Ukrainian Journalist Tortured, Had Organs Removed In Russian Custody: Report

A recent investigation by media organisations has shed light on the tragic death of Ukrainian journalist Viktoriia Roshchyna, who was captured by Russian forces in 2023 while reporting on the illegal detention and torture of Ukrainians in the occupied region of Zaporizhzhia.

According to a forensic examination of her body, Roshchyna, 27, suffered extensive torture and ill-treatment, including "abrasions and hemorrhages on various parts of the body, a broken rib, neck injuries, and possible electric shock marks on her feet," as described by Yuriy Belousov, head of the War Crimes Unit at the Ukrainian Prosecutor General's office.

Belousov also noted that Roshchyna's body showed signs of an autopsy having been performed before it was returned to Ukraine, and that some of her organs were missing. The missing organs could signal that Russia attempted to hide the cause of death, possibly to conceal that it had committed a war crime, Belousov said.

Roshchyna's colleagues at Ukrainska Pravda said, citimg members of the investigating team, that her brain, eyeballs, trachea were missing.

Roshchyna's death has sparked widespread condemnation, with Sevgil Musaieva, her editor at Ukrainska Pravda, describing her as a dedicated journalist who saw reporting from Russian-occupied territories as a mission.

"Viktoriia was the only reporter who covered the occupied territories. For her, it was a mission," Musaieva said. The Committee to Protect Journalists also condemned Roshchyna's death, stating that Russia was responsible. Ukrainian officials have raised concerns about the thousands of citizens being held in Russian custody without charges or access to legal counsel. "The issue of civilian hostages abducted and held by Russia requires increased international attention and immediate and strong response," Ukrainian foreign ministry spokesman Georgiy Tykhy said.

One of her colleagues at Hromadske, a Ukrainian media outlet said that, “For her, there was nothing more important than journalism. Vika was always where the most important events for the country took place. And she would have continued to do this for many years, but the Russians killed her,” said in a statement published on Hromadske's website.

Meanwhile, the conflict in Ukraine continues to escalate, with Russia launching a drone and missile attack on the cities of Kharkiv and Dnipro, killing at least one person and injuring 46. This comes as President Donald Trump claimed that Vladimir Putin wanted to stop the war, saying, "If it weren't for me, I think he'd want to take over the whole country", Trump told ABC News.
 

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Video: Woman Jumps Off 5th Floor Of Ahmedabad Building To Escape Fire

A young woman has survived after jumping out of a fifth-floor Ahmedabad building to escape fire.

Around 20-25 people have been rescued. Fire engines are on the spot. 

Screaming all the way down, the unnamed woman jumped off her apartment balcony in Aatrey Orchid in Indira Bridge area as a fire ripped through the building, showed a video. She was safely caught by people waiting on the ground.  

Orange flames leaping out of the building and huge, black plumes of smoke could be seen rising into the sky. 

The fire broke out in the air conditioning system of a flat, as per initial reports. It soon spread to the apartment's 'C' and 'D' wings.
 
In another video, a man can be seen lowering a girl on to another balcony where a man is on the edge and catches the little girl and saves her. 

A woman, in yet another video, can be seen using a rope to escape the burning building.

The injured have been admitted to a local hospital. 

(With inputs from Mahendra Prasad)

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LIVE: Who Will Be Canada's New PM- Liberal Carney Or Conservative Poilievre

Canadian Election 2025 LIVE: Canadians are set to vote today (Monday) to decide whether to extend the Prime Minister Mark Carney-led Liberal Party's decade in power or hand over the country's control to Pierre Poilievre's Conservatives. The initial results of the poll race will start coming after 7:30 pm EST (5:00 am IST), after voting ends in the four Atlantic provinces. The clear picture will emerge after 9:30 pm EST (7:00 am IST), when voting ends in most of the country, including in seat-rich Ontario and Quebec. 

This time, Canadians are not just electing their next Prime Minister, but the polls are also seen as a referendum of sorts on someone who isn't even Canadian-- US President Donald Trump. The Liberal Party looked set to lose easily to the Conservatives until Trump won a second term and began threatening Canada's economy and sovereignty, even suggesting the country should become the 51st state.

The American President's truculence not only infuriated many Canadians but also put Poilievre and the Conservative Party on the back foot due to his similarities with Trump.

Forty-five-year-old  Poilievre is a career politician who campaigned with Trump-like bravado. During campaigning, he tried to keep the focus on domestic concerns that made Trudeau deeply unpopular toward the end of his decade in power, especially soaring living costs. 

However, final polls indicate a tight race, but Carney has emerged as a favourite. Carney, 60, has never held elected office and had a lucrative career as an investment banker before serving as the central bank governor in both Canada and Britain. He only replaced Justin Trudeau as prime minister last month. 

But, surveys have consistently shown voters view the ex-central banker as the best candidate to deal with Trump. 

If the Liberals win today, it would mark one of the most dramatic turnarounds in Canadian political history. Public broadcaster CBC's poll aggregator on Sunday put the Liberals' national support at 42.8 per cent, with the Conservatives at 38.8 per cent.

Follow LIVE Updates Here:

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LIVE: Who Will Be Canada's New PM- Liberal Carney Or Conservative Poilievre

Canadian Election 2025 LIVE: Canadians are set to vote today (Monday) to decide whether to extend the Prime Minister Mark Carney-led Liberal Party's decade in power or hand over the country's control to Pierre Poilievre's Conservatives. The initial results of the poll race will start coming after 7:30 pm EST (5:00 am IST), after voting ends in the four Atlantic provinces. The clear picture will emerge after 9:30 pm EST (7:00 am IST), when voting ends in most of the country, including in seat-rich Ontario and Quebec. 

This time, Canadians are not just electing their next Prime Minister, but the polls are also seen as a referendum of sorts on someone who isn't even Canadian-- US President Donald Trump. The Liberal Party looked set to lose easily to the Conservatives until Trump won a second term and began threatening Canada's economy and sovereignty, even suggesting the country should become the 51st state.

The American President's truculence not only infuriated many Canadians but also put Poilievre and the Conservative Party on the back foot due to his similarities with Trump.

Forty-five-year-old  Poilievre is a career politician who campaigned with Trump-like bravado. During campaigning, he tried to keep the focus on domestic concerns that made Trudeau deeply unpopular toward the end of his decade in power, especially soaring living costs. 

However, final polls indicate a tight race, but Carney has emerged as a favourite. Carney, 60, has never held elected office and had a lucrative career as an investment banker before serving as the central bank governor in both Canada and Britain. He only replaced Justin Trudeau as prime minister last month. 

But, surveys have consistently shown voters view the ex-central banker as the best candidate to deal with Trump. 

If the Liberals win today, it would mark one of the most dramatic turnarounds in Canadian political history. Public broadcaster CBC's poll aggregator on Sunday put the Liberals' national support at 42.8 per cent, with the Conservatives at 38.8 per cent.

Follow LIVE Updates Here:

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Rishabh Pant Handed More Bad News Amid Poor IPL Form, Punished By BCCI For...

Lucknow Super Giants skipper Rishabh Pant was on Sunday fined Rs 24 lakh for maintaining a slow over-rate during his team's 54-run loss to Mumbai Indians in the Indian Premier League. "As this was his team's second offence of the season under Article 2.22 of the IPL's Code of Conduct, which pertains to minimum over-rate offences, Pant was fined INR 24 lakhs," the IPL said in a release. "The rest of the members of the Playing XI, including the Impact Player, will be fined either INR six lakhs or 25 per cent of their respective match fees, whichever is lesser." Mumbai Indians scored 215 for 7 and then bowled out LSG for 161 to record their fifth consecutive victory in the IPL.

Meanwhile, Lucknow Super Giants mentor and former India fast bowler Zaheer Khan on Sunday exuded confidence that express pacer Mayank Yadav's bowling speed will improve as he plays more matches in the IPL.

The right-arm tearaway pacer Mayank made his comeback after a long injury layoff. He had to deal with issues related to his back and toe after making his India debut in the shortest format in October last year.

On Sunday, Yadav returned with figures of 4-0-40-2, accounting for Mumbai Indians mainstays Rohit Sharma (12) and Hardik Pandya (5) but bowled in the range of 140kmph, a few clicks down from the earlier highs of 150-155kmph in the past.

“The wait was long and for anyone who is playing after so many months to get back into the game, (it) is always that one hurdle which one needs to cross as a bowler,” Zaheer told the media after LSG lost the game to MI by 54 runs here.

“I am happy with the way he has bowled. It's important that he had to get through the game.

“He stayed on (for) the (full) 20 overs. He has bowled four overs. The execution is only going to get better. The speed is only going to get better as he plays more, that's the way I am looking at it.” Zaheer explained the process of Mayank's return, saying LSG were cautious to not rush him through processes and wanted to create a conducive environment around him.

“Even though he had joined the team, we were taking our time just to create that comfort around him. I know that fast bowling is never easy, especially in this format when the batters are coming so hard at you. So, that was the thought process,” he said.

“I am glad that he has got through the game. That one hurdle is crossed, I am hopeful that with the scheduling which we have, there will be enough breaks also for him to recover and then go again."

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'Fearing Future Without Babies', Students 'Race' Sperm In Los Angeles

A commentator yells excitedly as hundreds of spectators stand glued to a video of a racecourse -- but the athletes they are rooting for are actually tiny sperm cells.

The unusual sport was invented by 17-year-old high schooler Eric Zhu, who raised over a million dollars to organise the event to call attention to male infertility.

Zhu said he was inspired by social media posts that claim average sperm counts had halved over the past 50 years.

Fearing that "there could be this dystopian future where no one will be able to make babies," Zhu said he wanted to use the competition to highlight the importance of reproductive health.

Scientists have not reached a consensus on whether humanity has experienced a dramatic drop in sperm count, with studies showing conflicting results.

At the Los Angeles event on Friday night, a man in a lab coat used pipettes to place samples of semen -- collected from contestants ahead of time -- onto tiny two-millimetre long "tracks."

The race track was magnified 100 times by a microscope, then filmed by a camera that transferred the image to a 3D animation software before the final video was broadcast to the audience.

"There's no way to really tell if this is real, but I want to believe it is," Felix Escobar, a 20-year-old spectator, told AFP.

At the end of the brief race, the loser, 19-year-old University of California student Asher Proeger, was sprayed with a liquid resembling semen.

'Not Elon Musk'

Zhu's fears about fertility echo the talking points of many in the burgeoning pro-natalist movement, which include conservative and far-right political figures.

But Zhu distanced himself from the movement.

"I have nothing to do with this, I'm not like an Elon Musk, who wants to repopulate the Earth," the young entrepreneur told AFP.

Musk, a close ally of US President Donald Trump, has been vocal about his belief that population decline threatens the West and has fathered over a dozen children with multiple women.

Zhu insisted he simply wanted to raise awareness of how sperm quality goes hand in hand with overall health.

"It's your choice to sleep earlier. It's your choice to stop doing drugs. It's your choice to eat healthier, and all these different things have a significant kind of impact on your motility," Zhu said.

Shanna Swan, a reproductive epidemiologist at Mount Sinai's Icahn School of Medicine, co-authored a study that found the sperm count decline cited by Zhu.

She said the proliferation of "hormonally active chemicals" in recent years has had a negative impact on human fertility.

But beneath the scientific veneer, the sperm race may seem more like an opportunity for college students to display their adolescent humor and participate in a viral stunt.

Some attendees dressed in costumes, including one resembling male genitals, while the hosts made lewd jokes and roasted the competitors.

A YouTube livestream of the event attracted over 100,000 views.

"I can't say I learned stuff I didn't know before," 22-year-old student and audience member Alberto Avila-Baca told AFP.

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

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'Fearing Future Without Babies', Students 'Race' Sperm In Los Angeles

A commentator yells excitedly as hundreds of spectators stand glued to a video of a racecourse -- but the athletes they are rooting for are actually tiny sperm cells.

The unusual sport was invented by 17-year-old high schooler Eric Zhu, who raised over a million dollars to organise the event to call attention to male infertility.

Zhu said he was inspired by social media posts that claim average sperm counts had halved over the past 50 years.

Fearing that "there could be this dystopian future where no one will be able to make babies," Zhu said he wanted to use the competition to highlight the importance of reproductive health.

Scientists have not reached a consensus on whether humanity has experienced a dramatic drop in sperm count, with studies showing conflicting results.

At the Los Angeles event on Friday night, a man in a lab coat used pipettes to place samples of semen -- collected from contestants ahead of time -- onto tiny two-millimetre long "tracks."

The race track was magnified 100 times by a microscope, then filmed by a camera that transferred the image to a 3D animation software before the final video was broadcast to the audience.

"There's no way to really tell if this is real, but I want to believe it is," Felix Escobar, a 20-year-old spectator, told AFP.

At the end of the brief race, the loser, 19-year-old University of California student Asher Proeger, was sprayed with a liquid resembling semen.

'Not Elon Musk'

Zhu's fears about fertility echo the talking points of many in the burgeoning pro-natalist movement, which include conservative and far-right political figures.

But Zhu distanced himself from the movement.

"I have nothing to do with this, I'm not like an Elon Musk, who wants to repopulate the Earth," the young entrepreneur told AFP.

Musk, a close ally of US President Donald Trump, has been vocal about his belief that population decline threatens the West and has fathered over a dozen children with multiple women.

Zhu insisted he simply wanted to raise awareness of how sperm quality goes hand in hand with overall health.

"It's your choice to sleep earlier. It's your choice to stop doing drugs. It's your choice to eat healthier, and all these different things have a significant kind of impact on your motility," Zhu said.

Shanna Swan, a reproductive epidemiologist at Mount Sinai's Icahn School of Medicine, co-authored a study that found the sperm count decline cited by Zhu.

She said the proliferation of "hormonally active chemicals" in recent years has had a negative impact on human fertility.

But beneath the scientific veneer, the sperm race may seem more like an opportunity for college students to display their adolescent humor and participate in a viral stunt.

Some attendees dressed in costumes, including one resembling male genitals, while the hosts made lewd jokes and roasted the competitors.

A YouTube livestream of the event attracted over 100,000 views.

"I can't say I learned stuff I didn't know before," 22-year-old student and audience member Alberto Avila-Baca told AFP.

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

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As US Reinstates Revoked Student Visas, Its Impact On Indians, Others

In a dramatic about-turn, the Trump administration has announced that it will restore the student visa registrations of thousands of foreign students who were previously terminated from a federal database due to minor infractions. 

This decision comes after weeks of intense legal pressure, with over 100 lawsuits filed and more than 50 judges issuing restraining orders to block the terminations.

The terminations, which were made from a database used by universities and the federal government to track foreign students in the US, had caused panic among the affected students. Many had feared that they would lose their legal immigration status and face deportation. Some students had even been blocked from continuing their classes or research, with some cases occurring just weeks before graduation.

The judges who heard the cases expressed frustration with the seemingly arbitrary nature of the terminations and the lack of clarity on whether the students could continue to attend classes or needed to leave the country immediately. The administration's decision to reverse the terminations was announced in federal court on Friday, with a Justice Department attorney reading from a written statement.

According to the statement, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) is working on a new policy regarding foreign students studying in the US on F-1 visas. Until this policy is issued, no students will have their online student visa records terminated solely based on criminal history checks that flagged misdemeanor charges and dismissed cases. 

The statement read, "ICE is developing a policy that will provide a framework for SEVIS record terminations. Until such a policy is issued, the SEVIS records for plaintiff(s) in this case (and other similarly situated plaintiffs) will remain active or shall be reactivated if not currently active, and ICE will not modify the record solely based on the NCIC finding that resulted in the recent SEVIS record termination."

However, it remains unclear whether the State Department will reverse its decision to cancel the visas of many of the same students. A federal official had previously told a judge that the agency was performing "quality control" on those decisions. Earlier this year, Secretary of State Marco Rubio had canceled the student visas of dozens of foreigners who were involved in pro-Palestinian activism, citing disruptions to US foreign policy.

The recent wave of visa cancellations and terminations from the SEVIS database appeared to target students who had minor brushes with the law. The Justice Department attorney emphasised that ICE maintains the authority to terminate a SEVIS record for other reasons. 

“ICE maintains the authority to terminate a SEVIS record for other reasons, such as if the plaintiff fails to maintain his or her nonimmigrant status after the record is reactivated or engages in other unlawful activity that would render him or her removable from the United States under the Immigration and Nationality Act,” the attorney said.

The reversal brings relief to thousands of students who were facing uncertainty and fear about their future in the US. 
 

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After Clash With Zelensky, Trump Says 'Crimea Will Stay With Russia'

The recent interview with US President Donald Trump by TIME magazine has caused debate regarding the Crimean peninsula, which was annexed by Russia in 2014. Trump stated that "Crimea will stay with Russia” as part of potential peace negotiations with Ukraine, adding that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky understands this reality. 

The Crimean peninsula has been a point of contention between Ukraine and Russia for years, with Russia annexing the region in 2014. Trump's comments suggest that he believes Crimea's fate is already sealed, with Russia maintaining control over the region. He pointed out that the people of Crimea largely speak Russian, implying that this demographic factor contributes to the region's ties with Russia. However, he also took a swipe at his predecessor, Barack Obama, saying, "But this was given by Obama. This wasn't given by Trump."

Zelensky has consistently maintained that recognising occupied territory as Russian is a red line for Ukraine, and Trump's comments may be seen as an attempt to push Ukraine towards negotiations.

In contrast to his comments on Crimea, Trump has also criticised Russian President Vladimir Putin for continuing to assault Ukraine. In a statement, Trump said, "I am not happy with the Russian strikes on KYIV. Not necessary, and very bad timing. Vladimir, STOP! 5000 soldiers a week are dying. Let's get the Peace Deal DONE!"

In response, Zelensky pointed out on Thursday that Ukraine had accepted a US ceasefire proposal 44 days ago as the first step toward peace talks, but Russian attacks have continued.

Trump also said that Ukraine will never join NATO and added, “From day one, that's what caused the war to start—talks of NATO membership".

Speaking to reporters Friday as he left the White House to attend the funeral of Pope Francis in Rome, Trump said there is no deadline for the conclusion of peace talks.

“I just want to do it as fast as possible,” Trump said. Negotiators are “pretty close” to a deal, he said.

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Kohli Rejects Karthik's Advice, RCB Coach Later Says "Loss For Words..."

A moment between Virat Kohli and Dinesh Karthik was caught by the cameras during the match between Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) and Rajasthan Royals (RR) in IPL 2025 on Thursday that went viral on the internet. As per the visual, it appeared that RCB batting coach Karthik and head coach Andy Flower had suggested something to Kohli, who was fielding at the long-on boundary. However, Kohli appeared to reject the suggestion, folding his hands in response. The image has gone viral on social media.

What exactly the conversation between Kohli and Karthik was is unknown. However, Karthik later lavished praise on Kohli after RCB had sneaked an 11-run victory over RR. Kohli had smashed 70 runs off just 42 balls earlier in the day.

Here is what Karthik had to say about Kohli, speaking after the game in the RCB dressing room.

"There is a loss for words. Purely the hunger that he has. It's one thing to play in the IPL for 18 years, But it's a different thing to be consistent for that long. This tells you a lot about the man. And he's very determined. In the first three games in Bengaluru, he told me two things. One was that he could have probably thought a little better and next, even the fans - the way he looks at it - he knows that a lot of people turn up just to watch him bat."

"So you can see that even though he did not say it explicitly, he felt that. And if that man puts his mind to something, the way he adapts, understands situations, I am too small a person to even speak about him. He is an absolute champion. Just the way he guided Dev (Devdutt Padikkal) along the way, making sure he took (Phil) Salt along at the start. His body language and commitment to a cause is outstanding."

Kohli and Padikkal (50 off 27) stitched a partnership of 95 runs that helped RCB post a total of 205 in 20 overs. In response, RR appeared well on track and needed only 18 runs off just 12 balls. However, an excellent penultimate over by Australian pacer Josh Hazlewood, where he took two wickets, turned the game in RCB's favour.

It was RCB's first home win of the season, having previously lost three at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru. RCB leapt up to third in the IPL 2025 points table with the victory.

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Sehwag Gives Big Warning To Suryavanshi, It Has A 'Virat Kohli' Twist

Vaibhav Suryavanshi has made history in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 season, becoming the youngest player to play in the tournament. The 14-year-old made a sensational mark in his very first innings, smashing a six off his first ball. But while he made a 20-ball 34 in his first knock, he could manage just 16 off 12 in his second match, against Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB). Legendary former India opener Virender Sehwag has advised Suryavanshi to keep his feet on the ground and not get carried away by fame, as well as take inspiration from Virat Kohli.

Sehwag warned Suryavanshi to remain grounded and accept criticism regarding his game, regardless of fame.

"If you step out knowing that you will get praised for doing well and criticised for not doing well, you will remain grounded. I have seen many players who come, get fame from one or two matches, then they do not do anything, because they think that they have become a star player," Sehwag stated, speaking on Cricbuzz.

Suryavanshi has appeared to struggle against spin and variations in his two innings so far, picking up a couple of boundaries through edges, and often mistiming his big shots.

Sehwag has urged Suryavanshi to take inspiration from Virat Kohli and aim to play in the IPL for the next two decades, instead of getting carried away by fame and hype.

"Suryavanshi must aim to play 20 years in the IPL. Look at Virat Kohli, he started playing when he was 19 years old, now he has played all 18 seasons. That is what he should be trying to emulate. But, if he is happy with this IPL, thinking that he is now a millionaire, had a great debut, hit a six off the first ball, maybe we won't see him next year," Sehwag added.

Suryavanshi, at the age of 13, was picked up by Rajasthan Royals in the IPL 2025 mega auction for Rs 1.1 crore, making him the youngest player to ever be sold at an IPL auction.

Under the guidance of Rahul Dravid, Suryavanshi has the perfect platform to be developed in the IPL at Rajasthan Royals. However, RR haven't had a great IPL 2025.

Three games in a row, Rajasthan Royals have ended up losing in a run chase despite being in a winnable position. Having lost seven of their first nine matches, RR are all but out of contention for the playoffs.

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BluSmart Co-Founder Puneet Jaggi Detained From Delhi Hotel: Sources

EV cab service BluSmart co-founder Puneet Jaggi has been detained from a hotel in Delhi by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in a case linked to Gensol Group, another company that he co-founded.

The ED also searched properties of Gensol in Delhi, Gurugram, and Ahmedabad, sources said. The action came in a case under the Foreign Exchange Management Act (FEMA), they said.

Mr Jaggi had been staying in the Delhi hotel for the last one week, sources said.

Power Finance Corporation filed a complaint with the Delhi Police and the Economic Offences Wing some days ago, sources said, adding Mr Jaggi's brother Anmol Jaggi is in Dubai and has not yet returned to India.

This ED investigation began on the basis of a report by the capital markets regulator SEBI, which alleged fund diversion, transfer of money to shell firms, share price manipulation, and running personal expenses from loan funds.

Sources said the ED may start a fresh investigation for alleged money laundering.

The ED has traced the wives of the Jaggi brothers in Pune, and they are likely to be questioned too, sources said.

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Arshad Declines Neeraj's Invitation For Javelin Event In India. Reason...

Pakistan's Olympic champion Arshad Nadeem on Wednesday said he has declined Neeraj Chopra's invitation to compete in the NC Classic javelin event in Bengaluru on May 24 as that will clash with his training schedule for the upcoming Asian Athletics Championships. Nadeem, however, said he was grateful to Chopra for inviting him for the event. "The (NC) Classic event is from 20th May (May 24) whereas I am scheduled to leave for Korea on 22nd May for the Asian Athletics Championship," Nadeem said. He said he had been training hard for the Asian Championship which will be held in Gumi, Korea from May 27 to 31.

On Monday, Chopra had said that he had sent invitation to Nadeem to compete in the inaugural event which the Indian superstar is hosting.

"I have sent invitation to Arshad and he said he will get back to me after discussing with his coach. As of now he is yet to confirm participation," Chopra told reporters in a virtual media interaction on Monday.

Nadeem had clinched gold in the 2024 Paris Games with an Olympic record throw of 92.97m, beating Chopra who could manage 89.45m to win the silver.

The maiden edition of Neeraj Chopra Classic javelin throw event will be teeming with stars as the likes of Anderson Peters of Grenada and Thomas Rohler of Germany are taking part.

Peters, who hails from Grenada, is a two-time world champion and Rohler is the gold-medallist from the 2016 Olympics.

The participation of Kenyan Julius Yego, a silver-medallist in the 2016 Rio Olympics besides being a 2015 World Championships gold winner, and American Curtis Thompson, who is the current season leader with 87.76m, has also been confirmed.

The competition has been granted category A status by World Athletics.

The event will be jointly organised by Chopra and JSW Sports in collaboration with the Athletics Federation of India (AFI) and World Athletics, featuring top global as well as Indian javelin throwers.

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Attari Border Shut: Government's Big Measure Against Pak After J&K Attack

The Attari Border between India and Pakistan, located in Punjab, will be closed from tonight as part of retaliatory measures against Pakistan following the shocking terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir's Pahalgam - the worst since the 2019 Pulwama strike -- in which 26 people died. 

Besides closure of Attari border, suspension of Indus water treaty and refusal to issue SAARC visas were among the range of measures India will take against Pakistan, the Cabinet Committee on Security decided this evening. The committee chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, had met to formulate India's response to the attack.

"The Integrated Check Post Attari will be closed with immediate effect. Those who have crossed over with valid endorsements may return through that route before 01 May 2025," the foreign ministry announced after the meeting. 

The suspension of Indus Water Treaty - a water sharing agreement that sends the waters of Indus to the parched heartland of Pakistan - is the strongest measure. This is the first time the water treaty is being suspended - the measure is seen as second only to cutting off diplomatic relations. 

The government will brief the political parties regarding the decisions, sources said. 

Around 2.30 pm yesterday, terrorists had opened fire at tourists traversing a meadow in Baisaran valley on ponies. A Nepali national, a man helping the pony riders, and 24 tourists from across 14 states had died. 

The terrorists had shot the men on the head, after apparently asking them to recite Islamic verses. Visuals of women in shock, sitting beside the bodies of their husbands, were widely circulated online, evoking outrage.

The Resistance Front (TRF) -- a terror group seen as proxy for the Pakistan-based Lashkar-e-Taiba -- has claimed responsibility for the attack, which has sent shock waves across the country.

Earlier today, Union defence minister Rajnath Singh made it clear that India will retaliate. Without naming Pakistan, he said, "I assure people that the Government of India will take every step that is necessary and appropriate. And we will not only get those who have carried out this incident, we will also reach out to those who, sitting behind the scenes, have conspired to commit such nefarious acts on the soil of India".

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"Brutal Crime, Has No Justification": Putin On Pahalgam Terror Attack

Russian president Vladimir Putin reached out to President Droupadi Murmu and Prime Minister Narendra Modi this evening, expressing condolences for the deaths in the massive terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir. 

Twenty-six people -- most of them tourists -- died in Kashmir's Pahalgam today as terrorists struck. Several others were injured. 

"This brutal crime has no justification whatsoever. We expect that its organisers and perpetrators will face a deserved punishment," read the message from the Russian President.

"I would like to reiterate our commitment to further increasing cooperation with Indian partners in fighting terrorism in all its forms and manifestations. Please convey words of sincere sympathy and support to the near and dear ones of the deceased as well as wishes for a speedy recovery of all injured," he had added.

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For 1st Time In Years, Putin Says 'Open To Direct Peace Talks' With Ukraine

Russian President Vladimir Putin, under pressure from Washington to show willingness to make peace in Ukraine, proposed on Monday bilateral talks with Kyiv for the first time in years, and said he was open to more ceasefires after a one-day Easter truce.

Separately, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy confirmed Kyiv was sending a delegation to London to meet with the United States and other Western countries on Wednesday.

The London talks are a follow-up to a meeting in Paris last week in which the U.S. and European states discussed ways to end the more than three-year-old war.

Putin, speaking to a Russian state TV reporter, said fighting had resumed after his surprise 30-hour Easter ceasefire, which he announced unilaterally on Saturday.

Both countries accused the other of violating Putin's truce, which Kyiv had largely dismissed from the outset as a stunt.

Washington said it would welcome an extension of the truce. Zelenskiy, who has called for it to be extended to a 30-day ceasefire on civilian targets, said continued Russian attacks during Sunday's ceasefire showed Moscow was intent on prolonging the war.

In his comments, Putin said Moscow was open to any peace initiatives and expected the same from Kyiv.

"When the president said that it was possible to discuss the issue of not striking civilian targets, including bilaterally, the president had in mind negotiations and discussions with the Ukrainian side," Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters, according to Interfax news agency.

Zelenskiy made no reference to Putin's remarks on bilateral talks in his comments on X announcing the Ukrainian delegation for the London talks.

"Ukraine, the United Kingdom, France, and the United States - we are ready to move forward as constructively as possible, just as we have done before, to achieve an unconditional ceasefire, followed by the establishment of a real and lasting peace," Zelenskiy wrote, adding that he had good discussions with British Prime Minister Keir Starmer.

Earlier on Monday, Zelenskiy said that his forces were instructed to continue to mirror the Russian army's actions.

"The nature of Ukraine's actions will remain symmetrical: ceasefire will be met with ceasefire, and Russian strikes will be met with our own in defence. Actions always speak louder than words," he said on X.

U.S. President Donald Trump and Secretary of State Marco Rubio both said on Friday that Washington could walk away from peace talks altogether if the sides do not make more progress within days. Trump struck a more optimistic note Sunday, saying that "hopefully" the two sides would make a deal "this week".

Russia has yet to row back from its demands, including that Ukraine cede all the land Putin claims to have annexed and accept permanent neutrality. Ukraine says that would amount to surrender and leave it undefended if Moscow attacks again.

Asked about Trump's remarks on a possible peace deal soon, Peskov told reporters that he would make no comments, "especially about the timeframe".

"President Putin and the Russian side remain open to seeking a peaceful settlement. We are continuing to work with the American side and, of course, we hope that this work will yield results."

While there were no air raid alerts in Ukraine on Sunday, Ukrainian forces reported nearly 3,000 violations of Russia's ceasefire with the heaviest attacks seen along the Pokrovsk part of the frontline, Zelenskiy said earlier on Monday.

Russia's defence ministry said on Sunday that Ukrainian forces had shot at Russian positions 444 times and said it had counted more than 900 Ukrainian drone attacks, saying also that there were deaths and injuries among the civilian population.

Reuters could not independently verify the battlefield reports.

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

from NDTV News- Special https://ift.tt/d5CpkgY

For 1st Time In Years, Putin Says 'Open To Direct Peace Talks' With Ukraine

Russian President Vladimir Putin, under pressure from Washington to show willingness to make peace in Ukraine, proposed on Monday bilateral talks with Kyiv for the first time in years, and said he was open to more ceasefires after a one-day Easter truce.

Separately, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy confirmed Kyiv was sending a delegation to London to meet with the United States and other Western countries on Wednesday.

The London talks are a follow-up to a meeting in Paris last week in which the U.S. and European states discussed ways to end the more than three-year-old war.

Putin, speaking to a Russian state TV reporter, said fighting had resumed after his surprise 30-hour Easter ceasefire, which he announced unilaterally on Saturday.

Both countries accused the other of violating Putin's truce, which Kyiv had largely dismissed from the outset as a stunt.

Washington said it would welcome an extension of the truce. Zelenskiy, who has called for it to be extended to a 30-day ceasefire on civilian targets, said continued Russian attacks during Sunday's ceasefire showed Moscow was intent on prolonging the war.

In his comments, Putin said Moscow was open to any peace initiatives and expected the same from Kyiv.

"When the president said that it was possible to discuss the issue of not striking civilian targets, including bilaterally, the president had in mind negotiations and discussions with the Ukrainian side," Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters, according to Interfax news agency.

Zelenskiy made no reference to Putin's remarks on bilateral talks in his comments on X announcing the Ukrainian delegation for the London talks.

"Ukraine, the United Kingdom, France, and the United States - we are ready to move forward as constructively as possible, just as we have done before, to achieve an unconditional ceasefire, followed by the establishment of a real and lasting peace," Zelenskiy wrote, adding that he had good discussions with British Prime Minister Keir Starmer.

Earlier on Monday, Zelenskiy said that his forces were instructed to continue to mirror the Russian army's actions.

"The nature of Ukraine's actions will remain symmetrical: ceasefire will be met with ceasefire, and Russian strikes will be met with our own in defence. Actions always speak louder than words," he said on X.

U.S. President Donald Trump and Secretary of State Marco Rubio both said on Friday that Washington could walk away from peace talks altogether if the sides do not make more progress within days. Trump struck a more optimistic note Sunday, saying that "hopefully" the two sides would make a deal "this week".

Russia has yet to row back from its demands, including that Ukraine cede all the land Putin claims to have annexed and accept permanent neutrality. Ukraine says that would amount to surrender and leave it undefended if Moscow attacks again.

Asked about Trump's remarks on a possible peace deal soon, Peskov told reporters that he would make no comments, "especially about the timeframe".

"President Putin and the Russian side remain open to seeking a peaceful settlement. We are continuing to work with the American side and, of course, we hope that this work will yield results."

While there were no air raid alerts in Ukraine on Sunday, Ukrainian forces reported nearly 3,000 violations of Russia's ceasefire with the heaviest attacks seen along the Pokrovsk part of the frontline, Zelenskiy said earlier on Monday.

Russia's defence ministry said on Sunday that Ukrainian forces had shot at Russian positions 444 times and said it had counted more than 900 Ukrainian drone attacks, saying also that there were deaths and injuries among the civilian population.

Reuters could not independently verify the battlefield reports.

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

from NDTV News- Special https://ift.tt/d5CpkgY

Mysterious Skull-Shaped Rock Found On Mars, NASA Uncertain About Its Origin

NASA's Mars rover has pictured a mysterious, skull-shaped rock on the Red Planet whose origin remains uncertain. The mysterious rock, which NASA is calling the "Skull Hill", was discovered on April 11 by the Perseverance rover on the Jezero crater rim, using the Mastcam-Z instrument

Though most of the region surrounding the rock is light-colored and dusty, Skull Hill is dark, angular, and covered in tiny pits. "This float rock uniquely contrasts the surrounding light-toned outcrop with its dark tone and angular surface, and it features a few pits in the rock," NASA said.

While the origin of the rock remains uncertain, NASA is of the view that pits on the Skull Hill may have been formed due to erosion, or it may have been dropped here by an "impact crater".

"The pits on Skull Hill may have formed via the erosion of clasts from the rock or scouring by wind," NASA said.

"Alternatively, 'Skull Hill' could be an igneous rock eroded from a nearby outcrop or ejected from an impact crater," it added.

The team believes that Skull Hill's colour is reminiscent of meteorites previously found in Gale crater by the Curiosity rover.

"The team is working to better understand where these rocks came from and how they got here," the statement added.

Also Read | Scientists Discover 'Olo': A New Colour Beyond Human Vision

Life on Mars?

Scientists have long been seeking answers about the presence of life on Mars. In January, pictures taken by NASA's Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter (MRO) showed the Martian surface covered by frozen sand dunes in the northern hemisphere. Unlike the dunes on Earth, which are constantly in motion, the kidney bean-shaped dunes on Mars appeared surprisingly motionless.

In October last year, a NASA study stated that microbes might find a potential home beneath the frozen water on the Red Planet's surface. The scientists discovered that the amount of sunlight that penetrates the water ice could be enough for photosynthesis to occur in the shallow pools of meltwater beneath the surface of that ice.

While Mars is now cold, barren and rocky, evidence suggests that the magnetic field may have lasted until 3.9 billion years ago, compared with previous estimates of 4.1 billion years -- making the Red Planet a prime candidate for a thriving environment for life.

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How Can CSK Still Qualify For IPL 2025 Playoffs After Crushing Loss vs MI

Chennai Super Kings continued their disappointing run in IPL 2025 as they slumped to a nine-wicket loss against Mumbai Indians on Sunday. It was a completely one-sided show as CSK were completely outplayed by MI at the Wankhede Stadium. CSK posted a total of 176/5 courtesy half-centuries from Ravindra Jadeja and Shivam Dube. However, Suryakumar Yadav and Rohit Sharma were in sublime form as they guided their side to a comprehensive victory. Following this loss, CSK remain at the bottom of the IPL table with just 4 points. As a result, they will have to win all six of their remaining games and hope for favourable results from other teams in order to have a chance to reach the IPL 2025 playoffs.

A perfect way to wrap a dominant victory and seal back-to-back home wins@mipaltan sign off tonight by winning round 2⃣ against their arch rival

Scorecard https://t.co/v2k7Y5tg2Q#TATAIPL | #MIvCSK pic.twitter.com/u2BDXfHpXJ

— IndianPremierLeague (@IPL) April 20, 2025

Coming to the match, Rohit Sharma and Suryakumar Yadav struck fluent half-centuries as Mumbai Indians defeated Chennai Super Kings by nine wickets in an Indian Premier League match on Sunday.

Chasing 177, Rohit (76 not out off 45 balls) and Suryakumar (68 not out off 30) shared an unbeaten 114-run stand for the second wicket to take MI home with ease.

Ravindra Jadeja (1/18) was the lone wicket-taker for CSK.

Earlier, Shivam Dube and Jadeja cracked half-centuries and shared a 79-run partnership for the fourth wicket as five-time champions Chennai Super Kings made 176 for 5.

Dube struck 50 off 32 balls, while Jadeja made an unbeaten 53 off 35 deliveries to offset a none-too-impressive start by MS Dhoni's struggling side.

Ayush Mhatre, who came in place of Rahul Tripathi for the match, struck a valuable 32 runs (15 balls) coming in at one-down.

(With PTI inputs)

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22-Year-Old Tricked Into Marrying Bride's Mother, 45, In UP

A man was allegedly tricked into marrying the mother of his 21-year-old bride here, police said Saturday.

The complainant, Mohammad Azeem (22), a resident of Brahmapuri in Meerut, said that his wedding was arranged with Mantasha from Shamli district by his brother Nadeem and his wife, Shaida.

The wedding took place on March 31 and during the ceremony, the Maulvi referred to the bride as Tahira. Upon lifting the veil, he discovered that Mantasha's 45-year-old widowed mother, disguised as bride, had gotten married to him, instead of Mantasha, police said.

He claimed that Rs 5 lakh had been exchanged during the ceremony.

Azeem told the police that when he protested against the fraud, his brother and sister-in-law threatened to falsely implicate him in a rape case.

He then filed a complaint on Thursday, police said.

CO Brahmapuri Saumya Asthana said, "A settlement has been reached between the involved parties. Azeem has withdrawn his complaint and indicated that he does not wish to pursue any legal action at this time."

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

from NDTV News- Special https://ift.tt/XhduJN9

University Professor Claims Assault By Troops In J&K, Army Orders Probe

The Indian Army on Friday ordered an inquiry after a university professor accused the troops of assaulting him during the checking of vehicles at a village in Jammu and Kashmir's Rajouri district, officials said.

Police have also registered an FIR against unidentified army personnel, they said.

Former chief minister and PDP president Mehbooba Mufti condemned the incident and said “such individuals tarnish the reputation of a respected institution through their unacceptable and high-handed behaviour”.

The professor, Liaqat Ali, suffered head injuries in the alleged assault near the border village of Laam late on Thursday night. A video purportedly showing the bleeding professor has surfaced online.

“An incident has come to light wherein certain individuals were allegedly manhandled by army personnel in Rajouri district. The army had inputs on the likely movement of terrorists in a vehicle in this sensitive area. Accordingly, search operations were being conducted.

“Preliminary information suggests that on being stopped, the individual tried to snatch weapons from the soldiers on duty, with whom he got into a scuffle. However, an inquiry has been initiated. Should any personnel be found guilty of misconduct, strict action will be taken in accordance with the existing law,” the army said in a statement in Jammu.

It said the army remains steadfast in upholding the highest standards of professionalism and discipline in the conduct of counter-terror operations.

“All sections of society are requested to continue to cooperate and collaborate with the Indian Army for collective and comprehensive security in this sensitive area,” the statement said.

The alleged incident took place when Mr Ali and some of his relatives, including his cousin brothers serving in the army and ITBP, were returning to Kalakote after attending the pre-wedding ceremony of one of their relatives.

Officials said an FIR under Sections 126(2) dealing with crime of wrongful restraint and 115(2) -- voluntarily causing hurt -- of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) was registered at the Nowshera police station against unidentified army personnel for a thorough investigation.

Mr Ali, a professor at the Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU) posted in Delhi, wrote a post on X claiming he was "assaulted" without any reason.

“My entire family is in the army. I've always been proud of that. Proud of the uniform, the service, the sacrifice. But today, what I experienced shook that pride to the core. Without any reason, without any question, I was assaulted -- hit on the head with a weapon by the very people I once trusted blindly," Ali said in the post that also had a picture showing him bleeding.

“It made me realise one terrifying truth: if the system chooses to, it can 'encounter' any human being -- without evidence, without trial, without justice. There's no apology that can undo this wound. Only one haunting question remains -- has justice now become the privilege of the uniform alone?” the professor wrote.

Mr Ali got nearly half-a-dozen stitches to close his wound, besides undergoing necessary tests at the Government Medical College (GMC) in Jammu.

“I was sitting inside the vehicle when army personnel came and asked for my identity. I came out of the vehicle as a matter of respect to show my identity card, but they started beating me with their weapons,” the professor told reporters.

He said he saw his younger brother, who is in ITBP, also knocked to the ground along with him.

“The army is our country's pride… I want nobody to be treated like this and justice be given to me,” Mr Ali said.

Mehbooba Mufti, in a post on X, urged the army to take immediate and strict action against those responsible for this “shocking incident”.

“Such individuals tarnish the reputation of a respected institution through their unacceptable and high-handed behaviour,” she said.

Former J-K BJP president Ravinder Raina assured the professor of justice and said “law of the land is supreme and nobody in India is above the law. Whosoever made it happen, have to face the consequences...” 

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

from NDTV News- Special https://ift.tt/oIvdRmT

University Professor Claims Assault By Troops In J&K, Army Orders Probe

The Indian Army on Friday ordered an inquiry after a university professor accused the troops of assaulting him during the checking of vehicles at a village in Jammu and Kashmir's Rajouri district, officials said.

Police have also registered an FIR against unidentified army personnel, they said.

Former chief minister and PDP president Mehbooba Mufti condemned the incident and said “such individuals tarnish the reputation of a respected institution through their unacceptable and high-handed behaviour”.

The professor, Liaqat Ali, suffered head injuries in the alleged assault near the border village of Laam late on Thursday night. A video purportedly showing the bleeding professor has surfaced online.

“An incident has come to light wherein certain individuals were allegedly manhandled by army personnel in Rajouri district. The army had inputs on the likely movement of terrorists in a vehicle in this sensitive area. Accordingly, search operations were being conducted.

“Preliminary information suggests that on being stopped, the individual tried to snatch weapons from the soldiers on duty, with whom he got into a scuffle. However, an inquiry has been initiated. Should any personnel be found guilty of misconduct, strict action will be taken in accordance with the existing law,” the army said in a statement in Jammu.

It said the army remains steadfast in upholding the highest standards of professionalism and discipline in the conduct of counter-terror operations.

“All sections of society are requested to continue to cooperate and collaborate with the Indian Army for collective and comprehensive security in this sensitive area,” the statement said.

The alleged incident took place when Mr Ali and some of his relatives, including his cousin brothers serving in the army and ITBP, were returning to Kalakote after attending the pre-wedding ceremony of one of their relatives.

Officials said an FIR under Sections 126(2) dealing with crime of wrongful restraint and 115(2) -- voluntarily causing hurt -- of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) was registered at the Nowshera police station against unidentified army personnel for a thorough investigation.

Mr Ali, a professor at the Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU) posted in Delhi, wrote a post on X claiming he was "assaulted" without any reason.

“My entire family is in the army. I've always been proud of that. Proud of the uniform, the service, the sacrifice. But today, what I experienced shook that pride to the core. Without any reason, without any question, I was assaulted -- hit on the head with a weapon by the very people I once trusted blindly," Ali said in the post that also had a picture showing him bleeding.

“It made me realise one terrifying truth: if the system chooses to, it can 'encounter' any human being -- without evidence, without trial, without justice. There's no apology that can undo this wound. Only one haunting question remains -- has justice now become the privilege of the uniform alone?” the professor wrote.

Mr Ali got nearly half-a-dozen stitches to close his wound, besides undergoing necessary tests at the Government Medical College (GMC) in Jammu.

“I was sitting inside the vehicle when army personnel came and asked for my identity. I came out of the vehicle as a matter of respect to show my identity card, but they started beating me with their weapons,” the professor told reporters.

He said he saw his younger brother, who is in ITBP, also knocked to the ground along with him.

“The army is our country's pride… I want nobody to be treated like this and justice be given to me,” Mr Ali said.

Mehbooba Mufti, in a post on X, urged the army to take immediate and strict action against those responsible for this “shocking incident”.

“Such individuals tarnish the reputation of a respected institution through their unacceptable and high-handed behaviour,” she said.

Former J-K BJP president Ravinder Raina assured the professor of justice and said “law of the land is supreme and nobody in India is above the law. Whosoever made it happen, have to face the consequences...” 

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

from NDTV News- Special https://ift.tt/oIvdRmT

Sehwag's 'Jane Ka Time Aa Gaya' Take Turns Prophetic As Rohit Fails Once Again

Former Indian cricket team batter Virender Sehwag was extremely critical of Rohit Sharma as the Mumbai Indians star continued to struggle for runs in the ongoing IPL 2025. Rohit, who came into the match against Sunrisers Hyderabad with 56 runs in five innings, was dismissed for 26 by Pat Cummins. Rohit's dismal run has resulted in a lot of criticism from both experts as well as fans and Sehwag warned him that he needs to safeguard his legacy. Sehwag pointed out that he has just one 400-plus run IPL season and even hinted that it is time for Rohit to retire from the format.

“If you look at Rohit's IPL numbers in the last 10 years, he scored more than 400 runs only once. So he is not the kind of player who thinks that I need to score 500 or 700 runs. If he thinks, he might. When he became the Indian captain, he said that he wanted to be the player who wants to cash in on the powerplay and take the chances, so he wanted to make all the sacrifices alone, but he is not considering the fact that at the end of the day when he is not performing, it is your legacy that is getting hurt. Ab uska jaane ka time aagaya, (It's already time for him to retire), and before retiring, you would want to give fans something to remember you by, and not moments that force them to think, why are they not dropping him,” he said.

Rohit looked in good touch once again but was dismissed after playing a loose shot against Cummins.

“Take 10 balls extra, but at least play and give yourself a chance. He has been getting out to that pull shot many times against the back of the length deliveries. So he should decide that in one innings he will not play the pull shot at all. But who will explain it to him? There should be someone telling him to play normal cricket. When I was there, Sachin, Dravid or Ganguly used to tell me to play normal cricket,” he added.

from NDTV News- Special https://ift.tt/aY29UXN

Colossal Squid Seen Alive For the First Time In 100 Years In Deep Ocean

In a breathtaking deep-sea discovery, marine scientists have captured the world's first footage of a colossal squid swimming freely in its natural habitat - nearly a century after the species was first identified.

According to The Metro, the rare sighting was made by researchers aboard the Schmidt Ocean Institute's research vessel Falkor, during an expedition between the waters of Argentina and Antarctica. The juvenile squid - measuring around 30 cm - was filmed on March 9 near the South Sandwich Islands at a depth of approximately 600 metres using a remotely operated underwater vehicle.

The species, Mesonychoteuthis hamiltoni, also known as the colossal squid, had previously only been known through remains found in the stomachs of whales or as dying specimens pulled up by fishing vessels. This marks the first time it has been observed alive in its deep-sea environment.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Schmidt Ocean Institute (@schmidtocean)

Still transparent due to its young age, the squid glides eerily through the dark ocean using its long tentacles. As it matures, it will grow up to seven metres in length and weigh nearly 500 kg - making it the heaviest invertebrate on Earth.

"It's exciting to see the first in situ footage of a juvenile colossal squid and humbling to think that they have no idea that humans exist," said Dr Kat Bolstad of Auckland University of Technology, who helped verify the species.

One of the most distinctive features of the colossal squid is the presence of rotating hooks on its arms, distinguishing it from other glass squid species.

In another major highlight from the same expedition series, scientists also captured the first-ever footage of the glacial glass squid - another elusive deep-sea species - earlier this year in January.

"These back-to-back sightings of two rare squid species underscore just how much of our oceans remain unexplored," said Dr Jyotika Virmani, Executive Director of the Schmidt Ocean Institute. "The ocean continues to reveal its wonders, and we are only just beginning to understand the diversity that lies beneath."

The discovery has generated global excitement among marine biologists and ocean enthusiasts, offering a rare glimpse into the hidden world of the Southern Ocean's deep-sea inhabitants.
 

from NDTV News- Special https://ift.tt/iM5vWrb

"Pakistan Played A Double Game With Taliban": S Jaishankar On Terrorism

Pakistan got caught in its own web of deceit when its was double-crossing the Taliban and the other side, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar said today, as he spoke about how Pakistan lost its way in Afghanistan, only to be trapped in its own creation of terror.

Speaking at the Charotar University of Science and Technology in Gujarat, the foreign minister said, "Pakistan was playing a double game. It was with both the Taliban and also with the other side. But, when the Americans left, the double game could not be sustained."

Noting that it was Pakistan that set up the entire terrorism "industry" in the region, Dr Jaishankar said, "Whatever benefits they were getting out of the double game, that also went down (after the US left Afghanistan). Moreover, the very terrorism industry they (Pakistan) had promoted came back to bite them."

He pinpointed the 2008 Mumbai terror attack as the "turning point" from where relations between India and Pakistan went south, and never recovered.

"Indians collectively felt that such behaviour from a neighbouring country could no longer be tolerated," he said speaking about the Mumbai terror attack, adding that "That feeling was very very strong in Indian society, but it may not have been entirely understood at that time by the Government at that time, which is a different matter."

Highlighting the contrast in the journey of both nations, especially in the last ten years, Dr Jaishankar said, "India has changed. I wish I could say Pakistan has changed too. They unfortunately, in many ways, are continuing their bad habits."

"After 2014, when the government changed in India, Pakistan was given a firm message that there will be consequences if acts of terrorism are committed," Dr Jaishankar said, adding that "During this period, we (India) have grown economically and politically, and our standing in the world has improved. But, Pakistan continued the old playbook."

But India has now surged ahead, he said, adding that there is no need for Indians to "waste precious time" on Pakistan.

The foreign minister's remarks come days after 26/11 Mumbai terror attack plotter Tahawwur Rana was extradited to India by the United States. Both countries have a special special and privileged partnership and have been cooperating on intelligence sharing and counter-terrorism.

After Rana's extradition, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio had said, "We extradited Tahawwur Hussain Rana to India to face charges for his role in planning the horrific 2008 Mumbai terrorist attacks. Together, with India, we've long sought justice for the 166 people, including 6 Americans, who lost their lives in these attacks. I'm glad that day has come."

To this, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar had replied, "Appreciate the counter-terrorism cooperation between our two countries. This is indeed a big step in ensuring justice for the victims of 26/11 attacks."
 

from NDTV News- Special https://ift.tt/MUciQqW

"Pakistan Played A Double Game With Taliban": S Jaishankar On Terrorism

Pakistan got caught in its own web of deceit when its was double-crossing the Taliban and the other side, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar said today, as he spoke about how Pakistan lost its way in Afghanistan, only to be trapped in its own creation of terror.

Speaking at the Charotar University of Science and Technology in Gujarat, the foreign minister said, "Pakistan was playing a double game. It was with both the Taliban and also with the other side. But, when the Americans left, the double game could not be sustained."

Noting that it was Pakistan that set up the entire terrorism "industry" in the region, Dr Jaishankar said, "Whatever benefits they were getting out of the double game, that also went down (after the US left Afghanistan). Moreover, the very terrorism industry they (Pakistan) had promoted came back to bite them."

He pinpointed the 2008 Mumbai terror attack as the "turning point" from where relations between India and Pakistan went south, and never recovered.

"Indians collectively felt that such behaviour from a neighbouring country could no longer be tolerated," he said speaking about the Mumbai terror attack, adding that "That feeling was very very strong in Indian society, but it may not have been entirely understood at that time by the Government at that time, which is a different matter."

Highlighting the contrast in the journey of both nations, especially in the last ten years, Dr Jaishankar said, "India has changed. I wish I could say Pakistan has changed too. They unfortunately, in many ways, are continuing their bad habits."

"After 2014, when the government changed in India, Pakistan was given a firm message that there will be consequences if acts of terrorism are committed," Dr Jaishankar said, adding that "During this period, we (India) have grown economically and politically, and our standing in the world has improved. But, Pakistan continued the old playbook."

But India has now surged ahead, he said, adding that there is no need for Indians to "waste precious time" on Pakistan.

The foreign minister's remarks come days after 26/11 Mumbai terror attack plotter Tahawwur Rana was extradited to India by the United States. Both countries have a special special and privileged partnership and have been cooperating on intelligence sharing and counter-terrorism.

After Rana's extradition, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio had said, "We extradited Tahawwur Hussain Rana to India to face charges for his role in planning the horrific 2008 Mumbai terrorist attacks. Together, with India, we've long sought justice for the 166 people, including 6 Americans, who lost their lives in these attacks. I'm glad that day has come."

To this, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar had replied, "Appreciate the counter-terrorism cooperation between our two countries. This is indeed a big step in ensuring justice for the victims of 26/11 attacks."
 

from NDTV News- Special https://ift.tt/MUciQqW

Watch: Dhoni Slams 1-Hand 6 In CSK's Win. Internet Says, "Still Greatest"

MS Dhoni the finisher is back. The legendary Chennai Super Kings captain led from the front as Chennai Super Kings ended a five-match losing streak with a five-wicket win over Lucknow Super Giants in Lucknow on Monday. With CSK on 111/5 in 15 overs chasing 167, MS Dhoni walked out to a loud roar of CSK supporters at the Ekana Stadium. Right in the first over he showed intent as he hit Avesh Khan for two straight fours. And then, in the 17th over Dhoni hit a one-handed six off Shardul Thakur and smoked the ball over the mid-wicket. Dhoni ultimately stayed unbeaten on 26* off 11 balls as CSK reached the target in 19.3 overs with five wickets to spare. 

Muskuraiye...#MSDhoni is at the crease & it's GAME ON in Lucknow!

Watch the LIVE action https://t.co/s4GGBvRcda#IPLonJioStar #LSGvCSK | LIVE NOW on Star Sports 1, Star Sports 1 Hindi & JioHotstar! pic.twitter.com/IWsl7vmlRo

— Star Sports (@StarSportsIndia) April 14, 2025

43-YEAR-OLD MS DHONI IS STILL THE GREATEST FINISHER IN CRICKET pic.twitter.com/r3Rf9LVrB5

— Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns) April 14, 2025

MS DHONI - THE GREATEST EVER.

- 26* (11) when CSK needed 52 in 30 balls. The greatest finisher delivers at the age of 43. pic.twitter.com/7L4sZz4nRq

— Mufaddal Vohra (@mufaddal_vohra) April 14, 2025

TAKE A BOW, CAPTAIN MS DHONI.

He's almost 44 years old and he came in difficult situations in run chase, he smashed 26*(11) with 4 fours and 1 six against LSG.

- MS, THE GREATEST EVER. pic.twitter.com/uumQgRujyf

— Tanuj (@ImTanujSingh) April 14, 2025

Talking about the match, Chennai Super Kings defeated Lucknow Super Giants by five wickets to break their run of losses in the Indian Premier League on Monday. Asked to bat first, Lucknow Super Giants scored 166 for seven. Skipper Rishabh Pant top-scored for LSG with 63 off 49 balls, while opener Mitchell Marsh made 30 in 25 deliveries.

In reply, CSK chased down the target of 167 with three balls to spare with the legendary MS Dhoni contributing a vital 26 off 11 balls after opener Rachin Ravindra made 37 in 22 balls. This was CSK's first win in their last six matches.

Shivam Dube struck an unbeaten 43 in 37 deliveries, while young debutant Shaik Rasheed impressed with a 19-ball 27.

Earlier, LSG lost two wickets in the powerplay thanks to some fine bowling by seamers Khaleel Ahmed and Anshul Kamboj, who picked up a wicket each in the first six overs.

Senior spinner Ravindra Jadeja finished with figures of 2/24 in three overs.

Brief scores: Lucknow Super Giants: 166/7 in 20 overs (Rishabh Pant 63; Ravindra Jadeja 2/24).

Chennai Super Kings: 168/5 in 19.3 overs (Rachin Ravindra 37, MS Dhoni 26 not out, Shivam Dube 43 not out; Ravi Bishnoi 2/18)

With IANS inputs

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Dhoni Takes Reluctant DRS After CSK Pacer's Request. This Happens Next

Dhoni Review System made a comeback in IPL 2025 after MS Dhoni took a reluctant DRS after fast bowler Anshul Kamboj's request to dismiss Nicholas Pooran during the IPL 2025 encounter between Chennai Super Kings and Lucknow Super Giants on Monday. On the final ball of the 4th over, Pooran was beaten by a delivery from Kamboj that crashed into his pads. While the on-field umpire was not convinced, Kamboj was confident and after a bit of discussion, Dhoni went for the review with a smile. The replays showed that the ball was hitting the stumps as Pooran's innings came to an end for 8.

Chennai Super Kings (CSK) won the toss and elected to bowl first against Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) in the 30th match of Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025, here at the Bharat Ratna Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee Ekana Cricket Stadium.

CSK have made two changes, Ravichandran Ashwin and Devon Conway miss out as Sheik Rashid and Jamie Overton replace them. For LSG, Mitchell Marsh returns to the playing XI, but Himmat Singh misses out.

DHONI review system exposedpic.twitter.com/AUqBQBjaAi

— Open_AI (@AI_Content2) April 14, 2025

Chennai Super Kings captain MS Dhoni said, "Well blessed, we get good support. Thank you all the fans. We want to bowl first, there's chances of dew here. The wicket gets better. It's important to set the right temperament. We haven't been consistent with our batting. With the ball we have strong back strong. It's important to have a positive mindset, play those big shots. It's a matter of time. We have a couple of changes."

Lucknow Super Giants captain Rishabh Pant said, "It's just amazing. We would have bowled first. In Lucknow it's slower in the first innings, gets better gradually. The only thing we talked about CSK is that we don't want to give them an opening, just need to give our 100%. We want to go out there and play good cricket. Only one change - Marsh comes back in for Himmat Singh."

(With IANS inputs)

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Actor Vijay Challenges Constitutionality Of Waqf Act In Supreme Court

Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) president and actor Vijay has filed a petition in the Supreme Court challenging the Waqf (Amendment) Act 2025.

Several petitions were filed in the top court challenging the Act, contending that it was discriminatory towards the Muslim community and violated their fundamental rights.

The Rajya Sabha passed the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2025, on April 4 with 128 votes in favour and 95 against. The Lok Sabha had earlier cleared the Bill following a lengthy debate, with 288 members voting in favour and 232 opposing it.

President Droupadi Murmu gave her assent to the Bill on April 5, making it a law.

Among those who have moved the court against the Waqf (Amendment) Act are All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) MP Asaduddin Owaisi, Congress MPs Mohammad Jawed and Imran Pratapgarhi, AAP MLA Amanatullah Khan, and Azad Samaj Party chief and MP Chandra Shekhar Azad.

Others include Samajwadi Party MP from Sambhal Zia Ur Rehman Barq; Maulana Arshad Madani, President of Jamiat Ulema-i-Hind; the Kerala-based Sunni scholars' body Samastha Kerala Jamiatul Ulema; the Social Democratic Party of India; the Indian Union Muslim League; and the NGO Association for Protection of Civil Rights.

The All India Muslim Personal Law Board (AIMPLB) has also challenged the Act, saying it strongly objected to the amendments passed by Parliament for being "arbitrary, discriminatory and based on exclusion".

Rajya Sabha MPs Manoj Jha and Faiyaz Ahmad from Bihar's Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) have also challenged the Waqf (Amendment) Act, 2025, arguing that it facilitates large-scale government interference in Muslim religious endowments. RJD MLA from Bihar Muhammad Izhar Asfi also challenged the Act.

Tamil Nadu's ruling party DMK has also joined the legal challenge. Its MP A Raja, who was a member of the Joint Parliamentary Committee on the Waqf Bill, has approached the top court.

Intervention applications have been filed in the Supreme Court in support of the Waqf (Amendment) Act, 2025, stating that the amendments are in consonance with the scheme of the Constitution of India, and that there is no violation of any right of any member of the Muslim community.

The Waqf (Amendment) Act, 2025, seeks to focus on improving the management of waqf properties, empowering relevant stakeholders, improving the efficiency of survey, registration, and case disposal processes, and developing waqf properties.

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

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Gang Sold Babies To Rich Families In Delhi-NCR, Busted; Mastermind On Run

The Delhi Police have busted a human trafficking network that sold newborns to rich families in the national capital and nearby cities.

Three members of the gang were arrested in Delhi's Dwarka, the police said. The gang was active in Gujarat, Rajasthan, and Delhi-National Capital Region (NCR).

A four-day-old newborn was also rescued, the police said, adding the mastermind of the gang is on the run and police teams are looking for her.

The gang has sold over 30 children to rich families in Delhi-NCR so far, the police said. The gang members often kidnapped children from poor families from the Gujarat and Rajasthan border.

The three arrested people have been identified as Yasmin, Anjali, and Jitendra.

The police said the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) earlier arrested Anjali in another human trafficking case. She returned to the criminal world after coming out on bail, the police said.

During the investigation, the Delhi Police team analysed the call detail records (CDRs) of over 20 suspicious mobile numbers.

"The team worked on classified information for 20 consecutive days after which they arrested the three people in Uttam Nagar on April 8," Dwarka DCP Ankit Chauhan said.

During interrogation, they said they brought newborns from Rajasthan and Gujarat on the instructions of a 40-year-old woman named Saroj, the gang leader, and sold the babies to rich families in Delhi-NCR for Rs 5 to Rs 10 lakh per child.

Saroj allegedly dealt directly with the rich families.

Most of the children were stolen from the tribal community in Pali, an area on Gujarat and Rajasthan border.

Saroj gave the task of stealing children to Yasmeen, after which she used to steal children from the Gujarat-Rajasthan border. After the children reached Saroj, she would tell Anjali the location of the 'delivery'.

Saroj would then collect money directly and everyone would be given their share. Anjali and Yasmeen have previously donated their eggs illegally. The families to whom the children were sold are also being identified, Delhi Police said, adding legal action will be taken against them.

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Watch: Shreyas Iyer Left Fuming At Punjab Kings Teammate Over DRS Call vs SRH

Punjab Kings (PBKS) captain Shreyas Iyer was left fuming during their IPL 2025 clash against Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH). PBKS' Glenn Maxwell thought he had dismissed Travis Head caught behind by wicket-keeper Prabhsimran Singh. However, upon seeing the umpire giving it not out, signalled for a DRS review straight away. Moments later, though, Shreyas Iyer was shown to be angry at one of his teammates. Iyer pointed at himself, with his teammates vying for a review. Eventually, Iyer decided to go up with a DRS review upon Maxwell's insistance.

As it turned out, Travis Head remained not out after the whole saga. NDTV could not verify which teammate Iyer seemed to be frustrated on. While what Iyer said was not audible, It was quite apparent that he said: "Pehle merese puch na (Ask me first)"

Watch: Shreyas Iyer angry after DRS saga

Shreyas Iyer's angry reaction over DRS call. pic.twitter.com/huZBhbDn4F

— CricAsh (@ash_cric) April 12, 2025

Earlierm Punjab Kings unleashed an all-out assault against Sunrisers Hyderabad in Match 27 of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025, riding on a blazing half-century from Shreyas Iyer (82) and late fireworks from Marcus Stoinis, who scored 34 in eleven deliveries to reach 245/6 in 20 overs, here at Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium.

While the innings had contributions across the board, it was Iyer's calculated aggression that stood out, giving PBKS the perfect launchpad for a mammoth total.

Stoinis finally announced his arrival in IPL 2025 with a sensational finish, smashing four consecutive sixes to close out Punjab Kings' innings in stunning fashion. The Australian all-rounder, who had struggled to make an impact with the bat so far this season, turned on the heat in the final over, propelling PBKS to a commanding total of 245.

Unfortunately for Mohammed Shami, it was a night to forget as the seasoned pacer bore the brunt of Stoinis' onslaught. Shami's final over went for 27 runs, capping off a rough spell that read 4-0-75-0 — second most expensive in IPL history.

After electing to bat, PBKS came out swinging from the very first over. Prabhsimran Singh set the tone with a flurry of boundaries off Mohammed Shami, charging at the veteran seamer and carving him through mid-off and cover with disdain. He was in no mood to show respect and gave PBKS a flying start.

Harshal Patel bowled a game-changing over in the 18th, conceding just five runs and removing both Shreyas Iyer and Maxwell in quick succession. Iyer's 82 off 36 had anchored PBKS' innings but his departure meant PBKS had to rebuild in the final overs and Stoinis did it perfectly.

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Watch: Shreyas Iyer Left Fuming At Punjab Kings Teammate Over DRS Call vs SRH

Punjab Kings (PBKS) captain Shreyas Iyer was left fuming during their IPL 2025 clash against Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH). PBKS' Glenn Maxwell thought he had dismissed Travis Head caught behind by wicket-keeper Prabhsimran Singh. However, upon seeing the umpire giving it not out, signalled for a DRS review straight away. Moments later, though, Shreyas Iyer was shown to be angry at one of his teammates. Iyer pointed at himself, with his teammates vying for a review. Eventually, Iyer decided to go up with a DRS review upon Maxwell's insistance.

As it turned out, Travis Head remained not out after the whole saga. NDTV could not verify which teammate Iyer seemed to be frustrated on. While what Iyer said was not audible, It was quite apparent that he said: "Pehle merese puch na (Ask me first)"

Watch: Shreyas Iyer angry after DRS saga

Shreyas Iyer's angry reaction over DRS call. pic.twitter.com/huZBhbDn4F

— CricAsh (@ash_cric) April 12, 2025

Earlierm Punjab Kings unleashed an all-out assault against Sunrisers Hyderabad in Match 27 of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025, riding on a blazing half-century from Shreyas Iyer (82) and late fireworks from Marcus Stoinis, who scored 34 in eleven deliveries to reach 245/6 in 20 overs, here at Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium.

While the innings had contributions across the board, it was Iyer's calculated aggression that stood out, giving PBKS the perfect launchpad for a mammoth total.

Stoinis finally announced his arrival in IPL 2025 with a sensational finish, smashing four consecutive sixes to close out Punjab Kings' innings in stunning fashion. The Australian all-rounder, who had struggled to make an impact with the bat so far this season, turned on the heat in the final over, propelling PBKS to a commanding total of 245.

Unfortunately for Mohammed Shami, it was a night to forget as the seasoned pacer bore the brunt of Stoinis' onslaught. Shami's final over went for 27 runs, capping off a rough spell that read 4-0-75-0 — second most expensive in IPL history.

After electing to bat, PBKS came out swinging from the very first over. Prabhsimran Singh set the tone with a flurry of boundaries off Mohammed Shami, charging at the veteran seamer and carving him through mid-off and cover with disdain. He was in no mood to show respect and gave PBKS a flying start.

Harshal Patel bowled a game-changing over in the 18th, conceding just five runs and removing both Shreyas Iyer and Maxwell in quick succession. Iyer's 82 off 36 had anchored PBKS' innings but his departure meant PBKS had to rebuild in the final overs and Stoinis did it perfectly.

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