26-Year-Old Dental Student Dies By Suicide At Ghaziabad Hostel: Cops

A 26-year-old dental student was found dead in her hostel room at Divya Jyoti Group of Institutions in Niwari area here on Saturday, police said.

According to police, MDS student Renuka Yadav, a native of Haryana's Rewari district, took her own life. She had recently moved into the hostel room and had not been feeling well.

"A suicide note was recovered from the room, indicating that Renuka was solely responsible for her decision," ACP Modinagar Gyan Praksh Rai said.

"On Friday, she had informed her teachers that she would attend classes, but when she didn't show up, her roommates were sent to check on her," he said.

Upon finding no response, the roommates alerted the hostel warden who informed the police. The police, along with a forensic team, broke into the room and found Renuka's body hanging from the ceiling fan.

The police are investigating all angles to ascertain the exact cause of death. A post-mortem examination will also be conducted.

While there were no visible signs of injury on the body, except for the mark on the neck, the police are examining all evidence, including Renuka's phone records, they 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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"Tipu Sultan Is Actually A Very Complex Figure In History": S Jaishankar

External Affairs Minister (EAM) S Jaishankar on Saturday attended the launch of Indian historian Vikram Sampath's book 'Tipu Sultan: The Saga of the Mysore Interregnum' at the Indian Habitat Centre here in Delhi. S Jaishankar described Tipu Sultan as a "very complex figure in history," highlighting both his resistance to British colonial control and the controversial aspects of his rule.

Speaking at the event, S Jaishankar said, "Tipu Sultan is actually a very, very complex figure in history. On the one hand, he has the reputation as a key figure who resisted the British colonial control over India, and it is a fact that his defeat and death can be considered a turning point when it came to the fate of peninsular India."

However, S Jaishankar also noted the "adverse" effects of Tipu Sultan's rule in the Mysore region. "At the same time, he evokes strong adverse sentiments even today in many regions, some in Mysore itself," he added.

S Jaishankar further emphasized that Indian history has focused more on Tipu Sultan's battles with the British, and "underplaying" or "neglecting" other aspects of his rule. "Contemporary history writing, certainly at the national level, has focused largely on the former, and underplaying, if not neglecting the later. Let's be honest, this was not an accident," he said.

Asserting that History is complicated, S Jaishankar said that "cherry-picking of facts" in the case of Tipu Sultan has led to the advancement of a "political narrative".

"History, in all societies, is complicated, and politics indulges in cherry-picking the facts. This has happened in the case of Tipu Sultan. By highlighting the Tipu-English binary, to the exclusion of a more complicated reality, a particular narrative has been advanced over the years," he said.

S Jaishankar reaffirmed that under PM Modi's government, India has seen the emergence of alternative perspectives.

"In the last 10 years, the changes in our political dispensation have led to the emergence of alternative perspectives. We are no longer prisoners of a vote bank, nor it is politically incorrect to bring out inconvenient truth," he added.

Speaking further about the book, S Jaishankar said, "As someone from the diplomatic world, I was really struck by info and insights which are provided in this volume on Tipu Sultan. We in India have tendered to mainly study post-independence foreign policy -- perhaps this too was a conscious choice. But the fact is that many of our kingdoms and states forayed into international affairs in previous centuries in pursuance of thier particular interests, and some, by the way, continued to do so even till independence. The interaction of Tipu's missionary with their French and English counterparts is really fascinating."

S Jaishankar concluded by saying that open-minded scholarship and genuine debate are central to India's evolution as a pluralistic society and vibrant democracy.

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

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Drunk Driver Rams Police Barricades, Vehicles To Escape Checking In Mumbai

A man allegedly under the influence of alcohol rammed his car into barricades put up as part of a police 'nakabandi' and also hit other vehicles in a bid to escape checking, an official said on Friday.

The incident took place in the early hours of Thursday at Gokhale bridge on Western Express Highway in Andheri East, the official said.

"Accused Devpriya Nishank (32) was driving his high-end car in an inebriated condition. The woman occupant of his car had also consumed liquor. After noticing a nakabandi ahead, he rammed his car into the barricades we had put up and then hit three other vehicles. Police personnel on the spot and passersby gave chase and forced him to halt his car," the official said.

"He was not opening the door of the car so people broke open the glass. He was also thrashed by the mob that gathered. Nishank was detained for medical examination. He is a businessman staying in Worli," the official 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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Broken Relationships Don't Amount To Abetment Of Suicide: Supreme Court

Broken relationships, while emotionally distressing, do not automatically amount to abetment of suicide in the absence of intention leading to the criminal offence, the Supreme Court on Friday said.

The observations came from a bench of Justices Pankaj Mithal and Ujjal Bhuyan in a judgement, which overturned the conviction of one Kamaruddin Dastagir Sanadi by the Karnataka High Court for the offences of cheating and abetment of suicide under the IPC.

"This is a case of a broken relationship, not criminal conduct," the judgment said.

Sanadi was initially charged under Sections 417 (cheating), 306 (abetment of suicide), and 376 (rape) of the IPC.

While the trial court acquitted him of all the charges, the Karnataka High Court, on the state's appeal, convicted him of cheating and abetment of suicide, sentencing him to five years imprisonment and imposing Rs 25,000 in fine.

According to the FIR registered at the mother's instance, her 21-year-old daughter was in love with the accused for the past eight years and died by suicide in August, 2007, after he refused to keep his promise to marry.

Writing a 17-page judgement, Justice Mithal analysed the two dying declarations of the woman and noted that neither was there any allegation of a physical relationship between the couple nor there was any intentional act leading to the suicide.

The judgement therefore underlined broken relationships were emotionally distressing, but did not automatically amount to criminal offences.

"Even in cases where the victim dies by suicide, which may be as a result of cruelty meted out to her, the courts have always held that discord and differences in domestic life are quite common in society and that the commission of such an offence largely depends upon the mental state of the victim," said the top court.

The court further said, "Surely, until and unless some guilty intention on the part of the accused is established, it is ordinarily not possible to convict him for an offence under Section 306 IPC." The judgement said there was no evidence to suggest that the man instigated or provoked the woman to die by suicide and underscored a mere refusal to marry, even after a long relationship, did not constitute abetment.

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

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"He Wanted DC To...": Parth Jindal Reveals Real Reason Behind Pant's Exit

Delhi Capitals co-owner Parth Jindal revealed that the franchise did everything possible to retain Rishabh Pant ahead of the IPL mega auction but the star wicketkeeper batter was on “different wavelengths” on how to operate the team, leading to his departure. The Capitals did not retain Pant and the left-hander was sold to Lucknow Super Giants in the recent mega auction for Rs 27 crore, becoming the most expensive player in the history of the IPL.

"It was just a different philosophy of how he wanted the franchise to operate and how us - the owners - wanted the franchise to operate. That's what caused it (Pant's departure). There's nothing to do with money,” Jindal told 'ESPNCricinfo'.

"Money's never been an issue for Rishabh. And money's never been an issue for us. I guess the three of us (Kiran Grandhi, Jindal and Pant) were on different wavelengths.

"He took a call at the end of it. We tried everything, but he decided eventually that it was time to move on," added Jindal.

So, what were those points of differences? "It means the way the franchise is to run, the decisions of the franchise, those kinds of things. There were certain expectations that he had and there were certain expectations we had. I can just say that we couldn't align on these things," he said.

Jindal also accepted that the expectations of the franchise on leadership role did not match with the idea, which was based on long-term ambition of captaining India, Pant had in his mind.

"We gave him some feedback regarding leadership. We told him ways in which he could improve on that, but we were quite clear that we know his ambitions, we know where he wants to go.

"He's made it amply clear that his dream and desire is to captain India and that starts with captaining an IPL team," he noted.

Jindal said the team management realised that buying back Pant from the auction was an impossible task.

"The minute we didn't retain him, I knew he was gone. We did do the right-to-match for him at Rs 20.25 (crore), but again, the budget went extremely high. We were okay to stretch up to Rs 22-23 (crore)," he added.

(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 Issues Fresh Hypersonic Missile Threat To Ukraine

President Vladimir Putin on Thursday threatened to strike "decision-making centres" in Kyiv with Russia's new hypersonic missile, hours after Moscow pummelled Ukraine's energy grid in an attack that left a million people without power.

Russia fired more than 90 missiles and around 100 drones during the barrage, Kyiv said, in what the Kremlin chief called a "response" to Ukrainian strikes on his territory with Western missiles.

The nearly three-year war has seen a sharp escalation in recent days, with both sides deploying new weapons in a bid to gain the upper hand before US President-elect Donald Trump takes office in January.

"We do not rule out the use of Oreshnik against the military, military-industrial or decision-making centres, including in Kyiv," Putin told a press conference in the Kazakh capital Astana, referring to the hypersonic missile.

Kyiv's government district -- an area of the capital where multiple government buildings are located -- is protected with intense security, but fears for it have risen over the last week.

Russia last week tested its new Oreshnik ballistic missile on Ukraine, and Putin boasted on Thursday that firing several of the weapons at once would have the equivalent force of a nuclear strike, or a "meteorite" hit.

He earlier said the overnight barrage was a "response to continued attacks on our territory by (US) ATACMS missiles."

"As I have said repeatedly, there will always be a response from our side."

Putin also claimed Russia knew how many long-range weapons were given to Kyiv and where they were located.

Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk said Putin's threat to strike Kyiv was a "testament to weakness" and said the West would not be perturbed by his words.

DESPICABLE ESCALATION

The fresh strikes came as Ukrainians braced for a tough winter, with much of its energy infrastructure already damaged by almost three years of war, and as Russian troops advanced in eastern Ukraine.

Tensions have ratcheted up over the last few weeks as both sides look to secure an advantage on the battlefield ahead of Trump's January inauguration.

Putin suggested he had hopes for Trump's second term, describing the Republican on Thursday as an "intelligent person", capable of finding a "solution", without specifying what he was referring to.

The Russian leader spoke hours after the overnight barrage that left more than half a million subscribers in Ukraine's western Lviv region cut off from electricity.

Another 280,000 in the western Rivne region and 215,000 in the northwestern Volyn region also lost power, officials said.

Ukraine's emergency services said the Russian overnight strikes inflicted damage in 14 regions across the country, with the nation's West hard-hit.

Zelensky said that Russia had also fired "cluster munitions" during the attack, calling it a "very despicable escalation of Russian terrorist tactics."

AFP journalists in the capital Kyiv heard blasts ring out over the capital overnight as air defence systems targeted Russian drones and missiles, with locals crowding into the underground metro system for cover.

The energy ministry said it was the 11th massive Russian attack on Ukraine's civilian energy infrastructure this year.

A senior UN official, Rosemary DiCarlo, this month warned Russian attacks on Ukraine's energy infrastructure may make this winter the "harshest since the start of the war".

PUTIN BOASTS OF NEW MISSILE

Since Moscow shocked the West and Kyiv by testing its new ballistic missile Oreshnik on the city of Dnipro last week, Russian officials have touted the arm's might.

In Astana, Putin said the Oreshnik could turn anything "into dust" and hit at a temperature comparable to "the surface of the sun."  

He said Russia was "forced" to "test (the weapon) in combat conditions" after Kyiv's first strike on Russian territory using ATACMS.

Putin said Thursday the Oreshnik could travel "around three kilometres per second" and that its elements could reach a temperature almost "like the surface of the sun."  

Russia also sentenced a lawyer, Dmitry Talantov, to seven years in prison for comparing Moscow's actions in Ukraine at the start of the invasion to "Nazi practises", a day after putting an invasion critic back on trial.

Ukraine, meanwhile, sentenced a woman in the eastern Donetsk region to 15 years in jail on high treason charges for passing sensitive military information to Russia.
 

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

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The World's Easiest Places To Buy Citizenship, Here's What It Takes

Ever imagined trading your current passport for one that opens doors to exciting new adventures? While it might sound like a far-fetched dream, several countries offer citizenship programs that could make it a reality.

Although obtaining a citizenship or residency is not cheap, if it is a priority, the investment is worth it. But before that, let's establish the difference between citizenship and residency.

Citizenship guarantees you all the rights a person born in that country would enjoy, for instance - having a passport and the right to vote. However, residency differs in a few ways. While it gives you the freedom to travel freely across the country, work and get paid there, it does not offer all the rights it would a citizen.

Moreover, temporary residency lasts for a set period of time while permanent residency does not have a cap on time. 

Golden visas are offered by some countries and are a way to obtain residency - but not citizenship. These visas are usually given in exchange for an investment in a country's economy. People donate to government-sponsored programs or invest in properties to take advantage of this.

Portugal, Spain and Greece are some of the popular destinations offering golden visas. Spain had issued around 800 golden visas during 2024.

Apart from golden visas, there are Citizenship by Investment Programs (CIP) that can get you a passport if you invest heavily or pay a fee for that country. 

In addition to the above, there is an interesting visa which allows folks to live and work in the country while still paying taxes to their country of origin, called digital nomad visa. Estonia, Germany and Norway are countries that provide such visas.

Caribbean nations like Antigua and Barbuda, St. Kitts and Nevis, St. Lucia, Grenada, and Dominica offer CIP programs with various options for investment. Cambodia, Singapore and Australia offer CIP programs too, with Cambodia being among the cheaper options, with investments starting at $245,000.

Singapore's program requires a $7 million investment for a two year residency program and Australia offers the program only to highly skilled individuals with a net worth exceeding $1 million. Countries like Turkey, Greece, Hungary and Brazil also offer golden visa programs.

Obtaining residency or citizenship in a foreign country can be a complex and costly process. However, with the right investment and guidance, it can also offer a world of opportunities and adventures. Whether you're looking for a golden visa, CIP, or digital nomad visa, there are several countries that offer relatively easy and affordable options.
 

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22 Students Hospitalised Post-Lunch At Telangana School, Probe Underway

At least 22 students from a government school in Telangana's Narayanpet district were hospitalised on Tuesday after complaining of headaches and stomach aches. Officials are investigating whether the illness was linked to the lunch served at the school.

The affected students had also eaten snacks from nearby bakeries and shops, and samples have been collected for laboratory testing, according to the District Educational Officer (DEO), based on preliminary information.

Over 400 students, along with district authorities, the school headmaster, and teachers, had the mid-day meal at Zilla Parishad High School in Maganoor on Tuesday. However, 22 students began experiencing symptoms of headaches, stomach pain, and vomiting at 3.30 pm.

They were admitted to a hospital, where doctors confirmed they were safe after treatment, the official said. One student who vomited claimed the potatoes and brinjal were inadequately cooked, while another had a stomach ache.

It was alleged that the affected students fell ill after having lunch, though they had also eaten snacks from outside the school. District authorities are investigating the matter from all angles, said a senior official.

This incident follows a similar case on November 20, when 17 students from the same school were hospitalised after consuming a mid-day meal.

(This story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)

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"He Was Out Buying Refined Oil": Brother Of Man Killed In Sambhal Violence

A father of four, who was the sole earning member of the family, was out to buy groceries when a bullet ripped into him during the violence that broke out during the survey of a Mughal-era mosque in Uttar Pradesh's Sambhal over the weekend. His family now says they fear for their lives as well. 

"He was going to take refined oil and 'maida,' when the violence broke out. He did not even know there was tension in the area. The police killed him," Tasleem, brother of Naeem, told NDTV. Police officials have dismissed the claim.

Naeem (35) was a resident of Kot Garvi area and ran a sweetshop. He is survived by two sons and two daughters.

"We are very worried, no action has been taken till now, we ourselves are not safe here," Naeem's brother, wearing a cap and seated in a plastic chair, added.

Superintendent of Police (Sambhal) Krishnan Bishnoi said around 20-22 police personnel were injured in the violence.

"Police only used pellet guns. The autopsy report of the three dead says that they died because of gunshot wounds from a .315 bore firearm," Mr Bishnoi said. 

Mohammed Ayan, 19, was also among three other people killed in the clashes.

"My mother woke him up and sent him to work at the hotel. When chaos erupted at the mosque, he was nearby. When he ran, a bullet pierced through his chest. I carried him," Ayan's brother, Kamil, told NDTV.

"Even after being shot, he was with me for 11 hours and he told me that the cops were firing," said Kamil.

The brother also claimed that Ayan's treatment was delayed at the hospital. 

"Even when I took my brother to the hospital, they first asked for Rs 500 and then gave him 2 injections. He was bleeding a lot. I said please help him, but people in the hospital said police action would be taken first," he claimed.

The first survey of the Shahi Jama Masjid was undertaken on November 19. A second survey four days later, which included taking photos and video of the mosque's features, triggered the violence.

On Sunday, a large group of people gathered near the 17th-century mosque and started shouting slogans as the survey team resumed its work. They then clashed with security personnel, torched vehicles, and threw stones.

Samajwadi Party MP Zia Ur Rehman Barq, accused of inciting violence during the mosque survey, has denied the allegations. Mr Barq stated that the charges against him were baseless, asserting that he was in Bengaluru attending a meeting of the All India Muslim Personal Law Board at the time of the violence.

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Elon Musk Calls For US To Replace Fighter Jets With Drones

Billionaire Elon Musk, tapped by US President-elect Donald Trump to slash federal government spending, lashed out at modern fighter jets on Monday, saying that drones were the future of air combat.

"Manned fighter jets are obsolete in the age of drones anyway. Will just get pilots killed," said the head of SpaceX, Tesla and X, in a post on his social media platform.

Musk singled out the F-35 -- a next-generation fighter jet manufactured by US-based Lockheed Martin that entered service in 2015 -- for criticism.

"Meanwhile, some idiots are still building manned fighter jets like the F-35," he posted, alongside a video of hundreds of drones hovering in formation in the sky.

The F-35, the world's most advanced fighter, is stealth capable and can also be used to gather intelligence.

Germany, Poland, Finland and Romania have all recently signed deals for the aircraft.

Its development, however, has suffered from issues, notably in the design of its computer programs, and its very high operating costs are regularly criticized by its detractors.

"The F-35 design was broken at the requirements level, because it was required to be too many things to too many people," said Musk on Monday, calling it "an expensive (and) complex jack of all trades, master of none."

For Mauro Gilli, a researcher at the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology in Zurich, "what makes the F-35... expensive is the software and the electronics, not the pilot per se."

This is significant "because a reusable drone would need to get all that flashy electronics of an F-35," he said on X.

He also pointed out that the existence of the F-35 had forced US rivals to develop their own aircraft and advanced radar to match it.

"By simply existing, the F-35 and the B-1 force Russia and China into strategic choices they would not have to make otherwise (i.e. budget allocations)," Gilli said, referring to B-1 heavy bomber aircraft.

"Even if Musk were right (and he is not), deleting the programs would relax these constraints on them."

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

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All Team Compositions After Day 1 Of IPL Auction: Total Purse Spent Is...

A total of 84 players (72 sold and 12 unsold) went under the hammer on the first day of the IPL mega auction In Jeddah, Saudi Arabia on Sunday with teams breaking the bank for the marquee Indian cricketers. India wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant pipped Shreyas Iyer (Rs 26.75 crore) to become the costliest buy in IPL's history with a Rs 27 crore winning bid from Lucknow Super Giants, while Venkatesh Iyer was the surprise show-stopper as he was bought back for Rs 23.75 crore by his former franchise Kolkata Knight Riders. Teams spent a total sum of Rs 467.95 crore on Day 1.

Here is the team-wise list of the players sold by the end of the first day of the auction along with those unsold (price in Rs):

Chennai Super Kings: Ravichandran Ashwin for Rs 9.75 crore Devon Conway for Rs 6.25 crore Rachin Ravindra for Rs 4 crore Rahul Tripathi for Rs 3.40 crore Khaleel Ahmed for Rs 4.80 crore Noor Ahmad for Rs 10 crore Vijay Shankar Rs 1.20 crore Retained: Ruturaj Gaikwad, Matheesha Pathirana, Shivam Dube, Ravindra Jadeja, MS Dhoni.

Mumbai Indians: Trent Boult for Rs 12.50 crore Naman Dhir for RS 5.25 crore Robin Minz for Rs 65 lakh Karn Sharma for Rs. 50 lakh Retained: Jasprit Bumrah, Suryakumar Yadav, Hardik Pandya, Rohit Sharma, Tilak Varma

Rajasthan Royals: Jofra Archer for Rs 12.50 crore Maheesh Theekshana for Rs 4.40 crore Wanindu Hasaranga for Rs 5.25 crore Akash Madhwal for Rs 1.20 crore Kumar Kartikeya for Rs. 30 lakh Retained: Sanju Samson, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Riyan Parag, Dhruv Jurel, Shimron Hetmyer, Sandeep Sharma

Gujarat Titans: Jos Buttler for Rs 15.75 crore Mohammed Siraj for Rs 12.25 crore Prasidh Krishna for Rs 9.50 crore Kagiso Rabada for Rs 10.75 crore Nishant Sidhu Rs 30 lakh Mahipal Lomror for Rs 1.70 crore Kumar Kushagra for Rs 65 lakh Anuj Rawat for Rs 30 lakh Manav Suthar for Rs. 30 lakh Retained: Rashid Khan, Shubman Gill, Sai Sudharsan, Rahul Tewatia, Shahrukh Khan

Kolkata Knight Riders: Venkatesh Iyer for Rs 23.75 crore Anrich Nortje for Rs 6.50 crore Quinton de Kock for Rs 3.60 crore Rahmanullah Gurbaz for Rs 2 crore Angkrish Raghuvanshi for Rs 3 crore Vaibhav Arora for Rs 1.80 crore Mayank Markande for Rs. 30 lakh Retained: Rinku Singh, Varun Chakaravarthy, Sunil Narine, Andre Russell, Harshit Rana, Ramandeep Singh.

Delhi Capitals: KL Rahul for Rs 14 crore Mitchell Starc for Rs 11.75 crore Jake Fraser-McGurk for Rs 9 crore Harry Brook for Rs 6.25 crore T Natarajan for Rs 10.75 crore Sameer Rizvi Rs 95 lakh Karun Nair Rs 50 lakh Ashutosh Sharma Rs 3.80 crore Mohit Sharma for Rs. 2.20 crore Retained: Axar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav, Tristan Stubbs, Abhishek Porel.

Punjab Kings: Shreyas Iyer for Rs 26.75 crore Yuzvendra Chahal for Rs 18 crore Arshdeep Singh for Rs 18 crore Marcus Stoinis for Rs 11 crore Glenn Maxwell for Rs 4.20 crore Nehal Wadhera for Rs 4.20 crore Harpreet Brar for Rs 1.50 crore Vishnu Vinod for Rs 95 lakh Vyshak Vijaykumar for Rs 1.80 crore Yash Thakur for Rs. 1.80 crore Retained: Shashank Singh, Prabhsimran Singh

Royal Challengers Bengaluru: Josh Hazlewood for RS 12.50 crore Phil Salt for Rs 11.50 crore Jitesh Sharma for Rs 11 crore Liam Livingstone for Rs 8.75 crore Rasikh Salam for Rs. 6 crore Suyash Sharma for Rs. 2.60 crore Retained: Virat Kohli, Rajat Patidar, Yash Dayal

Sunrisers Hyderabad: Ishan Kishan Rs 11.25 crore Mohammed Shami Rs 10 crore Harshal Patel for Rs 8 crore Adam Zampa for Rs 2.40 crore Rahul Chahar for Rs 3.20 crore Abhinav Manohar for Rs 3.20 crore Atharva Taide Rs 30 lakh Simarjeet Singh for Rs. 1.5 crore Retained: Pat Cummins, Abhishek Sharma, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Heinrich Klaasen, Travis Head.

Lucknow Super Giants: Rishabh Pant for Rs 27 crore Avesh Khan for Rs 9.75 crore David Miller for Rs 7.50 crore Mitchell Marsh for Rs 3.40 crore Aiden Markram for Rs 2 crore Aryan Juyal for Rs. 30 lakh Retained: Nicholas Pooran, Ravi Bishnoi, Mayank Yadav, Mohsin Khan, Ayush Badoni.

List of unsold players with base price: David Warner (Rs 2 crore) Devdutt Padikkal (Rs 2 crore) Jonny Bairstow (Rs 2 crore) Waqar Salamkheil (Rs 75 lakh) Yash Dhull (Rs 30 lakh) Anmolpreet Singh (Rs 30 lakh) Upendra Yadav - (Rs 30 lakh) Luvith Sisodia - (Rs 30 lakh) Kartik Tyagi - (Rs 40 lakh) Utkarsh Singh - (Rs 30 lakh) Piyush Chawla - (Rs 50 lakh) Shreyas Gopal - (Rs 30 lakh).

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

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"Ladki Behen Yojana": The Scheme That Powered BJP-Mahayuti To Big Win

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led Mahayuti alliance secured a resounding victory in the Maharashtra Assembly Elections, winning 235 out of 288 seats.

The BJP alone clinched a historic 132 seats, propelled by the success of its flagship Mukhyamantri-Meri Ladki Behan Yojana, a women-centric scheme that emerged as a game-changer in this election.

Held on November 20, the single-phase election saw a direct battle between the ruling Mahayuti and the opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA).

The Mahayuti coalition, comprising the BJP, Eknath Shinde's Shiv Sena, Ajit Pawar's NCP, and smaller allies, managed to decisively retain power, while the MVA, led by Congress and Uddhav Thackeray's Shiv Sena (UBT), struggled to make significant gains.

The Ladki Behan Yojana proved instrumental in winning over women voters. The scheme provides Rs 1,500 monthly financial aid to women, with three instalments already disbursed to over two crore beneficiaries in the state. In a bid to consolidate this support, the Mahayuti pledged to increase the amount to Rs 2,100 per month if re-elected, while Eknath Shinde further promised Rs 3,000 per month.

Women voters played a crucial role in the Mahayuti's success, with over 3.06 crore women participating in the elections. Their turnout was especially significant in 12 constituencies where they outnumbered male voters. The ruling coalition's targeted welfare schemes, including the Mahila Sashaktikaran Yojana for education and skill development, resonated strongly with women, particularly in rural and semi-urban areas.

The opposition MVA countered with promises like Rs 3,000 monthly aid for women and free bus travel under the Mahalakshmi Scheme. However, these failed to match the credibility of the Mahayuti's schemes, with many women voters opting for the proven benefits of the Ladki Behan Yojana.

The scheme was not without controversy. A Public Interest Litigation in the Bombay High Court sought to challenge it, alleging political motivations. However, the court upheld the scheme, recognizing its adherence to due process. Chief Minister Eknath Shinde criticised the opposition for opposing the initiative initially and later incorporating similar promises into their agenda.

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Jaiswal Re-Writes History Books With World Record In 1st Test vs Australia

Yashasvi Jaiswal looked like a man on a mission for India against Australia on Day 2 of the first Test. His defence was solid while he did shy away from taking his chances against the likes of Mitchell Starc, Pat Cummins, and others. In between, he gave some cheeky replies to Australian bowlers too. At stumps on Day 2, Yashasvi Jaiswal was batting on 90 off 193 balls. His innings included seven fours and two sixes. With his two sixes Jaiswal now has 34 sixes in 2024 - the most maximums hit by any player in Test history.  

Most sixes in a calendar year in Tests
34 - Yashasvi Jaiswal (2024)
33 - Brendon McCullum (2014)
26 - Ben Stokes (2022)
22 - Adam Gilchrist (2005)
22 - Virender Sehwag (2008)

Fighting unbeaten half-centuries in the second innings by openers Yashasvi Jaiswal and KL Rahul helped Indian to a commanding 172 for no loss at stumps on day two of the opening Test here on Saturday. After dismissing Australia for 104 in 51.2 overs in the morning session to take a 46-run first-innings lead, Jaiswal (90 not out, 193 balls) and Rahul (62 not out, 153 balls) scored freely as the visitors put themselves in a strong position by swelling their lead to 218 runs.

Earlier, pacer Jasprit Bumrah completed his 11th five-wicket haul in Tests as Australia were bowled out soon after reaching the century mark at lunch.

For India, Bumrah (5/30) was the pick of the bowlers while Mohammed Siraj (2/20) and debutant Harshit Rana (3/48) also chipped in.

It was an abject surrender from Australia, who could add just 37 runs to their overnight score of 67 for 7, thanks chiefly to tail-ender Mitchell Starc (26), who emerged the highest scorer for his side.

Brief Scores: India: 150 & 172 for no loss in 57 overs (Yashasvi Jaiswal 90, KL Rahul 62) vs Australia: 104 all out in 51.2 overs (Alex Carey 21, Mitchell Starc 26; Jasprit Bumrah 5/30, Harshit Rana 3/48, Mohammed Siraj 2/20).

With PTI inputs

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Putin Orders Mass Production Of Hypersonic Missiles For Use In Ukraine War

Russian President Vladimir Putin said Friday that Moscow would carry out more tests of the hypersonic Oreshnik ballistic missile in "combat conditions," a day after firing one on Ukraine.

"We will continue these tests, including in combat conditions, depending on the situation and character of the security threats posted to Russia," Putin said in a televised meeting with military chiefs.

Russia fired the new-generation missile at the Ukrainian city of Dnipro early on Thursday in a major escalation of the weaponry being deployed in the nearly three-year conflict.

The Kremlin boss also ordered the missile, which flies at speeds of Mach 10 -- 10 times the speed of sound -- to be put into serial production (mass production). Russia is developing similar advanced systems, he added.

"We need to begin serial production. The decision... has in effect been taken," Putin said, praising the "particular strength of this weapon and its power.

"The weapon system that was tested yesterday is another faithful guarantee of Russia's territorial integrity and sovereignty," he added.

Putin claimed no other countries in the world had such missile technology. While he conceded other states would soon develop them, he said: "That will be tomorrow, after a year or two. But we have this system now. That's important."

His choreographed meeting with the defence minister and those in charge of developing the missile came at the end of a week that has seen the Ukraine conflict escalate rapidly.

Putin said the firing of the Oreshnik missile was a direct response to Kyiv's forces using US- and UK-supplied missiles on Russian territory for the first time.

In an address to the nation on Thursday, Putin said Russia reserved the right to fire missiles at military facilities in countries whose weapons are being used by Ukraine -- specifically the United States and Britain.
 

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What Is Impoundment? Trumps New Plan To Control Spending In Second Term

US President-elect Donald Trump is planning to cut federal spending, and one of the methods he may use is impoundment. This little-known presidential power allows the leader to refuse spending funds appropriated by Congress. In line with his recent threat to use recess appointments to bypass Senate approval for his controversial cabinet positions, Trump has a plan to circumvent federal spending as well. If Congress continues to allocate funds to projects, agencies, or departments he opposes, he may use impoundment to withhold those funds.

What is impoundment?

Impoundment, simply put, occurs when the president declines to spend funds that Congress has appropriated. The practice has a long history in US politics, beginning with President Thomas Jefferson in 1803, who chose not to spend money allocated for gunboats to patrol the Mississippi amid negotiations with France for the Louisiana Purchase.

Impoundment became a controversial issue during Richard Nixon's presidency. After his reelection in 1972, Nixon sought to use impoundment to reduce federal spending, halt housing programmes and cut disaster aid. When Congress overrode his veto of the Clean Water Act, he withheld a large portion of the $24 billion allocated to clean municipal sewage systems. These clashes led to the passage of the Impoundment Control Act of 1974, limiting a president's ability to withhold funds for policy reasons. It also led to the creation of the Congressional Budget Office.

Even during his first term, Trump attempted impoundment when he withheld military aid to Ukraine in 2019, using it as leverage to press President Volodymyr Zelensky for an investigation into Joe Biden. This eventually led to Trump's first impeachment. Despite the controversy, the funds were released, and the Government Accountability Office ruled Trump's step as illegal.

Before his reelection, Trump said that reclaiming the power of impoundment would be a priority for his second term, either through legal challenges or by persuading Congress to relinquish some of its spending power. In one video, Trump criticised the Impoundment Control Act of 1974, calling it “not a very good act” and “a blatant violation of the separation of powers.” He vowed to use impoundment to “squeeze the bloated federal bureaucracy for massive savings.”

Trump says in a second term he will seek to repeal the Impoundment Control Act of 1974 so that he will have unilateral power as president to seize funds appropriated by Congress for govt agencies and programs and use that money to give out tax cuts. pic.twitter.com/AFMiHV80lK

— Ron Filipkowski (@RonFilipkowski) June 20, 2023

While Trump may face opposition, even from fellow Republicans, in efforts to cede more power to the executive, he may look to the Supreme Court for support. With the current conservative majority, the Court has recently curtailed the powers of federal agencies, offering a possible opening for Trump to challenge impoundment limits.

Some Republican figures such as Vivek Ramaswamy have proposed the repeal of the Impoundment Control Act entirely. Ramaswamy, who has been tapped by Trump to lead the "Department of Government Efficiency" (DOGE), advocates for a radical downsizing of the federal government. 

Ramaswamy has suggested that a president could reinterpret existing laws to drastically reduce the size of the federal workforce, potentially firing up to 75 per cent of federal employees within four years. 

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BCCI's Huge Step Towards Resolving CT Crisis. Report Says Jay Shah Will...

Board of Cricket Control in India (BCCI) Secretary Jay Shah is likely to meet International Cricket Council (ICC) officials and speak to Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chief Mohsin Naqvi in order to break the deadlock over Champions Trophy, according to ARY News. India made it clear that they will not be travelling to Pakistan for the tournament while PCB has stayed adamant that they will not be shifting to a 'hybrid' structure. According to the report, Jay Shah will meet the ICC officials in Dubai and later, he will hold a telephonic conversation with Naqvi where they will try to reach a possible conclusion to the crisis. 

Earlier, the Pakistan Cricket Board on Thursday appointed Sumair Ahmad Syed as the chief operating officer of the Champions Trophy even though uncertainty prevails over the organisation of the tournament early next year.

In a statement issued by the PCB, chairman Mohsin Naqvi reiterated the board's stand that it intends to host the tournament entirely in Pakistan.

The Board of Control for Cricket in India had earlier informed the International Cricket Council of its unwillingness to send the Indian team to Pakistan for the 50-overs competition, which the global governing body has conveyed to the PCB.

Naqvi, meanwhile, expressed confidence in Syed's abilities, calling him an “exceptionally organised professional”.

“Sumair is an exceptionally organised professional with a wealth of administrative expertise. Coupled with his unwavering passion for cricket, I am confident he will deliver an unforgettable ICC Champions Trophy 2025 for players, officials and fans alike,” he said.

“The ICC Champions Trophy 2025 promises to showcase Pakistan's ability to host world-class cricketing events, welcoming players and fans from around the globe to experience the country's passion for the game and renowned hospitality." Syed said, “Preparations are already well underway, with stadium upgrades nearing completion and crucial discussions ongoing with the International Cricket Council.”

(With PTI inputs)

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This Asian City Is Emerging As Sex Tourism Hub. It's Not Where You Think

In the golden years, this city witnessed a significant economic boom. It remains one of the most liveable cities in the world, a financial power hub and also an emerging city for sex tourism, with men wandering on the streets, looking for women.

The city is not where you are thinking. Apart from Bangkok in Thailand, Tokyo is emerging as a hotbed for sex tourism, with multiple factors driving the interest among foreign tourists, one of them being the weakening of the Japanese Yen against other currencies and robust inbound tourism.

The Star reported quoting, Yoshihide Tanaka, secretary general of the Liaison Council Protecting Youths (Seiboren), that "Japan has become a poor country." Adding, that a park next to his organisation has become synonymous with the city's sex trade. He said they had noticed an increasing number of foreigners frequenting the park as soon as pandemic-era travel restrictions were dropped.

"Now we are seeing a lot more foreign men," he said. "They come from many countries. They are white, Asian, black - but the majority are Chinese," he said. This influx has coincided with a troubling rise in teenagers and women in their early twenties turning to the sex industry to survive, Tanaka said.

"The reality is that Japan has become a country where foreign men can obtain young women and essentially buy sexual services," Japan Times reported quoting Kazunori Yamanoi of the Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan, the country's main opposition party. "This is no longer just a domestic issue," he said. "It's a very serious problem regarding how Japanese women are perceived in the international community."

The cops have been cracking down on such activities. Earlier this week, the Tokyo Metropolitan Police arrested five people on suspicion of violating Japan's Employment Security Act. They were allegedly running an operation to recruit women through social media to work in the sex industry. According to police, the suspects' group signed contracts with about 350 shops nationwide and recruited women through social media.

Financial distress suffered by women during Covid-19 is a major factor pushing them into the sex trade, with many wanting to pay off their debts. Some simply want to spend money at host clubs. 

Japan Times earlier reported that establishments, where men flirt with women over food and drink, like host clubs, put women in an endless cycle of debt through malicious schemes. These clubs have been linked to an increase in sex work, including illegal operations overseas and street solicitors, the report said.

According to the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD), around 43% of women arrested while working the street in 2023 said they started selling their bodies to pay for host clubs and underground male idols. About 80% of those arrested were in their 20s, while three were 19 or younger.

The loopholes in the law and poor implementation of the existing ones have put women in vulnerable positions, often exposing them to physical violence and sexually transmitted diseases. In countries like The Netherlands, prostitution is legal but the industry is highly regulated to ensure the protection of women with increased vigilance in combating human trafficking and other forms of criminal activity, but sex trafficking still remains a pressing issue in the country. 

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2 Arrested In Odisha For Killing Leopard, Eating Its Meat

Two persons in Odisha's Nuapada district allegedly killed a leopard and ate its meat, officials said on Wednesday.

Principal Chief Conservator of Forest (PCCF) Susanta Nanda said people who kill leopard and consume its meat should be ostracised.

The forest officials of Komna forest range on Tuesday seized the severed leopard head, skins and meat and arrested two persons from the spot.

The two and their associates laid a trap to hunt wild boars near the forest in Deodhara village. However, a leopard fell into the trap. "They killed the leopard and consumed its meat", the PCCF said.

Condemning the eating of leopard meat, Susanta Nanda said such behaviour has no place in a civilised society and people who kill leopard and consume its meat should be ostracised.

"This kind of people should be socially ostracised. The people should be aware that this is not acceptable in a civil society" he said .

Describing the eating of leopard meat by the two persons as "barbaric", Susanta Nanda said, "In my long career as a forest department officer, I have never heard a human being eating meat of leopard or tiger. It is common that tigers kill humans and eat their flesh. This is a unique incident in the state".

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

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Amid Souring Ties With India, Canada's Latest Move Inconveniences Fliers

Amid growing tension between New Delhi and Ottawa, passengers travelling from Canada to India are being subjected to extra security screening now. This decision was announced by Canada's Transport Minister Anita Anand late on Monday evening, as part of new temporary protocols, implemented "out of an abundance of caution."

"Transport Canada has implemented temporary additional security screening measures," for travellers to India, Ms Anand was quoted as saying by Canadian broadcaster CBC. 

Passengers "may experience some screening delays while these measures are in place.," she said. 

The enhanced security protocols will be implemented by the Canadian Air Transport Security Authority (CATSA), the agency responsible for screening passengers and their baggage before entering the restricted areas of Canadian airports.

In view of the new protocols, Air Canada has warned passengers bound for Indian destinations of longer security wait times and asked them to reach airports at least four hours before their scheduled departure. 

"Due to heightened security mandates by Transport Canada for all passengers travelling to India, security wait times are expected to be longer than anticipated for your upcoming flight," Hindustan Times reported citing a notification sent by Air Canada to fliers. 

"To minimise any disruption to your travel plans, we recommend you arrive 4 hours prior to your flight's departure. We appreciate your patience and understanding," the notification added. 

The move to enhance security protocols for travellers to India came a month after the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCPM) claimed it had evidence of involvement of "agents", acting on behalf of the Indian government, involved in 'organised' crimes in Canada including extortion, intimidation, coercion and harassment.

India has denied the RCMP's allegations and said they were "simply not true". India also withdrew its High Commissioner in Canada Sanjay Kumar Verma after dismissing Ottawa's allegations. 

Since then, both countries have expelled each other's top diplomats. India-Canada ties remain deeply troubled over the North American country's alleged support to Khalistani separatists and its accusation of India's involvement in the killing of Hardeep Singh Nijjar, a Canadian citizen who has been designated a terrorist by India.

India has been maintaining that the main issue between the two countries is that of Canada giving space to pro-Khalistan elements operating from Canadian soil with impunity.

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AR Rahman's Wife Saira Announces Separation After 29 Years Of Marriage

Oscar winning composer AR Rahman and his wife Saira, after nearly 30 years of marriage, today jointly announced through their lawyer that they have "made the difficult decision to separate" from each other.

"After many years of marriage, Mrs. Saira and her husband Mr. A R. Rahman have made the difficult decision to separate from each other," read a statement from Vandana Shah and Associates, their lawyer.

The decision, said the lawyer, "comes after significant emotional strain in their relationship".

"Despite their deep love for each other, the couple has found that the tensions and difficulties have created an insurmountable gap between them, one that neither party feels able to bridge at this time," the statement said, underscoring that the "decision comes out of pain and agony".

"Mrs. Saira and her husband Mr. A R. Rahman request privacy and understanding from the public during this challenging time, as they navigate this difficult chapter in their life," the statement further added.

The couple married in 1995 and are parents to three children: Khatija, Raheema and Ameen.

In his Instagram Stories, their son Ameen wrote, "We kindly request everyone to respect our privacy during this time. Thank you for your understanding."

AR Rahman, who won the Oscar for his work on Slumdog Millionaire, was once dubbed "the Mozart of Madras" by Time magazine.

The musician, who started playing music at the age of five, got his first break with the 1992 movie Roja. It was a hit, and Rahman's soundtrack led to him winning the national award for best music composer.

"How come you opted for an arranged marriage?" Simi Garewal asked the ace composer in 2012 on her popular chart show 'Rendezvous with Simi Garewal'.

"To be honest I didn't have the time to go and search for a bride," said a smiling Rahman, eliciting a chuckle from the host. 

"I was doing all those films - Rangeela , Bombay and all that stuff. Was so busy in that, but I knew that was the right time for me to get married. I was 29. And I told my mother. I said find me a bride," said Rahman 

"Did you have any specifications?" asked Ms Garewal      

"I want a simple wife. The one who won't give me much trouble. So I could carry on doing my music," Rahman answered. 

Ms Garewal then reminded Rahman that he had asked his mother to find her a bride with "some education, some beauty and loads of humility". 

Rahman smiled and nodded in the affirmative. 

Asked how they met, Rahman also revealed that his mother found Saira's sister near a Sufi shrine and one thing led to another and soon they were married.

  

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Amid Russia-Ukraine Conflict, Why These Countries Are Preparing For War

Several European countries are advising their residents to be ready for war even as Russia and Ukraine witnessed a grim milestone recently - the 1,000th day of conflict. Sweden, Finland, Norway and Denmark have issued advisories that ask citizens to make sure they sustain themselves in case of a crisis.

While Sweden started sending out millions of pamphlets on Monday that contained information about how to prepare for war, natural disasters and cyber or terror attacks, Finland launched a website gathering information on preparedness for different crises.

The Swedish pamphlet says: "Military threat levels are increasing. We must be prepared for the worst-case scenario -- an armed attack on Sweden".

The 32-page booklet 'If Crisis Or War Comes' contains tips such as stocking up on non-perishable food and water, keeping cash on hand and growing fruit and vegetables in gardens.

"If Sweden is attacked by another country, we will never give up. All information to the effect that resistance is to cease is false," reads a line in the booklet.

It is an updated version of a pamphlet that Sweden has issued five times since World War II.

The new version doesn't mention Russia, Ukraine or any other country by name.

The brochure is available in print in both Swedish and English and digital versions are available in several other languages -- including Arabic, Farsi, Ukrainian, Polish, Somali and Finnish.

Finland's website asserts authorities are "well prepared for self-defence".

The country shares a 1,340-kilometre border with Russia and it has maintained a higher level of preparedness.

After Moscow's invasion of Ukraine, Finland announced plans to build a 200-kilometre border fence - 10 feet tall and topped with barbed wire - with Russia which is due to be completed by 2026.

Both Swedish and Finnish checklists include easy-to-cook food. Finland has also asked its citizens to arrange for a backup power supply.

Meanwhile, Norway has urged its citizens to be prepared to manage on their own for a week in the event of war and other threats.

"We have sent out 2.2 million paper copies, one for each household in Norway," BBC quoted Tore Kamfjord, responsible for the campaign of self-preparedness at the Norwegian Directorate for Civil Protection (DSB), as saying.

Tins of beans, energy bars, pasta, and medicines - including iodine tablets in case of a nuclear accident - are included in the list of items to be kept at home.

The Nordic neighbours Sweden and Finland dropped decades of military non-alignment to join the US-led defence alliance NATO in the wake of Russia's 2022 invasion of Ukraine. Norway was a founding member of the Western defensive alliance.

Denmark's emergency management agency, as per a BBC report, emailed its citizens details on the water, food and medicine they would need to get through a crisis for three days.

On Tuesday, Vladimir Putin eased Russia's rules for nuclear strikes days after the US allowed Ukraine to fire long-range American-made missiles into Russian territory.

Twenty-three of the 32 NATO members - up from just three a decade ago - have now agreed to reach the target of spending two per cent of gross domestic product on defence.

The growing consensus, however, is that Europe will have to do more to make sure it can stand on its own.

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AR Rahman's Wife Saira Announces Separation After 29 Years Of Marriage

Oscar winning composer AR Rahman and his wife Saira, after nearly 30 years of marriage, today jointly announced through their lawyer that they have "made the difficult decision to separate" from each other.

"After many years of marriage, Mrs. Saira and her husband Mr. A R. Rahman have made the difficult decision to separate from each other," read a statement from Vandana Shah and Associates, their lawyer.

The decision, said the lawyer, "comes after significant emotional strain in their relationship".

"Despite their deep love for each other, the couple has found that the tensions and difficulties have created an insurmountable gap between them, one that neither party feels able to bridge at this time," the statement said, underscoring that the "decision comes out of pain and agony".

"Mrs. Saira and her husband Mr. A R. Rahman request privacy and understanding from the public during this challenging time, as they navigate this difficult chapter in their life," the statement further added.

The couple married in 1995 and are parents to three children: Khatija, Raheema and Ameen.

In his Instagram Stories, their son Ameen wrote, "We kindly request everyone to respect our privacy during this time. Thank you for your understanding."

AR Rahman, who won the Oscar for his work on Slumdog Millionaire, was once dubbed "the Mozart of Madras" by Time magazine.

The musician, who started playing music at the age of five, got his first break with the 1992 movie Roja. It was a hit, and Rahman's soundtrack led to him winning the national award for best music composer.

"How come you opted for an arranged marriage?" Simi Garewal asked the ace composer in 2012 on her popular chart show 'Rendezvous with Simi Garewal'.

"To be honest I didn't have the time to go and search for a bride," said a smiling Rahman, eliciting a chuckle from the host. 

"I was doing all those films - Rangeela , Bombay and all that stuff. Was so busy in that, but I knew that was the right time for me to get married. I was 29. And I told my mother. I said find me a bride," said Rahman 

"Did you have any specifications?" asked Ms Garewal      

"I want a simple wife. The one who won't give me much trouble. So I could carry on doing my music," Rahman answered. 

Ms Garewal then reminded Rahman that he had asked his mother to find her a bride with "some education, some beauty and loads of humility". 

Rahman smiled and nodded in the affirmative. 

Asked how they met, Rahman also revealed that his mother found Saira's sister near a Sufi shrine and one thing led to another and soon they were married.

  

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He Broke Into Homes To Hit Sleeping Women On Head. Cops Explain Why

A 30-year-old man, who was arrested for allegedly breaking into homes at night and hitting sleeping women on the head in Uttar Pradesh's Gorakhpur, has told police that he held a grudge against women and sought to take revenge after he was imprisoned in a 2022 child abuse case.

At a press briefing at the White House at Gorakhpur Police Line on Sunday, Gorakhpur Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Gaurav Grover said the accused, Ajay Nishad, was involved in five such attacks on women, one of whom even succumbed to injuries. He would also speak to his girlfriend over the phone after committing each assault, police said.

"He always wore black clothes and remained barefoot as he broke into homes and hit women on the head with sticks or rods. He liked hitting the head of his women inmates in jail and that is why he carried out such assaults once he was released," SSP Grover said.

The police earlier said that Nishad was in prison for six months in a 2022 child abuse case. Out on bail, he lived in Surat for a while before returning to Gorakhpur. He carried out his first attack on the night of July 30, when he entered a house and hit a woman on the head, before fleeing away with some jewellery.

The police said that Nishad's role in the crime was established on the basis of CCTV footage of the localities he struck in.

They added that tracing the accused was a "challenging" task. Several teams were formed and a prize of Rs 100,000 was also announced for the team that would arrest the accused.

The police have recovered several blunt objects, including an iron rod and a bed leg, suspected to have been used in the attacks. They said they would put the matter before a fast-track court and ensure strict punishment for Nishad.

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Why Peace In The Middle East Might Be Beyond Trump's Deal-Making Skills

Donald Trump's re-election as the US president last week comes at a time of extreme volatility in the Middle East.

The president-elect has promised to end all wars. In his usual impulsive and unpredictable manner, he has pledged to resolve the Ukraine war within 24 hours of taking office and help Israel finish its Gaza and Lebanon operations quickly.

Yet the Middle East is a complex place. Trump will have much difficulty balancing his ardent support of Israel and his other ambitions in the region, especially given the changing dynamics between Iran and its rival, Saudi Arabia.

Here's what Trump can expect when he takes office in a few months.

Collapse of talks between Israel and Hamas

Overshadowed by the US election was Qatar's announcement that it has paused its role as a ceasefire mediator between Israel and Hamas.

The tiny, oil-rich emirate has worked hard over the past year to try to reach a deal to end the war. In the process, it made good use of its close relations with the United States, which has its largest Middle East military base in Qatar, and with Hamas, whose political leadership and office have been based in Doha. This, Qatar believed, would help it gain the confidence of the warring parties.

However, its efforts did not produce anything more than a brief ceasefire last year, which resulted in the release of more than 100 Israeli hostages in exchange for 240 Palestinian prisoners.

Lebanon Ceasefire: Israel and Lebanon are reportedly “in advanced stages” of reaching a ceasefire agreement. This deal appears to attempt to more successfully implement UNSCR 1701, which prohibits Lebanese Hezbollah military activity in southern Lebanon. https://t.co/lV2KCHvNcj pic.twitter.com/Qq9Gb20icw

— Institute for the Study of War (@TheStudyofWar) October 30, 2024

There are several reasons for this.

For one, the two sides cannot get past a couple of main sticking points. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has resolved to eliminate Hamas completely, ruling out a temporary truce. Hamas is demanding a complete end to the fighting and total Israeli military withdrawal from Gaza.

Meanwhile, Washington has failed to play a meaningful role in the talks. While repeatedly emphasising its desire for a ceasefire, the Biden administration did not at any point put tangible pressure on Israel beyond diplomatic rhetoric.

It has also refused to cut off military aid to Israel. Instead, it approved a US$20 billion (A$30 billion) arms sale to Israel in August. This means Netanyahu has had no compelling reason to divert from his mission.

A possible ceasefire in Lebanon

As the chances of a Gaza ceasefire have faded, hopes have been raised about a Lebanon ceasefire.

Washington has reportedly engaged in intensive diplomatic efforts to get Israel and Hezbollah to reach a common ground to end the fighting there.

Israel wants Hezbollah to be disarmed and pushed back at least beyond the Litani River in southern Lebanon – about 30km north of the Israeli border – with a security zone to be established between the two. Israel wants to maintain the right to strike Hezbollah if necessary, which Lebanese authorities are likely to reject.

Israel has considerably weakened Hezbollah in its bombing and ground invasion of southern Lebanon at the expense of massive civilian casualties.

However, just as Israel has not been able to wipe out Hamas, it has so far not succeeded in crippling Hezbollah to the extent it would be forced to accept a ceasefire on Israel's terms. The militant group continues to possess sufficient political and military prowess to remain resilient.

Changing regional dynamics

Now, Trump re-enters the scene.

His electoral triumph has comforted Netanyahu's government to the extent that his finance minister, Bezalel Smotrich, has asked the relevant authorities to prepare for the formal annexation of Jewish settlements in the West Bank.

Trump has been a committed supporter of Israel for a long time. During his first presidency he recognised Jerusalem as the capital of Israel and ordered the US embassy to move there. He also recognised Israeli sovereignty over the Golan Heights, which Israel seized from Syria in 1967.

He castigated Iran as the real villain in the region and withdrew the US from the multilateral Iran nuclear agreement. He also instigated the Abraham Accords, in which several Arab states normalised relations with Israel.

However, the Gaza and Lebanon wars, as well as the direct military exchanges between Israel and Iran over the past year, have changed the regional texture.

Trump has voiced unwavering backing of Israel against Hamas and Hezbollah, and is likely to resuscitate his “maximum pressure” campaign against Iran. This could involve strangling Tehran with stringent sanctions and blocking its oil exports, while seeking to isolate it internationally.

President-elect Donald Trump plans to drastically increase sanctions on Iran and throttle its oil sales, according to people briefed on his early plans https://t.co/43wvCXt5NH

— The Wall Street Journal (@WSJ) November 9, 2024

Meanwhile, as a transactional leader, Trump also wants to strengthen America's lucrative economic and trade ties with the Arab governments of the region.

However, these countries have been shaken by the scale of Israel's Gaza and Lebanon operations. Their populations are boiling over with frustration at their leaders' inability to counter Israel's actions. This is nowhere more evident than in Jordan.

As a result, Saudi Arabia – America's richest and most consequential Arab ally in the region – has lately taken the lead in voicing strong opposition to Israel. Saudi Arabia's de facto ruler, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, has also made a path toward an independent Palestinian state a condition of normalising relations with Israel.

Further, Riyadh is strengthening its more than year-long rapprochement with its arch rival, Iran. The two countries' defence ministers met last weekend, following a joint military exercise involving their navies.

In addition, Bin Salman has just convened a meeting of Arab and Muslim leaders in Riyadh to forge a consensual position in dealing with Israel and the incoming Trump administration.

Gulf states wary of return to Trump's ‘maximum pressure' against Iran https://t.co/CogsazuGbf

— Financial Times (@FT) November 12, 2024

Where is it all heading?

Trump will need to find a balance between his commitment to Israel and upholding America's close relations with its traditional Arab allies. This will be crucial to ending the Middle East wars and rebuffing Iran.

Tehran is no longer as vulnerable to Trump's venom as it may have been in the past. It is more powerful militarily and enjoys strong strategic relations with Russia, China and North Korea, as well as improved relations with regional Arab states.

Given the absence of a Gaza ceasefire, the thin hope of a halt to the Lebanon fighting, Netanyahu's intransigence and Trump's pursuance of an “Israel first” policy, the Middle East's volatility is likely to persist.

It may prove to be as much of a headache for Trump as it was for Joe Biden in a very polarised and unpredictable world.

(Author: Amin Saikal, Emeritus Professor of Middle Eastern and Central Asian Studies, Australian National University)

(Disclosure Statement: Amin Saikal does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.)

This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.
 

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

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On LSG Releasing KL Rahul, Ganguly Gives Blunt 'Look In The Mirror' Verdict

Former Indian cricket team captain Sourav Ganguly feels KL Rahul needs some course correction after the wicketkeeper-batter was released by the Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) ahead of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 auction. Rahul led LSG in the franchise's first three IPL seasons, having been drafted to the squad ahead of the 2022 season. However, following the aftermath of his intense discussion with LSG owner Sanjiv Goenka last season, Rahul was let go by the franchise ahead of the IPL 2025 mega auction. Ganguly suggested Rahul needs some self assessment and decide how he wants to prolong his career.

"Yeah, confidence. He has to speak to himself. He has to speak to himself and say, just put everything behind. Ups and downs are part and parcel of sports. Confidence will go up and down. You have to bring it back by working hard in the nets. I know he has gone through a lot. Lucknow Super Giants have released him. I do not know whether they will buy him back in the auction. I am sure he will find a good team and get his worth in the IPL. But these things put pressure on players," Ganguly told RevSportz.

Ganguly added that Rahul needs to look in the mirror and reflect on what went wrong. He also advised him to add a fresh approach to his game, especially with the young players taking their game to a next level, especially in T20Is.

"So, I think he has got to sit with himself and get away from everything, all his friends and family, team and IPL owners, auctions and self discover. Look at the mirror and say, I need to play differently. I need to get tough inside and fight this period. He has got a fantastic 100 in South Africa last time round. He can score hundreds in these conditions. But the mind has to believe that and the fight has to be there," he added.

"In and out of the team, he is seeing young players play well in T20s. You see what they have done in South Africa. He has to change and cannot keep playing the same way and expect to be picked all the time, because somebody else will come and get picked," said Ganguly.

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"Does She...?": Kabir Bedi's First Wife On His Affair With Parveen Babi

Kabir Bedi's personal life is no less than cinema. The Kurbaan actor, who always defied societal norms, talked about his affair and break-up with Parveen Babi in an interview with Digital Commentary. Kabir said in the interview he didn't leave Parveen Babi but the actress left him in the fear that he would pressurize her to undergo a treatment for her mental illness. In this context, Kabir Bedi's anecdotes from his autobiography Stories I Must Tell: The Emotional Journey Of An Actor gained the limelight. In the book, he wrote about his marriage to Odissi dancer Protima Bedi and how he broke the news of his affair with Parveen Babi in front of Protima.

Describing his troubled marriage to Protima, Kabir Bedi wrote in the book, "It had led to a lack of intimacy between us. I didn't feel the love that I wanted, the caring and sharing I needed. Nor was I able to give it. The old magic had gone. I was feeling alone, empty and dejected." Getting candid about how he revealed his affair to his wife, he wrote, "There was no easy way to break the news to Protima. 'I'm going over to Parveen's tonight,' I said softly when she came in. 'Parveen's!' she repeated in surprise. I could see her computing what must have happened. 'But I've only just arrived. Can't you stay tonight at least?' I shook my head. 'No, I have to be with her tonight ... and every night.' In that moment, she realised that our relationship had changed forever."

Kabir Bedi also wrote in vivid details how his wife reacted to his affair with Parveen Babi. "She let out a deep breath and looked at me. 'Do you love her?' I nodded, not without sadness. 'Does she love you?' she asked, her voice a notch higher. 'Yes,' I said gruffly, wanting to cry. I knew I was ending a relationship where we'd shared life-changing experiences together, happy and unhappy, moral and immoral, for six tumultuous years. But I didn't want to show vulnerability. I had to be strong to end it. I held her by the shoulders to embrace her goodbye. She clung to me and burst out crying. Then she sat down on the bed and sighed deeply before she spoke. 'Please leave me alone now,' she said in a firm voice as tears welled in her eyes. 'Leave me alone. Please go!' Our 'open marriage' was over."

In addition to his work in films like Kurbaan, The Hero: Love Story of a Spy, and Dilwale, Kabir Bedi has also appeared in many international projects, including The Archer: Fugitive from the Empire, La tigre e ancora viva: Sandokan alla riscossa! and The Thief of Baghdad.

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How Rift Grew Between AAP and Kailash Gahlot

Delhi minister Kailash Gahlot's walkout from Arvind Kejriwal's Aam Aadmi Party was the culmination of a rift that had its genesis in the division of portfolios held by Manish Sisodia after he was arrested in the Delhi liquor policy case. Mr Sisodia, then Deputy Chief Minister of Delhi, held the maximum number of portfolios - 18 -- that not only included the flagship health and education, but also law, revenue and power, water, finance and home. 

After his arrest in March last year, most of these portfolios were divided between Saurabh Bhardwaj and Atishi, who is now the Chief Minister of Delhi. 

In December, the Law and Justice Department was taken away from Mr Gehlot and given to Atishi. People close to Mr Gahlot said it became clear then that the top leadership of the party does not have much confidence in Mr Gahlot.

It was the beginning of Mr Gahlot's standoff with the current Chief Minister that suddenly came to public notice during the flag-hoisting ceremony of Independence Day. 

Mr Kejriwal, who was in jail at the time, had delegated the task to Atishi - a choice that made clear her prominence in the party and sparked speculation that she might be the one to succeed him in the top post.

Delhi Lieutenant Governor VK Saxena, however intervened, and handed the job to Mr Gahlot, who complied without any conciliatory words to Mr Kejriwal or Atishi. 

In his resignation letter, Mr Gahlot has attributed his decision to the "dwindling credibility" of AAP on the issue of cleaning of Yamuna and 'Sheeshmahal' - a pejorative term used by the BJP for the chief minister's renovated residence.

Senior AAP leader Sanjay Singh accused Mr Gehlot of reading the script of BJP. 

Mr Kejriwal has maintained silence on the resignation. At a press conference to welcome former BJP MLA Anil Jha to AAP, Mr Kejriwal was asked about Mr Gehlot's sudden resignation. 

But the former Chief Minister refused to respond, passing the mic to senior party leader Durgesh Pathak, who was sitting next to him. 
Mr Pathak said Kailash Gehlot was being questioned and raided by the ED and Income Tax Department for several months. Other party leaders had not minced words, saying openly that Mr Gahlot could not withstand the pressure and decided to go with the flow. 

"Kailash Gehlot was being pressurised through ED-CBI raids and he is speaking according to BJP's script. Modi washing machine has started working before the Delhi elections. Now many leaders will be inducted into BJP through this," Sanjay Singh had said. 

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Madhya Pradesh Official Gets Show Cause Notice For Laughing During Hearing

A government official received a show cause notice for allegedly laughing in the presence of his senior colleagues during a public hearing in Madhya Pradesh's Chhatarpur district.

The show cause notice, issued on October 30, surfaced on social media on Saturday evening.

The notice was purportedly issued by additional collector Milind Nagdev to KK Tiwari, the assistant manager of e-governance at the district collector's office.

The notice stated that Tiwari was found laughing during the public hearing on October 29 in the presence of senior officials, which amounted to indiscipline and carelessness towards duty.

Public hearings are organised at select government offices on Tuesdays across the state.

In the notice, the additional collector stated that this was serious misconduct under the MP Civil Services Conduct Rules 1965 and punishable under MP Civil Services (Classification, Control and Appeal) Rules 1966.

Talking to reporters, the additional collector claimed he was unaware of how the show cause notice was issued and that he would inquire at his office.

Tiwari, however, said he had already submitted his reply to the notice.

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

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Who Is Jutta Leerdam? Jake Paul's Olympic Medallist Girlfriend

Jake Paul, 27, emerged victorious in a monumental boxing clash against legend Mike Tyson, securing a comprehensive 79-73 win on Saturday at the AT&T Stadium. The bout, hailed as the biggest boxing event of 2024, went the full distance, with Paul showcasing superior skills and agility. Tyson, 58, struggled with slower reflexes, giving the YouTuber-turned-boxer a clear edge throughout the match.

Paul's triumph wasn't the only talking point of the night. His display of sportsmanship and personal moments off the ring captured the audience's attention. In a heartfelt gesture during the final seconds of the match, Paul bowed in respect to Tyson, honouring the former world heavyweight champion's legacy.

Adding to the evening's buzz was Paul's Olympian girlfriend, Jutta Leerdam, who turned heads with her glamorous presence. The Dutch speed skater dazzled in a shimmering white dress and shared moments from the event on Instagram, further fuelling excitement among fans.

Who is Jutta Leerdam?

According to olympics.com, the 25-year-old Dutch skating world champion with over 4.6 million followers on Instagram is a trendsetter. She's tipped to regain control of the 1000m event this season as she eyes a return to Olympic ice at Milano Cortina 2026. Born in 's-Gravenzande, Netherlands, Leerdam turned professional at the age of 20 in 2018 and has won the 1000m world title twice since then (in 2020 and 2023).

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A post shared by Jutta Leerdam (@juttaleerdam)

Jutta Leerdam and Jake Paul: A Power Couple

Leerdam and Jake Paul have been in a relationship since April 2023. Leerdam has been spending a lot of time in the US. The couple boasts a massive following on social media.

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A post shared by Jutta Leerdam (@juttaleerdam)

Leerdam has over 4.6 million followers on Instagram, while Paul has racked up more than 27.9 million followers on Instagram alone.

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