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Thursday, April 30, 2026

Hindustan Labs, RK Steel get Sebi nod to launch IPOs

Indian pharmaceutical firm Hindustan Laboratories has received observations from capital markets regulator Sebi, clearing a key step toward its proposed initial public offering (IPO). The IPO comprises a total issue size of up to 14.1 million equity shares with a face value of Rs 10 each. This includes a fresh issue of up to 5 million shares and an offer for sale (OFS) of up to 9.1 million shares by existing shareholders.According to the filing, the company intends to use the net proceeds from the fresh issue primarily to fund its working capital requirements and for general corporate purposes.Hindustan Laboratories operates in the generic pharmaceuticals segment, focusing on the large-scale manufacturing and supply of affordable medicines. Its portfolio mainly consists of generic formulations, drugs whose patents have expired and are typically priced lower than branded alternatives, making them widely accessible.The company’s business model is largely business-to-government (B2G), with a strong presence in public procurement systems. It supplies medicines under contracts for central government projects routed through agencies of the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, as well as various state government bodies. These government institutions form the bulk of its customer base.The IPO is being managed by Choice Capital Advisors Private Limited, which has been appointed as the book-running lead manager for the issue.Apart from Hindustan Labs, RK Steel has also received the nod from regulator to launch the issue.Incorporated in 2006, RK Steel Manufacturing is a prominent manufacturer of welded structural steel tubes and pipes. The company boasts a diverse product portfolio, including Pre-Galvanised Pipes (GP), Hot Dip Galvanised Pipes (GI), Hot Rolled Pipes (HR), and Cold Rolled Pipes (CR), alongside value-added products like GP Coils and CRFH Coils.

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Trinamool Holds Sit-In, Alleges Ballot Boxes Opened. "Pure Rumours," Says BJP

Leaders of the ruling Trinamool Congress today began a sit-in protest outside an Electronic Voting Machine (EVM) strongroom in Kolkata, alleging ballot boxes were being opened without the presence of authorised party representatives.

The protest took place outside a strongroom at Netaji Indoor Stadium in central Kolkata, where EVMs for several Assembly constituencies in north Kolkata are kept. 

At the centre of the protest was Bengal minister Shashi Panja and Trinamool spokesperson Kunal Ghosh, both of whom are candidates in the Assembly elections. Voting for their constituencies took place on Wednesday. 

The Trinamool, in an official statement issued as the protest began, said Panja and Ghosh had already begun a dharna outside Netaji Indoor Stadium. Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, who is currently at the Sakhawat Memorial Government Girls' High School in the city, is expected to join Panja and Ghosh at the protest site. 

Senior BJP leader Tapas Roy dismissed the allegations outright. "These are all pure rumours that the TMC is spreading now to create an environment of fear because they're themselves scared. I have also come here to check the strongroom. The TMC is spreading lies," he said.

The Election Commission said that all seven Assembly Constituency (AC) strongrooms located within the Khudiram Anushilan Kendra have been safely secured and sealed. 

"The last strongroom was closed in the morning around 5:15 AM. ⁠All strong rooms containing polled EVMs are safely secured and sealed. There is another strongroom in the same premises for the postal ballots, wherein we have kept AC-wise polled ballots as done by different polling personnel and ETBPS," the EC said in a statement. 

Polling concluded in two phases, and counting is scheduled for May 4. The Election Commission has confirmed that counting for the 294-seat Assembly election will begin on that day under heavy security arrangements.

"These are strong rooms which house the EVMs of the votes which were cast yesterday in the second phase," Panja said, speaking to NDTV from the protest site. She said the facility also held EVMs linked to north Kolkata constituencies, including her political segment.

"What our people saw was an unusual human activity inside a strongroom which was sealed," Panja said.

According to Panja, the strong room had been sealed, stamped and secured in the early hours after polling.

"Now if that has been done, how has the strongroom opened?" she asked. "Who are these people inside the strongroom? What are those pink papers that we can see? What are those ballot papers?"

Panja claimed that when Trinamool representatives reached the venue and began questioning officials, they were informed that the material being handled inside was related to postal ballots.

But that explanation, she argued, did not address the concern.

"Postal ballots or otherwise, we should have been informed," she said.

"You can watch in the livestreaming and CCTV camera of Election Commission that a few people are working inside. None of our representatives is inside...They are not letting us in. They are asking us to speak with other candidates. Why should we take responsibility of other candidates?" said Kunal Ghosh.

That protest began only hours after Mamata Banerjee released a video message warning party workers about the possibility of EVM tampering. In that message, Banerjee urged Trinamool workers and local leaders to guard strongrooms until counting begins.

West Bengal's Assembly election has been one of the most closely watched state contests in India this year, with the BJP making an aggressive push to challenge Trinamool's hold over the state and Banerjee seeking another term in office.

The Election Commission, anticipating possible post-result tension, has already activated an extensive security plan.

According to Election Commission preparations, 700 companies of the Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs) will remain deployed across the state after the results are declared.



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Wednesday, April 29, 2026

'Fowl Play': 140 Chickens Die After Wedding DJ Plays Loud Music

A poultry farm owner in Uttar Pradesh has filed a police complaint after 140 chickens died at his farm, alleging that the cause was loud music from a DJ system used during a wedding procession that passed nearby on the night of April 25.

The incident occurred in UP's Sultanpur district. On the fateful night, the wedding procession for the daughter of local resident Babban Vishwakarma moved through the village. The procession had come from Ram Bhadra Purva in the Kudwar area and included a DJ playing music at high volume. 

Sabir Ali, who operates Sabir Ali Poultry Farm located near the village, stated that the procession passed in front of his farm around 9:30 PM. According to his account, the intense noise from the DJ caused panic among the chickens. He said the birds could not tolerate the sound and 140 of them died as a result.

In his complaint to the police, Sabir Ali described the sound as high-decibel and said it frightened the poultry, leading directly to the deaths. 

"The noise was so intense that the chickens got frightened and died," the complaint stated.

Following the complaint, the police registered a case on Tuesday night against Kavi Yadav, a DJ operator from Parsipur. 

The police are investigating whether the music system was operating beyond the permissible sound limits at the time. Officers are also looking into the sequence of events to determine if the noise levels contributed to the loss of the chickens.

According to experts, high-intensity sound waves can trigger severe stress responses in birds and animals, sometimes resulting in cardiac arrest. 

The poultry farm owner has attributed the entire loss to the volume of the music played during the wedding procession. No immediate comment was available from the DJ or the family holding the wedding.



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Fincantieri eyes India tie-ups for naval platforms



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Tuesday, April 28, 2026

Financial inclusion 2.0 roadmap up for review

New Delhi: The finance ministry will review the progress of financial inclusion with banks and stakeholders this week as it firms up the roadmap for Financial Inclusion 2.0. It will also assess the performance of existing schemes, including the Atal Pension Yojana, amid demands to expand coverage under insurance and pension programmes, said officials."There have been demands to increase the coverage amount under the Jan Suraksha schemes, including Atal Pension Yojana. The review will take into account the progress made in these schemes and other parameters, including timely settlement of claims," said one of the officials, who did not wish to be identified.In the past, the government has received suggestions to increase the insurance cover under life and accident insurance policies, Pradhan Mantri Jeevan Jyoti Bima Yojana and Pradhan Mantri Suraksha Bima Yojana, to ₹5 lakh from the existing ₹2 lakh. "There was also a proposal to increase the guaranteed pension amount in Atal Pension Yojana to ₹10,000 per month," said the official.

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Election Commission Transfers Bengal Poll Officer After 'Singham' Officer Row

The Election Commission on Tuesday transferred the Joint Block Development Officer (BDO) of Falta in South 24 Parganas district, barely hours before the final and second phase assembly poll in West Bengal, following protests by the ruling Trinamool Congress in the constituency over the visit of special police observer Ajay Pal Sharma.

The poll body also removed two Additional District Magistrates, one of them in charge of South 24 Parganas district, of poll-related responsibility, but did not cite reasons in another notice on Tuesday night.

A poll body official said the Joint BDO, Sourav Hazra, has been moved out of Falta and posted to Purulia with immediate effect.

He will be replaced by Ramya Bhattacharya, he said, describing it as a routine transfer.

In the second order, the Election Commission removed ADM of South 24 Parganas, Bhaskar Pal, and ADM of Birbhum, Souvik Bhattacharya, from all election-related duties, the official said.

The transfer of Hazra, which takes place as Falta goes to polls among 245 constituencies on April 29, comes in the backdrop of allegations of non-cooperation by him with Election Commission-appointed police observer Sharma, who faced protests by Trinamool Congress workers during his visit to the residence of the ruling party's candidate Jahangir Khan and his associates in the area since Monday night.

However, no reason was cited in the Election Commission orders.

Sharma, accompanied by central force personnel, visited the residence of Khan on Monday midnight and issued a stern warning over alleged voter intimidation.

On Tuesday, the situation further escalated as the observer conducted route marches in sensitive areas and carried out searches based on inputs about potential troublemakers.

Tension peaked when supporters of the Trinamool gathered near the party office and staged a protest against the observer's action.

The Prayagraj ACP, who earned the moniker 'Singham' for his crackdown on criminals, faced protests as Trinamool Congress supporters raised 'go back' and 'Jai Bangla' slogans wherever he went.

Falta, which falls under the Diamond Harbour Lok Sabha seat represented by Trinamool Congress heavyweight Abhishek Banerjee, is considered a sensitive constituency and witnessed heightened surveillance and deployment of central forces to ensure free and fair polling.

Sharma, an Uttar Pradesh-cadre IPS officer, was seen in a video where he warned potential troublemakers of "appropriate treatment" if they try to disrupt Wednesday's polling in West Bengal.

The party accused the police observer of overstepping his role and "intimidating" party workers.

With over a hundred armed central paramilitary troops, an armoured vehicle, and a list of potential "trouble makers" in his pocket, the 2011-batch IPS combed the South 24 Parganas district's Falta Assembly seat for two days on a trot. 

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



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Aamir Feels 'Mukammal' With Gauri, Admits Why His Past Marriages Did Not Work

Love, reflection, and a bit of honesty - that's Aamir Khan for you right now. The Bollywood star is opening up about his past, his regrets, and where his heart stands today. 

In a recent chat with Navbharat Times, Aamir got candid about his relationships, his children, and why he finally feels "complete" with girlfriend Gauri Spratt.

Aamir Khan Opens Up About His Personal Life

Aamir Khan shared that he is in a happy space with his partner, Gauri Spratt, and feels grateful for her presence in his life.

"I am very lucky that I met Gauri, and our relationship started together. She is great, I feel at peace with her. Although my relationship with (ex-wives) Kiran (Rao) and Reena (Dutta) was also very deep, but things didn't work out. When you asked, I felt that I am very blessed that Gauri entered my life. We are very happy together. Mujhe lagta hai ab mai jaake mukammal hua hu (I feel complete today)," he shared.

The actor also reflected on his personal growth, admitting that accepting mistakes has helped him evolve.

"I am the way I am. Every person makes mistakes in their life; no one is perfect. If you understand and accept your mistake, it doesn't make you small. Even I am learning from my own life and mistakes. I will always try not to repeat those mistakes, and I grow as a person, and as an actor. This will only happen if I understand and admit my mistakes. I am a very straightforward man, whatever I feel, I say," he added.

Aamir Khan Admits His Biggest Regret

Opening up further, Aamir spoke honestly about what he considers the biggest mistake of his life - not spending enough time with his loved ones.

He revealed that for decades, work took priority over everything else.

"The one mistake that I have already started rectifying is not giving enough time to my closed ones and relationships. I was only addicted to work, filmmaking, and acting for 30-35 years. I got a chance to examine my life again during the COVID pandemic. I wasn't able to work at that time, then I realised that I had lost many things and this time would not come again," he said.

Aamir was earlier married to Reena Dutta, with whom he shares Ira and Junaid, before they separated in 2002. He later married filmmaker Kiran Rao in 2005, and the two parted ways in 2021. They continue to co-parent their son, Azad.

ALSO READ: Aamir Khan Breaks Silence On 3 Idiots Sequel: 'It Follows The Same Characters, Picking Up 10 Years Later'



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Monday, April 27, 2026

Govt floats mega fertiliser tender

New Delhi: India has issued a global tender for complex fertilisers-50 million tonnes of NPK (nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium) and 35 MT of ammonium sulphate-to bolster the reserves of two key soil nutrients ahead of the main planting season which begins in June.The tender has been issued by Rashtriya Chemicals and Fertilizers (RCF), one of the three importers. The shipment is expected by May 31 at the east coast of India.Ammonium sulphate is assuming increasing importance in Indian agriculture, as the government is planning to market it as a better alternative source of nitrogen to partially substitute for urea. The government recently brought it under the fertiliser subsidy scheme from this rabi season. The idea is to subsidise it a little to increase its demand.While 90% of NPK fertilisers are produced locally, India does not have the critical raw materials such as gas and potash required for domestic manufacturing, making the country heavily dependent on imports.

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Melania Trump Calls Jimmy Kimmel "A Coward" Over "Expectant Widow" Joke

US First Lady Melania Trump lashed out Monday at comedian Jimmy Kimmel over a joke likening her to an "expectant widow," a jibe with eerie resonance after a shooting at a dinner attended by Donald Trump.

Even though Kimmel made the remark in a monologue days ago, right-wing commentators who support Trump have resurrected it to call for the head of the talk show host.

Administration officials say a gunman who tried to storm a media gala dinner with a shotgun Saturday night in Washington was apparently targeting Trump and other administration officials.

Security officers subdued the man after an exchange of gunfire.

In the aftermath of the drama, right-wing critics claimed that Democrats criticizing Trump were responsible for fueling extremism -- even though the president himself has repeatedly broken precedents with violent invective against opponents, the media, the courts and immigrants.

As a prominent late-night comedy host, Kimmel has been at the heart of the debate over constitutionally protected speech.

In his monologue last Thursday, Kimmel portrayed himself as the MC of that upcoming banquet, a glitzy yearly event called the White House Correspondents' Dinner.

Kimmel's jokes included one in which he addressed the first lady in the audience and said, "Mrs Trump, you have a glow like an expectant widow."

Trump turns 80 in June and is the oldest president ever to take office in the United States. His wife, a former model who was born in Slovenia, is 56.

Hitting out at Kimmel Monday on X, the first lady said Kimmel's "monologue about my family isn't comedy -- his words are corrosive and deepens the political sickness within America."

Kimmel was briefly suspended from his show on the ABC network last September following government pressure after he said Trump's hard-right MAGA movement was trying to make political capital from the assassination of MAGA influencer Charlie Kirk.

"A coward, Kimmel hides behind ABC because he knows the network will keep running cover to protect him," the first lady added on Monday.

"Enough is enough. It is time for ABC to take a stand. How many times will ABC's leadership enable Kimmel's atrocious behavior at the expense of our community."

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



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Sunday, April 26, 2026

Iran Foreign Minister Back In Pak After Trump Calls Off Dispatching Envoys

Iran's foreign minister returned to Islamabad for more consultations on Sunday, as international mediators tried to keep peace talks on track despite US President Donald Trump calling off his envoys' planned trip.

According to the Iranian news agency ISNA, Abbas Araghchi was to sit down with Pakistani officials to convey "Iran's positions and views on the framework of any understanding to completely end the war" in the Middle East.

The minister had already been in Islamabad only the day before, after which he travelled to Oman, while other Iranian envoys went to Tehran "to consult and obtain the necessary instructions on issues related to ending the war", according to the agency.  

Before Saturday's Iran-Pakistan meetings in Islamabad, the White House had announced that Trump's peace envoy Steve Witkoff and son-in-law Jared Kushner were planning to leave for Pakistan to engage in further negotiations.

But Trump later told Fox News he had scrapped the trip, saying there was no point "sitting around talking about nothing". He dismissed Tehran's negotiating position, but added that it had revised its proposal within minutes of his decision.

"They gave us a paper that should have been better and -- interestingly -- immediately when I cancelled it, within 10 minutes, we got a new paper that was much better," he told reporters, without elaborating.

'Very Fruitful'

Asked separately whether halting the trip meant a return to open hostilities, Trump said: "No, it doesn't mean that. We haven't thought about it yet."

Later, after a gunman was arrested at the White House Correspondents' Association dinner in Washington, Trump said he did not think the incident was related to Iran but that it would not deter him "from winning the war".

On Saturday, Araghchi met Pakistan's military chief Asim Munir, a key mediator, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, before flying on to Muscat. 

He is expected to go to Moscow after the talks in Islamabad.

Araghchi described his initial Pakistan trip as "very fruitful" but signalled scepticism over Washington's intentions. "Have yet to see if the US is truly serious about diplomacy," he said.

Hormuz Blockade Deepens

Pressure to end the war has intensified as the Strait of Hormuz -- a vital oil and gas route -- remains closed.

Iran's powerful Revolutionary Guards said they had no intention of lifting their blockade, which has roiled energy markets.

"Controlling the Strait of Hormuz and maintaining the shadow of its deterrent effects over America and the White House's supporters in the region is the definitive strategy of Islamic Iran," the Guards said on their official Telegram channel.

The United States has imposed a blockade of Iranian ports in retaliation.

In a statement carried by state media, Iran's military warned that continued US "blockading, banditry and piracy" would draw a response.

Israel Strikes Lebanon

On the war's Lebanese front, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu ordered strikes on Hezbollah and accused the Iran-backed group of violating a ceasefire that was extended this week.

"It must be understood that Hezbollah's violations are, in practice, dismantling the ceasefire," Netanyahu said during Sunday's weekly cabinet meeting.

Lebanese official media said Israel's military began striking the country's south after issuing an evacuation warning for seven locations, despite the ceasefire with the Iran-backed group.

"Israeli warplanes launched a strike" in Kfar Tibnit -- one of the locations included in the warning -- the state-run National News Agency said, adding that there were reports of casualties.

Under the terms of the ceasefire, Israel reserves the right to act against "planned, imminent or ongoing attacks". 

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



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At 111, Oldest Man In US Says These 3 Habits Helped Him Live A Long Life

A 111-year-old man believed to be the oldest living man in the United States has shared the simple habits he credits for his long and healthy life. Luis Cano, who was born in Colombia on December 9, 1914, now lives in Linden, New Jersey. His remarkable age was officially validated by LongeviQuest in December 2025, placing him among the oldest people in the world, the New York Post reported. The centenarian never received a formal education.

Cano's life has spanned more than a century of change. He once served in the Colombian Army and later founded a bus company that connected rural communities. Talking to Fox 5 News, he considers building a life in the US to be the biggest accomplishment of his life.

Despite the extraordinary milestone, Cano says his approach to longevity is anything but complicated. Instead of chasing modern health trends, he follows a few consistent principles.

His three core rules are simple:

  • Abstinence from Alcohol and Tobacco: He has never smoked or consumed alcohol throughout his entire life.
  • Prioritise Sleep: He emphasises the importance of always getting "a good sleep."
  • Good Behaviour: He adds a simple moral guideline: "Behave well." 

His lifestyle has also played a role. Cano has long followed a vegetable-rich diet, regularly eating beans, chili peppers, avocados, and onions. He stayed active well into old age, gardening until he was 105 and enjoying hobbies like fishing, bowling, and billiards.

Family, he says, has been just as important. He lives with two of his 10 children and credits much of his happiness to the care and support of his large family, which includes 11 grandchildren and several great-great-grandchildren. His wife died in 2004.

Nowadays, he enjoys simple pleasures like watching airplanes fly by and reflecting on his long journey, which he describes as a "lifetime accomplishment".

Speaking to LongeviQuest in January, Cano's family said the centenarian is now something of a local celebrity. Cars often honk in celebration when they spot his birthday sign on the lawn each year. They also said the city's mayor, Mayor Derek Armstead, has visited their home multiple times to talk with Cano and recently delivered a proclamation honouring his life and achievements.



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Man, 67, Barges Into Women's Hostel, Rapes MBA Student In Odisha Shocker

A 67-year-old grocery shopkeeper barged into a women's hostel adjacent to his shop and allegedly raped an MBA student in Odisha's capital, Bhubaneswar. The police have arrested the accused, identified as Deepak Pradhan.

Pradhan runs a grocery shop in the city's Gangapada area. On April 24, he allegedly raped the MBA student, a native of Chhattisgarh's Bilaspur.

The survivor approached the police and lodged a complaint at the Info Valley Police Station.

The police have sent the survivor for a medical examination. They are probing how an outsider gained entry into the women's hostel.

After interrogation, the accused will be placed under judicial custody, the police said.

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Delhi Rape Case

The incident came days after an IRS Officer's daughter, an IIT Delhi graduate, was raped and murdered by her family's former domestic help.

The accused, named Rahul Meena, gained entry into the 22-year-old's Delhi house using a spare key and allegedly thrashed her with a blunt object before raping her. He later strangled her using a phone charger cord.

The woman's parents had gone to their gym session when the incident took place.

Also read: Delhi Murder Autopsy Reveals Ex-Help's Brutality, Woman's Fight To Save Life

Meena told the police that he had gone to the house with the intention of burglary. He claimed he wouldn't have assaulted her had she given him money.

Hours before the murder, the man had allegedly raped his friend's wife in Rajasthan's Alwar.

(With inputs from Dev Kumar Ghosh)



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Gurgaon Techie, 25, Breaks Down Rs 90,000 Monthly Expenses: "I Don't Party"

A 25-year-old product manager from Gurgaon has gone viral after sharing a detailed breakdown of his Rs 90,000 monthly expenses, offering a candid look at the cost of living for young professionals in a tier-1 city. Shivank Goel posted the breakdown on Instagram, highlighting how everyday expenses, rather than an extravagant lifestyle, add up quickly. Despite not spending on parties or luxury hobbies, his monthly outflow reflects the financial reality of urban adulting.

His fixed costs include Rs 18,000 for rent for a 2BHK apartment, along with Rs 2,000 for house help and Rs 1,000 for electricity. Digital essentials such as Wi-Fi, subscriptions, and phone bills come to around Rs 3,000 per month. Notably, his commute and weekday meals cost him nothing, as they are covered by his workplace.

Beyond essentials, he spends about Rs 5,000 on groceries and supplements like protein powder. He also sets aside Rs 20,000 every month for SIP investments, indicating a strong focus on savings and financial planning.

However, a significant portion of his expenses comes from discretionary spending. A single trip cost him Rs 30,000, while another Rs 10,000 went toward miscellaneous purchases, including laundry, shopping, and late-night online orders.

Altogether, his monthly spending touches Rs 90,000 - an amount he pointed out feels substantial, especially given his relatively low-key lifestyle. "So, total wallet damage? 90,000 Rs., which is scary because I don't go out, I don't party, and I have no expensive hobbies. But, I guess adulting in these big cities is just one long bill," he wrote.

Watch the video here:

The post struck a chord with many users online, with several calling it relatable and reflective of the rising cost of living in cities like Gurgaon. Others highlighted the importance of disciplined investing, noting that his savings stood out even amid high expenses.

The viral breakdown has added to broader conversations about how young professionals in urban India are navigating rent, lifestyle costs, and long-term financial goals—all while trying to maintain a balance between spending and saving.



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Saturday, April 25, 2026

Sitharaman bats for unified KYC, asks Sebi lead

Mumbai: Finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Saturday called for a unified know-your-customer (KYC) system across the financial sector to eliminate repeated verification for users, and urged the Securities and Exchange Board of India (Sebi) to lead the effort."It is a shared responsibility of all stakeholders to ensure that no citizen has to repeat the same verification journey across multiple financial products and platforms," Sitaraman said at an event to mark the markets regulator's 38th Foundation Day here."We need a seamless, secure and portable KYC experience across the financial sector," she said.Also Read: Tell us what you need to invest more: FM Sitharaman to India IncThe current fragmented KYC framework imposes unnecessary friction on users, the minister said, stressing the need for urgent reform through digitisation and common standards across regulators.Sebi is well-placed to drive convergence given its scale and digital infrastructure, she said.Sitharaman urged the market regulator to shift from reactive oversight to anticipatory regulation. "The lesson from history is not that regulation should become more restrictive, but that it must become more sophisticated and anticipatory rather than reactive," she said.Also Read: India's financial system and external sector remain resilient: RBI BulletinThe FM also urged Sebi to focus on emerging risks such as artificial intelligence-led market abuse, cybersecurity threats and cross-border fraud."It is the mark of a mature regulatory system that it learns from past episodes without being paralysed by them," she said. "The measure of institutional quality is not the absence of such episodes, but the speed and rigour of the corrective response and the structural improvements that follow."Raising concerns over cybersecurity, Sitharaman warned that a major cyberattack on financial infrastructure could have systemic consequences."A single successful cyberattack on a major exchange, depository, clearing corporation or large intermediary could disrupt markets at a national scale, erase wealth, and shake public confidence," she said. "The tools of attack are evolving at high speed, and the tools of defence must evolve even faster."While acknowledging Sebi's progress in cybersecurity frameworks and use of AI-driven surveillance, Sitharaman called for continued investments in defence capabilities and public awareness campaigns against digital fraud.

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'Iran Can Call Us Anytime': Trump After Cancelling Top Officials' Pak Trip

US President Donald Trump said that he has ordered his envoys to not travel to Pakistan for talks with Iranian officials on ending the war.

According to Fox News, Trump said that he told the envoys not to get on an "18-hour flight" while they were getting ready to leave. He said that he does not want his officials to "sit around talking about nothing".

The Republican leader said that the United States holds all the cards and that Iran "can call us anytime they want".

However, Trump said that cancelling his envoys' trip to Islamabad did not mean that the war in Iran would restart. When asked if the cancellation would mean the war would resume, he said, "No. It doesn't mean that. We haven't thought about it yet."

The president also took to Truth Social to confirm the same. "Too much time wasted on traveling, too much work!" he wrote. 

Trump also criticised the Iranian government for "infighting" and "confusion" within their leadership and claimed that even the Iranians do not know who is in charge. 

"Also, we have all the cards, they have none! If they want to talk, all they have to do is call!!!", he added.



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IPL Franchises Wish Speedy Recovery To Delhi Capitals' Lungi Ngidi

Punjab Kings rewrote the T20 record books with a breathtaking batting blitz, pulling off the highest-ever successful chase in the format's history by overhauling a daunting 265-run target to outgun Delhi Capitals by six wickets in an IPL run-fest in Delhi on Saturday. KL Rahul blended grace with power to script a stroke-filled 152, the third-highest individual IPL score, while Nitish Rana (91) batted with authority as the duo powered hosts Delhi Capitals to a mammoth 264 for 2 after opting to bat first.

Chasing the target, Punjab's dynamic opening pair of Prabhsimran Singh (76) and Priyansh Arya (73) came out all guns blazing, adding 126 runs in just 42 balls to lay a formidable foundation for the chase and set the tone for their sixth win of the season.

Skipper Shreyas Iyer, who was dropped by Karun Nair twice in the span of three balls, then scored an unbeaten 71 off 36 deliveries to take PBKS over the line with as many as seven balls to spare. .

Incidentally, the previous highest successful run chase in T20 as well as IPL history also belongs to PBKS when they chased down 262 against the Kolkata Knight Riders in 2024.

They remain unbeaten this season and on top of the points table with 11 points from six games In a match where 49 boundaries and 33 sixes were hit, with only six wickets falling, the bowlers were arguably the biggest losers.

The visitors showed remarkable composure and intent, building on their previous outing where they had scored the previous highest total of the season.

Local lad Priyansh and Prabhsimran consistently sent the ball to and over the fence. The latter hit six fours against Mukesh Kumar in the sixth over.

There were anxious moments during the chase when Delhi Capitals pacer Lungi Ngidi was hit the back of the head on the ground while attempting a catch off Arya's bat.

The South African had to be stretchered off the field after a delay of over 15 minutes, momentarily halting proceedings.

Both sides were also guilty of sloppy fielding, with dropped catches and misfields adding to their woes.

Earlier, setting a target for the first time this season, the Capitals came out with clear intent, attacking anything in their arc from the outset.

The home team hit a total of 29 fours and 13 sixes to put on board the highest total of the 2026 IPL season.

Striking at over 200 throughout the 20 overs, Rahul (152 off 67 balls) unfurled a range of classical strokes all around the ground, seamlessly combining timing with aggression to put up the highest-score ever by an Indian in the IPL.

With the knock, he also became only the third player to go beyond 150-run mark after Chris Gayle (175) and Brendon McCullum (158).

Dropped twice, Rahul made full use of the reprieve, forging a 220-run stand with local boy Rana for the second wicket. It was second biggest stand in IPL history behind 229 set by Virat Kohli and AB de Villiers.

Rana looked completely at ease on his home ground. His 44-ball knock, laced with 11 fours and 4 sixes, provided the perfect foil as the duo kept the scoreboard ticking at a brisk pace.

Rahul set the tone early, striking back-to-back boundaries in the second over before Pathum Nissanka chipped in with a crisp four.

Although Punjab struck an early blow with Nissanka top-edging to the keeper, their bowlers found little respite thereafter. They were also guilty of a few misfields, which only added to their woes.

Rahul and Rana seized control, punishing anything loose and propelling Delhi to 68 for one, DC's best powerplay score of the season before plundering 145 runs in the middle overs.

Rana then shifted gears in spectacular fashion, taking apart Australian pacer Xavier Bartlett in the 12th over for 28 runs.

The left-hander dealt exclusively in boundaries, smashing two sixes and four fours in a sequence of 6,4,4,4,4,6.

At the other end, Rahul was equally ruthless, taking a liking to Vijaykumar Vyshak in the 16th over, from which he plundered three sixes and a four, as Delhi tightened their grip on the contest.

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



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Live: Trump Cancels Top Officials' Pakistan Trip For Iran Talks

US-Iran War News Live Update: Hours after Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Aragchi departed Islamabad, US President Donald Trump said that US negotiators Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner will no longer be heading to Pakistan for a second round, as a delicate ceasefire remains in place in the Middle East.

The US president said it's not worth the US delegation making the 18-hour flight to Pakistan when the US holds all the cards in the conflict with Iran.

"I've told my people a little while ago they were getting ready to leave, and I said, 'Nope, you're not making an 18-hour flight to go there. We have all the cards. They can call us anytime they want, but you're not going to be making any more 18-hour flights to sit around talking about nothing'," Trump told Fox News.

Here Are Live Updates On US-Iran War, Ceasefire, Peace Talks:



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Friday, April 24, 2026

Ashok Lahiri to become Niti Aayog vice-chairman



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Trump Sending 2 Key Officials To Pak For Talks With Iran: Report

US President Donald Trump is sending special envoy to the Middle East Steve Witkoff and special envoy for Peace, Jared Kushner to Pakistan for talks with Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, CNN reported on Friday.

US Vice President JD Vance is on standby to travel to Islamabad if negotiations show progress, but he is currently not planning to attend the talks.

However, the Iranians have not confirmed if they are going to meet with the US delegation.

Earlier today, Araghchi said that he was heading to Pakistan, Oman and Russia on a "timely tour" that focused on "bilateral matters and regional developments".

Vance, Witkoff and Kushner were scheduled to travel to Islamabad on Tuesday, but the White House said the delegation's "trip to Pakistan will not be happening today (Tuesday)".

US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth said on Friday that Iran had a chance to make a "good deal, a wise deal". He said that the US has "all the time in the world" and is not anxious for a ceasefire deal.

Earlier today, Araghchi and Pakistan's Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar spoke about regional developments and the US-Iran ceasefire. 

"Both sides exchanged views on regional developments, the ceasefire, and ongoing diplomatic efforts being pursued by Islamabad in the context of US-Iran engagement," the statement read.



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Sai Sudharsan Breaks Chris Gayle's Sensational IPL Record With Fiery Knock

Gujarat Titans opener Sai Sudharsan scripted history with his batting on Friday night during a match against Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium. The southpaw, who started the season poorly with just one fifty in six matches, slammed a sensational century (100 off 58) against RCB. During the knock, Sudharsan also reached the milestone of 2,000 IPL runs. He achieved the feat in his 47th innings, surpassing the previous record held by Chris Gayle. The former West Indies opener had reached the milestone in 48 innings.

Fastest to 2000 IPL runs:

47 innings - Sai Sudharsan
48 innings - Chris Gayle
52 innings - Shaun Marsh
57 innings - Ruturaj Gaikwad
60 innings - KL Rahul

In terms of balls, Sudharsan is the sixth fastest Indian batter to achieve the feat of 2000 IPL runs. Have a look at the list:

1193 - Abhishek Sharma
1211 - Virender Sehwag
1306 - Rishabh Pant
1326 - Yashasvi Jaiswal
1353 - Yusuf Pathan
1361 - Sai Sudharsan

RCB skipper Rajat Patidar won the toss and opted to field against GT in the game. It's the Royal Challengers Bengaluru's final home game of the season at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium.

The Gujarat Titans came into this clash on the back of a heavy 99-run loss to the Mumbai Indians.

During the match, Jason Holder made his Gujarat Titans debut.

"We will field first. One change - Salty (Phil Salt) got injured, (Jacob) Bethell is in. One great point is that we're assessing the wicket and the situation well, and our planning has been good. This looks like a good wicket for batting, but it lacks grass and could be tacky in the first innings," said RCB captain Rajat Patidar said during the toss.

Gujarat Titans captain Shubman Gill said, "Not really, chasing is good here, but hopefully we'll have a good game. It's all about assessing the conditions early, getting off to a good start and setting up the foundation early. Games like that (against MI) can happen in such a big tournament, but we're focusing on the positives. Two changes: Jason Holder is playing, and Manav Suthar is back."



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Thursday, April 23, 2026

Meta tells staff it will cut 10% of jobs

Meta Platforms plans to cut 10% of workers, or roughly 8,000 employees, in an effort to boost efficiency and offset its heavy spending on artificial intelligence. The company disclosed the move in a memo sent to employees Thursday, saying the layoffs will come on May 20. Meta also won’t hire workers for 6,000 open roles that it had intended to fill.The job cuts come as Chief Executive Officer Mark Zuckerberg is spending aggressively on the talent and infrastructure needed to develop state-of-the-art artificial intelligence products, including large language models and chatbots. Meta already projected record capital expenditures this year, and has announced several multibillion-dollar deals with AI partners over the past few months. Employees have been encouraged to use AI agents internally to help with writing code and other tasks. Meta alluded to its AI spending in the memo, which was written by Janelle Gale, chief people officer. “We’re doing this as part of our continued effort to run the company more efficiently and to allow us to offset the other investments we’re making,” she wrote in the note, which was reviewed by Bloomberg. Meta employees have spent much of the year fretting about job cuts, which already hit the Reality Labs division and other teams. Gale said that the company was announcing the layoffs early since details of the plan had already leaked. Reuters first reported on Meta’s planned workforce reductions earlier this month. “I know this is unwelcome news and confirming this puts everyone in an uneasy state, but we feel this is the best path forward, given the circumstances,” Gale wrote. Other big tech companies are making cuts in the face of booming AI spending. Microsoft Corp. offered voluntary retirement to thousands of US employees on Thursday. Meta had almost 79,000 employees at the start of the year. The company is scheduled to report first quarter earnings next week. Read Gale’s full memo below:Over the last few weeks we have been working on some changes to our organization that will result in us laying off around 10% of the company on May 20, and closing about 6,000 open roles. Normally, we would want to nail down more details before communicating about this broadly, but since this has leaked, I want to share what I can right now. I know this is unwelcome news and confirming this puts everyone in an uneasy state, but we feel this is the best path forward, given the circumstances. We’re doing this as part of our continued effort to run the company more efficiently and to allow us to offset the other investments we’re making. This is not an easy tradeoff and it will mean letting go of people who have made meaningful contributions to Meta during their time here.We will support those who are laid off with a generous severance package which, in the US, will include 16 weeks base pay plus two weeks for every year of employment. We will also cover the cost of COBRA health care coverage for US employees and their families for 18 months. Packages outside the US will be similar but vary by country, as will local timelines and processes. We will also offer career services to support people in finding another role, and immigration support for those who need it. We’ll share more of these details in a follow up post ahead of May 20. For notifications, we will follow the same process we have before: on May 20, anyone who is impacted will receive an email to their work and personal accounts – please make sure your personal email is updated in Workday. I know this leaves everyone with nearly a month of ambiguity which is incredibly unsettling. We will try to answer your questions here in the comments but as we’re still working through the details we aren’t able to share much more until later in May. Meanwhile, you can find more information on the People Portal which includes our standard FAQs and logistical details for layoffs.

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Wednesday, April 22, 2026

Trump says Iran won’t execute 8 women



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"Misled Again": Iran As Trump Claims Tehran To Execute 8 Women

Iran's judiciary denied on Tuesday that eight women arrested over protests that shook the Islamic republic this year were at risk of execution, after US President Donald Trump urged Tehran to release them to help negotiations.

Rights groups have said at least one woman arrested over the January protests has been sentenced to death while at least one more is facing charges that carry the death penalty and could see her executed.

"Trump was misled once again by fake news," the judiciary's official Mizan Online website said. "The women who were claimed to be on the verge of execution, some of them have been released, while others face charges that, if convictions are upheld, would at most result in imprisonment."

Trump had earlier said on social media that the women's release could work in Iran's favour in negotiations, re-posting an activist's claim that eight women were facing death by hanging. That claim did not give names but included photographs of the women.

"I would greatly appreciate the release of these women," Trump posted on Truth Social.

US-based Iranian dissident Masih Alinejad however posted the names of all eight women on her X account. They had all been arrested in connection with the January protests, which activists say were put down in a crackdown that left thousands dead.

"Say their names," Alinejad said, alleging that one of those held was as young as 16.

One of the women identified, Bita Hemmati, was sentenced to death along with three men, including her husband, in a case where they are accused of throwing concrete blocks from a residential building onto security forces in Tehran, several rights groups reported earlier this month.

The US-based Abdorrahman Boroumand Center rights group said it also believed that Hemmati was the woman who appeared in a video broadcast on state television in January being personally interrogated by judiciary chief Gholamhossein Mohseni Ejei.

Another woman in the pictures reposted by Trump is Mahboubeh Shabani, 32, who according to the Norway-based Hengaw rights group, has been charged with the capital offence of "waging war against God" after being accused of using her motorcycle to transport wounded protesters in the northeastern city of Mashhad.

She is currently being held in the women's ward of Vakilabad prison in Mashhad, according to Hengaw, which expressed "deep concern over the risk of a death sentence in this case".

Norway-based Iran Human Rights and Paris-based Together Against the Death Penalty said last week -- in their joint annual report on the death penalty in Iran -- that at least 1,639 people have been executed in 2025, including 48 women.

Rights groups accuse the Islamic republic of using capital punishment to instil fear throughout society and stepping up executions of political prisoners against the background of the war against the US and Israel.

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



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Tuesday, April 21, 2026

Kavya Maran's Reaction Viral After Abhishek Slams 5th Highest IPL Score

Abhishek Sharma's explosive second Indian Premier League (IPL) century, supported by a quick-fire cameo from Heinrich Klaasen, powered Sunrisers Hyderabad to a commanding 242/2 against Delhi Capitals on Tuesday in Hyderabad. Sharma remained unbeaten on 135, his second-highest score in the tournament, hammering 10 towering sixes and carrying his bat through a dominant innings. While Klaasen played a vital and fiery hand, smashing 37 off just 13 balls, including three sixes and four fours.

SRH owner Kavya Maran was ectatic after the ton by Abshiek as was the star opener's father Raj Kumar Sharma. 

After being put in to bat, Abhishek Sharma and Travis Head gave Sunrisers Hyderabad a flying start, scoring nine runs in the opening over.

Nitish Rana responded with a tight second over, conceding just six runs, but the momentum quickly shifted back as both openers struck a boundary each off Mukesh Kumar in the next over.

Lungi Ngidi came into the attack in the fourth over but was taken for 10 runs. The pressure mounted in the following over when Sharma and Head took charge against Rana, scoring 20 runs to bring up a brisk 50-run opening partnership.

Sharma capped off an impressive powerplay by smashing a six off the final ball, guiding SRH to a commanding 67 without loss at the end of the fielding restrictions.

DC skipper Axar Patel, featuring in his 100th match for the franchise, delivered a tight over immediately after the powerplay, conceding just seven runs. He was well supported by Kuldeep Yadav, who followed up with another disciplined over, giving away only eight runs.

In Patel's second over, Sharma and Head slammed him for a six each before the DC skipper got the better of Head for 37, bringing SRH skipper Ishan Kishan to the crease.

In the same over, Sharma brought up his fifty in 25 balls - the slowest fifty of his six IPL fifties in Hyderabad.

Sharma also completed 2,000 IPL runs for SRH, joining David Warner, Shikhar Dhawan and Kane Williamson in the elite list.

Sharma and Kishan launched an attack on Yadav as the duo slammed 22 runs in the 11th over. Continuing to take on the DC bowlers, Sharma brought up his second IPL hundred in the 15th over.

In the same over, SRH skipper Kishan was run out for 25; however, Sharma thumped Rana for 23 runs to take SRH's total to 183/2.

Sharma blazed his way to his second IPL century in 47 balls. It was the 25-year-old's ninth T20 century overall, equalling Virat Kohli's record for the most centuries by an Indian in men's T20 cricket.

This also marked the second instance of Abhishek Sharma smashing 10 sixes in an IPL innings, making him only the second batter to achieve the feat multiple times after Chris Gayle, who has done it four times.

Sunrisers Hyderabad surged past the 200-run mark by the end of the 17th over, with Sharma and Heinrich Klaasen at the crease.

Klaasen continued the onslaught, smashing two sixes off Lungi Ngidi in the 18th over to add another 14 runs to SRH's total.

Klaasen also became the third-fastest player to reach 100 IPL sixes in terms of innings (52), behind Gayle (37) and Andre Russell (47), and the seventh-fastest in terms of balls faced (1,072).

T. Natarajan bowled an outstanding 19th over, conceding just six runs. SRH finished their innings on 242/2, with Klaasen and Sharma collecting 20 runs in the final over.



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Despite $120,000 Job Offer, NRI Wants To Return To India: "I'm Too Depressed"

An NRI who recently completed their master's degree and landed a $120,000 (Rs 1.12 crore) job offer in the US said they wanted to return to India as soon as possible. In a social media post, the user detailed that they received the job offer in Austin, Texas, but wanted to return home due to depression caused by the loneliness of living in a foreign land.

"Hey guys, need a help badly. I'm about to finish my MS from Indiana. Got 120k (100k base) offer in Austin. I have about 40k dollar loan pending," the user said in a Reddit post.

The NRI sought the internet's help on how to go about the transition and asked how much they needed to save before leaving the US.

"I'm too depressed right now and just want to save as much as possible before returning. Could someone give me rough estimate about how much will I have in-hand & how much can I save roughly in 3/4 years?"

Check The Post Here:

Posts from the developersindia
community on Reddit

Also Read | NASA Nighttime Map Shows Earth's Brightest Spots, Indian Cities Shine Bright

Social Media Reactions

As the post gained traction, social media users highlighted that paying off the loan, especially in USD, should be the priority for the NRI prior to returning home.

"Given your goal of leaving the US as soon as possible with a 40k loan i'd give myself at least two years of space to pay it back," said one user, while another added: "Clearing the loan and saving approximately 125k is achievable. No state taxes is an added bonus. Since you can't get by without a car in Texas, buy a beater car, and have flatmates. Do not get a brand new or a fairly used car."

A third commented: "I was able to save $150k with $72k job in Florida in four years, lived very frugally like a student in shared accommodation and without a car, no fancy trips & restaurants, was able to cap the monthly expenses to $1k a month."

A fourth said: "Your primary objective should be to pay off your loan while you can earn in USD. Try to make friends who have similar interests. Austin is good place for outdoor activities. That should help your current mental health situation."



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Monday, April 20, 2026

Aishwarya Celebrates 19th Wedding Anniversary With Abhishek And Aaradhya

Aishwarya Rai Bachchan marked a special milestone in the most heartwarming way. Celebrating 19 years of togetherness with Abhishek Bachchan on Monday, April 20, the actor gave fans a glimpse into their intimate family celebration.

Taking to social media, Aishwarya shared a series of cheerful selfies featuring Abhishek and their daughter Aaradhya. 

The trio looked happy as they posed together holding a beautiful bouquet.

As soon as the photos were posted, fans flooded the comments section with heartfelt wishes.

About Abhishek And Aishwarya's Love Story

In an interview with Oprah Winfrey, Abhishek shared the memorable story of his proposal. 

While in New York promoting Guru, he found himself standing on his hotel balcony, reflecting on life and love. In that quiet moment, he thought about how wonderful it would be to spend his life with Aishwarya. 

He said, "I was filming in New York for a movie, and I used to stand on the balcony of my hotel room and wish that one day, you know, it wouldn't be nice if I was together with her, married. So I took her to the very same balcony, and I asked her to marry me."

The couple got married on April 20, 2007, in a grand ceremony that captured the nation's attention. Four years later, on November 16, 2011, they welcomed their daughter Aaradhya, completing their little family.

ALSO READ: When Abhishek Bachchan And Aishwarya Rai Fight, Who Says Sorry First? Her Answer



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Sunday, April 19, 2026

Nepal protests tax on Indian imports over ₹100



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7 Weeks On, Why Iran Hasn't Buried Ali Khamenei? Expert's 'Fear' Claim

In a stark departure from Iran's cultural and political traditions, the country's former Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, has yet to be laid to rest. Over seven weeks after the 86-year-old was assassinated in a combined US-Israel strike in Tehran, the Iranian regime has not yet finalised the site for his burial, indicating the Mojtaba Khamenei-led administration has its hands full warding off the existential threat posed by the American and Israeli forces. A security expert, however, has claimed that fear, not preoccupation with the war, has caused an inordinate delay in Khamenei's last rites.

Behnam Taleblu from the Foundation for the Defence of Democracies told the New York Post that the Mojtaba Khamenei regime is paralysed by fear and is in no position to hold an elaborate memorial service despite an uneasy ceasefire with the US.

Millions of people had shown up for his predecessor Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini's funeral in 1989. However, a similar funeral service couldn't be organised for Ali Khamenei because Israel kept pounding Iran for several weeks.

"Simply put, the regime is too afraid and too weak to roll the dice," he said.

A host of reasons is responsible for Iran's avoidance of an elaborate ceremony. The country, according to the expert, is spooked by potential Israeli airstrikes and nationalist protests.

Another piece in the puzzle is Mojtaba Khamenei, the new Supreme Leader, who has been conspicuous by his absence.

It has been several weeks since the senior Khamenei died, but Mojtaba hasn't made a public appearance. The regime will have to explain his absence should it decide to bury his father. 

"It speaks volumes that the turnout for the funeral of the regime's founding father in 1989 was such a massive affair, and yet one generation later his successor is still not able to have a funeral well over a month after his passing," Taleblu said.

"The Islamic Republic likes to talk a big game about owning the streets, but a 50-day internet blackout tells you all you need to know. The regime fears the consequences of the truth getting out," he added.

The publication reported that the regime is exploring the northeastern city of Mashhad for a potential burial site. It is Khamenei's hometown and is located on Iran's border with Turkmenistan, far away from Israel.

In response to the US and Israel's airstrikes, Iran attacked US positions in the Middle East and closed down the Strait of Hormuz, a narrow strip of water essential for the transportation of energy exports from the region. The closure of the Strait has put pressure on global oil supplies and prices.

On April 8, the two warring sides announced an interim ceasefire. Last week, they convened a peace meeting in Islamabad, which failed despite hectic negotiations that went on for over 20 hours.

US President Donald Trump claimed Iran's insistence on holding on to its nuclear ambitions derailed the talks.

On Sunday, Trump announced a second round of peace talks with Iran in Pakistan. He, however, warned that if Tehran doesn't accept the deal, US forces will knock out "every single power plant and bridge" in Iran.



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8 Children, Between 10-14 Years, Killed After Mass Shooting In US' Louisiana

Authorities say eight children were killed in a domestic disturbance in Lousiana.

The shooting occurred around 6 a.m. on Sunday in Shreveport, according to Police Chief Wayne Smith. The victims ranging in age from one to about 14 years old.

He said a total of 10 people shot.

Officials said they were still gathering details about the crime scene, which extended across three locations. Smith said the suspected shooter was fatally shot by police during a vehicle chase.

Some of the children shot were related to the suspect, Smith said.

"This is an extensive scene unlike anything most of us have ever seen," Smith added.

Louisiana State Police say their detectives have been asked by Shreveport police to investigate. In a statement, state police say no officers were harmed in the shooting that involved an officer after a police pursuit into Bossier City on Sunday morning.

State police are asking anyone with pictures, video or information to share it with state police detectives.

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



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From Greetings To Being On Time: Indian Woman Says Europe Changed Her Lifestyle

An Indian woman's experience of living in Europe has caught attention online, as she shared how it changed her daily habits and way of thinking.

Visha Khandelwal posted a video on Instagram where she spoke about the cultural differences she noticed while staying in European homes and how she is now using those lessons in her life back in India.

She begins by saying that as an Indian who spent the last few months inside European homes, she learned several things and is now applying them in her daily life. 

She first talks about the importance of small social gestures, explaining that she formed the habit of greeting everyone, including cab drivers, waiters and even strangers passing by.

She adds that while this behaviour may not always work the same way in India, it has still changed how she interacts with people. 

She says that although sharing the OTP first with an auto driver is practical, she has started having conversations after that and believes that even a short ride can offer new perspectives.

Another habit she highlights is punctuality. Recalling an incident, she says that when two Indian girls were travelling with a Swiss man, they would tell him to meet at 8:45 in the morning if they actually wanted him there at 8:30, yet he would still arrive at 8:30.

She says this consistency has influenced her own behaviour over time, adding that she now finds herself waiting for cabs or autos and often reaching before time. She noted that the stress and guilt of being late and having to apologise is something she now avoids, and feels it is underrated.

Watch Video Here:

Khandelwal also reflects on independence and self-focus. She shares that she has lived in co-living spaces with women aged 35 to 40 who were travelling alone, writing books, focusing on fitness and living without worry.

She contrasts this with societal expectations in India, saying that the thought of what people will say does not even cross their minds. She adds that these women moved out early, started earning on their own and made their own decisions without constant involvement from relatives.

The video was captioned that what she learnt from Europeans as an Indian travelling abroad includes learning to say no and drawing clearer boundaries, which she describes as an important lesson.

Social Media Reaction

Social Media Users gave mixed reactions to the post. One user commented, "The punctuality hack of telling the Swiss guy 8:45 so he shows up at 8:30 is so painfully relatable."

Another user calls it, "So truee and relatable!"



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