on Israel on October 7.

Earlier, Yellen previewed the sanctions, telling reporters: "Iran's actions threaten the region's stability and could cause economic spillovers."

The Treasury will not hesitate to work with US allies to "use our sanctions authority to continue disrupting the Iranian regime's malign and destabilizing activity," she said.

She added that "all options to disrupt terrorist financing" will be on the table.

- 'More that we could do' -

Months of war between Israel and Hamas in Gaza have triggered violence in the region involving Iranian proxies and allies who say they are acting in support of Palestinians in the Gaza Strip.

But tensions have soared even higher with Tehran's first direct assault on Israel, which has prompted appeals for de-escalation by world leaders fearing wider conflict.

Yellen did not offer specifics on the possible measures to be taken, but said Washington has been working to diminish Iran's ability to export oil, adding there might be "more that we could do."

The United States is also looking to work with G7 partners and countries including China to constrain Iran's ability to access goods needed to build weapons, a senior Treasury official told reporters.

"We're going to have conversations with all major suppliers around the world," the official said.

In Brussels, Borrell said after an emergency meeting of EU foreign ministers that some member states had proposed "the adoption of expanded restrictive measures against Iran" and that his office would begin preparatory work.

"We have to move away from the edge of the abyss," Borrell said.

Sullivan said that Washington had sanctioned more than 600 Iran-linked individuals and entities "connected to terrorism, terrorist financing and other forms of illicit trade, horrific human rights abuses, and support for proxy terrorist groups."

"The pressure will continue," he warned.

"We will not hesitate to continue to take action, in coordination with allies and partners around the world, and with Congress, to hold the Iranian government accountable for its malicious and destabilizing actions."

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India Opened Up Its Market That Benefited American Farmers: US

After resolving half a dozen WTO disputes last year, India opened up its market for several US products which have benefited American farmers, a top Biden administration official told lawmakers on Tuesday.

The steps taken by India have given more market access for turkey, duck, blueberries, and cranberries benefiting farmers from several American states, US Trade Representative Katherine Tai told members of the House Committee on Ways and Means on President Biden's 2024 Trade Policy Agenda.

"Last June, India and the United States terminated six WTO disputes, and India agreed to remove retaliatory tariffs on several US products," Tai said.

"This means improved access for chickpeas, lentils, almonds, walnuts, and apples benefiting farmers across the country, including in Michigan, Oregon, and Washington," she said.

"Additionally, in September, India and the United States resolved our final outstanding WTO dispute, and India agreed to reduce tariffs on several US products. This means more market access for turkey, duck, blueberries, and cranberries benefiting farmers in North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Virginia, and Wisconsin," Tai told lawmakers. 

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How Cops Caught Men Who Opened Fire Outside Salman Khan's Home

The original Aadhaar cards submitted by two suspects, wanted in connection with the firing at actor Salman Khan's Bandra residence, for a rent agreement and bike purchase documents helped police to establish their identities, an official said on Tuesday.

After identifying them, police used human and technical intelligence to track them.

Joint teams of the Kutch-West and Mumbai Police caught Vicky Gupta (24) and Sagar Pal (21) late Monday night from Mata No Madh village in Gujarat, less than 48 hours after one of them had opened fire at Khan's house.

"A preliminary probe suggested that both Sagar Pal and Vicky Gupta were hired by the gang of Lawrence Bishnoi to open fire at Khan's house," Deputy Inspector General of Police, Kutch West, Mahendra Bagadiya, said earlier in the day.

A Mumbai Police official said the men, originally from Champaran in Bihar, travelled to Mumbai Central station on February 28.

They rented a house near Panvel city in Raigad, around 13 km away from Salman Khan's farmhouse, he said. However, it is not known whether they had conducted a recce of the farmhouse.

He also said they used their original Aadhaar cards for a rent agreement.

"The agreement was made with the house owner wherein the one-time deposit is fixed at Rs 10,000 and monthly rent at Rs 3,500," he said.

After staying for a few days in Panvel, the duo travelled to Champaran on March 18 for Holi celebrations. They returned on April 1, he said.

On April 2, Vicky Gupta purchased a second-hand motorcycle from a two-wheeler agent in Navi Mumbai for Rs 24,000, he said.

After a few days, a pistol to be used for firing was delivered to them in Mumbai by their operator, the official said.

Police had recovered a live round from the spot after the firing incident in the early hours of April 14.

"Considering the make of the round, police suspect a good quality weapon was used," he said.

Preliminary probe suggested that Pal, who was riding pillion on the motorcycle, opened fire, while Gupta remained in touch with gang members while riding the bike.

After opening fire, they abandoned the bike near Mount Mary Church in Bandra, went to the local railway station and boarded a Borivali-bound local train, the official said.

"They alighted at Santacruz railway station and from Vakola area, they hired a car to go to Surat. From Surat, they travelled to Bhuj in a state transport bus," he said.

They dumped the firearm used in the crime in a river while heading to Surat.

"Police are trying to establish the identity of the person who provided the duo logistical support and money for their stay in Panvel and also for purchasing the bike and other expenses," the official said.

Speaking about how the breakthrough was achieved, Joint Commissioner of Police (crime) Lakhmi Gautam said, "With the help of human and technical intelligence, the crime branch team received information that the accused persons were in Gujarat, following which two teams were sent to nab them".

He said there was a possibility that the accused persons were carrying weapons.

"As the terrain of Bhuj was unknown to our officials, the Bhuj Superintendent of Police was informed about the accused persons," he said.

A team from the Bhuj crime branch joined Mumbai Police officials around 60 km away from Bhuj.

"After travelling around 40 kilometres farther, the two accused were nabbed by the team. They were brought to Mumbai this morning," said Lakhmi Gautam.

Another official said the police first traced the original owner of the motorcycle to Kalamboli in Navi Mumbai.

The official said the owner directed them to the agent, who showed the documents submitted for the purchase of the bike.

Based on these documents, which included a rent agreement, police contacted the house owner. The Aadhaar cards revealed the identity of the duo, he added.

Meanwhile, Lakhmi Gautam said there is good coordination among sister agencies as Mumbai Police and their Gujarat counterpart separately claimed credit for the arrest.

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