Plans For Talks With US Remain On Track: Iran Deputy Foreign Minister

noreply@blogger.com (Aravind) — Thu, 09 Apr 2026 20:29:25 +0000

Reflecting on the immediate lead-up to the current truce, the Deputy Foreign Minister described the volatility of the situation.

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"We Are Not Some Piece Of Ice": Greenland Hits Out After Trump Insult

noreply@blogger.com (Aravind) — Thu, 09 Apr 2026 19:29:16 +0000

Donald Trump on Wednesday vented his frustration with NATO as relations reached a crisis point over the Iran war, stating that the military alliance was not around when needed.

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US Has Declared Victory, But What Has It Accomplished In Iran?

noreply@blogger.com (Aravind) — Thu, 09 Apr 2026 13:29:21 +0000

Throughout the over-month-long conflict, Trump has made contradictory statements about his goals for Iran, including putting an end to the country's nuclear program, destroying its military capabilities, and creating regime change.

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'Kutte Ki Dum': Mukesh Khanna On Samay's 'Shaktimaan Ne Bachhe Maare' Remark

noreply@blogger.com (Aravind) — Thu, 09 Apr 2026 11:47:45 +0000

A year after Samay Raina landed in a proverbial soup for the infamous episode of his show India's Got Latent featuring Ranveer Allahbadia, the stand-up comedian clapped back at his trolls in his inimitable style through a stage act which only seems to have ruffled more feathers.

A day after clips of Samay Raina's special Still Alive started going 'crazy' on the Internet, veteran actor Mukesh Khanna lashed out at the actor for targeting him.

In an Instagram post, the Shaktimaan star and producer wrote, "Kutte ki dum tedhi rehti hai. Use lakh sheeshiyon mein rakho, baahar nikalo. Phir tedhi ki tedhi. Samay Raina ki bhi ek dum hai. Kitna bhi maaro, seedha karo, wo wapas tedhi ho jaati hai. Kyunki wo seedha-saada praani nahin hai. (The dog's tail remains crooked. You can try putting it in a bottle, bring it out, and it will still be crooked. Samay Raina too has a crooked tail. No matter how much thrash it, straighten it,, it will still go back to being crooked. Because he is not a simple, straightforward creature).

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Mukesh Khanna (@iammukeshkhanna)

"Wo roasted praani hai... poore desh ne latada maara. Phir aa gaya besharmon ki tarah aur maar khane. Ab ek hee cheez baaqi hai. Uska muh kaala karke gadhe par bitha kar desh bhar ke shehron mein, galiyon mein uski parade karni chahiye jahan bachhe usko ande-tamatar maarein kyunki usne unke superhero Shaktimaan ka apmaan kiya hai (He is a roasted creature... The whole country has already rebuked him. Now, he is back like a shameless person to get more beatings. Now only one thing remains: his face should be blackened, he should be mounted on a donkey, and paraded through all the cities and lanes of the country, where children pelt him with eggs and tomatoes, because he has insulted their superhero Shaktimaan)."

In his 1.21-hour special Still Alive, Samay Raina spoke about how things went south when the India's Got Latent episode went viral on social media for all the wrong reasons. Last year, the comic faced severe backlash after Ranveer Allahbadia landed in a major controversy over his comment on parents and sex at his comedy variety show. Legal trouble, multiple FIRs, and summons from the National Commission for Women (NCW) followed.

Samay Raina pointed out how Mukesh Khanna also waded into the controversy. At the time, the veteran actor had criticised Ranveer Allahbadia.

"This is a serious offence. It should not be taken lightly. Offenders should be punished heavily in order to discourage people in future from making such ashleel and irresponsible statements. Someone asked me what I think should be done. I said, 'You should hold him and beat him. Make him sit on a donkey with his face painted black and make him tour the nation'," Mukesh Khanna had said at the time.

After a year, Samay Raina opened up about how he felt when 'Shaktimaan' himself went after them.

"Shaktiman aa gaya tha yaar. Shaktiman se kaise ladenge? Sorry, Shaktimaan! Tune bachhe maare hain fak-fak-fak karke, tu kya moral high ground lekar baitha hai? (Shaktimaan also joined in. How will we fight Shaktimaan? Sorry, Shaktimaan! Shaktimaan has killed children 'fak-fak-fak karke'. How are you taking the moral high ground?)"

In his special, the comic also announced that he will not back down and bring another season of India's Got Latent after the controversy.

Also Read | Full Episode: Why Samay Raina Got In Trouble For India's Got Latent

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At Least 254 Killed, Over 1,100 Injured In Israeli Attack In Lebanon

noreply@blogger.com (Aravind) — Wed, 08 Apr 2026 19:29:39 +0000

The wave of attacks began shortly after Donald Trump announced a 15-day ceasefire and negotiations with Iran aimed at establishing a lasting peace.

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Centre Says Time To Remove PIL As Concept; Supreme Court Says "We're Cautious"

noreply@blogger.com (Aravind) — Wed, 08 Apr 2026 18:47:15 +0000

The central government during a Supreme Court hearing on the Sabarimala issue on Wednesday questioned the relevance of public interest litigations (PILs) and asserted that it's time to remove them. In response, the Supreme Court indicated to the Centre that there was no need to go down that path as the courts are already cautious while receiving PILs.

The Centre raised the matter after Supreme Court judge Justice BV Nagarathana asked why petitions filed by non-devotees have been admitted in the Sabarimala issue.

The case is over a constitutional challenge - on the balance between women's rights and religious freedom - to the temple's ban on girls and women aged 10-50.

Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, appearing for the Centre, while arguing in reference to the Sabarimala case review petitions, urged the Supreme Court's nine-judge constitutional bench to go through his written submissions on the relevance of PILs.

In written submissions filed in the Supreme Court, the central government has said time has come to remove PIL as a concept.

"It is submitted that the time has come not merely to recalibrate public interest litigation, but to remove it. PIL was conceived as an exceptional constitutional device for an era in which vast sections of the population were structurally unable to access courts because of poverty, illiteracy, disability, detention, social exclusion, and the sheer absence of institutional legal support," the written submissions by the central government stated.

Mehta cited the Bandhua Mukti Morcha case and said the PIL jurisdiction began at a time when access to justice was limited. He said that with technological advancements and increased accessibility, including e-filing, people can approach courts directly now.

"Even a letter can reach the court today," he said.

Highlighting the role of legal aid bodies, Mehta said institutions like the National Legal Services Authority and District Legal Services Authorities are available to help those without means.

"In this day and age, why should such PILs be entertained?" he said, adding many PILs today are "motivated" and filed at the behest of undisclosed interests.

Chief Justice of India Surya Kant told the Centre that recently the courts have become very cautious in entertaining PILs.

"The answer is very simple. Nowadays... and 'nowadays' does not mean only the last few years... these Courts themselves have been very, very careful in entertaining PILs. We have laid down parameters to test them. Every day, we examine the real cause. There are several factors we now apply while testing a PIL," Chief Justice Kant said.

"If you sit in court No. 1, you would have seen how many PILs we actually entertain. Notices are issued only when there is substance. Perhaps from 2006 to now, 2026... over these two decades, the situation has evolved, and the court has become more cautious. The point is this: on a general principle of PIL, we may not even need to hear you. We agree with you that the court has to be very cautious in entertaining PILs today, particularly when people come with different kinds of agendas," Chief Justice Kant told Mehta.

The matter came up as the Supreme Court's nine-judge Constitution Bench questioned the maintainability of petitions filed by non-devotees in the Sabarimala case. Justice Nagarathna observed that the original writ petitioners were not devotees of Lord Ayyappa and suggested that such petitions may not have been fit to be entertained at all.

She said no genuine devotee would have challenged the practice and indicated that a petition by non-devotees ought to have been dismissed at the threshold, drawing on principles like Order VII Rule 11 of the Civil Procedure Code, which allows rejection of cases that lack cause of action.

When told that the petition was filed by the Indian Young Lawyers Association, Justice Nagarathna questioned whether a "stranger" to a religious denomination could challenge its practices.

Chief Justice Kant noted that such concerns should have been addressed earlier and pointed out that the 2018 Sabarimala judgment allowed judicial intervention in matters involving grave constitutional issues regardless of locus.

While Mehta cited Justice Indu Malhotra's minority view in the Sabarimala verdict against outsider petitions, lawyer Indira Jaising said the bench is addressing broader constitutional questions beyond Sabarimala, including issues affecting women's rights across religious communities, such as rights of Parsi women and femal genital mutilation practice in Dawoodi Bohra community.

Reasons Behind Centre's Stance Against PILs

The Centre has contended that the justification for PILs rested on a real and pressing access deficit. "The said deficit, though not entirely eliminated, has been substantially addressed through the development of legal aid mechanisms, institutional support structures, and wider channels of access to justice. The constitutional exception has therefore outlived the factual conditions that were once thought to justify it," the submission stated.

"The catastrophic expansion of the PIL docket demonstrates that the exception has swallowed the rule. The increase from 25,000 filings per year in 1985 to 70,836 in 2019, coupled with this Hon'ble Court's own recognition that only 'even a minuscule percentage' of such petitions are genuine, shows that the PIL jurisdiction now operates in a factual vacuum," the central government told the Supreme Court.

"A jurisdiction created to remedy exceptional barriers to justice has instead become a vehicle for agenda-driven litigation, institutional overreach, and judicial diversion from cases brought by directly affected parties," the submissions stated.

The government said the problem is that the existence of the jurisdiction itself incentivises misuse, invites surrogate litigation, and normalises the displacement of the real aggrieved party from the centre of constitutional adjudication.

"Accordingly, PIL should be removed and ordinary principles of locus standi restored. Those whose rights are violated should, as a rule, approach the court themselves, with the assistance of the legal aid and support architecture that now exists for that purpose," the government's submissions stated.

"In the rare case where a person is genuinely incapable of doing so, the solution lies not in preserving a free-floating PIL jurisdiction, but in strengthening targeted procedural devices such as legal guardianship, court-appointed representation, legal aid intervention, and narrowly tailored statutory mechanisms," it said.

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Bill Gates To Testify In Front Of US House Panel On Jeffrey Epstein: Report

noreply@blogger.com (Aravind) — Tue, 07 Apr 2026 19:29:29 +0000

Billionaire Bill Gates is to testify on June 10 before a congressional committee investigating the late convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein and his accomplice Ghislaine Maxwell, a source close to the matter told AFP on Tuesday.

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'Nothing Implies This, Buffoons': US Says Not Considering Nukes Against Iran

noreply@blogger.com (Aravind) — Tue, 07 Apr 2026 18:47:28 +0000

US Vice President JD Vance warned Iran on Tuesday, hours before President Donald Trump's deadline ended at 8 pm EST (5.30 am IST), that America has "tools in our toolkit that we so far haven't decided to use". He expressed "hope", however, that negotiations would prevent their deployment.

The reference to tools heightened fears that the US, which seems to be unsure about an end goal for the war, would use a nuclear weapon against Iran. An account associated with former vice president Kamala Harris also said Vance's remarks implied Trump "might use nuclear weapons".

The White House took to X to quash the speculation and, in the same breath, insult those who thought it was a possibility. "Literally nothing @VP said here 'implies' this, you absolute buffoons," the White House's handle posted.

Trump's Big Warning To Iran

Earlier in the day, Trump had issued a big warning to Iran and said that the "whole civilisation will die tonight". In a post on Truth Social, he said that, although he does not want it to happen, "it probably will".

"A whole civilization will die tonight, never to be brought back again. I don't want that to happen, but it probably will," he wrote.

He said that tonight will be "one of the most important moments" in world history, as 47 years of extortion, corruption, and death will "finally end."

Iran's Response To Trump

The Iranian Embassy in South Africa replied to Trump, saying, "You and your allies will suffer an unforgettable hit from the ancient civilisation of Iran". Another Iranian Embassy in Turkiye also hit back saying, a "psychopath's threat" will not end what time could not.

The post read, "Alexander burned it. The Mongols ravaged it. History tested it. Iran is still here. A psychopath's threats won't end what time couldn't."

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Mamata Banerjee's "CRPF From UP To Attack You" Claim Gets Poll Body Response

noreply@blogger.com (Aravind) — Mon, 06 Apr 2026 18:47:34 +0000

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee took on the Centre again today, claiming that the Centre 200 cars carrying Central forces are on way to Bengal - "from Uttar Pradesh via Ayodhya to attack you". But her audience, she said, need not be afraid since it is just a "trick" and the ultimate power lies in the hands of the voters. The Election Commission - which is deploying nearly 2.4 lakh Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs) personnel in West Bengal - said its objective is to "ensure fear-free, peaceful, and fair elections".

All deployments of CAPF are being carried out as per established SOPs, in an impartial manner, said the Commission, which had arranged for the deployment after seven judicial officers were held hostage for hours in Malda on April 1.

The move has drawn strong reactions from the Chief Minister, who has been extremely vocal about the voter roll revision in the state ahead of the assembly election due later this month.

Banerjee today said she has heard that "200 cars are bringing CRPF from Uttar Pradesh via Ayodhya to attack you".

"Don't be afraid. This is a 15-day trick, a 15-day game, a 25-day game, and then they'll understand," Banerjee said at an election campaign rally in Nadia district, ahead of the two-phase assembly polls.

She also ripped into the voter list revision process, alleging that the BJP has removed the names of many voters".

"Why did they do it? Doesn't the Honorable Prime Minister feel ashamed? In Bihar, also they said 'ghuspetia (Infiltrator)'. The responsibility of BSF is in your hands, the responsibility of your Home Minister, CISF is in your hands, CRPF is in your hands, ITBP is in your hands, the planes are in your hands, the trains are in your hands. So if any infiltrator has entered anywhere, it's your responsibility. You should resign first, then talk about infiltrators," she added.

During the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, West Bengal, which went to polls in seven phases, received the largest share of forces under the nationwide deployment plan. Out of approximately 3.4 lakh CAPF personnel, around 920 CAPF companies (nearly 92,000 personnel) were stationed in the state, significantly higher than previous elections.

This is still more than ws deployed in Jammu and Kashmir, where nearly 900 CAPF companies were deployed during the 2024 Assembly elections held after a decade. During the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, about 635 CAPF companies were stationed in the Union Territory, underlining continued security challenges.

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"Whole Region Going To Burn": Iranian Parliament Speaker's Warning To Trump

noreply@blogger.com (Aravind) — Sun, 05 Apr 2026 19:29:18 +0000

Iran's powerful parliament speaker warned US President Donald Trump on Sunday that his "reckless moves" would mean "our whole region is going to burn".

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Virat Kohli Scripts History, Shatters Rohit Sharma's Sensational Record In T20s

noreply@blogger.com (Aravind) — Sun, 05 Apr 2026 18:47:24 +0000

Royal Challengers Bengaluru star batter Virat Kohli scripted history as he achieved a stunning record during the IPL 2026 match against Chennai Super Kings on Sunday. Virat scored just 28 off just 18 deliveries but in the process, he surpassed Rohit Sharma to achieve the record of scoring the most runs against a single opposition in T20 cricket. He currently has 1,188 against CSK - the most by any batter against a single team in T20 cricket. Rohit has scored 1,161 runs against Kolkata Knight RIders during his time with Mumbai Indians and Deccan Chargers in the IPL. Incidentally, Kohli also holds the third spot in the elite list as he has slammed 1159 runs against Punjab Kings.

Coming to the match, Devdutt Padikkal and Tim David hit a strong fifties as Royal Challengers Bengaluru rode on a superlative top-order show to post the highest total of this IPL season, a mammoth 250 for 3 against Chennai Super Kings.

Sent in to bat, Padikkal slammed a 29-ball 50, while opener Philip Salt made a 30-ball 46 to provide the platform.

Skipper Rajat Patidar (48 off 19 balls) and Tim David (70 off 25 balls) then hit some lusty blows, smashing 99 runs in 36 balls to take RCB to a mammoth total.

For CSK, Shivam Dube (1/30), Anshul Kamboj (1/52) and Jamie Overton (1/42) were among wickets.

Padikkal said he was relieved to see Tim David take charge of the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) innings.

Padikkal, who struck a fluent half-century off 29 balls, admitted the innings needed acceleration at the right time.

"I think at the strategic timeout as well, we had to, we knew that we had to keep going and it was an important phase from there on and I'm probably glad that I got out because the way Tim went from there, it was incredible," he said to broadcasters in mid-innings break.

He also explained that the pitch demanded caution early on before it became better to bat on. "I think it was a bit tacky early on, especially with the new ball wasn't coming on that well and we have to make sure that we don't lose too many wickets. We understand that in the Chinnaswamy, if we have wickets in hand in the last five, six overs, we can really maximize and that's what we did," said Padikkal.

He further said setting targets at the venue was difficult. "Not really, to be honest. It's very hard to set a target here in Chinnaswamy. It's important that the moment you have that momentum behind you, you have to just keep going."

(With agency inputs)

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Who Is Ashok Sharma? Pacer Who Clocked 154.2 Kmph, Fastest Ball Of IPL 2026

noreply@blogger.com (Aravind) — Sat, 04 Apr 2026 18:47:50 +0000

Ashok Sharma, 23, the Gujarat Titans pacer, made history in Ahmedabad on Saturday. In a terrific display of fast bowling, the youngster clocked 154 kmph on the final delivery of the 16th over - the fastest delivery of IPL 2026, surpassing Anrich Nortje. Two balls earlier, he had clocked 150.7 kmph. Ashok Sharma is a young medium pacer from Rajasthan who has impressed many with his swing-bowling capabilities, according to the IPL website.

"Ashok is rated highly for being able to swing the ball both ways, while also maintaining accuracy and consistency with his line and length. He has been part of the Rajasthan Royals camp in the past, where he was a net bowler and earned praise from many players in the squad. He also impressed the KKR management at their trials camp and was bought by the franchise for INR 55 lakh in the 2022 TATA IPL Auction," wrote iplt20.com.

"In IPL 2025, he moved to RR and then made his way to Gujarat Titans at the 2026 auction, with the Ahmedabad-based franchise paying INR 90 lakh for his services."

In 11 T20 matches, he has taken 33 wickets. He has also played four first-class matches (14 wickets) and seven List A matches (13 wickets).

Rajasthan Royals posted 210 for six against Gujarat Titans in an Indian Premier League match on Saturday.
Opting to bat, openers Yashasvi Jaiswal (55 off 36 balls) and Vaibhav Sooryavanshi (31 of 18) stitched 70 runs off 38 balls for the opening wicket to lay the foundation for the challenging total.

Dhruv Jurel emerged as the star with the bat for RR, making 75 off 42 balls with the help of four boundaries and five hits over the fence.

For GT, Kagiso Rabada (2/42) picked up two wickets.

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Iran Refuses To Meet US Officials In Pak, Ceasefire Efforts Hit Wall: Report

noreply@blogger.com (Aravind) — Fri, 03 Apr 2026 20:29:26 +0000

The push, led by Pakistan, has failed to yield a breakthrough, with Tehran formally notifying mediators that it is unwilling to send officials to Islamabad for talks in the coming days.

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India, Bangladesh Talk Defence Ties As Dhaka Moves Away From Yunus' Pak Push

noreply@blogger.com (Aravind) — Fri, 03 Apr 2026 18:47:48 +0000

Bangladesh's High Commissioner to India, Riaz Hamidullah, met Army Chief General Upendra Dwivedi in New Delhi on Thursday and discussed enhancing defence cooperation between New Delhi and Dhaka. The high-level meeting marks a sharp turn in ties between the two nations after the new government led by Prime Minister Tarique Rahman took charge in Bangladesh.

"Pleased to meet General Upendra Dwivedi, Chief of Army Staff (Indian Army), at South Block and reflected on Bangladesh-India ties, including defence collaboration," Hmidullah later said in a post on the social media platform X.

Pleased to meet Gen. Upendra Dwivedi, Chief of Army Staff (#IndianArmy), at South Block; and reflected on 🇧🇩🇮🇳 ties, including #defense collaboration.@adgpi #Bangladesh #India @BDArmyOfficial @BangladeshAFD pic.twitter.com/myg5WexHb7
— Riaz Hamidullah (@hamidullah_riaz) April 2, 2026

The meeting assumes greater significance because it signals a return to collaboration between the two countries. Under the previous government led by Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus, the Pakistan Army had tried to gain a footing in Bangladesh, with several top officials from Islamabad visiting Dhaka. Yunus, during his one-and-a-half-year tenure, repeatedly provoked India with irresponsible comments, leading to a further strain in ties.

Under Rahman, who has a Bangladesh First policy, New Delhi and Dhaka have restarted working together, as the two countries share common security goals, especially when it comes to the BBIN (Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Nepal) region and the Indian Ocean.

Rehman has also maintained a distance from Islamabad since his return. On March 25, when Bangladesh observes Genocide Day, the Prime Minister condemned the Pakistani military assault of 1971 as "one of the most heinous genocides.

Reset In India-Bangladesh Ties

India and Bangladesh have also been looking at common maritime and energy security goals, with Dhaka participating in the ongoing IOS SAGAR exercise that was flagged off from the Naval Dockyard in Mumbai on Thursday evening.

Maritime security and energy security have been a concern for the neighbourhood. India, under its Neighbourhood First policy and SAGAR (Security And Growth for All in the Region) and MAHASAGAR (Mutual And Holistic Advancement for Security And Growth Across Regions) visions, has been working to tackle regional security challenges and those arising from conflicts like the West Asia war that has impacted both India and Bangladesh.

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Amazon Cloud Facility In Bahrain Damaged By Iranian Attack

noreply@blogger.com (Aravind) — Thu, 02 Apr 2026 20:29:22 +0000

Bahrain's Interior Ministry said earlier in the day that civil defence teams were extinguishing a fire at a company facility following what authorities described as an Iranian attack.

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Trump Fires Key Aide Who Was In Charge Of Epstein Files Disclosure

noreply@blogger.com (Aravind) — Thu, 02 Apr 2026 18:47:37 +0000

US President Donald Trump fired Attorney General Pam Bondi over her handling of the Jeffrey Epstein files and what he sees as a lack of aggression in targeting his enemies. Trump was reportedly 'frustrated' with Bondi, according to the Associated Press.

Pam "will be transitioning to a much needed and important new job in the private sector," Trump announced on his Truth Social platform.

"Our Deputy Attorney General, and a very talented and respected Legal Mind, Todd Blanche, will step in to serve as Acting Attorney General", he said.

The report says that Trump has privately discussed replacing Bondi with Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Lee Zeldin.

Zeldin, a former Republican congressman from New York, has been publicly and privately praised by Trump, who at an event in February described him as “our secret weapon.”

Bondi, a former state attorney general in Florida and a Trump loyalist who was part of his legal team during his first impeachment case, has been in her position for more than a year.

She came into office pledging that she would not play politics with the Justice Department, but she quickly started investigations of Trump foes, sparking an outcry that the law enforcement agency was being wielded as a tool of revenge to advance the president's political and personal agenda.

Bondi, who defended Trump during his first impeachment trial, was his second choice to lead the Justice Department, picked for the role after former Rep. Matt Gaetz of Florida withdrew his name from consideration amid scrutiny over sex trafficking allegations.

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SpaceX Confidentially Files For IPO, Could Be Largest-Ever Listing: Report

noreply@blogger.com (Aravind) — Wed, 01 Apr 2026 20:29:13 +0000

The Starbase, Texas-headquartered firm could seek to raise more than $50 billion in the IPO, handily surpassing the 2019 flotation of Saudi Aramco, which remains the largest IPO on record.

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R Madhavan's Old 'Rafale' Posts Resurface, Internet Praises His Defence Acumen

noreply@blogger.com (Aravind) — Wed, 01 Apr 2026 19:47:26 +0000

Following the back-to-back success of Dhurandhar and its sequel, Dhurandhar: The Revenge, actor R Madhavan has caught the internet's attention for his defence acumen. In a series of posts on X (formerly Twitter), from over a decade ago, Madhavan suggested that the Indian government should opt for French-made Rafale fighter jets instead of other American and European options.

In the Aditya Dhar-directed spy thrillers, Madhavan portrays Ajay Sanyal, a character inspired by India's National Security Advisor (NSA), Ajit Doval. Impressed by Madhavan's defence takes, social media users joked that the actor had been preparing to play Sanyal's character for years.

"My strongest recommendation to the Air Force would be to go for the Rafale. Between the F18, F16, Eurofighter Typhoon, Gripen and the Mig 35," wrote Madhavan in a post dated December 10, 2011.

"The most agile and effortless was the Rafale. Had a very duty-bound tech feel about it. The rockstar is certainly the Su30. We have enough Su30," he added.

My strongest recommdtn to th Air force would be to go for the Rafale.Btwen the F18, F16, Euro fighter Typhoon, Gripen and the Mig 35..cont
— Ranganathan Madhavan (@ActorMadhavan) December 10, 2011

The most agile and effertless was the Rafale.Had a very Duty bound tech feel abt it.The rockstar is certainly the Su30. We hav enough SU30.
— Ranganathan Madhavan (@ActorMadhavan) December 10, 2011

In another post, Madhavan detailed the advantage of procuring Rafale while responding to a user's question. "Eurofighter is very impressive, no doubt. The Rafale is slightly less powered but super agile. The Su30 and Rafale combo is ops."

"Su30 n Rafale combo is tops"
-@ActorMadhavan

Bruhhhh https://t.co/LCHJrBQkP2 pic.twitter.com/J1FBNrVc4c
— Sensei Kraken Zero (@YearOfTheKraken) April 1, 2026

India officially ordered the Rafale fighter jets in 2016, with the first batch of jets arriving in the country in 2020, almost a decade after Madhavan made the suggestion.

Also Read | 'Life's Pretty Good': NRI Returns To India After Decade Abroad, Launches A Startup And Finds Wife

Social Media Reactions

As the posts gained traction, social media users highlighted that Madhavan was talking about defence-related issues when it was not the trend on the platform.

"R Madhavan was preparing to play Ajay Sanyal from Dhurandhar since ages. Unreal," said one user while another added: "Madhavan was defence Twitter before defence Twitter even existed."

A third commented: "As a fighter pilot who had a bad experience with Mig 21 in Rang De Basanti, it was surely natural for Madhavan to choose a French aircraft over others, wasn't it !? Lol."

A fourth said: "Bro was running Indian defence Twitter when defence Twitter didn't exist. Come back Maddy..let's post more on defence, tech and fighter jets."

Before becoming an actor, Madhavan dreamt of joining the Indian Army. As a young National Cadet Corps (NCC) cadet, Madhavan had the opportunity to train with the British Army, the Royal Navy and the Royal Air Force in England. Only eight cadets were picked for the special training, and Madhavan was one of them.

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Iran Confirms Death Of Brigadier General In Israeli Strike

noreply@blogger.com (Aravind) — Tue, 31 Mar 2026 19:29:34 +0000

Revolutionary Guards commander-in-chief Ahmad Vahidi issued a message of condolences for Jamshid Eshaghi, the head of the budget and financial affairs at Iran's armed forces general staff.

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Man Sets World Record By Passing Balloons Through Nose And Mouth In One Minute

noreply@blogger.com (Aravind) — Mon, 30 Mar 2026 19:29:27 +0000

He explained that he practiced with various objects and different types of balloons before selecting the ones best suited for this attempt.

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Oil Terminal, 90% Crude Exports: What Trump Could Get From Kharg Island

noreply@blogger.com (Aravind) — Mon, 30 Mar 2026 18:47:23 +0000

A scrubby island in the Gulf that is roughly one third the size of Manhattan, Kharg Island is the nerve centre of the Iranian oil industry -- and at the heart of US President Donald Trump's latest efforts to pressure Tehran.

On Monday Trump vowed that a failure by Iran to agree a deal to end the war could see the United States "completely obliterating" the export hub.

A day earlier, he had said the United States could take the island, eyed by the Pentagon for ground operations, "very easily".

So what are Trump's options, and how might Iran react if he presses on this pressure point?

What Is Kharg Island?

It may be a mere scrap of land, but Kharg handles around 90 per cent of Iran's crude exports, according to a report by US bank JP Morgan.

Located in the north of the Gulf, around 30 kilometres (20 miles) from the Iranian coast and more than 500 kilometres from the Strait of Hormuz, it has no oil wells.

But it has Iran's largest oil terminal, oil pipelines, storage tanks and related infrastructure.

It also has military facilities, some of which have already been hit by Israeli-US strikes.

On March 13, "US forces executed a large-scale precision strike on Kharg Island", Centcom, the US military command for the region, said.

"The strike destroyed naval mine storage facilities, missile storage bunkers and multiple other military sites. US forces successfully struck more than 90 Iranian military targets on Kharg Island, while preserving the oil infrastructure."

Sources close to US intelligence services told US broadcaster CNN Iran had deployed additional troops and defence systems to the area in recent weeks, including MANPAD-type surface-to-air missiles and mines.

Trump's Options?

There appear to be three routes for US forces wishing to seize the island -- an airborne attack; an amphibious operation; or a combination of the two.

The Pentagon is currently moving US paratroopers and Marines into the area.

"(The) US combat force build-up sets the stage for (a) potential ground offensive in Iran," said US think tank Soufan.

Centcom former commander General Joseph Votel told The War Zone website this month it would not take that many soldiers to seize Kharg.

"On a small island like Kharg, I imagine you'd need a battalion of Marines. We are therefore talking about a force of 800 to 1,000 men, perhaps a little fewer, certainly not much more," he said.

But taking Kharg and holding onto it "are two different things", stressed Professor Phillips O'Brien of the University of St Andrews in Scotland.

He said the US military would struggle to retain the island within range of Iranian missiles and drones.

Just 60 kilometres away is the city of Bushehr, an important military centre "from which the Iranians defend the entire northern part of the Gulf, including Kharg", noted Pierre Razoux of French research centre FMES.

Why Do It?

Trump's war goals remain hazy. It is unclear whether he primarily wants to force Iran to reopen shipping lanes in the Strait of Hormuz; force regime change in Tehran; coerce the Iranians into concessions on their nuclear or ballistic missile programmes.

In the short term, capturing Kharg could give Washington leverage to force Iran to negotiate -- presumably on Trump's terms, given the country's dependence on oil revenue, the Soufan Center said.

It might not have much effect in reopening the Gulf to shipping, however, because Iran controls a string of other islands in the Strait of Hormuz.

And if the Iranians choose not to cede to Trump's demands, "What does the US do?", O'Brien wondered.

"Does the US then, out of spite, level all the economic facilities on Kharg?

"That could easily boomerang back in American faces. It means oil prices skyrocket even more and stay high for much longer," he said.

"It also means Iran will be incentivised to shut down the traffic in the Straits for even longer. If they cannot get their own oil out, why let anyone else's?"

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

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Which State Is Known As The Rice Capital Of India?

noreply@blogger.com (Aravind) — Sun, 29 Mar 2026 18:47:31 +0000

Rice is more than just a staple in India. It's comfort food, tradition and identity rolled into one. From steaming bowls of plain chawal paired with dal to elaborate dishes like pulao, khichdi and regional curries, rice forms the backbone of everyday meals across the country. But have you ever wondered where most of this rice actually comes from? Behind India's vast consumption lies a region that has built its agricultural identity around paddy cultivation. With sprawling fields, diverse varieties and generations of farming expertise, one state has consistently stood out for its contribution to India's rice production.

Also Read: Which City Is Known As The 'Biryani Capital of India'?

The Rice Capital Of India Is West Bengal

West Bengal holds this title because it is one of the largest producers of rice in the country. Thanks to its fertile alluvial soil, abundant rainfall, and favourable climate, rice is cultivated here extensively across multiple seasons.

Why West Bengal Leads In Rice Production

Several natural and agricultural factors give West Bengal an edge:

Rich alluvial soil deposited by rivers like the Ganga
High rainfall and humid climate, ideal for paddy cultivation
Multiple cropping seasons (Aman, Aus and Boro)
Strong farming traditions and widespread rural cultivation

These conditions allow farmers to grow rice almost year-round, ensuring a steady supply.

Popular Rice Varieties From West Bengal

West Bengal is known for its diverse and flavourful rice varieties, such as:

Gobindobhog – Short-grain, aromatic rice used in traditional dishes
Tulaipanji – Fragrant and soft, often compared to basmati
Swarna and IR varieties – Commonly grown for large-scale consumption

Each variety differs in aroma, texture and cooking style.

Also Read: Which Indian State Is Known As The Fruit Bowl Of India?

Rice In Bengali Food Culture

In West Bengal, a meal without rice is almost unthinkable. It is central to both everyday eating and festive cuisine. Some classic pairings include:

Rice with fish curry (maach-bhaat)
Khichuri during festivals and monsoons
Sweet dishes like payesh (rice pudding)

Rice here is not just filling - it defines the structure of the meal.

While states like Punjab, Uttar Pradesh and Chhattisgarh also produce significant quantities of rice, West Bengal consistently ranks among the top contributors. Its scale, diversity and cultural connection to rice give it a distinct identity!

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Thousands Of Marines Add To Largest US Buildup In Middle East In 20 Years

noreply@blogger.com (Aravind) — Sat, 28 Mar 2026 19:29:06 +0000

Photos posted by CENTCOM show soldiers in combat fatigues wearing helmets and goggles. The Marines supplement the 50,000 US troops already stationed in the Middle East.

from NDTV News Search Records Found 1000 https://ift.tt/dmRyLtf

2 India-Bound LPG Tankers Cross Strait Of Hormuz

noreply@blogger.com (Aravind) — Sat, 28 Mar 2026 18:47:18 +0000

Two liquefied petroleum gas tankers, BW Elm and BW Tyr, are crossing the Strait of Hormuz bound for India, according to ship tracking data from LSEG and Kpler.

The US-Israeli war against Iran has all but halted shipping through the strait, but Iran said this week that "non-hostile vessels" may transit the waterway if they coordinate with Iranian authorities.

The two India-flagged vessels have crossed the Gulf area and are in the eastern Strait of Hormuz, the data showed.

India is gradually moving its stranded LPG cargoes out from the strait, with four LPG tankers moved so far - Shivalik, Nanda Devi, Pine Gas, and Jag Vasant.

As of Friday, 20 Indian-flagged ships including five LPG carriers were stranded in the Gulf, Rajesh Kumar Sinha, special secretary in the federal shipping ministry, said.

LPG carriers Jag Vikram, Green Asha and Green Sanvi are still in the western Strait of Hormuz, LSEG data show.

India, the world's second-largest LPG importer, is battling its worst gas crisis in decades, with the government cutting supplies for industries to shield households from any shortage of cooking gas.

The country consumed 33.15 million metric tons of LPG, or cooking gas, last year, with imports accounting for about 60% of demand. About 90% of those imports came from the Middle East.

India is also loading LPG onto its empty vessels stranded in the Gulf.