Asianet Newsable

UCC Bill passed in Assam; BJP calls it a move to empower women

Asianet News Central — Thu, 28 May 2026 09:01:05 +0530

BJP MLA Sushanta Borgohain said that the passage of the Uniform Civil Code (UCC) Bill in the Assam Assembly would empower women and provide justice to deprived sections of society, as the state became the first in the Northeast and the third BJP-ruled state in the country to pass such legislation. Speaking to ANI after the passage of 'The Uniform Civil Code, Assam, Bill, 2026', Borgohain said, "Finally, the UCC Bill has been passed. This will give strength to the women and those who are deprived. It was in our manifesto to pass this bill in the first session of the new government."

BJP MLA Bhupen Kumar Borah described the day as "historic" for Assam's political history and credited Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma for fulfilling a major promise made ahead of the Assembly elections. "Today is one of the most important and historic days in Assam's political history, when the UCC is passed under the leadership of Himanta Biswa Sarma. Only the Congress party opposed UCC and demanded that it not be implemented in the name of the Quran. In the greater interest of the women of the state, Dr Himanta Biswa Sarma passed UCC. I think the people of Assam, especially the women of Assam, will be happy with the decision," Borah said.

BJP MLA Pradyut Bordoloi said Assam had become the third state in the country to adopt the Uniform Civil Code and highlighted the "progressive elements" included in the legislation. "Assam is the third state in the country to have passed the Uniform Civil Code. There are new dimensions and progressive elements in the UCC which Assam Assembly has passed," Bordoloi said.

Another BJP MLA, Bimal Borah, said the legislation was necessary and reflected the government's commitment to its poll promises. "There was a great need for UCC. CM Himanta Biswa Sarma had promised to bring UCC in the first session of the Assembly, and today it was passed," he said.

Details of the UCC Bill

The Assam government had introduced the Bill in the Assembly earlier this week after receiving Cabinet approval on May 13. The legislation proposes a single civil legal framework governing marriage, divorce, succession and live-in relationships for all residents of the state. The draft Bill mandates registration of marriages within 60 days and live-in relationships within 30 days, while also proposing penalties for non-compliance. It also includes provisions banning polygamy.

Opposition Parties Express Concerns

The Bill triggered sharp political reactions in the Assembly, with Opposition parties expressing concerns over privacy and state interference. Congress MLA Aminur Rashid Choudhury said his party would oppose provisions of the Bill that it objected to, while Raijor Dal MLA Akhil Gogoi termed the legislation an "attack on private lives" and raised concerns over surveillance and "moral policing." (ANI)

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

Essential consumer product prices to rise further amid inflation: Report

Asianet News Central — Thu, 28 May 2026 09:01:03 +0530

Prices of essential everyday consumer products are likely to rise further in the near term as companies continue to face inflationary pressure on raw materials, according to a report by Systematix Research. The report stated that companies across categories have already increased product prices by 3-7 per cent on average over the last one to two months as raw material basket costs increased by around 8-10 per cent on average.

Further Price Hikes and Grammage Cuts Likely

According to the report, further price hikes and grammage cuts are highly likely in food and beverage (F&B) as well as home and personal care (HPC) products as companies attempt to offset higher input costs. It stated, "We believe further price hikes/ grammage cuts are highly likely near-term in F&B/ HPC products as companies scramble to offset the inflationary impact with a combination of pricing, mix and cost savings".

Impact on Revenue and Consumption

The report noted that pricing growth is expected to become a larger contributor to revenue growth of consumer staple companies during the first half of FY27, with pricing and volume contribution likely to remain around 50:50. However, it also cautioned that rising retail inflation could impact consumption volumes in the coming months.

Systematix Research said that while recent price hikes may help companies protect their absolute gross profits, the pressure on gross margins is expected to continue during the first half of FY27. The report added that this could create concerns around the overall margin outlook for FY27.

Key Drivers of Cost Inflation

The report also highlighted that costs have sharply increased in certain categories, especially palm oil and crude-linked inputs. Palm oil prices rose 11 per cent, while Brent crude oil prices surged 32 per cent amid the ongoing West Asia conflict.

The report also noted a sharp rise in packaging costs, with HDPE (High-Density Polyethylene) prices increasing 56 per cent. HDPE (High-Density Polyethylene) prices represent the market cost of a highly durable, petroleum-derived thermoplastic polymer. It is one of the most widely used plastics in the world, serving as a critical raw material for manufacturing shampoo bottles, detergent containers, jerry cans, bottle caps, and flexible packaging within the Food & Beverage (F&B) and Home & Personal Care (HPC) sectors.

Timeline of Impact and Corporate Strategy

According to the report, part of the sharp raw material inflation was already visible during the March quarter, as gross margins of major companies under its coverage contracted by around 50 basis points year-on-year and around 30 basis points quarter-on-quarter during the fourth quarter of FY26.

The report said most of the impact from the current cost inflation is expected to be reflected during the first half of FY27. It added that companies are likely to continue using a mix of price hikes, grammage reduction and operational efficiencies to manage profitability amid elevated input costs. (ANI)

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UCC Bill in Assam sparks debate in Meghalaya; CM Sangma cautious

Asianet News Central — Thu, 28 May 2026 09:00:57 +0530

Following the passage of the Uniform Civil Code (UCC) Bill in the Assam Assembly, political and social discussions around the issue have intensified in neighbouring Meghalaya. Responding to media queries, Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma said that it is important to fully understand the structure and provisions of any law before forming a final opinion on it.

Speaking to reporters, Sangma said that when the idea of the UCC was first discussed, only the term "Uniform Civil Code" was being debated, without clarity on what the actual law would contain. According to him, this naturally led to different interpretations and concerns among people.

Meghalaya's Stance on UCC

The Chief Minister said that for a tribal-majority state like Meghalaya, the biggest concern was whether the implementation of the UCC would affect traditional tribal laws and the state's matrilineal system. He stated that his earlier stand was against the implementation of UCC in Meghalaya because the customs, traditions, and social systems of tribal communities are different from those in many other parts of the country.

Reassurance After Tribal Exemptions

However, Sangma said that after examining the UCC laws introduced in states like Uttarakhand and Assam, it appeared that tribal laws had been exempted from the scope of the legislation. According to the Chief Minister, this has provided some reassurance to the Meghalaya government, as the provisions on paper seem to safeguard tribal rights and traditional systems.

At the same time, he clarified that the Meghalaya government would continue to carefully study the complete details of the law before making any final comment or decision.

Sangma emphasised that the state government wants to ensure that no national legislation affects Meghalaya's tribal identity, customary laws, or its matrilineal social structure. He added that the government is currently examining the various provisions of the UCC from both political and legal perspectives, while the protection of tribal interests will remain the top priority.

Details of Recent UCC Legislations

The UCC Bill was introduced on May 25 in the state assembly, proposing a ban on polygamy and making registration of live-in relationships compulsory. State Cabinet Minister Atul Bora introduced the Uniform Civil Code Assam Bill 2026 in the Assembly on behalf of Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma.

The BJP had promised to bring in the UCC in Assam in its manifesto ahead of the 2026 Assembly elections. The state Cabinet had approved the Bill in its first meeting held on the 13th of this month. Uttarakhand was the first state to pass a Uniform Civil Code (UCC) Bill in February 2024, followed by Gujarat, which cleared the legislation with a majority voice vote after a marathon debate lasting over seven hours in March 2026. (ANI)

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

Karnataka CM change? DK Shivakumar supporters gather amid speculation

Asianet News Central — Thu, 28 May 2026 09:00:55 +0530

Amid growing political speculation regarding the Karnataka Chief Minister's post, supporters of Deputy Chief Minister and state Congress President DK Shivakumar gathered outside his Bengaluru residence early Thursday. This comes as CM Siddaramaiah has called a 'breakfast meeting' with Congress party leaders today. Notably, former Bengaluru Mayor R Sampath Raj was among those seen arriving at the residence.

Leadership Change Speculation Brews

Speculation around leadership change in the Karnataka Congress has been brewing since the government completed its two-and-a-half years of tenure last year. The Congress government in the state has now completed three years.

Central Leadership Meeting in Delhi

Both Siddaramaiah and Shivakumar were in the national capital on Tuesday and took part in a meeting with Congress's central leaders, including Mallikarjun Kharge and Rahul Gandhi. The Congress leadership is learnt to be settling in favour of change and has apparently conveyed to Chief Minister Siddaramaiah to pave the way for it.

There has been constant speculation over the elevation of DK Shivakumar since the Congress government in Karnataka completed half its term, and another round of talks is expected before a final decision, party sources said.

Officially, the party said that the meeting discussed upcoming Rajya Sabha polls and Council elections and termed as "speculation" reports about a possible leadership change in the state. Congress General Secretary (Organisation) KC Venugopal told mediapersons that party candidates for the Rajya Sabha seats in Karnataka will be announced along with candidates from other states. "Today, we had a detailed meeting with Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge and LoP Rahul Gandhi. Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and Deputy CM DK Shivakumar, general secretary incharge of Karnataka (Randeep Singh Surjewala), and I were part of the discussion. The entire discussion was concentrated only on the upcoming Rajya Sabha elections and Council Elections of Karnataka," Venugopal said.

MLA Hints at CM's Imminent Resignation

Meanwhile, Congress MLA Ashok M Pattan also hinted at the possibility that the Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah might file his resignation on Thursday, underlining that he has already taken an appointment with the Governor.

Speaking to ANI, Pattan emphasised that the decision regarding the next Chief Minister will be taken by the High Command. "We went to the CM's house. I think CM may give his resignation tomorrow after 3 PM. He has already taken an appointment with the Governor. About the next CM, the high command will decide. Surjewala is here already. Most probably, DK Shivakumar will be the CM. Whatever the high command tells, they will obey," he said.

Meanwhile, Siddaramaiah on Wednesday said that discussions with the Congress high command will be addressed tomorrow, amid continuing speculation surrounding a possible leadership change in the Karnataka Congress. (ANI)

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Bhojshala verdict: Dhar Muslims challenge HC order in Supreme Court

Asianet News Central — Thu, 28 May 2026 09:00:36 +0530

Dhar Muslim residents have approached the Supreme Court to challenge the recent high court judgment on the disputed Bhojshala structure, labelling the verdict as a unilateral and legally flawed decision. Advocate Ashhar Warsi, representing petitioner Jibran Ansari, on Wednesday, said that a petition has been filed before the Supreme Court, alleging that the order was "one-sided and unilateral" and that the writ petition contests the fundamental legal validity of the ruling.

Petitioners Allege 'Unilateral' Ruling

Speaking to ANI on the matter, Warsi said, "We have specifically submitted before the Supreme Court that this entire judgment is one-sided and unilateral. It was delivered without examining the facts and involved an 'affirmation of evidence,' which is fundamentally impermissible within the scope of a writ petition. We have challenged this."

He further stated that the petitioners argued before the apex court that since a civil suit concerning the matter is already pending in Dhar, all parties should be directed to pursue remedies before the competent civil court. "Given that a civil suit was already pending in Dhar, we had raised specific arguments regarding that ongoing litigation. We contended that since a civil suit is already in progress, all concerned parties ought to be directed to that forum," he said.

Warsi added that notices in the matter have been issued to the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI), the Central Government, the State Government, and the Revenue Department. "We have filed our petition. We are now awaiting the Court to list the matter," he added.

Dispute Over Site's Religious Character

Earlier, on May 22, the Muslim side had also moved the Supreme Court of India, challenging the Madhya Pradesh High Court's order declaring the disputed Bhojshala Complex in Dhar a temple. The Special Leave Petition (SLP) was filed by Quazi Moinuddin, who describes himself as the caretaker of the Kamal Maula mosque.

While the Hindu side claims that the disputed structure is a temple dedicated to Goddess Saraswati, the Muslim side maintains that it is the Kamal Maula mosque. The matter had earlier been adjudicated by the Madhya Pradesh High Court, which held the site to be a temple, a decision now under challenge before the apex court.

The Muslim community has said it is expecting a stay order from the Supreme Court shortly after filing the petition. The President of the Muslim community said, "We will not offer Namaz at the Bhojshala tomorrow, as the administration has not granted permission." This comes after the Indore Bench of the High Court held that the religious character of the disputed monument was that of Bhojshala, a temple of Goddess Saraswati. "The religious character of the disputed area is held to be Bhojshala, with a temple of Goddess Saraswati," the Court said.

The High Court later quashed the 2003 ASI arrangement "to the extent restricting the right of Hindus to worship within the Bhojshala complex and also the order permitting prayer by the Muslim community." (ANI)

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

IPL 2026: Sooryavanshi's 97 helps RR thrash SRH in Eliminator

Asianet News Central — Thu, 28 May 2026 09:00:35 +0530

Rajasthan Royals thrashed Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) in the Eliminator clash of IPL 2026 at Mullanpur on Wednesday and took a step further towards their second IPL trophy. The winners of the first edition defeated Pat Cummins-led SRH by 47 runs in a run-fest here at the Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Stadium.

The 15-year-old batting sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi was at the centre of RR's win again as he made a blistering 97 off just 29 balls with the help of 12 sixes and five fours, which helped his side post 243/8 in the knockout clash. Dhruv Jurel, who also played a half-century knock, praised the teenager's knock and said that the young batter backs himself and has not an iota of doubt in himself.

'He just watches the ball': Jurel on Sooryavanshi's mantra

"Best thing about Vaibhav is that he doesn't plan anything, because he practices a lot, and he always backs himself. That's what he does every time he goes out and plays. So the best thing about him is that he backs himself and he doesn't have that shadow of doubt that I'm not able to do it," said Jurel in a post-match press conference.

Sooryavanshi went past West Indies icon Chris Gayle for most sixes in an IPL season with 65 sixes. When asked what makes Sooryavanshi special, Jurel said he doesn't watch the bowler, but the ball. "When you go to the academy, you are told not to watch the bowler, but the ball. And we, as a 17-year-old kid, we always used to watch the bowler. But he [Sooryavanshi] just watches the ball. That's all his mantra. He doesn't give a damn about any bowler. He just wants to play the ball. That's all," he said.

Dhruv Jurel on his evolving role and T20's challenge

Jurel has been consistent for RR with the bat and has made 508 runs this season with the help of 46 fours and 24 sixes. His 50-run knock in the do-or-die clash against SRH came in just 21 balls and had three sixes and five fours.

Speaking about his performance this season, Jurel said, "T20 has become the toughest format because you can hit 240 or 250 and that's not safe either. So I want to become a player who can play at any place, whether it is one down, open, at number three, five, seven, no matter what the situation is. I want to read the match and try to win the match."

Talking about his role in the batting unit, he said, "My job is that whenever the openers are playing and if they're playing beautifully, just try to build a partnership with them. If we hit from both ends, there's a chance that the wicket can go. So my job is to steady the ship and build a partnership."

He further added, "Because I don't want my down middle order to play in the 11th or 12th over. I feel that I should have a partnership in the middle overs and that's what I've been doing, so that in the end, I give a good platform to my down middle order batsmen to add big to the score."

SRH falter in chase

During the chase, SRH sunk to 57/4 in the powerplay itself, despite a brief counter-attack from Ishan Kishan (33 in 11 balls, with three fours and three sixes). Archer (3/58) and Burger (2/26) were central to RR's success with the ball in the powerplay, skittling out SRH for just 196 in 19.2 overs. Nitish Kumar Reddy (38 in 20 balls, with three fours and two sixes) and Salil Arora (35 in 20 balls, with two fours and two sixes) put up a fight in the later stages with a 56-run sixth-wicket partnership, but Ravindra Jadeja (2/21) dimmed whatever little hope was left by removing both of them.

RR advance, SRH eliminated

Sooryavanshi was named as the 'Player of the Match' for his match-defining knock. With this loss, SRH has been eliminated from the tournament, while Rajasthan Royals will battle Gujarat Titans in Qualifier 2 on Friday for a spot in the final against defending champions Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB).

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

Eid al-Adha: Jannati Darwaza opens at Ajmer Dargah for devotees

Asianet News Central — Thu, 28 May 2026 09:00:33 +0530

The Jannati Darwaza at the revered Khwaja Gharib Nawaz Dargah in Rajasthan's Ajmer was opened at 4 am on Thursday on the occasion of Eid al-Adha, drawing devotees from across India who gathered to offer prayers and seek blessings at the shrine. Large crowds thronged the Ajmer Sharif Dargah from the early hours of the morning as devotees marked the festival with prayers, devotion and messages of peace and brotherhood.

Devotees Arrive From Far and Wide

Speaking to ANI, Ajmer Sharif Dargah Khadem Daulat Chishti said devotees from different parts of the country and overseas visit the shrine with deep faith on the occasion. "Devotees from far and wide, from across India and abroad, gather here with deep reverence. They pass through the doors to offer their prayers and pay their respects," Chishti said.

Another Khadem of the shrine, Jishan Chishti, said people from border areas, including Barmer, Jaisalmer and Kashmir, arrived at the Dargah to participate in the celebrations. "On this day of Eid, specifically, people from the border regions of Barmer, Jaisalmer, and Kashmir arrive at the shrine of Garib Nawaz, bringing with them their deep devotion. Just as the Hajj rituals concluded yesterday, today a gathering of devotees, united by love and brotherhood, has assembled here," he said.

TN Chief Minister Extends Greetings

Meanwhile, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Vijay also extended greetings on the occasion of Eid Al-Adha and described the festival as a reminder of humanity and noble values.

In a message shared on X, Vijay said, "On the occasion of Bakrid, the festival of sacrifice, I extend my heartfelt and loving greetings to all my Islamic brothers and sisters." He said Bakrid symbolises "faith in God, sacrifice, compassion, sharing, and humanitarianism" and urged people to share joy with the poor and underprivileged while promoting communal harmony and equality in society.

About Eid Al-Adha

Eid Al-Adha, also known as the festival of sacrifice, commemorates Prophet Abraham's willingness to sacrifice in obedience to God and is observed on the 10th day of Dhu al-Hijjah, the final month of the Islamic lunar calendar. (ANI)

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Goa CM Pramod Sawant meets PM Modi, calls it an emotional moment

Asianet News Central — Thu, 28 May 2026 09:00:29 +0530

Goa CM's 'Emotional' Meeting with PM Modi

Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant on Wednesday met Prime Minister Narendra Modi at Seva Teertha along with his family, describing the meeting as a privileged and emotional moment.

In a post on X, Sawant said the visit was especially significant for his family, recalling his father's long association with social work through the Jan Sangh movement. He wrote, "Delighted and privileged to call on the Hon'ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi Ji along with my family at Seva Teertha."

Highlighting the emotional aspect of the meeting, he added, "Especially emotional for my Pappa, who began his journey of social work through the Jan Sangh and has carried that spirit of seva forward all his life." Expressing gratitude, Sawant further said PM Modi continues to inspire party workers across the country. He added, "Heartfelt gratitude to Hon'ble PM for continuing to inspire crores of Karyakartas in the service of the nation."

Monsoon Preparedness 2026 Reviewed

Earlier, Sawant chaired a meeting of the State Disaster Management Authority (SDMA) on May 18 to review Monsoon Preparedness 2026 in the state in the presence of senior officials, Collectors, Indian Coast Guard and Heads of Departments.

Sawant reviewed preparedness measures at the State, District and Taluka levels and ensured that all Emergency Operation Centres and Control Rooms are fully operational and will function 24x7 during the monsoon season. During the meeting, the CM also informed about dangerous hoardings, desilting of drains and water bodies, monitoring flood & landslide-prone areas, strengthening emergency communication systems, stocking essential medicines and supplies, and ensuring readiness of rescue teams and equipment. Sawant has directed all departments to work in close coordination to ensure that no life is lost due to any disaster. He emphasised installation of warning signboards at accident-prone zones, action against dilapidated buildings, ban on swimming in abandoned mining pits, and effective utilisation of Aapada Mitra volunteers along with NCC, NSS, Scouts and Guides during emergencies. (ANI)

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NEET UG 2026: NTA extends fee refund deadline to June 22 for candidates

Asianet News Central — Thu, 28 May 2026 09:00:28 +0530

Following the cancellation of the NEET UG exam, the National Testing Agency (NTA) has extended the deadline for submitting bank account details for fee refunds to June 22 till 11:50 PM. In an X post, the NTA stated, "Important announcement for candidates yet to submit bank details for fee refund! The last date has been extended to 22nd June 2026 (till 11:50 PM)", highlighting that 13 lakh candidates have already updated their details since a dedicated facility on the NEET (UG)-2026 registration portal on May 23. The previous deadline was May 27 (11:50 PM), which was extended by nearly a month, giving applicants more time to request their refunds.

How to Submit Bank Details for Refund

It added that candidates must log in using their credentials to access the refund link and submit their bank account details. The NTA stated that candidates may also upload a cancelled cheque, if they wish, to ensure the accuracy of bank account details.

"Once the bank account details are submitted, the same shall be treated as final and no further modification shall be permitted thereafter. Candidates are required to fill in the details as specified in Annexure-I, carefully," the notice said.

Exam Cancellation, Probe and Re-Test

Meanwhile, the re-examination was announced after allegations of irregularities and a paper leak surfaced in the earlier NEET-UG examination, triggering outrage among students and parents and leading to multiple investigations, including a CBI probe. Political tensions heightened amid protests over NEET UG 2026, which was cancelled on May 12 following allegations of a coordinated paper leak. The exam, conducted on May 3 across 551 cities in India and 14 cities abroad, saw participation from over 22 lakh candidates.

The Union Education Ministry has ordered strengthened security measures for the upcoming re-examination scheduled on June 21. Officials have also indicated that NEET-UG will be conducted in computer-based test (CBT) mode from next year to prevent such irregularities. (ANI)

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Andhra Pradesh, Telangana Weather LATEST Update: Unseasonal Rains And Extreme Heat Disrupt Weather In Telugu States

Amrita Ghosh — Thu, 28 May 2026 08:58:09 +0530

Andhra Pradesh, Telangana Weather LATEST Update: Unseasonal rain and scorching heat are creating chaotic weather conditions across Andhra Pradesh and Telangana. While several districts are witnessing thunderstorms and showers, intense heatwave

Weather conditions across Andhra Pradesh have turned unstable due to a surface circulation over northern Tamil Nadu and a trough extending towards southern Telangana. According to the State Disaster Management Authority, several districts are likely to receive light to moderate rainfall along with thunderstorms and lightning.

ALSO READ: Karnataka Rains: Bengaluru Likely to Witness Hailstorms, Heavy Rain Across State

Districts including Bapatla, Prakasam, Anantapur, Sri Sathya Sai, Kadapa, Chittoor, Tirupati, Visakhapatnam, Guntur, Nellore, Kurnool and Nandyal are expected to witness rainfall activity. Officials have also warned people to stay cautious during thunderstorms as lightning strikes may occur in isolated areas.

The sudden spell of rain has brought temporary relief from the heat in some regions, but changing weather patterns continue to create uncertainty for farmers and daily commuters.

Even as rains are reported in some areas, heatwave conditions remain intense across many districts of Andhra Pradesh. Temperatures crossed 41 degrees Celsius in several places on Wednesday, with Salur in Parvathipuram Manyam district recording 41.8 degrees Celsius.

Authorities have warned that temperatures could rise further to around 45 to 46 degrees Celsius in districts such as Srikakulam, Vizianagaram, Kakinada, East Godavari, West Godavari, Eluru, Krishna, NTR and Guntur.

Health officials are urging residents to avoid stepping out during peak afternoon hours unless necessary. People have also been advised to stay hydrated and take extra care of children and elderly family members. Heatstroke cases are becoming a growing concern, with reports of fatalities linked to extreme heat emerging from Srikakulam district.

Telangana is also witnessing mixed weather conditions. While sunny weather continues during parts of the day, many districts including Hyderabad have experienced heavy rainfall accompanied by thunder, lightning and gusty winds.

The rain brought a noticeable drop in temperatures across Hyderabad after showers lashed the city earlier this week. Residents enjoyed cooler weather conditions on Wednesday, and meteorological officials expect temperatures to remain slightly lower for the next 24 hours.

However, untimely rainfall has caused problems for farmers in several districts. Paddy crops kept for drying have reportedly been damaged due to unexpected showers, leaving many farmers worried about crop losses.

The weather department has advised people in Telangana to remain cautious as sudden changes in weather, including thunderstorms and strong winds, may continue over the next few days.

Karnataka Rains: IMD Issues Orange Alert for 9 Districts Amid Cyclonic Activity

Amrita Ghosh — Thu, 28 May 2026 08:53:04 +0530

Karnataka Rains: Karnataka is likely to witness intense rain, thunderstorms as India Meteorological Department (IMD) issues an Orange Alert for 9 districts. Cyclonic circulation and advancing monsoon winds are expected to trigger widespread showers

The southwest monsoon, which was initially expected to arrive in Kerala by May 26, has been delayed due to weakened weather activity over the Arabian Sea. According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), the monsoon is now expected to hit the Kerala coast around May 30 and may reach Karnataka between June 5 and June 7.

ALSO READ: Karnataka Rains: Bengaluru Likely to Witness Hailstorms, Heavy Rain Across State

However, meteorologists say the monsoon has regained strength in recent days. It has already advanced into large parts of the Arabian Sea, Lakshadweep region, Bay of Bengal, and the Andaman Sea. Weather conditions are currently becoming increasingly favorable for further monsoon advancement over the next two to three days.

A cyclonic circulation has also formed over the southeast Arabian Sea and the north Tamil Nadu coast, helping accelerate moisture movement toward southern India.

The IMD has issued an Orange Alert for nine districts in Karnataka due to the possibility of heavy rainfall accompanied by thunderstorms and gusty winds.

The districts under Orange Alert are:

Bidar

Kalaburagi

Vijayapura

Yadgir

Raichur

Koppal

Tumakuru

Chikkaballapur

Kolar

Rainfall activity is expected across coastal Karnataka, north interior Karnataka, and south interior Karnataka. Strong winds and thunderstorm activity are also likely in many regions.

Sedam in Kalaburagi district recorded the highest rainfall in the state on Wednesday with 9 cm of rain. Meanwhile, Bidar reported the highest maximum temperature at 40.2 degrees Celsius, though temperatures in parts of north interior Karnataka remained below normal.

Bengaluru is expected to experience partly cloudy skies over the next 24 hours. The city may receive light to moderate rainfall during the afternoon or evening hours, accompanied by thunderstorms and gusty winds reaching speeds of 40–50 kmph.

According to the forecast, the maximum temperature in Bengaluru is expected to hover around 34 degrees Celsius, while the minimum temperature may remain close to 21 degrees Celsius.

Weather experts say increasing moisture from the Arabian Sea and changing pre-monsoon conditions are gradually intensifying rainfall activity across Karnataka.

Kerala Rains: Kerala Braces For Thunderstorms, Coastal Flooding And High Wave Threat

Amrita Ghosh — Thu, 28 May 2026 08:45:43 +0530

Kerala Rains: Kerala is likely to witness isolated thunderstorms, gusty winds, rough sea conditions as weather agencies issue fresh warnings for coastal regions. Fishermen, coastal residents have been advised to stay alert due to threat of high waves

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has predicted isolated rainfall accompanied by thunderstorms and lightning in parts of Kerala on May 28, 2026. Winds may reach speeds of 30 to 40 kmph in several areas across the state.

ALSO READ: Kerala Rain Alert: IMD Issues Rain And Sea Erosion Alert For Kerala Coastal Areas

Even though no district-specific weather alert has been issued, authorities have advised people to remain cautious during sudden weather changes, especially in coastal and low-lying regions.

The Indian National Centre for Ocean Information Services (INCOIS) has issued a warning regarding the ‘Kallakkadal’ phenomenon, a sudden rough sea condition expected along the Kerala coast until 11:30 PM on May 28.

Wave heights between 0.8 metres and 1.5 metres may lead to sea intrusion and coastal erosion in vulnerable areas. Similar rough sea conditions are also expected along the Kanyakumari coast, where waves could rise up to 1.5 metres.

Authorities have urged fishermen and people living near the shoreline to remain extremely careful.

Weather authorities have also warned fishermen against venturing into multiple sea regions between May 28 and May 31 due to strong winds and rough weather conditions.

Wind speeds of 40 to 65 kmph are expected across:

Gulf of Mannar

Sri Lankan coast

Southern and central Bay of Bengal

Odisha and West Bengal coasts

Southern and northern Andaman Sea

Arabian Sea regions near Somalia and Gujarat coast

Fishermen have been strictly advised not to enter these areas during the warning period.

Gold, Silver Prices Fall Today: Check Latest 22K, 24K Rates In Your City

Deevika NM — Thu, 28 May 2026 08:41:27 +0530

Gold and silver prices in India continued to remain volatile on May 28, 2026, amid fluctuations in global bullion markets and cautious investor sentiment. According to the latest market update, gold prices slipped marginally while silver prices also recorded a decline across major Indian cities.

Reports suggest that the price of 24K gold declined by around Rs 10 per 10 grams in early trade, while silver prices fell by nearly Rs 100 per kilogram. Market analysts attribute the correction to easing global demand, profit booking in bullion markets and uncertainty surrounding international economic developments.

The precious metals market has remained highly volatile over the last few weeks as investors closely track US interest rate cues, geopolitical tensions and fluctuations in the US dollar index. Experts believe that despite short-term corrections, gold continues to remain a preferred safe-haven asset for long-term investors.

Silver prices, which had rallied sharply earlier this month, also witnessed a mild correction. Data from Goodreturns showed that silver rates in Bengaluru stood at around Rs 2,85,100 per kilogram on May 28. Despite the recent dip, silver prices have gained significantly during May due to strong industrial demand and bullish global commodity trends.

Bullion traders said the market remains sensitive to global developments, especially crude oil movements, inflation concerns and central bank policy signals. Jewellery demand in India has also remained active despite elevated prices, particularly ahead of wedding and festive purchases.

Meanwhile, experts expect gold and silver prices to remain range-bound with intermittent volatility in the coming sessions. Investors are advised to monitor international bullion trends and domestic market updates before making major buying decisions.

Latest Gold And Silver Rates In Major Cities

City	22K Gold (10 grams)	24K Gold (10 grams)	Silver (1 kg)
Delhi	Rs 1,45,240	Rs 1,58,430	Rs 2,84,900
Mumbai	Rs 1,45,090	Rs 1,58,280	Rs 2,84,900
Chennai	Rs 1,46,490	Rs 1,59,810	Rs 2,89,900
Kolkata	Rs 1,45,090	Rs 1,58,280	Rs 2,84,900
Bengaluru	Rs 1,45,090	Rs 1,58,280	Rs 2,85,100
Hyderabad	Rs 1,45,090	Rs 1,58,280	Rs 2,89,900

City

Bengaluru Rs 1,47,000+ Rs 1,60,000+ Rs 2,85,100

Delhi Rs 1,47,000+ Rs 1,60,000+ Rs 2,84,900

Mumbai Rs 1,47,000+ Rs 1,60,000+ Rs 2,84,900

Chennai Rs 1,47,000+ Rs 1,60,000+ Rs 2,89,900

Hyderabad Rs 1,47,000+ Rs 1,60,000+ Rs 2,89,900

Kolkata Rs 1,47,000+ Rs 1,60,000+ Rs 2,84,900

Gold and silver prices vary slightly across cities due to local taxes, transportation costs and state levies.

Mumbai Weather LATEST Update: IMD Issues Fresh Heatwave Alert as Mumbai Temperature Nears 39°C

Amrita Ghosh — Thu, 28 May 2026 08:40:08 +0530

Mumbai Weather LATEST Update: Mumbai and nearby districts continue to battle intense heat and humidity as temperatures touched nearly 39 degrees Celsius in some areas. The IMD has issued a fresh heatwave alert

Mumbai and the Mumbai Metropolitan Region have been witnessing extremely hot and humid weather despite brief rain showers over the weekend. On Wednesday, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) issued a fresh heatwave warning for Mumbai and nearby districts including Thane, Palghar and Raigad.

ALSO READ: Mumbai Weather LATEST Update: Heatwave Red Alert in Vidarbha, Thunderstorms Likely in Pune and Mumbai

Temperatures remained unusually high across several parts of the city. Areas like Ram Mandir recorded 38.7 degrees Celsius, while Byculla touched 37.8 degrees. Several other locations including Vikhroli, Vidyavihar and Chembur also reported above-normal temperatures.

According to IMD data, both Santacruz and Colaba observatories recorded temperatures above 35 degrees Celsius. The weather department stated that Mumbai is likely to continue experiencing hot and humid conditions until Friday morning.

Although no fresh heatwave warning has been issued for Thursday, Mumbai and neighbouring districts remain under a yellow alert. Meteorologists have predicted temperatures between 34 and 35 degrees Celsius till May 30, after which a gradual dip is expected along with partly cloudy skies.

Weather experts believe the current weather pattern is due to dry atmospheric conditions across the country. Mahesh Palawat from Skymet Weather Services explained that there is currently no moisture movement or active weather system bringing relief to the west coast.

He added that light rain activity may return to Mumbai and surrounding coastal areas in the coming days. Meanwhile, several districts in Maharashtra, including Nagpur, Chandrapur and Wardha, continue to face severe heatwave conditions with temperatures crossing 40 degrees Celsius.

Chennai Weather LATEST Update: City to Stay Hot as Several Tamil Nadu Districts Face Rain Alert

Amrita Ghosh — Thu, 28 May 2026 08:35:57 +0530

Chennai Weather LATEST Update: Tamil Nadu is expected to witness widespread rainfall activity on May 28 due to multiple atmospheric circulations over the region. The weather department has issued heavy rain alerts for 11 districts

The Regional Meteorological Centre has forecast heavy rainfall accompanied by thunderstorms and gusty winds in several parts of Tamil Nadu on May 28. Districts likely to be affected include Nilgiris, Coimbatore, Tiruppur, Dindigul, Theni, Vellore, Tirupattur, Krishnagiri, Dharmapuri, Salem and Erode.

ALSO READ: Chennai Weather LATEST Update: Chennai to Stay Hot as IMD Warns of Heavy Rain in Parts of Tamil Nadu

Strong winds reaching speeds of 40 to 50 kmph are also expected in isolated areas. The rainfall activity is being triggered by atmospheric circulations prevailing over North Tamil Nadu, the southeast Arabian Sea and parts of the Bay of Bengal.

Apart from these districts, light to moderate rainfall with thunderstorms may occur in a few other regions of Tamil Nadu, Puducherry and Karaikal.

While interior districts may receive rain, Chennai is expected to continue experiencing high temperatures. The city is likely to witness partly cloudy skies on May 28 with maximum temperatures hovering around 40 to 41 degrees Celsius and minimum temperatures around 29 to 30 degrees Celsius.

The weather department has warned residents about heat-related discomfort due to high humidity and soaring daytime temperatures.

The weather department has also issued a warning for fishermen along the Tamil Nadu coast. Between May 28 and May 31, strong winds are expected over the Tamil Nadu coastal areas, Gulf of Mannar and adjoining sea regions.

Wind speeds may range between 40 and 50 kmph and could gust up to 60 kmph at times. Similar rough weather conditions are expected over parts of the Andaman Sea and the Bay of Bengal.

Fishermen have been advised to avoid venturing into these regions until weather conditions improve.

Stock markets closed for Bakri Id holiday; trading to resume Friday

Asianet News Central — Thu, 28 May 2026 08:31:21 +0530

Indian Markets Closed for Bakri Id

The domestic stock markets remained closed on Thursday on account of the Bakri Id holiday, according to the National Stock Exchange (NSE). As per the NSE holiday schedule, trading in both the equity and derivative segments remained shut for the day and will resume on Friday.

The commodity markets also remained closed during the first half of the trading session on Thursday. However, trading in the commodity segment is scheduled to resume from 5 PM onwards.

The instant fund withdrawal facility from trading accounts was also unavailable during the market holiday.

Asian Markets Under Pressure

While Indian markets remained shut, most major Asian markets witnessed selling pressure during early trade on Thursday. Japan's Nikkei 225 index traded marginally lower by 0.03 per cent at the 65,005 level. Singapore's Straits Times index also declined 0.23 per cent to 5,016, while Hong Kong's Hang Seng index witnessed sharper losses and traded 1.47 per cent lower at 24,981 level during early trade. South Korea's KOSPI index also remained under pressure and declined 0.47 per cent in the early trading session.

Among the key Asian markets, Taiwan's weighted index was the only major market trading in positive territory, rising more than 1 per cent to 44,707 level.

Global Cues and Crude Oil

Global market sentiment remained cautious amid continued uncertainty around geopolitical developments and crude oil prices. Brent crude oil prices also moved higher on Thursday and were trading around USD 96 per barrel at the time of filing this report, up 1.76 per cent.

The rise in crude oil prices continues to remain important for global financial markets as elevated energy prices impact inflation, transportation costs and broader economic activity.

Wall Street Ends with Minor Gains

In the US markets, Wall Street indices closed with marginal gains on Wednesday. The S&P 500 index ended slightly higher by 0.02 per cent at 7,520 level, while the Nasdaq index gained 0.07 per cent to close at 26,674. The Dow Jones Industrial Average also closed in positive territory with a gain of 0.36 per cent at 50,644 level.

Market participants globally continue to closely monitor developments in crude oil prices, geopolitical tensions for further direction in equities and commodities markets. (ANI)

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

PA must stop paying terrorists, find new leaders: Samaria council head

Asianet News Central — Thu, 28 May 2026 08:31:11 +0530

Deputy Head, Samaria Regional Council, Davidi Ben-Zion, on Wednesday, said the Palestinian Authority must stop paying the terrorists, stop teaching children that 'killing Jews is holy', and find new leadership if the situation is to be improved for Israelis and Palestinians.

In a conversation with ANI, Zion said that Palestinian villages do not have fences, the Jewish settlements do because they are targets for attacks. "Stop paying salaries to terrorists who murder Jewish families, stop the formal education system that teaches children that killing Jews is a 'holy mission' and find a new leadership that is not based on evil," he said.

'We live together but settlements are targets for attacks'

"In Samaria, we live together in the same area. We use the same roads and work in the same industrial zones. For example, Leshem is a Jewish settlement and Deir Ballut is an Arabic village. While the Palestinian villages do not have fences, the Jewish settlements do because they are targets for attacks. We use cameras, radar, and emergency teams to protect our residents," he added.

'Media portrayal vs reality on the ground'

Zion emphasised the deep chasm between the media reports on Israel and the reality on the ground. He said IDF soldiers enter these Palestinian villages, Deir Ballut, to ensure that no one is producing terror weapons, bombs, or rockets. "I was born in Kiryat Arba, Hebron, and I have lived in Samaria for the last 22 years. I am the Deputy Governor of the Samaria Regional Council. First of all, welcome to Samaria. It is really important to come and see the reality of the situation with your own eyes, because people abroad--and even in Israel--often rely on the media. Whether it is newspapers, radio, or the internet, they see the narrative of the reporter and believe that it is the truth. Unfortunately, the distance between reality and the media portrayal can be very far," he said.

IDF's role in preventing terror

He further said that if the IDF ensured every day that the October 7, 2023, attacks are not repeated. "We are currently in Pduel, a Jewish settlement in the middle of Samaria. From here, we can see the entire centre of Israel. You can see the towers of Tel Aviv, Ben Gurion Airport, Rishon Lezion, and Ashkelon. To the north, you can see Netanya and Hadera. Right here is a Palestinian village called Deir Ballut. Every night, our brave IDF soldiers enter these Palestinian villages to ensure that no one is producing terror weapons, bombs, or rockets. We know what happens when our soldiers are not there. We saw it over two years ago in Kfar Aza, Be'eri, and Nahal Oz when, on October 7th, thousands of terrorists from Gaza committed a terrible massacre. We know the same thing could happen in the heart of Israel, in cities like Petah Tikva and Rosh Ha'ain, if we were not positioned here," he said.

Growing Jewish population in Judea and Samaria

Zion added that the area has a high density of the Jewish community and it is expected to rise. "There are currently 700,000 Jewish people living on the east side of the Green Line in Judea and Samaria. We expect this number to grow to one million in the next five years because we have a high population growth rate of 8% every year. The situation in Judea and Samaria is permanent; no one can repeat what Prime Minister Ariel Sharon did 20 years ago in Gaza and Gush Katif, where 20 settlements were destroyed and hundreds of families were thrown out of their homes. For reference, there were fewer than 10,000 Jewish people in Gush Katif; today, we are talking about 700,000," he said.

He added that most people there serve in the army and pay taxes. "Most of the people here serve in the army and pay taxes. I am a major in the paratroopers and have served more than 400 days in reserve duty over the last two years. On October 7th, my soldiers and I went to Kfar Aza to save our brothers. We are normal families living our lives," he said.

Discrepancies in Palestinian population data

Zion added that the Palestinian population feels large in the area because they do not eliminate the names of those who died. "Regarding the Palestinian population, there are different accounts. Some estimates say 1.8 million, while the Palestinians claim 2.8 million. There are three reasons for this gap. First, the residents of Gaza are sometimes double-counted. Second, they often do not remove the names of those who have died. But the real answer is that more than one million Palestinian Arabs live abroad in places like Saudi Arabia, Syria, Jordan, Kuwait, Qatar, and Egypt. Many left during the 1967 war, but the Palestinian Authority continues to list them as residents in hopes that they will one day return," he said.

Three key reasons for Israeli presence

The strategic imperative

"The second reason we must be here is strategic, based on the game theory developed by the Israeli Nobel Prize winner, Professor Israel Aumann. He uses the example of two people sharing $50,000. A rational person suggests a 50/50 split. However, a non-rational actor, driven by an emotional or holy agenda, might demand $40,000 and threaten to walk away otherwise," he added.

Zion noted that Israelis cannot simply run away, noting their history with Lebanon. "Professor Aumann argues that if you accept the unfair deal just to get something, the other side learns they can break you in every future negotiation. In the Middle East, we cannot run away. We left Lebanon 25 years ago and ended up with Hezbollah on our border. We left Gaza and gave the territory to Hamas, who turned it into a terror state instead of the "Singapore of the Middle East." We saw the results on October 7th," he added.

Historical and religious ties

Zion said that there are three historic places in Samaria associated with Jewish beliefs. "The third and most important reason is our national history. We have three holy places in Samaria, the most famous being Joseph's Tomb. Joseph was brought from Egypt and buried in Shechem. While the Palestinian name for the city is Nablus, the biblical name is Shechem. When the Romans arrived 2,000 years ago, they tried to cut the connection between our nation and our land. They changed the name of Israel to Palestine, Jerusalem to Aelia Capitolina, and Shechem to Neapolis. Over time, "Neapolis" became "Nablus." We go to pray at the tomb of Joseph because it is our national source. Without our history in places like Shechem and Hebron, we have no reason to be in Tel Aviv or Eilat," he said.

'Situation stable due to intensive work of IDF'

Zion said that because of the IDF and Israeli intelligence systems, Judea and Samaria have been peaceful as compared to other areas in Israel. "Since the war began, the situation in Judea and Samaria has actually been relatively stable compared to the borders with Gaza and Lebanon. This is due to the intensive work of the IDF and our intelligence systems. Our soldiers conduct arrests every night to prevent bombs from reaching the center of Israel. While the future after Abu Mazen is uncertain, we must remain strong. As Golda Meir once said, even when there is peace, we must be the stronger side," he said.

Recent IDF operation

The comments come as the Israel Defence Forces on Wednesday killed a terrorist who opened fire from the vicinity of a church toward IDF soldiers.

ELIMINATED: The terrorist who opened fire from the vicinity of a church toward IDF soldiers and killed Major (res.) Itamar Sapir. The terrorist was eliminated through a targeted IAF strike, after being identified entering a structure in the church area. — Israel Defense Forces (@IDF) May 27, 2026

In a post on X, the IDF said, "ELIMINATED: The terrorist who opened fire from the vicinity of a church toward IDF soldiers and killed Major (res.) Itamar Sapir. The terrorist was eliminated through a targeted IAF strike, after being identified entering a structure in the church area." (ANI)

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

NASA unveils ambitious plan for permanent Moon base at South Pole

Asianet News Central — Thu, 28 May 2026 08:30:49 +0530

NASA's Ambitious Moon Base Plan

The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) has unveiled a plan, one of the most ambitious space endeavours in history, to construct a permanent Moon base involving robotic landers, moon buggies and hopping drones- before eventually sending humans. The US space agency has envisaged a permanent lunar base sprawling over hundreds of square miles in the south polar region.

"This initiative will secure American leadership in space, unlock groundbreaking scientific discoveries, and forge the technologies and operational experience needed to send humans to Mars," NASA said in a statement on Wednesday. "The moon base will be America's and humanity's first outpost on another celestial world," NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman said in a statement.

"Every mission, crewed and uncrewed, will be a learning opportunity as we return to the lunar surface, build the infrastructure to stay and master the skills required to live and operate in one of the most demanding and dangerous environments imaginable," he said. The South Pole region is also scientifically significant because it lies near some of the oldest terrain on the Moon, including the South Pole-Aitken Basin, the largest and oldest known impact basin in the solar system. Samples collected from this region could provide insight into the early history of the Moon, the Earth-Moon system, and the broader evolution of the solar system.

Missions and Partnerships

Three uncrewed lunar missions known as Moon Base I, II and III are scheduled for launch later this year. On Wednesday, NASA also announced new partnerships supporting sustained lunar exploration.

Contracts for Lunar Vehicles and Drones

Companies, including Jeff Bezos Blue Origin, Intuitive Machines, and Astrobotic, have been awarded the contracts to build the machines. The agency has selected Astrolab and Lunar Outpost to develop the first phase of Lunar Terrain Vehicles. It has awarded Blue Origin, the aerospace company owned by Amazon founder Jeff Bezos, task orders supporting the delivery of those vehicles to the lunar surface.

Further, the US space agency has selected Firefly Aerospace to build the spacecraft that will transport NASA's MoonFall drones to the Moon. NASA said the award to Astrolab is worth $219 million, and the award to Lunar Outpost is worth $220 million.

Artemis Program and Mission Timeline

The opening mission, Moon Base I, is targeted for launch later this year using Blue Origin's Blue Moon Mark 1 cargo lander, known as Endurance. Moon Base II is planned for launch later this year aboard Astrobotic's Griffin lander. Moon Base III is also targeted for this year

Earlier this year, in April, NASA in the historic Artemis II mission, successfully sent four astronauts-NASA's Reid Wiseman, Victor Glover, and Christina Koch, alongside the Canadian Space Agency's Jeremy Hansen -on a nearly 10-day loop around the Moon. The US space agency is set to launch its Artemis III mission in 2027.

International Lunar Ambitions

Meanwhile, India is also preparing to target its first crewed spaceflight mission in 2027 and crewed lunar missions under the Chandrayaan programme by 2028. The Gaganyaan space mission, which will mark India's first independent human spaceflight, is scheduled for 2027.

The programme is part of a long-term roadmap that includes building a national space station by 2035 and placing an Indian astronaut on the lunar surface by 2040. India is among the countries that have signed the Artemis Accords, a US-led non-binding framework that sets principles for lunar exploration, including cooperation, interoperability and data sharing.

Meanwhile, China is also going ahead with plans to land humans on the Moon by 2030. Earlier this week, it launched its Shenzhou-23 spacecraft, sending a crew of astronauts to the country's Tiangong space station. (ANI)

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

Twisha Sharma death: MP HC quashes anticipatory bail for mother-in-law

Asianet News Central — Thu, 28 May 2026 08:30:45 +0530

High Court Overturns Anticipatory Bail

The Madhya Pradesh High Court on Wednesday quashed the anticipatory bail granted to Giribala Singh, the mother-in-law of the deceased Twisha Sharma, in connection with her death case. The High Court set aside the relief previously granted to Singh on May 15 by the 10th Additional Sessions Judge in Bhopal.

Charges and Investigation Implications

The case involves serious allegations under the newly implemented Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023, and the Dowry Prohibition Act, 1961. Giribala Singh faces charges under Section 80(2) for dowry death, Section 85 for cruelty to a woman by her husband or relatives, and Section 3(5) for acts done by several persons in furtherance of a common intention. Additionally, she has been booked under Sections 3 and 4 of the Dowry Prohibition Act. With the pre-arrest protection overturned by the High Court, law enforcement authorities are now cleared to pursue necessary investigative measures, including potential custodial interrogation. Further investigation into the circumstances surrounding Twisha Sharma's death remains underway.

Supreme Court Orders CBI Probe

This comes after the Madhya Pradesh High Court on Monday fast-tracked the legal proceedings surrounding the unnatural death of Twisha Sharma, scheduling an urgent hearing for May 27 at 2:30 PM. Meanwhile, the Supreme Court of India on Monday directed the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) to take over the investigation and proceed with the matter expeditiously.

This directive came following a comprehensive hearing that addressed multiple legal challenges concurrently pending across the trial court, the High Court, and the Supreme Court. After hearing extensive arguments from the legal representatives of the victim's family, the accused, and the state, the apex court disposed of the primary matter with the order for a centralised CBI inquiry. As part of the court's directions, a formal request has been issued to both the family of the victim and the family of the accused to refrain from giving media interviews to maintain the integrity of the ongoing investigation.

Background and Ongoing Legal Challenges

Speaking to ANI, advocate Ankur Pandey, counsel for the Sharma family, provided the details regarding the ongoing litigation. He said that the state government has formally challenged the anticipatory bail granted to Giribala Singh.

Twisha's mother-in-law, Giribala Singh, was also spotted feeding a stray dog outside her residence in Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh, the morning after her anticipatory bail was quashed by the Jabalpur High Court.

Parallel to the state's action, the victim's father has also filed a separate challenge against the anticipatory bail order on additional legal grounds. Notice had been successfully served to Giribala Singh regarding these challenges. The matter was listed for further hearing on May 27, 2026, at 2:30 PM.

The development comes after the death of Twisha Sharma, a resident of Noida, who died after allegedly being subjected to mental torture and dowry harassment by her husband and his family. Twisha Sharma, a resident of Noida, Uttar Pradesh, was married to a Bhopal resident, Samarth Singh, in December 2025. Following her death on May 12, her family alleged that she was being harassed for dowry by her in-laws. (ANI)

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

IOC mourns death of 'influential' Raja Randhir Singh, flags at half-mast

Asianet News Central — Thu, 28 May 2026 08:30:28 +0530

The International Olympic Committee (IOC) mourned the death of its Honorary Member Raja Randhir Singh, describing the former shooter and sports administrator as one of the most influential figures in Asian sport, while announcing that the Olympic flag will be flown at half-mast for three days as a mark of respect.

Raja Randhir Singh, a five-time Olympian and the first Indian to become President of the Olympic Council of Asia (OCA), died in New Delhi on Wednesday at the age of 79. In a statement, the IOC said Singh dedicated his life to the development of the Olympic Movement in India, Asia and across the world, becoming a central figure in the growth of sport administration in the region.

IOC President Pays Tribute

IOC President Kirsty Coventry paid tribute to Singh's contribution to global sport and the Olympic Movement. "Raja Randhir Singh devoted his entire life to sport. As an Olympian, as an IOC Member and as a leader of Asian sport, he served the Olympic Movement with exceptional loyalty, wisdom and generosity over many decades. He will be remembered not only for his remarkable service and leadership, but also for his warmth, friendship and lifelong dedication to sport. On behalf of the International Olympic Committee, I extend our heartfelt condolences to his family, his friends and all those across the Olympic Movement who had the privilege of working with him," Coventry said.

A Distinguished Sporting Career

A distinguished trap and skeet shooter, Randhir Singh represented India at five Olympic Games -- Mexico City 1968, Munich 1972, Montreal 1976, Moscow 1980 and Los Angeles 1984. He had also been India's reserve shooter for the Tokyo Olympics in 1964. Among his biggest sporting achievements was winning the gold medal in trap shooting at the 1978 Asian Games in Bangkok, making him India's first Asian Games gold medallist in shooting. He later secured an individual bronze and a team silver medal at the 1982 Asian Games in New Delhi.

Pioneering Sports Administrator

The IOC noted that Singh's success and leadership played a key role in inspiring future generations of Indian shooters and strengthening India's emergence as a major force in the sport. While still an active athlete, Singh was appointed Secretary General of the OCA and later became its Acting President in 2021 before being elected President in 2024, becoming the first Indian to head the continental body. He was elected an IOC Member in 2001 and served until 2014, after which he became an Honorary Member. During his tenure, he served on several IOC commissions and was also the IOC representative on the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) Foundation Board between 2003 and 2005. Singh also served as Secretary General of the Indian Olympic Association for nearly three decades and was widely regarded as one of the most influential administrators in Indian sport.

Calling his passing "a great loss to the Olympic Movement", the IOC said the Olympic flag at Olympic House will remain at half-mast for three days in his honour. (ANI)

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

NEET paper leak: Gandhi holds 'Modi-Shah duo' accountable for death

Asianet News Central — Thu, 28 May 2026 08:30:26 +0530

Rahul Gandhi Blames 'Corrupt System' for Aspirant's Death

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Wednesday met with the family of NEET aspirant Pradeep Meghwal, who died by suicide, allegedly after the question bank leak of the UG 2026 examination. He accused the Centre of the alleged mismanagement and said that "the Modi-Shah duo is accountable to this family."

In a post on X, Gandhi expressed grief over the aspirant's death and reflected on the loss the family endured. Noting the aspirations, hard work and pressure that an aspirant faces in preparation for the examination, Gandhi attributed Meghwal's death to the "broken, corrupt system."

Asserting that the examination was allegedly handed over to "mafias," the Congress leader accused the Central government of the incident. "Today, I met the family of the brilliant student Pradeep Meghwal, who was so devastated by the NEET paper leak that he took his own life. Their pain cannot be contained in words. A mother and father have lost their son, and they were guilty of nothing. Millions of children across the country are living under the pressure of studies, competition, and their future. And when a paper leak happens, it's not just one exam that breaks--it's a child's dream, and an entire family that shatters. Pradeep's death was not suicide--it was the consequence of a broken, corrupt system. Those who handed the examination system over to mafias, and who are still clinging to their chairs today--the Modi-Shah duo is accountable to this family," he wrote in the post.

Additionally, the Congress leader also met with some NEET aspirants and reflected on their suffering, stating that the aspirants "no longer have faith in this system." Accusing the Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led government of "corruption and indifference," Gandhi affirmed that the youth will play an instrumental role in revolutionising the system in future. "We no longer have any faith in this system." This is what some NEET aspirants said to me today. Their anger was clearly visible, and the dam of their patience has broken. The youth of the country will no longer tolerate the Modi government's corruption and indifference. And remember - it is this very youth who will change this system," he said.

CBI Probe into Paper Leak Sees More Arrests

Meanwhile, the Rouse Avenue court granted police custody of Dr Manoj Shirure and Tejas Harshad Kumar Shah to CBI till June 1 in connection with the NEET UG paper leak case.

Earlier, Dr Manoj Shirure, a Latur-based doctor, was arrested for his role in facilitating three students--including the son of an accused coaching centre owner--in obtaining leaked Chemistry questions from accused PV Kulkarni.

The second arrest involves Tejas Harshadkumar Shah, a Physics faculty member at the Dr Abhang Prabhu Medical Academy (APMA), a coaching centre in Pune. The statement by CBI noted that he had obtained the leaked Physics questions from another arrested accused, Manisha Havaldar.

Special Judge Vidya Prakash granted five days' police custody of Dr Manoj Shirure and Tejas Harshad Kumar Shah after the CBI sought their custodial interrogation in connection with the alleged larger conspiracy behind the leakage and distribution of the NEET UG examination paper.

Prahalad Kulkarni and Shivraj Raghunath Motegaonkar, who were produced before the court after CBI interrogation, were remanded to judicial custody till June 10. The agency had sought 14 days' judicial custody for both accused. (ANI)

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

Taiwan Detects 9 PLA Sorties, 6 Vessels Operating Near Territory

Asianet News Central — Thu, 28 May 2026 08:30:26 +0530

Taiwan's Ministry of National Defence on Thursday recorded 9 sorties of PLA aircraft and 6 PLAN vessels operating around its territory.

Sharing the details in a post on X, the MND said that these were detected up until 6 a.m. (UTC+8) today.

"9 out of 9 sorties crossed the median line of the Taiwan Strait and entered Taiwan's central and southwestern part ADIZ. #ROCArmedForces have monitored the situation and responded", the post added. 9 sorties of PLA aircraft and 6 PLAN vessels operating around Taiwan detected up until 6 a.m. (UTC+8) today. 9 out of 9 sorties crossed the median line of the Taiwan Strait and entered Taiwan’s central and southwestern part ADIZ. #ROCArmedForces have monitored the situation and… pic.twitter.com/zzZ1khFZmf — 國防部 Ministry of National Defense, ROC(Taiwan) (@MoNDefense) May 28, 2026

Continued Incursions This Week

On Wednesday, it detected the presence of 10 sorties of Chinese military aircraft and seven naval vessels around its territorial waters as of 6am (local time).

Earlier on Tuesday, 29 sorties of PLA aircraft, seven vessels and an official ship were around its territorial waters as of 6 am (local time).

US Remarks on 'Taiwan Problem'

Earlier on May 21, US President Donald Trump, in his gaggle with the press at Joint Base Andrews en route to Groton, CT, said that the US will work on the 'Taiwan problem'.

"On Taiwan, I'll speak to everyone. We have that situation very well in hand. We had a great meeting with President Xi; it was amazing actually. We'll work on that Taiwan problem," he said.

Historical Context of the Dispute

China's claim over Taiwan is a complex issue rooted in historical, political, and legal arguments. Beijing asserts that Taiwan is an inseparable part of China, a viewpoint embedded in national policy and upheld by domestic laws and international statements.

Taiwan, however, maintains a distinct identity, functioning independently with its government, military, and economy.

Taiwan's status remains a significant point of international debate, testing the principles of sovereignty, self-determination, and non-interference in international law, as per the United Service Institution of India.

China's claim to Taiwan originates from the Qing Dynasty's annexation of the island in 1683 after defeating Ming loyalist Koxinga. (ANI)

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

CBSE Exam Irregularities: Rahul Gandhi Questions Govt, CBSE's Silence

Asianet News Central — Thu, 28 May 2026 08:30:23 +0530

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Wednesday raised concerns over alleged irregularities in CBSE exam evaluation, questioning the government and the Central Board of Secondary Education over unanswered queries related to the issue.

In a post on X, the Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha said a denial was not a sufficient response to the concerns raised regarding the evaluation process and questioned the Education Ministry's stand on the matter. He wrote, "A denial is not an answer."

Questioning the authorities further, he said key concerns raised by him had not been addressed. "Why are the Education Minister and CBSE unable to answer the four simple questions I have asked?" he asked. Highlighting the impact on students, Gandhi said the issue has affected a large number of candidates and raised concerns about their future. He added, "The future of 18.5 lakh students has been put in jeopardy. They deserve the truth."

Rahul Gandhi Alleges 'Massive Tampering', Demands Probe

Meanwhile, Rahul Gandhi on Wednesday also alleged "massive tampering" in CBSE exam results and demanded an independent judicial probe and SIT investigation, claiming that the future of nearly 1.85 million students has been compromised due to alleged irregularities in the evaluation system.

In a post shared on X, Rahul Gandhi said the controversy points to a "deliberate conspiracy" by Prime Minister Narendra Modi's government and raised questions over the awarding of contracts related to the evaluation system. "There has been a massive tampering in the CBSE exam results, leaving millions of children across the country and their parents in shock. And Mr Modi? As always--no answers, no accountability, no shame," he wrote.

Questions Contract Awarded to Controversial Company

He further alleged that the company COEMPT, which was assigned responsibility for the system, had earlier operated under the name Globarena and was involved in a similar controversy in Telangana in 2019. "Name changed--but the intent is the same, the nature the same. Everyone knew the history, yet the contract was still awarded. The future of 1.85 million children was handed over to such a company, and no one batted an eye. This isn't a mistake--it's a deliberate conspiracy," he further wrote.

CBSE Refutes Claims

The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) on Tuesday refuted the claims about On-Screen Marking (OSM) being compromised, stating that the URL circulating on social media is different from the portal used for the evaluation of answer books. CBSE, in a statement on X, said that the portal used for evaluation was neither compromised nor does it have vulnerabilities. (ANI)

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

Petrol And Diesel Prices Today In India: Check Latest Rates In Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Chennai

Deevika NM — Thu, 28 May 2026 07:55:15 +0530

India’s fuel prices continued to remain elevated on May 28, 2026, with petrol and diesel rates staying above the Rs 100 mark in several cities across the country. Rising global crude oil prices, geopolitical tensions and supply concerns have kept domestic fuel prices under pressure over the past few weeks.

According to the latest fuel price updates released by oil marketing companies, petrol prices in many metro cities continue to hover between Rs 100 and Rs 115 per litre, while diesel prices are nearing or crossing Rs 100 in several states due to varying local taxes and VAT imposed by state governments.

Industry experts believe global crude oil volatility remains one of the key reasons behind sustained high fuel prices in India. International oil benchmarks have witnessed fluctuations amid concerns over supply disruptions and increasing demand in global markets. Analysts also suggest that oil marketing companies are facing margin pressure despite periodic fuel price revisions.

Consumers in several cities have seen multiple price revisions this month, especially in southern and eastern states where local taxes contribute significantly to retail fuel prices. Bengaluru, Hyderabad and Kolkata continue to record some of the highest petrol prices among major Indian cities.

Meanwhile, public concern over rising transportation and daily commuting expenses continues to grow as fuel costs impact overall inflation and household budgets. Higher fuel prices also have a direct impact on logistics, food transportation and essential commodities across the country.

Oil marketing companies including Indian Oil, Bharat Petroleum and Hindustan Petroleum revise fuel prices daily based on global crude trends, currency exchange rates and state-level taxation policies. Consumers are advised to check updated prices before refuelling as rates may vary slightly from city to city.

City-wise Petrol And Diesel Prices Today

City Petrol Price (Approx.) Diesel Price (Approx.)

Delhi Rs 102.12 Rs 95.20

Mumbai Rs 111.18 Rs 97.83

Chennai Rs 107.77 Rs 99.55

Bengaluru Rs 110.89 Rs 98.80

Hyderabad Rs 115.73 Rs 103.82

Kolkata Rs 113.51 Rs 99.82

Fuel prices differ across states depending on VAT, dealer commission, freight charges and local government taxes. Experts say prices may remain volatile if global crude oil rates continue to rise in the coming weeks.

Delhi Weather LATEST Update: IMD Forecasts Rain, Winds Relief After Days of Extreme Heat

Amrita Ghosh — Thu, 28 May 2026 08:05:46 +0530

Delhi Weather LATEST Update: Delhi-NCR is finally set to get relief from the intense summer heat as the India Meteorological Department (IMD) has predicted rain, thunderstorms, and strong winds from today, bringing down temperatures across the region

Delhi and several parts of North India have been experiencing severe heatwave conditions over the past few days. Temperatures in Delhi, Rajasthan, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, and central regions of the country have remained between 45 and 48 degrees Celsius, making daily life difficult for residents.

ALSO READ: Kolkata Weather LATEST Update: South Bengal Weather Shift Begins Today, Storm Alert Across Several Districts

According to the IMD, Delhi recorded a maximum temperature of 44.3 degrees Celsius on Wednesday, while the minimum temperature stood at 26.2 degrees Celsius. Ridge and Ayaan Nagar emerged as the hottest areas in the capital, touching nearly 45 degrees Celsius.

The Meteorological Department has forecast partial relief from the scorching heat beginning Thursday evening. While daytime conditions are expected to remain hot, cloudy skies, light to moderate rainfall, thunderstorms, and strong winds are likely later in the day and at night.

Wind speeds during thunderstorms may reach 50-60 kmph, with gusts touching up to 70 kmph. Daytime winds are also expected to remain strong, blowing at speeds of 20-30 kmph. The weather change is likely to reduce temperatures significantly by May 29, offering much-needed comfort to residents across Delhi-NCR.

The IMD has urged people to remain cautious during the sudden weather shift. Residents have been advised to avoid standing in open spaces or taking shelter under trees during thunderstorms due to the risk of lightning strikes and falling branches.

In the past 24 hours, Delhi witnessed strong west-northwesterly winds with speeds of 15-20 kmph and gusts up to 45 kmph. The minimum temperature during this period ranged between 25-28 degrees Celsius, while the maximum temperature remained between 44-46 degrees Celsius.

Xi Welcomes Putin After Trump, Forging a Triumvirate Against USA

Asianet News Central — Thu, 28 May 2026 08:00:47 +0530

Just four days after saying farewell to US President Donald Trump, May 15, and even before the red carpet could be rolled up and stashed away, the Chinese leader Xi Jinping welcomed his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin to Beijing from May 19-20. The close proximity of the state visits was unmistakable, as Chairman Xi Jinping and Vladimir Putin doubtlessly swapped notes about their arch-nemesis, the USA.

Some reports say Xi will visit North Korea very soon, too, his second-ever trip to Pyongyang. This certainly gives the appearance of a triumvirate comprising China, Russia and North Korea. Putin has made a staggering 25 visits to China. Furthermore, the two leaders have met in person more than 40 times since 2013, when Xi rose to lead China.

Entering 'Perilous Times'

Malcolm Davis, Senior Analyst at the Australian Strategic Policy Institute, opined, "Just before Russia's second invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, Putin visited with Xi in China. Putin is in Beijing again now to meet with Xi, just as Russia escalates hybrid warfare against NATO, and tries to create a false-flag opportunity for an attack on the Baltic states in the same way it did against Ukraine. History rhymes, but on this occasion, US support for NATO is no longer guaranteed, and the Trump administration is turning away from the alliance and turning towards Moscow and Beijing."

Reading the tea leaves, Davis suggested Putin and Xi might be coordinating their actions in Europe and the Indo-Pacific. He added, "Trump's moves to effectively walk away from supporting Taiwan echo his moves to walk away from Ukraine and from NATO. Both encourage Putin and Xi to be more aggressive and take risks."

"We're entering truly perilous times. We must be ready for worst-case scenarios. We're in a pre-war period, in some respects akin to the late 1930s," Davis warned.

Strategic Interests Over 'Bromance'

However, analysts should not be too carried away by the optics of Putin and Xi together, as they chatted over tea, visited a photo exhibition or witnessed the signing of agreements. Instead, Dr. Yu Jie, Senior Research Fellow on China at Chatham House's Asia-Pacific Programme, pointed out that "geopolitics is rarely driven by personal warmth or political 'bromance'. It is shaped by strategic interests, calculations of power and national priorities."

She explained, "This latest meeting between Xi and Putin was designed to send a message to the world: Beijing and Moscow remain strategically aligned in their effort to reshape the international order. A joint summit declaration, advocating a 'multipolar world' and a 'new type of international relations', underscored the durability of the China-Russia partnership at a moment of mounting global fragmentation."

The 'Multipolar World' Declaration

Indeed, the two nations issued their joint declaration on the Establishment of a Multipolar World and a New Type of International Relations on 20 May. It stated, "Negative neocolonial tendencies such as unilateral forceful approaches, hegemonism and bloc confrontation are on the rise. Fundamental, universally recognised norms of international law and international relations are regularly violated, and it is becoming more difficult for states to coordinate their actions and resolve conflicts within global governance institutions, many of which are losing their effectiveness."

It warned that this will lead to the law of the jungle. To prevent this, China and Russia called for the following: a principle of openness in the world for inclusive and mutually beneficial cooperation; a principle of indivisible and equal security; a principle of democratisation of international relations and improvement of the global governance system; and world civilizational and value diversity.

It is paradoxical that the joint statement said: "the security of one state cannot be achieved at the expense of another". Russia's invasion of Ukraine illustrates how hollow these words are. They added that "disagreements and disputes should be resolved peacefully, addressing the root causes of conflicts". Again, not something Moscow is doing in Ukraine or China in the South China Sea.

The joint statement also warned, "It is necessary to resolutely oppose the use of human rights as a pretext for interference in the internal affairs of other states." This is alarming, for the two countries want a "new type of international relations" where governments are free to tyrannically ride roughshod over human rights.

A 'New Stage' in Relations

Putin described Xi as his "long-time good friend," and they hailed a "new stage" in their relationship "based on equality, mutual respect, good faith and win-win cooperation". Xi stated, "The China-Russia relationship has entered a new stage of greater achievements and faster development."

China and Russia signed the Treaty of Good-Neighbourliness and Friendly Cooperation 25 years ago, plus 2026 is the 30th anniversary of the establishment of the China-Russia strategic partnership of coordination. Bilateral trade blossomed to US$228 billion last year, the third consecutive year in which trade exceeded US$200 billion. China has been Russia's largest trading partner for 16 consecutive years now. Putin added that Russia-China relations "have reached a truly unprecedented level," and that they "supported each other on matters affecting the core interests of both countries, including protection of sovereignty and state unity". Putin remarked too, "The close strategic relationship between Russia and China plays a major, stabilising role globally. Without allying against anyone, we seek peace and universal prosperity."

Facade of Unity, Reality of Pragmatism

The thing to remember is that this is alignment, not trust, between the two neighbours who share a 4,300km-long land border. Dr. Yu pointed out that the recent summit revealed two truths: China and Russia are a strategic duo on the world stage, but their partnership is one of pragmatic alignment rather than full alliance. One of their shared interests, for instance, is opposing Western "hegemony". Of course, when they talk about a "more just and equitable" international order, this reflects their combined efforts to weaken the dominance of US-led institutions and to create alternative centres of power where they hold a monopoly.

Putin's state visit was therefore a carefully orchestrated facade, just as Trump's was. The television images hid deeper differences between Beijing and Moscow, as Yu noted: "Yet beneath the appearance of unity lies a more complicated reality. China and Russia remain bound together by geography, by shared opposition to Western dominance, and by a partially overlapping strategic agenda."

The academic explained that the partnership is not limitless. Beijing is concerned over excessive dependence on Russian energy, for example, and its broader global ambitions continue to place boundaries around how far the relationship can evolve". Chinese over-reliance on Russian energy supplies could become a future strategic vulnerability, but Beijing can also leverage its influence over Russia by negotiating cheaper oil prices.

Interestingly, China has more to lose than Russia, because it is more deeply integrated into the global economy. That is why global disruptions, such as the closure of the Hormuz Strait, are more troublesome for Beijing, especially as its domestic economy stalls. This explains why Xi restated that hostilities in the Middle East must cease immediately, to ease disruptions to oil and gas supplies and help restore orderly international trade.

China's Strategy of Patience

Moscow wishes to stir up antipathy towards the USA, whereas Beijing seems more concerned about calming points of friction. Some claim China is ready to seize the opportunity afforded by the Iran war and American distraction to assert leadership in the Middle East or to seize Taiwan. However, this seems to be misreading Chinese ambitions.

Ryan Hass, Director of the John L. Thornton China Center at the US-based Brookings Institute, interrogated such assumptions, "Beijing wants a durable ceasefire and an end to disruption of flows through the Strait of Hormuz. It wants the conflict to end. China does not currently want to assume the burdens of global leadership or the role of security guarantor in the Gulf. China is focused on clearing a path for its continued rise. The current uneasy calm in US-China relations serves this function. Beijing also is betting that its economic and tech strength will pull other countries closer and compel them to view China as a rising leader."

Nor does China have to make any dramatic move to bolster its position on the world stage, especially as Trump continually undermines the USA's standing. Hass concluded, "This gives China confidence to patiently wait for the world to call on Beijing to take on a greater role. It's assuming that America's internal dysfunction and external indiscipline will clear a path for its rise. Time will tell whether that bet pays off."

Military Cooperation and Denials

Yu said both countries want a multipolar order for different purposes. In Russia's case, it sees it as a pathway out of isolation and to gain recognition that it is still a major power. For China, it wants a transition away from American dominance and a world more amenable to its influence. She elaborated: "This convergence has produced a durable strategic partnership. China has provided Russia with crucial economic lifelines since the war in Ukraine began. It has expanded bilateral trade, increased purchases of Russian oil and gas, and sustained technology and industrial exchanges - straining its ties with Europe in the process. Russia, in turn, has offered China discounted energy supplies, military cooperation and diplomatic backing on issues ranging from Taiwan to critiques of NATO's intentions in Asia."

This support includes military assistance, no matter how much Beijing denies it. For instance, Reuters reported China secretly trained around 200 Russian soldiers who later deployed to Ukraine. This exchange was based on a 2 July 2025 agreement between Beijing and Moscow to conduct reciprocal training in both countries. Reuters said the China-based training focused on drone and counter-drone warfare, as well as electronic warfare, army aviation and armoured infantry.

How China Views Trump's Visit

Chinese experts, such as those published in state media, took a celebratory view of Trump's visit to China. Reporting was generally positive, even more so than in the USA itself. This was for several reasons, according to Hass of the Brookings Institute. One reason was that Trump elevated Xi to a new level as a true peer. Next, the two leaders reportedly worked constructively together, which was supported by Trump's apparent acceptance of a new framework of "constructive strategic stability". Finally, Trump echoed some of Xi's framing on Taiwan when he met with his own press. In many ways, Trump scored an own goal there.

Hass commented, "Personally, I was struck by: 1) how much the overall relationship depends on the personal relationship between Trump and Xi; 2) how much both leaders appear focused on avoiding confrontation and buying time; and 3) how little overlap there was between each leader's agendas. So long as both leaders remain invested in extending the uneasy calm, this arrangement can hold. Count me sceptical, though, that Trump or anyone around him believes the concept of 'constructive strategic stability' has set boundaries that will alter the relationship."

It appears Trump has indeed paused arms sales to Taiwan, without receiving any concessions from China. This makes the USA look like it is taking a conciliatory and accommodating approach to China. No wonder Chinese media and experts were viewing the Trump-Xi summit positively.

Conclusion: A Partnership of Managed Limits

Returning to Sino-Russian relations, Yu concluded: "The latest Xi-Putin summit therefore showcased a relationship defined less by ideology than by calibrated strategic utility. Both sides benefit from appearing united. Russia gains the appearance of having a powerful partner despite Western efforts at isolation. China maintains a reliable geopolitical counterweight to the US and an important partner in promoting alternative visions of global governance."

The relationship is not rooted in a formal treaty, but rather a resilient form of pragmatism. Nonetheless, the Chatham House academic reported, "The Xi-Putin relationship remains one of the most consequential strategic partnerships in the world. Yet its durability lies not in limitless friendship, but in carefully managed limits."

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

India well-positioned to be global AI leader: Google Cloud India MD

Asianet News Central — Thu, 28 May 2026 08:00:33 +0530

India is well-positioned to become a global leader in Artificial Intelligence (AI) innovation, particularly in multilingual and multimodal AI solutions with worldwide relevance, according to Sashikumar Sreedharan, Managing Director of Google Cloud India. Speaking to ANI on the sidelines of the Leaders Connect India 2026 event, Sreedharan said India's linguistic diversity, scale, and rapidly evolving digital ecosystem give the country a unique edge in the global AI race.

"India is well-positioned to become a global leader in AI innovation, especially in multilingual and multimodal AI solutions with worldwide relevance," Sreedharan said. He added, "The voice, video, vernacular dimension alone is a massive opportunity, the scale, the linguistic diversity, the volume of interactions that need to happen across languages and modalities. That is a problem India will solve better than anyone, and the solutions built here will have global relevance."

Shift From Experimentation to Business Value

Sreedharan said AI adoption in India has now moved beyond experimentation and pilot projects, with companies increasingly focused on measurable business outcomes and returns on investment. "The single biggest shift we are seeing is the move from experimentation to real business outcomes," he said. "Boardrooms are no longer asking what a Large Language Model (LLM) can do. They are asking for a clear path to business value, either as cost reduction or net new revenue."

According to him, agentic AI, which enables autonomous, multi-step enterprise processes, is emerging as the next major phase of AI adoption across industries. "The second major trend is the rise of agentic AI, moving from simple prompt-based insights to multistep, autonomous enterprise processes that execute end to end," he said.

BFSI and IT Services Lead AI Adoption

Sreedharan noted that the Banking, Financial Services and Insurance (BFSI) sector and IT-enabled services are currently leading AI-driven transformation in India. "In financial services, customer care, inbound and outbound operations, and lead generation are already being transformed," he said. "There are also highly nuanced verticals like health insurance claims management, which involves reading prescriptions, validating empanelments, checking entitlements and making approval decisions with human-in-the-loop escalations."

He added that IT services companies are increasingly deploying agentic AI for internal functions such as resource management, delivery management, project profitability and skills databases across large employee bases.

Focus on Data Security and Modern Infrastructure

On data security and responsible AI adoption, Sreedharan said enterprises no longer need to relocate sensitive data to leverage AI capabilities. "We tell enterprises: don't move your data. Data lives where it is, on-prem, in AWS, in Azure, wherever. Our AI instrumentation picks it up, indexes it and makes sense of it without disruption," he said.

He also highlighted the importance of cloud infrastructure and trusted data systems in supporting India's AI ambitions. "AI needs modern data, clean, governed, accessible, trusted data, as its base. Without that, models like Gemini cannot deliver meaningful enterprise insights," he said, while referring to Google Cloud's investment in Visakhapatnam as part of its long-term commitment to India.

Startups Outpacing Traditional Enterprises

Sreedharan further told ANI that the startups and digital-native companies are adopting generative AI faster than traditional enterprises because of their agility and absence of legacy technology systems. Traditional firms, he added, are now trying to replicate that speed by creating dedicated AI-focused teams and innovation layers. (ANI)

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

Kolkata Weather LATEST Update: Orange Alert Issued In Several Bengal Districts Amid Heavy Rain Forecast

Amrita Ghosh — Thu, 28 May 2026 07:54:11 +0530

Kolkata Weather LATEST Update: West Bengal is finally set to get relief from intense summer heat as thunderstorms and widespread rainfall are expected across several districts. The Alipore Meteorological Department has issued multiple weather alerts

The Alipore Meteorological Department has predicted a significant change in weather conditions across South Bengal from Thursday onward. Maximum temperatures may fall by 2 to 4 degrees Celsius as rain-bearing clouds become more active over the region.

ALSO READ: Kolkata Weather LATEST Update: South Bengal Weather Shift Begins Today, Storm Alert Across Several Districts

An orange alert has been issued for Birbhum, Murshidabad, Nadia, East and West Bardhaman, Jhargram, East Midnapore and West Midnapore districts. These areas may experience heavy rainfall, lightning and Kalbaisakhi storms with wind speeds reaching up to 60 kmph.

Other districts in South Bengal, including Kolkata, are also likely to receive moderate to heavy rainfall along with thunderstorms during the next few days.

The southwest monsoon is gradually advancing over more parts of the Arabian Sea, Bay of Bengal and the Andaman Sea. According to weather officials, a north-south trough stretching from North Bihar to South Telangana through Jharkhand and Chhattisgarh is currently influencing weather conditions over eastern India.

This atmospheric system is helping moisture-laden winds move towards West Bengal, increasing the possibility of widespread rain and thunderstorm activity across the state.

In North Bengal, districts such as Darjeeling, Jalpaiguri, Kalimpong, Cooch Behar and Alipurduar are expected to receive light to moderate rainfall on Thursday. A yellow alert has been issued in these districts.

The weather department has also warned that rainfall activity may intensify further on Friday in South Bengal. East Bardhaman has been placed under orange alert for heavy rainfall. Strong Kalbaisakhi storms with wind speeds between 60 and 70 kmph are likely in Nadia, West Midnapore, Bankura and Hooghly districts.

Kolkata, Howrah and nearby districts may continue to witness thunderstorms and rain over the coming days. In North Bengal, Darjeeling, Jalpaiguri, Malda, North Dinajpur and South Dinajpur districts are likely to receive scattered rainfall under a yellow alert.

Telangana seeks talks with Maharashtra to raise Tummidihatti Barrage height

Asianet News Central — Thu, 28 May 2026 07:30:26 +0530

The Telangana Government has taken the initiative of holding discussions with Maharashtra on the finalisation of the height and construction of the Tummidihatti Barrage. Chief Minister Revanth Reddy has written a letter to his Maharashtra counterpart Devendra Fadnavis and requested to finalize a schedule for talks with a delegation led by him from the Telangana government.

According to an official release, as part of the Dr. B.R. Ambedkar Pranahita-Chevella Sujala Sravanthi Project, the State Government was proposing to construct a barrage at Tummidihatti. Initially, it was intended to construct the barrage at a height of 152 meters. During an Inter-State Board meeting held on August 23, 2016, the Maharashtra government agreed to the construction of the barrage at Tummidihatti at a height of 148 meters. The Maharashtra government also assured that it would extend cooperation in obtaining the necessary clearances.

Telangana Proposes Raising Barrage Height

Following the state government's decision to expedite the completion of the Pranahita-Chevella Project, the government reviewed the issue by holding a series of meetings with top officials and irrigation experts recently. Based on the expert advice, the government concluded that an FRL (Full Reservoir Level) of 148 meters would be insufficient to meet the water requirements of North Telangana.

Consequently, CM Revanth Reddy mentioned in the letter to the Maharashtra chief minister that a fresh round of discussion on the height of the Tummudihatti barrage is important to address the irrigation and drinking water needs of Adilabad, Nizamabad, Karimnagar, and Medak districts.

Further, the CM explained that the impact of submergence in Maharashtra would remain minimal even if the FRL slightly exceeded 148 meters, and it is considered the same. It would be easy to bring water to Telangana through gravity if, after the FRL increased, the Chief Minister asserted.

Expert Recommendations and Project Status

Earlier, Telangana Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy instructed the Irrigation officials to start preparations to hold talks with Maharashtra seeking permission to construct the barrage at a height of 150 meters, according to the release. State Irrigation Minister N Uttam Kumar Reddy was assigned to write a letter to Union Minister G. Kishan Reddy to facilitate solving the issue in consultation with Maharashtra expeditiously.

At a high-level meeting, the officials and irrigation experts suggested that constructing the Tummidihatti barrage at a height of 150 meters would enable the utilisation of at least 100 TMCs of water and fulfil the interests of Telangana, as stated in the release. The authorities said that Maharashtra had already agreed to the construction of the barrage at a height of 148 meters.

Engineering experts noted that building the barrage at 152 meters would result in more submergence in Maharashtra territory, and hence, the height of 150 meters would help to draw water at a lower cost. In the PowerPoint presentation, the officials brought to the attention of the CM key aspects such as the optimal height for constructing the barrage and the volume of water that could be utilised based on different construction heights. The Irrigation officials also apprised the Chief Minister that the government spent approximately Rs 11,000 crore on the Pranahita-Chevella project, and canal construction has been completed in several areas. 71.5 kilometres of canal work have already been executed. (ANI)

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

Telangana CM seeks Centre's help for robust fibre network development

Asianet News Central — Thu, 28 May 2026 07:30:25 +0530

Telangana Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy and State IT Minister D. Sridhar Babu met with Union Minister for Communications Jyotiraditya Scindia in a video conference to discuss the challenges facing in developing the fibre network and the immediate requirement of central assistance for it.

T-Fibre Network and SPV Announced

During the meeting, the Chief Minister briefed Telangana's vision of providing robust, high-speed internet connectivity to every village and every household and the assurances given by the Union government to achieve the objective of a robust network shaping the future for Telangana. The Chief Minister announced that a Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) would be established to build a powerful fibre network across Telangana. The T-Fibre network is set to connect every Gram Panchayat through ring architecture soon.

Phase 1 Restoration Under Amended BharatNet Program

In the first phase, digital connectivity restoration will be undertaken for 3,089 villages across the erstwhile districts of Nizamabad, Ranga Reddy, and Khammam--regions currently suffering from damaged network infrastructure, an official release stated. Under the Amended BharatNet Program, these villages will be connected on par with the rest of the State, utilising modern fibre infrastructure designed to meet future requirements.

Key Issues Discussed

With a view to ensuring the smooth implementation of the Amended BharatNet Program, the Chief Minister also brought several key issues to the union minister's attention. The discussions between the CM and the Union Minister focused on expediting the finalisation of the implementation agreement, accelerating the release of pending funds and the implementation of the T-Fibre project under the Amended BharatNet Program (ABP) in the state. Introducing a clear policy framework regarding the transfer of ring network assets from the Mandal level to the Gram Panchayat level and the 'Digital Bharat Nidhi' fund were also reviewed in the meeting.

Centre Assures Full Cooperation

Scindia assured that the Union government would extend full cooperation. In the meeting, the state government approved the establishment of an SPV to create a robust network and also signed an agreement with the Centre to lay a foundation for a truly 'Digital Telangana'.

Ensuring Uninterrupted Connectivity

Officials said that the State was moving decisively towards establishing a unified digital backbone. Even if a disruption occurs along one route, services will continue uninterrupted via an alternative path. Consequently, rural Telangana will gain access to truly continuous, high-speed broadband connectivity in the future, according to the release.

Chief Secretary K Ramakrishna Rao, Special Secretary to the CM B. Ajit Reddy, Joint Secretary of the IT Department D. Anudeep, and other senior officials participated in this video conference. (ANI)

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

Delhi road robbery: Accused gets bail after 14 months, charges pending

Asianet News Central — Thu, 28 May 2026 07:00:29 +0530

Bail Granted After 14 Months

The Saket District Court has granted bail to an accused after 14 months' custody in a case of late-night road robbery, noting the period of custody and the charges yet to be framed. The prosecution has made an application for further investigation. The court said there is a likelihood of delay in framing the charge.

This case involves an FIR filed in February 2025 regarding the alleged robbery of a gold chain and a mobile phone near the Defence Colony Flyover. The incident occurred on the night of February 22-23, 2025, after a car driven by Rishabh Mishra suffered a tyre burst. After the tyre burst, the driver lost control, and the car hit a group of boys. It is alleged that these boys then assaulted the driver and robbed him of his gold chain and mobile phone while his friend was trying to call for help.

The accused has been in judicial custody since March 1, 2025. Although the investigation is complete and the charge sheet has been filed, the charges are yet to be framed.

Court's Observations on Delay

Additional Sessions Judge (ASJ) Mohammad Ehtesham said, "Considering the fact that the matter was fixed for arguments on charge for the last several dates and now the application has been moved on behalf of the prosecution for further investigation shows that there is a likelihood of further delay in the investigation/arguments on charge."

The court observed that the accused has been in JC since 01.03.2025, and no purpose would be served by keeping the accused incarcerated for a substantial period, owing to the incomplete investigation.

"Thus, in view of the above and considering the period of JC already spent by the accused in the present case, the application of the applicant is allowed and accused Danish alias Matka is admitted to bail, subject to his furnishing personal bond in the sum of Rs.50,000 with one surety in the like amount," ASJ Ehtesham ordered on May 26.

Arguments in Court

The present FIR has been registered at the behest of the complainant, namely Rishab Mishra, on 23.02.2025.

Arguing for bail, advocate Govind Sharma submitted that Danish has been in judicial custody for over 14 months since his arrest on March 1, 2025. He further contended that while the incident allegedly occurred at 3:45 am on February 23, the FIR was not registered until 9:48 pm that night. Sharma argued that the lack of an explanation for this 18-hour delay raises serious doubts about the prosecution's version of events.

It was further stated that the prosecution moved an application under Section 193(6) BNSS for seeking further investigation when the matter was fixed for arguments on framing of charge, which clearly reflects that the prosecution's case is not complete and there are serious deficiencies in the investigation conducted so far.

On the other hand, the investigation officer (IO) filed a reply opposing the bail plea by stating that the investigation of the case is still going on and efforts are being made to trace another co-accused, Raja Ansari. IO alleged that the accused had robbed the gold chain and mobile of the victim, and he may destroy the evidence and may influence the witness.

Additional Public Prosecutor (APP) opposed the bail plea, saying that the allegations against the accused are serious in nature. (ANI)

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

USCIRF hearing on India an attack on Hindutva: Uttarakhand BJP chief

Asianet News Central — Thu, 28 May 2026 07:00:26 +0530

Uttarakhand BJP State President Mahendra Bhatt has strongly condemned a recent hearing conducted by the United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF). He called it an attack from a "foreign platform on the strongest voices of Hindutva."

In a statement released on Wednesday, Bhatt expressed disappointment that discussions regarding India's religion and civilisation are causing "resentment" across the seas. He said, "It is unfortunate that some people are so disturbed by discussions around India's culture, religion, and civilisation that their resentment is now visible even across the seas."

USCIRF Hearing Targets BJP Chief Ministers

Bhatt pointed out that during the USCIRF hearing, attempts were made to target three Indian Chief Ministers: Pushkar Singh Dhami (Uttarakhand), Yogi Adityanath (Uttar Pradesh), and Himanta Biswa Sarma (Assam). "During the hearing, a left-liberal activist, Raqib Ahmad Naik, allegedly made statements against Hindutva ideology, nationalist organisations, and India's democratically elected governments, and even demanded sanctions against Pushkar Singh Dhami, Yogi Adityanath, and Himanta Biswa Sarma," he said. "Organisations such as the RSS, Bajrang Dal, and Vishva Hindu Parishad were also targeted," he added.

He questioned why voices advocating the protection of religion and culture are causing such discomfort to certain groups.

Bhatt Defends CMs' Actions

He further said that, "In Uttarakhand, Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami has taken a firm stand on issues such as the Uniform Civil Code, illegal encroachments, and religious conversions. In Uttar Pradesh, Yogi Adityanath has acted strongly against mafias and extremism, creating a sense of law and order, while in Assam, Himanta Biswa Sarma has consistently raised concerns over infiltration and demographic imbalance."

He asserted that any attempt to target the voice of Hindutva would be strongly opposed. According to him, these leaders are now being singled out on international platforms simply because they are openly speaking about protecting their land, culture, temples, and identity.

'Tarnishing India's Image on Foreign Platforms'

Bhatt further alleged that individuals who fail to win the trust of voters within India are now using foreign platforms to tarnish the country's global image.

Mahendra Bhatt added that "it is unfortunate that those who fail to win the trust of the people within India's democratic system resort to foreign platforms to tarnish the country's image. He said efforts are being made to create an impression before the world that protecting one's religion, culture, and heritage in India is somehow a crime." (ANI)

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

TMC MP Kakoli Ghosh Dastidar resigns from post, cites misogyny

Asianet News Central — Thu, 28 May 2026 07:00:25 +0530

Trinamool Congress (TMC) MP Kakoli Ghosh Dastidar has resigned from the post of president of the All India Trinamool Mahila Congress, citing concerns over alleged "misogynistic behaviour" within the party and a series of issues that she said had deeply troubled her conscience.

In a resignation letter, Dastidar said she was stepping down from the post of Chairperson of the All India Trinamool Mahila Congress, along with all other organisational posts, committees and responsibilities within the party.

"After deep mental conflict and long contemplation, I am compelled to write this letter. I am sincerely grateful to the All India Trinamool Congress for the respect, responsibilities, and opportunity to work for the people that it has given me throughout my long political life," Dastidar said.

MP Cites 'Misogynistic Behaviour' as Reason for Resignation

She said serving as Chairperson of the women's wing had been a significant chapter in her political journey. However, Dastidar alleged that during her tenure, it had not been possible to stop the "misogynistic behaviour" of another educated MP towards women MPs.

"With profound sorrow and concern, I wish to inform you that I seek relief from the post of Chairperson of the All India Trinamool Mahila Congress, along with all other organisational posts, committees, and responsibilities within the party. During my tenure, it has not been possible to stop the misogynistic behaviour of another educated MP towards women MPs, nor has adequate cooperation or empathy been received from the higher leadership," she said.

"Remaining in such a position no longer holds meaning," she said in the letter.

Corruption and Other Incidents 'Troubled Conscience'

The TMC MP also referred to several controversies in West Bengal and within the party over the last decade, which she said had deeply disturbed her conscience.

"Over the last decade, several serious allegations and incidents concerning West Bengal and the party have deeply troubled my conscience. Corruption in ration distribution, corruption in teacher recruitment, and various financial and administrative irregularities have created deep anger and distrust among ordinary people. In addition, the unnatural death of a female doctor at RG Kar Medical College and the allegations of evidence tampering surrounding the incident have shaken and distressed society. I have personally felt the moral impact of these incidents very deeply," the letter stated.

"I believe that if opaque and undemocratic influences gradually dominate the organisation instead of democratic political culture, it cannot be considered beneficial for the party's ideals and traditions," she added.

Will Continue as Ordinary Party Worker

However, Dastidar clarified that she was not quitting the party and would continue to work as an ordinary worker of the All India Trinamool Congress.

"I want to state clearly that this decision is not driven by any personal grievance or resentment. Rather, I am taking this decision out of my moral responsibility toward the party, democracy, and public life. However, I am not leaving the party. As an ordinary worker of the All India Trinamool Congress, I will continue my commitment to stand beside people and work in the interest of Bengal," she said in the letter.

She requested the party leadership to accept her resignation from organisational responsibilities and relieve her of her present posts. (ANI)

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Ladakh's first rock check dam on Indus River to tackle water woes

Asianet News Central — Thu, 28 May 2026 06:30:30 +0530

Ladakh's 'Sindhu Jal Samriddhi Abhiyan' Kicks Off with Unique Rock Dam

Ladakh Lieutenant Governor Vinai Kumar Saxena has officially launched the 'Sindhu Jal Samriddhi Abhiyan' with the inauguration of the country's first-ever rock check dam on the Indus River in Leh. This eco-friendly infrastructure project aims to provide a sustainable and cost-effective solution to long-standing water scarcity challenges faced by local farmers.

A Sustainable, Cost-Effective Solution

In a post on X, the Lieutenant Governor of Ladakh stated, "Inaugurated the first of its kind Rock Check Dam on River Sindhu in Leh, under the ambitious 'Sindhu Jal Samriddhi Abhiyan', conceived as a sustainable, cost-effective solution for water and agricultural sustainability in Ladakh." "Unlike the traditional concrete check dams, this innovative Rock Check Dam is a semi-permanent barrier, built by interlocking big rocks, collected from the riverbed. This slows down the flow of the river and creates a huge water pondage area, to be used by farmers for agricultural purposes. The Rock check dam has been designed to withstand water pressure and prevent it from getting washed away when the water level in the river increases during the summer months," the post added.

The post further stated, "Have directed the Irrigation & Flood Control Department to construct three more such check dams, on experimental basis. I am confident that this Rock Check Dam would emerge as an imitable model of engineering ingenuity and ecological sensitivity. It will offer a sustainable remedy for farmers' irrigation woes, strengthen water security and support sustainable agriculture in remote villages of Ladakh."

Ambitious Land Restoration Drive Also Launched

Meanwhile, on Sunday, the Lieutenant Governor of Ladakh, Vinai Kumar Saxena, also announced the launch of another project in Leh, which is a major ecological and degraded land restoration drive aiming to reclaim nearly 800 acres of barren land at Spituk Village in Leh. The initiative utilises simple, cost-effective freshwater engineering by channelising excess water from the recently restored Igoo-Phey Canal to hydrate parched soils, flush out toxic salts, and trigger natural vegetation growth.

Transforming Wastelands into Fertile Ecosystems

Talking to X, LG said, "Glad to share the launch of an ambitious ecological and degraded land restoration drive in Ladakh, aimed at restoring nearly 800 acres of degraded and barren land at Spituk Village in Leh, using a simple & cost-effective freshwater engineering. The land, lying barren for hundreds of years, is being watered by channelising the excess water from the recently restored Igoo-Phey Canal, using simple machinery. Freshwater discharge would eventually hydrate the parched soils, flush out toxic salts, and trigger the natural vegetation growth, transforming wastelands into fertile, moisture-retaining ecosystems."

Building upon the success of Project Him Sarovar, this project is designed to recharge groundwater, bind soil, and expand fertile land for sustainable agricultural activities across the region. (ANI)

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Sheikh Hamdan performs Eid prayer; UAE President greets Kuwait Emir

Asianet News Central — Thu, 28 May 2026 06:30:18 +0530

Dubai Crown Prince Performs Eid Prayer

Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Defense, and Chairman of the Dubai Executive Council, today performed Eid al-Adha prayer at Zabeel Grand Mosque in Dubai. Attending the prayer alongside Sheikh Hamdan were a number of Sheikhs, dignitaries, senior officials, citizens and residents.

UAE President Exchanges Eid Greetings with Kuwait's Emir

UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan exchanged Eid Al Adha greetings and best wishes during a phone call with Sheikh Mishal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, Emir of the State of Kuwait. The two leaders wished continued health and happiness for all and prayed that the occasion would bring continued prosperity and blessings to the two countries and their peoples, as well as security and prosperity to nations around the world.

The call also touched on the strong fraternal ties between the UAE and Kuwait and the shared commitment to further strengthening relations in ways that serve the interests of their two peoples. (ANI/WAM)

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Massive forest fire in Shimla's Kasauli doused by IAF, ground teams

Asianet News Central — Thu, 28 May 2026 06:00:56 +0530

A massive forest fire that raged for more than 27 hours in the Kasauli Beat area of Solan district was brought under control on Wednesday following a joint operation by ground teams and the Indian Air Force (IAF).

According to the State Forest Department, the blaze broke out around 1 PM on May 26 and spread across nearly 10 hectares of forest land. Officials classified the incident as a ground fire. The exact cause of the fire is yet to be ascertained.

Coordinated Firefighting Response

The firefighting operation was carried out under the state's Incident Response System with coordinated efforts from multiple agencies. Nine personnel from the State Forest Department were deployed to contain the flames in the difficult terrain. Aerial support from the IAF was pressed into service to assist ground teams in dousing the fire, officials said.

IAF Leads Aerial Operation

The Indian Air Force has been battling a raging forest fire threatening the Kasauli hills in Himachal Pradesh since 1700 hours on Tuesday, officials said on Wednesday. Four Mi-17 V5 helicopters have carried out more than 150 sorties over affected zones, dropping 62,500 litres of water to contain the blaze. The fire had threatened military installations and residential areas in Kasauli.

IAF pilots have been drawing water from Sukhna Lake using Bambi buckets, with each sortie carrying 2,000 to 2,500 litres. Operations have continued day and night, with helicopters conducting NVG-aided night sorties to support firefighting efforts.

Officials said the IAF's intervention has succeeded in extinguishing and controlling the fire. The operation reflects close coordination between the local administration and the IAF under the aid to civil authorities. Efforts to prevent further spread and protect forests, lives and property were still underway, IAF officials added.

Meanwhile, in a swift and critical operation, the Indian Air Force (IAF) mobilised its aviation assets to assist local authorities in dousing raging forest fires in the hills of Kasauli. Responding to an urgent request for aerial support, IAF helicopters were deployed to the affected region today to carry out precision firefighting efforts.

Specialised 'Bambi Bucket' System Deployed

The operation utilised the specialised "Bambi Bucket" system--a flexible, underslung bucket attached to the helicopters designed to scoop water from nearby natural or man-made reservoirs and release it directly over targeted hotspots.

The challenging mountainous terrain, characterised by steep slopes and strong, unpredictable winds, made ground access difficult for local forest fire crews.

Preliminary Damage Assessment

While the state has incurred an estimated financial loss of approximately Rs 67 lakh, officials noted that these figures are preliminary and may be adjusted as the forest naturally regenerates post-monsoon.

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

BJP President Nitin Nabin's Uttarakhand Visit: CM Dhami Holds Meet

Asianet News Central — Thu, 28 May 2026 06:00:31 +0530

CM Dhami Chairs Preparatory Meeting

Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami convened a high-level meeting at his official residence in Dehradun on Wednesday to finalise the itinerary for BJP National President Nitin Nabin's upcoming visit to the state, the Chief Minister's Office said. The meeting was attended by BJP State President and Rajya Sabha MP Mahendra Bhatt, Lok Sabha MPs Trivendra Singh Rawat and Anil Baluni, and General Secretary (Organisation) Ajaey Kumar. Discussions focused on the proposed visit and programme schedule of the BJP National President in Uttarakhand.

Nabin's Three-Day Itinerary

Day 1: Arrival and Key Meetings

Meanwhile, BJP National President Nitin Nabin will be on a three-day visit to Dehradun from May 28 to 30. On his first arrival, party workers will accord him a grand welcome at more than 25 locations from Jolly Grant Airport to the BJP state office. According to the BJP state office, he will arrive at Dehradun's Jolly Grant Airport at 4:35 PM on May 28. From there, he will proceed directly to the state BJP office, where he will attend a Core Committee meeting at 6:15 PM, followed by a meeting with ministers.

Day 2: Condolences and Party Engagements

On the second day of his visit, he will meet the Chief Minister in the morning and later visit the residence of former Chief Minister late B C Khanduri to pay tribute and offer condolences to the bereaved family. Thereafter, he will reach Welcomhotel by ITC Hotels, The Madhuban on Rajpur Road at 11:00 AM to participate in a series of important meetings. He will first hold a meeting with MPs and MLAs, followed by an extensive discussion at 2:00 PM with state office bearers, morcha presidents, general secretaries, district in-charges, co-incharges, and district presidents. Later, from 4:00 PM onwards, he will interact with mayors, municipal chairpersons, Nagar Panchayat chairpersons, district panchayat presidents and vice presidents, as well as block chiefs. In the evening, he will chair meetings with media, social media, IT, and state spokesperson teams.

Day 3: Temple Visit and Public Interaction

On the final day of his visit, the BJP National President will offer prayers at Tapkeshwar Mahadev Temple and later visit the residence of the Booth No. 141 President in Dakra, Garhi Cantt, for breakfast. He will then attend a meeting of Booth Committee 138, Durgamall Mandal. Subsequently, he will address an intellectual gathering scheduled at 11:00 AM at Shivalik College of Engineering in Sihniwala. Later, from 2:00 PM onwards, he will participate in the Yuva Samvad programme at the Chief Minister's residence, Mukhya Sevak Sadan. Following the programme, Nitin Nabin will depart for Delhi from Jolly Grant Airport at 4:35 PM.

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

CPI(M) leaders detained during protest against ED raid on Vijayan's home

Asianet News Central — Thu, 28 May 2026 05:30:49 +0530

Police on Wednesday detained CPI(M) General Secretary M A Baby and several party workers during a protest in Thiruvananthapuram against the Enforcement Directorate (ED) raids at the residence of former Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan. A scuffle broke out between police and CPI(M) leaders as they staged a demonstration over the searches. Police said the protesters were detained to maintain law and order and later released.

Protests Held in Kerala and Delhi

CPI(M) leaders and workers also held a protest outside the ED office, condemning the raids in Keralam. The central agency conducted searches at 10 premises in Keralam, including the residences of the former Chief Minister and current Leader of Opposition Pinarayi Vijayan, in connection with the Cochin Minerals and Rutile Limited (CMRL) case.

On Wednesday, the Communist Party of India (Marxist) staged a protest at the Enforcement Directorate (ED) headquarters in Delhi against the agency's raids on the residence of former Keralam Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan. The protest was led by CPI(M) General Secretary M.A. Baby. As per CPI(M), during the protest, Delhi Police detained the demonstrators. The detained accused included senior leader Brinda Karat, Polit Bureau members Ashok Dhawale, Mariam Dhawale and Vijoo Krishnan, Central Committee members Vikram Singh, and Delhi State secretary Anurag Saxena. More than one hundred protesters were also detained.

Party Alleges 'Politically Motivated Act of Vendetta'

CPI(M), in its statement, said that M.A. Baby strongly condemned the action carried out by the ED under the direction of the central government and stated that the raid on Pinarayi Vijayan's residence was a politically motivated act of vendetta. He pointed out that courts have repeatedly observed that Pinarayi Vijayan has absolutely no connection with the Exalogic case, yet the political witch-hunt against him continues unabated. He is now being targeted even for being Veena's father.

He further stated that such an action taking place immediately after Chief Minister V.D. Satheesan's meeting with the Prime Minister in Delhi raises serious questions and appears to be a politically orchestrated drama. Several individuals whose names reportedly appeared in the CMRL diary continue to hold important positions in the state government. However, while ignoring all of them, the continuous targeting of Pinarayi Vijayan further exposes the political vendetta behind these actions.

He said that the party has no intention whatsoever of obstructing any investigation process. However, the blatant misuse of central agencies by the central government for political targeting cannot be accepted. The party will mobilise people and organise strong protests across the country against the selective targeting of opposition leaders and the attacks on democratic rights.

CMRL Case Background

ED conducted searches in 10 places in connection with the alleged fraudulent payments to Veena, Pinarayi Vijayan's daughter, amid a Rs 182-crore money laundering probe into the Cochin Minerals and Rutile Limited (CMRL) case. (ANI)

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

Eid sacrifice permit cancelled in Mumbai society after community clash

Asianet News Central — Thu, 28 May 2026 05:30:30 +0530

Amid tensions in Satellite Gardens Phase 2, Gokuldham area of Goregaon over plans to conduct Eid sacrifice inside the colony premises, police on Wednesday said the permission for slaughtering sacrificial animals has been cancelled. Mahendra Shinde, Senior Police Inspector at Dindoshi Police Station, said, "The permission to carry out slaughtering of sacrificial animals on Eid has been cancelled. The goats will be removed from society tomorrow morning."

On Wednesday, on the occasion of the Eid-ul-Adha celebrations, Mumbai Police confirmed that the ritual of goat sacrifice (Qurbani) has been cancelled at a housing society in Goregaon following a clash between two communities over the issue. Officials stated that the livestock will be removed from the society premises tomorrow morning to ensure law and order in the area.

Clash Over Qurbani Ritual

Tension had prevailed at Satellite Gardens Phase 2 in the Gokuldham area as members of the two communities faced off over the Qurbani ritual, as residents expressed strong objections to the practice within the residential complex. Representing the Muslim side, residents claimed they had acquired Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) permission to perform the Qurbani in the society. They asserted that while the ritual has been a long-standing practice for years, they had been unable to observe it at the site for the past two seasons. The opposing side argued that designated facilities for Bakra Qurbani should be utilised and raised concerns regarding hygiene and the potential impact on public health within the society, stressing that it will cause the spread of diseases in society.

About Eid Al-Adha

Eid Al-Adha or Bakra Eid is a significant Islamic festival also referred to as the 'festival of sacrifice'. It is observed on the 10th day of Dhu al-Hijjah, the 12th month of the Islamic lunar calendar, and marks the culmination of the annual Hajj pilgrimage in Mecca.

The date of the festival changes every year as it follows the lunar calendar, which is approximately 11 days shorter than the Gregorian calendar. This results in Eid moving earlier each year in the Western calendar cycle. The festival is widely regarded as a time of joy, reflection and compassion, where people strengthen social bonds, forgive past grievances and engage in acts of charity and goodwill. It commemorates the willingness of Prophet Abraham to sacrifice in obedience to God, symbolising faith and devotion. (ANI)

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Zelenskyy meets US Congressmen, seeks missiles for air defence

Asianet News Central — Thu, 28 May 2026 04:30:36 +0530

Zelenskyy Seeks More Air Defence Support

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Wednesday met Representatives of the US Congress Richard Blumenthal and Jim Himes and discussed further support for Kyiv to strengthen its air defence as it faces Russian threats.

Zelenskyy said he had written a letter to the White House regarding Ukraine's needs for anti-ballistic missiles to safeguard the country from aerial threats.

"Today in Kyiv, Representatives of the U.S. Congress Richard Blumenthal and Jim Himes. An important visit in these difficult days following the massive attack. Grateful to the United States, the President, and the Congress for strong bipartisan support and to all Americans," Zelenskyy said in a post on X.

"We discussed further support for Ukraine, specifically in strengthening air defence. We have a significant need for anti-ballistic missiles due to constant Russian shelling. I sent a letter to the White House and the U.S. Congress regarding Ukraine's needs for such missiles. And today I also personally handed this letter to the congressmen. We are counting on timely support," he added.

Сьогодні у Києві представники американського Конгресу Річард Блюменталь та Джим Гаймс. Важливий візит в ці важкі дні після масованої атаки. Вдячні Сполученим Штатам, Президенту та Конгресу за міцну двопартійну підтримку та всім американцям. Ми обговорили подальшу підтримку… pic.twitter.com/PT2ozeqrei — Volodymyr Zelenskyy / Володимир Зеленський (@ZelenskyyUa) May 27, 2026

Zelenskyy Briefs Congressmen on Frontline, Sanctions

Ukrainian President further said that he has informed the US Congressmen about the situation at the front, mentioning Russian losses. He pressed that it is vital to keep sanctions pressure on Moscow as Ukraine attempts to pin the other side down.

"I informed the congressmen about the situation on the front lines, our successful long-range sanctions. Our partners clearly see that Russia is suffering enormous losses. It is important not to allow any weakening of sanctions against the Russian Federation - we talked about this. We are working with the American side on concluding the Drone Deal as well," he said.

Russia Vows Strikes Amid Escalating Attacks

This comes after Russia Defence Ministry issued a statement on Monday, warning that it plans to conduct a "series of systematic strikes" on defence industrial facilities in Kyiv. They said that the planned strikes would be launched in response to a Ukrainian drone attack last week that struck a student dorm in Starobilsk in the occupied Luhansk region.

Moscow has, meanwhile, increased its attacks on Ukraine since the Luhansk attack. Ukraine's military has denied responsibility for the strike on the student dorm, saying it had struck an elite drone command unit.

Russia used 30 ballistic missiles against Ukraine in a massive strike on Sunday, and only 11 of them were shot down, according to Ukraine's air force.

Meanwhile, Moscow has stepped up its attacks on Ukraine following the Luhansk strike. Ukraine's military has denied involvement in the attack on the student dormitory, stating instead that it targeted an elite drone command unit. Separately, Ukraine's air force reported that Russia launched 30 ballistic missiles in a major assault on Sunday, of which only 11 were intercepted, Al Jazeera reported.

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ED raid on Pinarayi: State police had no prior info, says Chennithala

Asianet News Central — Thu, 28 May 2026 04:30:31 +0530

Home Minister Alleges Conspiracy, Denies Prior Knowledge of Raid

Keralam Minister for Home Affairs Ramesh Chennithala on Wednesday said the state police and the Home Department had no prior information about the Enforcement Directorate raid conducted at former Kerala Chief Minister and CPI-M leader Pinarayi Vijayan's residence. "Nobody has informed us, even after the raid, that they were depending on the Central Forces," Chennithala told reporters

He said that when police learned of gatherings at Pinarayi and Calicut, personnel were deployed and "there was no problem at all" at those locations. However, referring to the situation in Trivandrum, the minister alleged a conspiracy.

"Kerala Police or Kerala Home Minister does not have any information about the ED raid. Nobody has informed us, even after the raid, that they were depending on the Central Forces. When we came to know that people were assembled at Pinarayi and Calicut, the police went there, and there was no problem at all. In Trivandrum, it was a conspiracy to create lawlessness in the capital city. We will not allow any attempt to derail the law and order situation in the state. The real culprits will be booked and brought before the law," he added.

ED Raids Across 10 Locations in CMRL Money Laundering Probe

Meanwhile, a massive political firestorm has engulfed Keralam following extensive searches by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) across 10 locations in the state and Bengaluru. The raids, targeted premises linked to former Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, are part of a high-stakes money laundering probe involving the Cochin Minerals and Rutile Limited (CMRL) case. The investigation centres on a Rs 182-crore money laundering probe.

Key Allegations in CMRL Probe

Key allegations being scrutinised by central agencies include: Exalogic Solutions, a firm owned by Vijayan's daughter, Veena, allegedly received Rs 2.78 crore from CMRL for services that investigators claim were fraudulent. Empower India Capital Investment is accused of extending a Rs 50-lakh loan to Exalogic despite repayment defaults. The probe is investigating the diversion of Rs 182 crore through CMRL management-linked entities via alleged "fake expenses" and shell transactions.

Vijayan Hits Back, Calls Action a 'Targeted Political Vendetta'

CPI(M) Workers Allegedly Attack ED Convoy

As the investigation deepens, the political battle in Keralam has intensified, with the CPI(M) alleging "targeted vendetta" and the opposition and BJP defending the action as a lawful probe under established legal procedure. (ANI)

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West Bengal strengthens border security, gives 142 acres to BSF

Asianet News Central — Thu, 28 May 2026 04:00:42 +0530

West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari on Wednesday stated that the government has initiated intensified measures to strengthen border security by facilitating the construction of BSF outposts and barbed-wire fencing Adhikari said additional land has now been handed over to the Border Security Force, taking the total tally to 142.79 acres.

In a post on X, Adhikari said, "Govt of WB has initiated intensified measures to strengthen Border Security by facilitating construction of BSF Outposts & Barbed-Wire Fencing, further enhancing security in the Border areas. Additional land has now been handed over to BSF, taking the total tally to 142.79 acres." According to the data shared by Adhikari, Murshidabad accounts for the highest allocation at 38.805 acres, followed by Jalpaiguri with 35.165 acres and Cooch Behar with 22.95 acres. "As part of this ongoing initiative, a substantial amount of land has already been distributed across nine districts. The breakdown of the land transferred to the BSF so far is as follows: 22.95 acres in Cooch Behar, 35.165 acres in Jalpaiguri, 8.815 acres in Darjeeling, 2.84 acres in Uttar Dinajpur, 20.1701 acres in Dakshin Dinajpur, 10.90 acres in Malda, 38.805 acres in Murshidabad, 0.55 acres in Nadia, and 2.6 acres in North 24 Parganas," the post stated.

Govt of WB has initiated intensified measures to strengthen Border Security by facilitating construction of BSF Outposts & Barbed-Wire Fencing, further enhancing security in the Border areas. Additional land has now been handed over to BSF, taking the total tally to 142.79 acres. pic.twitter.com/VutOsdOunH — Suvendu Adhikari (@SuvenduWB) May 27, 2026

Fencing work has begun along the India-Bangladesh border in the Phansidewa area of Siliguri subdivision after the West Bengal government handed over 27 kilometres of land to the Border Security Force (BSF), marking a key step toward strengthening border security in the region.

Crackdown on Undocumented Migrants

Furthermore, a multitude of people gathered at the Hakimpur checkpost near the Bangladesh border after authorities began a crackdown on undocumented Bangladeshi migrants amid the push for the 'detect, delete and deport' policy by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government in West Bengal. The Hakimpur checkpost is an international border crossing situated in the North 24 Parganas district.

A Bangladeshi migrant, who used to work as a mechanic in Howrah, said that they are leaving because they can't find work and they aren't being allowed to stay owing to the implementation of the 'detect, delete, deport' policy of the West Bengal government.

"There is a lot of trouble going on here right now, so we are leaving. We cannot find any work, and no one is allowing us to stay. It has been two or three years since we arrived here from Bangladesh. We were brought here by another individual. No, I had not (obtained an Aadhaar card or a Ration card). I used to live in the Howrah district. I am a motorcycle mechanic. Ten of us had come. Right now, I am the only one returning," he told ANI.

Govt Orders Holding Centres for Foreigners

The development comes after the West Bengal government directed all district magistrates to set up holding centres for apprehended foreigners and released foreign prisoners who are awaiting deportation or repatriation, in line with Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) guidelines.

According to an official communication issued by the Home and Hill Affairs Department, districts have been asked to take necessary steps for housing individuals identified as staying illegally in the country, including those who have completed prison sentences and are awaiting deportation. The directive, issued on May 23, instructs authorities to act as per the MHA framework on deportation and repatriation procedures for Bangladeshi nationals and Rohingyas found residing illegally in India. (ANI)

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

Goyal honours Air India Flight 182 victims, meets families in Canada

Asianet News Central — Thu, 28 May 2026 04:00:31 +0530

Goyal Pays Tribute to Kanishka Bombing Victims

Union Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal paid tribute to the victims of the Air India Flight 182 bombing at the Kanishka Memorial and met the families of the victims.

Air India Flight 182 bombing one of the deadliest acts of aviation terrorism in history, in which all 329 passengers and crew were killed. The aircraft, also known as Kanishka, exploded over the Atlantic Ocean off the coast of Ireland after a bomb had been placed on board. The flight was operating from Toronto to India via Montreal and London.

Goyal, meeting with the families of the victims, reaffirmed the shared commitment of India and Canada to strengthening cooperation to ensure such a tragedy is never repeated.

Families Appreciate Minister's Gesture

Speaking with ANI, the sister of one of the victims said, "It is very important that the Minister is here in remembrance. Of all the people who were just taken away, so sadly, so suddenly, I am glad they are remembered. I really appreciate the Minister coming and paying respect."

Executive Director of the Air India Victims' Families Association, Deepak Khandelwal, also appreciated the Minister's decision to show respect to the victims. "It's great that the Minister came here today to lay a wreath in memory of the innocent people who were murdered 41 years ago. It's good that he's coming to show respect, and the family members are here with him," he said.

Focus on Economic Partnership

Goyal is in Canada for a three-day official visit from May 25-27, taking place as New Delhi and Ottawa aggressively push ahead with negotiations for the proposed Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA), viewed as a vital step in rejuvenating economic relations between the two nations.

During his visit, he met Canada's Prime Minister, Mark Carney; Foreign Minister, Anita Anand; Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food, Heath MacDonald and Minister of International Trade, Maninder Sidhu, among others.

He also met prominent Canadian industry leaders during his three-day visit to Canada to discuss investment avenues and expand bilateral economic partnerships.

The high-level interactions focused heavily on enhancing collaborations in financial services, infrastructure, sustainable agriculture, and critical minerals processing.

He noted during his meetings how the talks between them emphasised the importance of trade, investment and tech linkages for the strategic partnership between the two countries.

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

Amritsar police bust cross-border arms smuggling ring, 5 arrested

Asianet News Central — Thu, 28 May 2026 03:30:43 +0530

Amritsar Commissionerate Police has busted a cross-border illegal arms smuggling module with the arrest of five accused persons and recovery of eight sophisticated pistols along with live cartridges, Director General of Police (DGP) Punjab Gaurav Yadav said on Wednesday.

Arrests and Seizures

The arrested accused have been identified as Arshdeep Singh alias D (21), resident of Guru Ki Wadali in Amritsar; Manpreet Singh alias Mann (26), resident of village Bhaini in Amritsar; Sukhraj Singh alias Billa (29), resident of village Naushera Dhalla in Tarn Taran; Rahul Gill alias Rahul (22), native of Bhikhiwind and presently residing at village Drajke in Tarn Taran; and Arshdeep Singh alias Gagarh (25), resident of village Lohke in Tarn Taran. Police said all the accused have previous criminal antecedents, with cases registered under the Arms Act, NDPS Act, Attempt to Murder, Kidnapping, and Prison Act. The recovered weapons include one 9MM Zigana pistol, one .30 bore PX3 (Made in China), one .30 bore Beretta (Made in Italy), three 9MM Glock pistols and two .32 bore pistols, along with live cartridges.

Modus Operandi Revealed

DGP Gaurav Yadav said preliminary investigation has revealed that the accused were in contact with a foreign-based smuggler through virtual numbers. He added that the module was receiving consignments of weapons and drugs via drones from across the border for further distribution to criminal elements in Punjab.

"The accused were in contact with a foreign-based smuggler using virtual numbers. The module was receiving weapons and drug consignments via drones from across the border," the DGP said, adding that further investigation is underway to trace forward and backward linkages and identify other members of the network.

How the Module Was Busted

Commissioner of Police (CP) Amritsar Gurpreet Singh Bhullar said police action was initiated based on reliable inputs, following which the accused, Rahul Gill, was apprehended and two pistols were recovered from his possession. He said that during further investigation, acting on Rahul's disclosure statement, police arrested Arshdeep Singh alias Gagarh and recovered one Glock pistol from him.

The CP further said that two more operatives, Arshdeep Singh alias D and Manpreet Singh alias Mann-, were subsequently arrested while they were travelling on a motorcycle near Meeri Peeri Academy Road in Chheharta, Amritsar. Police recovered two pistols from their possession, while two additional weapons were recovered based on their disclosure statements.

During interrogation, both accused disclosed that the weapons and ammunition were procured from Sukhraj Singh alias Billa. Acting on this input, police arrested Sukhraj Singh and recovered a .30 bore Beretta pistol from his possession.

Police said further investigation is underway to uncover the full network and establish its cross-border linkages. (ANI)

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

Penpa Tsering sworn in as Sikyong of CTA with US advisor present

Asianet News Central — Thu, 28 May 2026 03:30:28 +0530

Brand Kroeger, Senior Advisor to the US Ambassador to India Sergio Gor, attended the swearing-in ceremony of the 17th Kashag of the Central Tibetan Administration held in Dharamshala on Wednesday, a US Embassy spokesperson said.

Penpa Tsering, the Sikyong of the 16th Kashag (Cabinet) of the Central Tibetan Administration (CTA), was sworn in as the Sikyong of the 17th Kashag on Wednesday at the Tsuglagkhang courtyard in the presence of the Dalai Lama following his reelection, a statement by the Central Tibetan Administration said.

Enduring Governance Model

As per a statement by the CTA, after securing 61.025 per cent of the total votes in the preliminary round of the recently concluded Tibetan general election, Sikyong Penpa Tsering, under a provision of the Election Rules and Regulations that did not require him to contest the final round, was elected as the 6th directly elected Sikyong (formerly known as Kalon Tripa). His new Kashag, the 17th since the establishment of the Central Tibetan Administration (formerly the Tibetan Government in Exile) following the occupation of Tibet by the People's Liberation Army, will continue the Kashag system, an institutional framework sustained for more than 275 years, which is one of the world's enduring models of continuous governance.

International Dignitaries Attend

Several respected dignitaries and distinguished international guests attended the ceremony, including a cross-party parliamentary delegation from the United Kingdom comprising MP Chris Law of the Scottish National Party and Chair of the APPG Tibet; MP Kerry McCarthy of the Labour Party and former Government Minister; MP Wera Hobhouse of the Liberal Democrats and APPG Tibet Member; and MP Alicia Kearns of the Conservative Party and former Chair of the Foreign Affairs Committee.

Representatives of major Tibetan civil society organisations, CTA staff members, students from nearby Tibetan schools, and members of the general Tibetan public were also among the attendees, as per the statement. (ANI)

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

Jaishankar meets Ukrainian, Saudi FMs in Cyprus; discusses conflicts

Asianet News Central — Thu, 28 May 2026 03:00:42 +0530

Jaishankar holds talks on Ukraine, West Asia conflicts

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar met with Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha as he arrived in Cyprus to participate in the 'Gymnich' informal meeting of the EU Foreign Affairs Ministers. In a post on X, Jaishankar shared that he exchanged views on the Ukraine conflict with the Ukrainian counterpart and discussed bilateral cooperation. "A useful meeting with FM Andrii Sybiha of Ukraine. Exchanged views on the Ukraine conflict. Also discussed our bilateral cooperation," he said.

He also met with Saudi Arabia's Foreign Minister Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud and discussed the West Asia conflict. "A good meeting with FM Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud of Saudi Arabia. Appreciate his assessments and insights on the evolving situation in West Asia/Middle East," he said.

Visit to Cyprus for EU Foreign Ministers' Meeting

Jaishankar arrived in Cyprus to participate in the Informal Meeting of the EU Foreign Affairs Ministers at the invitation of Vice-President of the European Commission Kaja Kallas.

En route via Germany

Jaishankar made a quick stopover at Frankfurt Airport, enroute to Cyprus for the meeting. He was warmly received by India's Ambassador to Germany, Ajit V Gupte.

The meeting, which took place as the EAM transited through Germany on his way to Cyprus for the European Union Foreign Ministers' (EU FM) meeting, served as a vital platform for reviewing the trajectory of bilateral relations.

During the brief but productive interaction, in a post on X, the Indian Embassy in Germany stated that Ambassador Gupte provided the EAM with a comprehensive briefing on the current state of India-Germany relations.

About the 'Gymnich' Meeting

Kaja Kallas travelled to Cyprus on May 27-28 to chair the traditional 'Gymnich' informal meeting of EU Foreign Ministers. The meeting will be hosted by Cyprus in the city of Limassol.

EU Ministers of Foreign Affairs will meet for an informal Foreign Affairs Council on 27-28 May 2026 in Lemesos. The Gymnich meeting of the Presidency of the Council of the European Union by Cyprus is co-chaired by Dr Constantinos Kombos, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Cyprus, and Kallas, EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy.

During the meeting, Ministers will discuss current and regional issues. (ANI)

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

Riyan Parag hails Sooryavanshi's 97 but wants more from RR batters

Asianet News Central — Thu, 28 May 2026 03:00:37 +0530

Following his side's win over the Gujarat Titans (GT) in the eliminator, Rajasthan Royals (RR) skipper Riyan Parag hailed Vaibhav Sooryavanshi for his masterclass, but felt that the team could have done better with the bat by reaching 260 runs at least and needs to work on finishing off the innings better.

Riyan-led RR is just one step away from sealing an IPL final with defending champions Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) as a marvellous 97 in 29 balls by Sooryavanshi and a Jofra-Archer-Nandre Burger powerplay exhibition overcame a fan-favourite, fiery and in-form Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) team with both bat and ball. Parag continues to do well in his maiden season as RR's full-time captain.

'I like to be a perfectionist'

Speaking after the match, Riyan said that he likes to be a "perfectionist" and his team could have finished better with the bat. However, he was impressed with the bowling effort. "I think I like to be a perfectionist. I know it's not going to be a perfect game altogether. But even today, we should have gotten 260, right? So a bit to work on that. How to finish off innings after we get a start like Vaibhav did. But with the ball, I think I was really impressed. I think we held our calm. They got a lot of runs in the second over or the first, once Ishan and Travis added a few boundaries, but I think we came back really well and a good performance altogether," Riyan said.

On Vaibhav Sooryavanshi's knock

About his conversations with big-hitting Sooryavanshi, he said that he does not have any and it is better to "leave him alone and have fun". "He likes batting, like I have said before, so we get him a lot of batting practice at the nets and stuff like that. And then he goes out and does his thing," he added.

'Everyone turned up a little bit more'

Parag also said that his side's final two league stage games being must-win helped them and brought out more from the team. "I feel when everything is on the line, I feel everyone works really hard towards it. And even during the season, I think it would be not fair enough to say that we were even more energised, even more focused because the game was on the line, because the season was on the line. Everyone has done that throughout the season, but especially the last two games, everyone just turned up a little bit more," he said.

Parag lauds Jofra Archer

He also praised pacer Jofra Archer for continuing his dominant season with another three-fer, taking his wicket-tally to 24, calling him "one of the best in world cricket" and remarked that one "should not ask him to do anything".

"I feel the first ball he bowled to Abhishek that I almost got a catch, but there it was wide. So I went up to Jofra. I was like, Joff, I need you to be a little straighter. And then he gets the wicket, and he asks me, smiling inside, is that straight enough for you? So I feel he is one of the best, if not the best in world cricket. And I feel when he is bowling 150 clicks, you do not ask him to bowl slow. You do not ask him to do anything. You just remind him if, at all he needs any reminding of, otherwise he just does his job," he added.

Riyan, who has had struggles with his hamstring this season, said on a concluding note that he would be recovering ahead of the Qualifier two against GT on Friday and would not be practising.

Match Summary

After GT was put to bat first by SRH, Sooryavanshi (97 in 29 balls, with five fours and 12 sixes) and Dhruv Jurel (50 in 21 balls, with five fours and three sixes) played magnificent knocks as RR marched to 243/8 in 20 overs.

Nitish Kumar Reddy (38 in 20 balls, with three fours and two sixes) and Salil Arora (35 in 20 balls, with two fours and two sixes) put up a fight in the later stages with a 56-run sixth-wicket partnership, but Ravindra Jadeja (2/21) dimmed whatever little hope was left by removing both of them. Sooryavanshi was named as the 'Player of the Match'.

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

"Won't be outlasted": Trump warns Iran, committed to ceasefire deal

Asianet News Central — Thu, 28 May 2026 03:00:27 +0530

US President Donald Trump remained committed to striking a favourable ceasefire deal with Iran, warning that he "won't be outlasted" as he "doesn't care about the midterm" elections.

Speaking during a cabinet meeting, Trump dismissed concerns of war affecting the Republicans' performance at home and remained determined towards the goal of stopping Iran from developing nuclear weapons, which he believes serve the higher purpose that will benefit the world. "They thought they were going to outwait me, you know? We'll outwait him; he's got the midterms, I don't care about the midterms," he said.

"Iran cannot have nuclear weapons. I'm doing that for the world, not just for us," he added.

Strait of Hormuz Negotiations

Speaking about the Strait of Hormuz, Trump said tie will be "open to everybody", adding that this remains part of the ceasefire negotiations. "It's international waters. Nobody's going to control it. We're going to watch over it. We'll watch over it, but nobody's going to control it," Trump said. "That's part of the negotiation that we have."

He also warned Oman not to interfere in the Strait of Hormuz negotiations, while rejecting the idea of a short-term deal that would allow Iran and Oman to control the critical waterway on which the world oil and gas supply largely depends. "Oman will behave just like everybody else, or we'll have to blow 'em up," he said.

The US president reiterated that he believes Iranian leaders "want very much to make a deal". Acknowledging that the diplomatic breakthrough has not yet materialised, Trump noted that while current progress remains incomplete, he expects a successful resolution. "So far, they haven't gotten there. We're not satisfied with it, but we will be. We will be," Trump said.

However, the American leader paired his diplomatic optimism with a stark, uncompromising warning of further unilateral action should talks collapse entirely, stating, "Either that or we'll have to finish the job."

White House Denies Iranian Report of Deal

Meanwhile, the White House has flatly denied a broadcast by Iranian state television asserting that Tehran and Washington had successfully negotiated a preliminary blueprint to halt the ongoing hostilities in West Asia, branding the claims a "complete fabrication". The state-backed Iranian broadcast had detailed an alleged outline of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), asserting that the framework mandated the United States dismantle its naval blockade against Iran and pull back its military deployments from Gulf waters to facilitate a comprehensive regional truce.

The White House said in a post on X, "This report from Iranian-controlled media is not true and the MOU they 'released' is a complete fabrication. Nobody should believe what the Iranian state media is putting out. FACTS MATTER."

According to the unverified claims aired by Iranian state networks, international merchant transit across the vital Strait of Hormuz was projected to normalise to pre-conflict frequencies within thirty days. This tentative arrangement was reportedly contingent on specific conditions, including the complete removal of the US military footprint from territories surrounding Iran.

The contested Strait of Hormuz continues to serve as one of the global economy's most indispensable maritime choke points, channelling a massive volume of international crude supplies from the Persian Gulf out to global consumer markets. (ANI)

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

Prashant Kishor slams Bihar's scarf debate as power play distraction

Asianet News Central — Thu, 28 May 2026 03:00:19 +0530

Jan Suraaj Founder Prashant Kishor on Wednesday took potshots at the debate concerning scarves in Bihar, calling it a power play meant to divide society while real issues like inflation, unemployment and paper leaks remain unaddressed.

Kishor Slams Scarf Debate as Power Play

Speaking to ANI, Kishor said the debate over scarf colours "is being done for power" and has no relevance to the concerns of ordinary Biharis.

Kishor dismissed the debate over which leader wears which colour scarf. He stated that many leaders change their colours whenever it suits their politics. "The proof of this is that the person who is talking about green scarves was himself roaming around with a green scarf until a few years ago. He isn't someone with a saffron scarf," Kishor said.

He stated that some of these leaders once gave angry speeches against the BJP, but have now changed sides. "For power, using scarves, kurtas, skin, and colours to divide society has no significance. The people of Bihar want to know when the colour of poverty will fade from Bihar, when the colour of migration will fade. Whether someone takes a green or yellow scarf doesn't matter," Kishore said.

'Bulldozers Used on the Poor'

Kishore was responding to the question over the row following the Bihar CM's remarks made in an AI Summit in Patna, which were strongly criticised by the RJD. Kishor alleged that the government is using 'bulldozers' against the poor. "You use bulldozers on the poor, on the helpless, on the ones who don't have a voice. And you don't have the power or intention to take action against those who have power," he said.

Jan Suraaj's Electoral Plans for Bankipur

Addressing speculation about his electoral plans, Kishor denied that the discussion was about his candidature from Bankipur. "It's not about candidates," he said, "Today, there was a formal meeting of the party workers. Rambali ji, our senior associate, has been made in charge there."

Kishor said his party would intensify outreach in the constituency. "Everyone has decided together that we'll go from house to house, and in the coming month, public contact in Bankipur will be intensified. Opinions will be taken from people, and whatever needs to be done, the BJP will be defeated there at any cost," he said.

He added that the public was watching the current political discourse closely. "Just for power, dividing the society by using red and yellow colours won't yield any benefit. The public is watching this, and you'll see it in the results in Bankipur as well," Kishor said. (ANI)

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

From Toddler to Star: Vaibhav Sooryavanshi Smashes Chris Gayle’s 14-Year-Old IPL Record at Just 15

Hrishikesh Damodar — Thu, 28 May 2026 02:40:42 +0530

The Rajasthan Royals (RR) batting sensation, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, had yet another record-breaking outing in the IPL 2026 Eliminator against the Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) at the Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket Stadium in Mullanpur on Wednesday, May 27.

Sooryavanshi played a blistering knock of 97 off 29 balls, including 12 sixes and 5 fours, at an astonishing strike rate of 334.48, to help RR post a solid total of 243/8 in 20 overs, which was eventually defended by the bowlers, bundling out the SRH for .196 in 19.2 overs, securing a 47-run victory and advancing to the Qualifier 2, where they will face the Gujarat Titans.

The 15-year-old unleashed a carnage in such a way that the SRH bowlers were left shell-shocked, struggling to contain his onslaught as he cleared the ropes with ease. Sooryavanshi already smashed 60 runs in the powerplay overs, setting a blistering tempo that the Sunrisers Hyderabad's attack never truly recovered from.

Also Read: Trophy in focus, not centuries: RR's Vaibhav Sooryavanshi after 97

Sooryavanshi Shatters 14-Year IPL Record

During his blistering 97-run knock, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi shattered multiple records, but one stood out above the rest, which fans and cricket enthusiasts were eagerly awaiting the moment, surpassing Chris Gayle’s record for the most sixes in a single IPL season. In IPL 2012, Gayle smashed 59 sixes, the record which remained unbeaten for 14 years until Sooryavanshi broke it during this Eliminator match.

Sooryavanshi entered his first IPL Playoff match with 53 sixes and smashed seven maximums to overtake the former West Indies’ flamboyant batter’s all-time record before hitting another five more to extend his historic tally to 65. The 15-year-old became the first batter to smash 60 or more sixes in a single IPL season.

It is such a staggering feat that Sooryavanshi was just one year old when Chris Gayle first set that legendary record back in 2012. Vaibhav Sooryavanshi was born on March 27, 2011, the year when IPL was just entering its fourth edition, highlighting just how long Gayle’s mark had stood before being dismantled by this teenage prodigy.

Vaibhav Sooryavanshi was 1 year old when Chris Gayle set the record of most sixes in an IPL season of 59. - 14 years later, Vaibhav at the age of 15 breaks Gayle’s record. pic.twitter.com/s0oOwanXQ6

— Mufaddal Vohra (@mufaddal_vohra) May 27, 2026

At just the age of 15, Sooryavanshi, the Rajasthan Royals sensation, has not only surpassed that 14-year-old milestone but has officially rewritten the history books, cementing his status as the new face of power-hitting in the IPL.

The difference between his age (15) and the number of years Chris Gayle held the record (14) is only one year, a testament to how this young star has arrived on the scene exactly when the record was primed to be broken.

Destined to Break the "Universe Boss" Benchmark

Vaibhav Sooryavanshi shattering Chris Gayle’s 14-year-old IPL record for the most sixes in a single season is a moment that feels almost written in the stars. From a 1-year-old toddler witnessing the dawn of the ‘Universe Boss’ era in 2012 to becoming the record-breaker himself in 2026, Sooryavanshi’s journey represents the ultimate full-circle moment in cricket.

The social media, especially X (formerly Twitter), was left quite surprised by the fact that the record stood for so long that a child, who was merely a toddler when it was set, could grow up to dismantle it.

The fans and cricket enthusiasts were amazed by Sooryavanshi’s feat, calling his innings ‘pure cinema’, marveling at how a player who was just a toddler when Gayle set the record 14 years ago had now rewritten IPL history at only 15. Others hailed him as the ‘New Universe Boss’, praising his effortless power-hitting and composure at just 15.

So basically he was born to destroy the universal Gayle record https://t.co/MLyh0tn89q

— Rahul (@Rahul74572540) May 27, 2026

What were you doing when you were 15 years old . Vaibhav Sooryavanshi the 15 year old breaking records for fun and batting like he’s on autopilot https://t.co/B06y2tdi5Q

— Prem Mohanty ⚽️ (@philipbkk) May 27, 2026

1 year old when record was set and 14 years later he break it himself... absolute cinema scripthttps://t.co/L5GxDI1Kqx

— SKH (@Skh9864) May 27, 2026

Gayle’s record being around long enough for a toddler to grow into a record breaker is kinda wild honestly

— Shantun Singh Parmar (@ParmarShantun) May 27, 2026

To me, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi is the new Universe Boss.Absolute carnage.

— अंकुश (@ankushtweets) May 27, 2026

14 years ago, Chris Gayle changed what IPL power-hitting looked like.14 years later, a 15-year-old breaks that record.That’s the beautiful thing about sport. One generation inspires the next… and then one day the next generation starts creating history of its own

— Saurabh Bansal (@finsaurabh) May 27, 2026

Vaibhav Sooryavanshi was just 1 year old when Chris Gayle smashed the record for most sixes in an IPL season with 59. 14 years later, at just 15 years of age, Vaibhav breaks that iconic record himself. From watching history to creating history. What a story. ⭐

— cricket_updates (@Abhishek850977) May 27, 2026

When Chris Gayle hit 59 sixes in a single IPL season, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi was literally a toddler. 14 years later, at just 15 years old, he just broke the Universe Boss’s record. Absolute madness. #IPL

— Aditya Koul (@AdityaKoul53704) May 27, 2026

Bro this is pure cinema 1 year old during Gayle’s record, now 15 and smashes it. Vaibhav is unreal

— Mr Dixit (@Amardixit27) May 27, 2026

Meanwhile, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi has reclaimed the top spot in the Orange Cap race with 680 runs, including a century and four fifties, at an average of 45.33 and a strike rate of 242.85 in 15 matches. He will return to action when the Rajasthan Royals take on the Gujarat Titans in Qualifier 2 in Mullanpur on Friday, May 29.

Also Read: IPL 2026: 'He doesn't miss' - Pat Cummins lauds Vaibhav Sooryavanshi

IPL 2026 Qualifier 1: BCCI Under Fire After Laser Show Displays Distorted Indian Map in Dharamshala

Hrishikesh Damodar — Wed, 27 May 2026 16:38:15 +0530

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has come under heavy criticism after the laser show displayed a distorted Indian map during the IPL 2026 Qualifier 1 between the defending champions Royal Challengers Bengaluru and Gujarat Titans at the HPCA Stadium in Dharamshala on Tuesday, May 26.

The RCB directly secured their berth for the title clash following a dominant 92-run win over GT. After posting a solid total of 254/5, thanks to Rajat Patidar’s captain’s knock of 93 off 33 balls, the RCB bundled out the GT for 162 in 19.3 overs, despite Rahul Tewatia’s valiant knock of 68 off 43 balls.

Jacob Duffy led the bowling attack with a spell of 3/39 at an economy rate of 9.8 in four overs. Bhuvneshwar Kumar (2/28), Rasikh Salam Dar (2/24), and Krunal Pandya (2/16) chipped in with crucial wickets to dismantle the Gujarat Titans' middle and lower order, ensuring the defending champions remained firmly in the driver's seat throughout the chase.

Also Read: "Strategies For Every Shot" – SRH Captain Pat Cummins Reveals Plans To Tame RR’s Vaibhav Suryavanshi

Indian Map with Glitched Borders Goes Viral

Though RCB defeated GT in Qualifier 1 and advanced to the IPL 2026 final, the post-match conversation was completely hijacked by the glaring technical glitch in the sky. Following the conclusion of the RCB’s batting, there was a mid-innings break, where the spectators and fans were treated to a 25-minute sound, laser, and light show.

What was supposed to be a high-tech celebration, however, quickly turned into a massive controversy when laser projections displayed a severely distorted Indian cap. Several X users pointed out that the large setup of the IPL trophy left out critical portions of the country's territory, including Jammu & Kashmir, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, and most of the North-Eastern states.

The users stated that the aforementioned States were erroneously depicted inside the borders of neighboring Nepal due to a severe calibration failure. The pictures of the distorted Indian cap on the giant setup of the IPL trophy went viral on social media.

Wrong india map used in ipl pic.twitter.com/lNAMqk2gqO

— someone (@someone_id1000) May 26, 2026

Since India and Nepal are neighbours with a historically sensitive and closely monitored border, any visual misinterpretation of national territory quickly escalates from a technical glitch into a major geopolitical controversy.

India’s map completely changed after the partition in 1947, with Lahore, Karachi, Islamabad, and major cities becoming part of Pakistan, establishing a legacy of fiercely protected and emotionally charged borders that make any modern cartographic error highly sensitive.

Netizens Fume Over BCCI's Shocking Indian Map Blunder

The blunder over the Indian map, where certain states, including the likes of Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, West Bengal, and Assam, were inadvertently placed inside the borders of Nepal, sparked a massive outrage on social media, especially X (formerly Twitter), with netizens slamming the BCCI for the utter lack of quality control and basic geographical awareness during a marquee playoff event.

Taking to their X handles, fans and cricket enthusiasts questioned the BCCI for an error that reflected poor attention to detail during a globally watched IPL playoff event, demanding accountability and stricter checks to ensure such sensitive graphical mistakes are not repeated in future broadcasts.

Others called it a shocking and avoidable mistake during a high-profile IPL broadcast, questioning how a distorted map of India was approved for a live global event, and demanding accountability from the organisers.

Hello @IPL & @BCCIWhat kind of Indian map is this?The premier cricket sporting event in the world is being broadcast from India, and we can’t even show our map correctly?#IPL #India #Cricket pic.twitter.com/6tIBhsUl35

— Yash Chokshi (@ChokshiYash) May 26, 2026

@IPL Showing wrong map of India. @BCCI pic.twitter.com/slzud8rn4S

— SSBCrack (@SSBCrack) May 26, 2026

Dear IPL broadcasters, during Qualifier 1 between RCB vs GT, the map of India shown on screen was incorrect. Please ensure India’s map is represented accurately and responsibly in future broadcasts. #ipl_2026 #ipl #RCBvsGT #IPL pic.twitter.com/KJBEIDgKc3

— karan (@karan_1_8) May 26, 2026

Please explain the reason for distorted map of India in IPL Qualifier 1? Is this not anti national activity ?@IPL @BCCI @JayShah kindly look into this & take appropriate action @AmitShah @narendramodi @PMOIndia @rajnathsingh @RahulGandhi @priyankagandhi @INCIndia @ravish_journo pic.twitter.com/iJIPxC6r7d

— Krishna (@Krishna10170681) May 26, 2026

Hey @DisneyplusHSVIP @hotstar_helps @BCCI @IPL Is that a chipped off map of India on the trophy? Why you are mis-representing India's geographical landscape? @PMOIndia @Indiagovin @MapmyIndia @narendramodi @AmitShah #ipl_2026 @virendersehwag @imVkohli @ashwin pic.twitter.com/GUN6BL84SE

— Aashirwad Gupta ☔ (@GuptaAashirwad) May 26, 2026

What the hell is wrong with @IPL?A distorted map of India is being shown LIVE during the broadcast. This is not a small “graphics mistake” it’s a serious issue involving India’s territorial integrity.How did this get approved by @BCCI and the production team? pic.twitter.com/QY6DhMvoTV

— Nimesh Kamdar (@nimesh0916) May 26, 2026

An incorrect map of India was shown during the IPL broadcast. Hard to understand how the world’s biggest cricket league can still make such basic mistakes. Hope @IPL and @BCCI take note and avoid this again.#IPL #India #Cricket pic.twitter.com/KwNeq8Atoq

— Devansh Kumar (@BharatKaDevansh) May 26, 2026

This is the map of India used during IPL Qualifier 1. I just want clarification on why a distorted map of India was used in such a massive event like the IPL. #rcbvsgt @IPL @PMOIndia pic.twitter.com/cXJquwWfaH

— Maj X (@MajorX222391) May 26, 2026

BIG BLUNDER DURING RCB VS GTIncident is from Qualifier 1 RCB vs Gujarat TitansDuring the light show on in Dharamshala after 1st inning, BCCI showed India map with lasers.This Indian map was a distorted map of India where UP, Bihar, West Bengal, and Assam all ended… pic.twitter.com/0jHmVq9dKJ

— Indian Cricket (@IPL2025Auction) May 27, 2026

Meanwhile, the Royal Challengers Bengaluru will play their second consecutive IPL final and the fifth overall, while the Gujarat Titans will have to take the longer route, heading to Qualifier 2, where they will get a second shot at reaching the summit clash by facing the winner of the Eliminator between the Sunrisers Hyderabad and the Sunrisers Hyderabad.

Also Read: IPL 2026: SRH to refine bowling plans, learn from mistakes vs RR

Trophy in focus, not centuries: RR's Vaibhav Sooryavanshi after 97

Asianet News Central — Thu, 28 May 2026 02:00:34 +0530

Following his sensational 97 against Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) in the eliminator, 15-year-old Rajasthan Royals (RR) prodigy Vaibhav Sooryavanshi gave a glimpse into his batting mindset and emphasised that "centuries will keep happening" and the Indian Premier League (IPL) trophy remains in focus.

Sooryavanshi's generational IPL season continued as he produced perhaps his best performance so far, single-handedly toppling SRH with a 29-ball 97, including five fours and 12 sixes. He went past West Indies icon Chris Gayle for most sixes in an IPL season with 65 sixes and also went past West Indies all-rounder Andre Russell and Australia opener David Warner in other records.

'Trophy remains in focus': Sooryavanshi on batting mindset

Speaking after the match in the post-match presentation, Sooryavanshi said that after winning, the team wants to take the positive intent forward, move on and try reaching the finals by beating the Gujarat Titans (GT) in Qualifier two.

The teenager's batting philosophy revolves around not thinking too much, but rather focusing on how he can face the opposition bowlers on a certain wicket and on grounds with different dimensions. "I do think a little bit, but not too much. I just try to play the game I'm in and not overthink. But if I feel there's something I need to work on, then I look at that. I just think about who the bowlers are in the opposition team, how I can face them on this wicket, how big the boundaries are, just these kinds of things. I just try to stay positive with my intent. When I do that, the bowlers stay under pressure. So I try to continue that and dominate the game," he said.

Speaking on missing out on a century, he said, "My only focus was on contributing as much as I could because centuries will keep happening, but right now the focus is on how to win the trophy. If I feel I am having trouble somewhere, I work on that (on his short ball dismissal). I do not think about what the opposition is planning; that's their plan. I focus on what my plan is, and I just try to play normal cricket."

RR knock out SRH in eliminator

Sooryavanshi was named as the 'Player of the Match'. (ANI)

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

Swaying Lionel Messi statue in Kolkata deemed unsafe, set for removal

Asianet News Central — Thu, 28 May 2026 02:00:28 +0530

The 70-foot statue of legendary Argentine footballer Lionel Messi set in Kolkata, West Bengal, is set to be taken down due to safety concerns, after it was spotted "swaying in the wind", as per a report from ESPN.

The Messi statue, which was built last year in December ahead of the FIFA World Cup-winning superstar's 'GOAT Tour' to India, features Messi holding the 2022 FIFA World Cup trophy and was constructed by fans as a tribute to the football icon. Messi visited the country last year across four stops, West Bengal, Hyderabad, Mumbai and Delhi, along with Luis Suarez and Rodrigo De Paul, his Inter Miami teammates.

Statue Deemed Unsafe After Inspection

On Monday, there were complaints from local residents to the Public Works Department (PWD) as the statue looked unstable in the wind, and an inspection was carried out. It was established that its structural integrity is compromised and must be taken down before any potential mishap. West Bengal MLA Sharadwat Mukherjee said, as quoted by ESPN, "The statue of the Argentine football legend was found to be unsafe."

"We have noticed that the statue is swaying in the wind," Mukherjee added. The monument was built over a span of 27 days. Authorities are currently looking for alternate locations for the statue for its re-assembling.

Tour Marred by Controversy and Chaos

Meanwhile, a week ago, Satadru Dutta, the main organiser of Lionel Messi's GOAT Tour to India, filed a complaint against the former Sports Minister of West Bengal, Arup Biswas, accusing him of misconduct, including claims that tickets to Messi's Kolkata event were misused and that the organiser faced pressure over issuing access cards.

Messi's Kolkata leg of the GOAT Tour had earlier descended into chaos as fans who had purchased high-priced tickets at Salt Lake Stadium reportedly began throwing bottles and attempting to break gates between stands after the Argentine football legend left the venue early.

Angry fans resorted to vandalism inside the Kolkata stadium, alleging poor event management and criticising VIPs and politicians for monopolising access to the football icon, due to which many spectators claimed they did not get even a glimpse of Messi. The situation escalated further when some fans attempted to enter restricted areas to damage the event setup, including tents and the goalpost. Police personnel had to intervene and use mild force to disperse the crowd and restore order at the venue. (ANI)

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

IPL 2026: 'He doesn't miss' - Pat Cummins lauds Vaibhav Sooryavanshi

Asianet News Central — Thu, 28 May 2026 01:30:30 +0530

Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) captain Pat Cummins lauded Rajasthan Royals (RR) young sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi after his match-winning 97 in the IPL 2026 Eliminator, admitting that the teenager's ability to punish even slight errors made a crucial difference in the contest. SRH suffered a 47-run defeat against Rajasthan on Wednesday night, a result that ended their campaign in the tournament. Rajasthan produced a dominant all-round performance to defeat Sunrisers, sealing their place in Qualifier 2 against Gujarat Titans.

Speaking after the match, Cummins acknowledged Sooryavanshi's impact at the top of the order and praised his composure under pressure. "Vaibhav Sooryavanshi played pretty well. Yeah, you feel like you don't have too many options. Obviously, it's a really good pitch, but the margins are so small. If you miss your yorker by a little bit, he doesn't tend to miss them. So yeah, fair play," Cummins said.

'No regrets' on decision to chase

He added that SRH had no regrets over their decision to chase, despite Rajasthan posting a daunting 243/8. "Not really. It was a pretty good wicket even there at the end," he said.

Reflecting on the chase, the SRH skipper admitted that while the target was always challenging, his side felt they were still in the contest at the halfway stage. "I think a few things still need to go right to chase down 240, but if there was ever going to be a pitch and a field to do it, it was this one. We stayed on the rate for most of the innings. We just kind of lost probably a couple too many wickets at the wrong time," Cummins said.

Cummins praises team's campaign

Despite the loss, Cummins praised his team's campaign and the emergence of young talent throughout the season. "I think we end up as a really well-rounded team. Praful and Sakib were awesome. Young guys haven't played a lot. I think we're one of the youngest teams to make the playoffs, which shows the talent the coaching group has unearthed," he said.

He also reflected positively on SRH's overall season, noting that they remained competitive throughout the tournament. "Two playoffs in three years... the boys have been fantastic, their attitude all year. It looks like they've really enjoyed their cricket," he added.

How the match unfolded

Batting first, RR posted a massive 243/8, powered by a sensational 29-ball 97 from 15-year-old Vaibhav Sooryavanshi. The 15-year-old tore into the SRH attack with 12 sixes and five fours, setting the tone with a rapid half-century and continuing his assault before falling just three runs short of what would have been a record IPL century. Dhruv Jurel also contributed a quickfire 50, helping RR maintain their explosive momentum throughout the innings.

In reply, SRH suffered an early collapse, losing four wickets inside the powerplay despite a brief counterattack from Ishan Kishan. Although Nitish Kumar Reddy and Salil Arora tried to rebuild with a fighting stand, the chase never fully recovered. Jofra Archer (3/58) and Nandre Burger (2/26) led RR's bowling attack, consistently striking at key moments to keep SRH under pressure. SRH were eventually bowled out for 196 in 19.2 overs, handing Rajasthan a convincing win and ending Hyderabad's campaign in the tournament. (ANI)

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

SRH vs RR, IPL 2026 Eliminator: Who Won Yesterday's Cricket Match? Highlights and Key Performances

Asianet Newsable English — Thu, 28 May 2026 01:16:34 +0530

In the IPL 2026 Eliminator, Rajasthan Royals pulled off a performance that has completely shaken up the tournament. In a high-voltage match at Mullanpur's New International Cricket Stadium, Rajasthan Royals defeated Sunrisers Hyderabad by a massive 47 runs to book their spot in Qualifier 2. The biggest hero of this victory was 15-year-old batsman Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, who left the cricketing world stunned with his explosive 97-run innings off just 29 balls.

When the match began, hardly anyone would have thought that a batsman this young would play so fearlessly on a big stage like the playoffs. But the way Vaibhav Sooryavanshi rained fours and sixes completely destroyed Sunrisers Hyderabad's bowling strategy.

Also Read: IPL: 15-year-old Sooryavanshi breaks Gayle's record for most sixes

RR vs SRH Match Full Result

Match: Rajasthan Royals vs Sunrisers Hyderabad
Tournament: IPL 2026 Eliminator
Date: 27 May 2026
Venue: New International Cricket Stadium, Mullanpur
Result: Rajasthan Royals won by 47 runs

Vaibhav Sooryavanshi Unleashes a Storm

Batting first, the Rajasthan Royals scored a massive 243 runs in 20 overs. Vaibhav Sooryavanshi played the biggest innings for the team. He smashed 97 runs off just 29 balls, including 5 fours and 12 huge sixes. His strike rate was an unbelievable 334.48.

The most incredible part is that he fell just 3 runs short of a century. However, he broke several major records during his knock. The fastest fifty in IPL playoff history is now in his name, as he reached his half-century in only 16 balls.

Dhruv Jurel Also Played a Key Role

Apart from Vaibhav, Dhruv Jurel also batted brilliantly. He scored 50 runs off just 21 balls and played a huge part in getting the team's score past 240. Although the other batsmen didn't make much of an impact, the explosive start put Rajasthan in a very strong position.

Jofra Archer Broke SRH's Back in the Powerplay

Chasing a target of 244, Sunrisers Hyderabad had a terrible start. Jofra Archer turned the match in Rajasthan's favour in the opening overs by dismissing dangerous batsmen like Abhishek Sharma, Travis Head, and Ishan Kishan.

Archer completely dismantled SRH's top order with his fast bowling. He bowled Travis Head with a 150.4 km/h delivery, which became the most talked-about moment of the match.

Also Read: IPL: Rajasthan Royals' Vaibhav Sooryavanshi smashes Russell's record

Why Did SRH's Innings Collapse?

The Sunrisers Hyderabad team kept losing wickets at regular intervals. Key players like Heinrich Klaasen, Nitish Reddy, and captain Pat Cummins couldn't steady the ship. At a time when the team needed to score quickly, the wickets just kept falling.

The entire SRH team was bowled out for 196 in 19.2 overs, and Rajasthan won the match by 47 runs.

Who Was the Player of the Match?

Vaibhav Sooryavanshi was named the Player of the Match. He not only played a match-winning innings but also set the record for being the youngest player in IPL history to play such a big knock in a playoff match.

Who Will Rajasthan Face in Qualifier 2?

With this win, the Rajasthan Royals will now face the Gujarat Titans in Qualifier 2. Gujarat had lost to Royal Challengers Bengaluru in Qualifier 1. Now, both teams will fight it out in what promises to be a thrilling contest for a ticket to the final.

Why Was This Win So Special?

This victory for the Rajasthan Royals wasn't just about winning one match. It was a win for trusting young players and playing aggressive cricket. Vaibhav Sooryavanshi proved that age is just a number and that self-confidence is the most important factor in performing on a big stage. Cricket fans will remember this IPL 2026 Eliminator match for a long time.

IPL: 15-year-old Sooryavanshi breaks Gayle's record for most sixes

Asianet News Central — Thu, 28 May 2026 01:00:48 +0530

West Indies cricket icon Chris Gayle hailed India and Rajasthan Royals (RR) 15-year-old prodigy for his sensational 29-ball 97 against Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) in the Indian Premier League (IPL) eliminator, which saw the teenager overtake the 'Universe Boss' for most sixes in a single IPL edition.

Sooryavanshi saved his best for the knockouts, brutalising an intelligent, in-form SRH bowling line-up with a marvellous 97 in 29 balls, with five fours and 12 sixes at a strike rate of over 334. He went past Gayle's 59 IPL 2012 sixes and sits on 65 sixes this season, the most-ever in a T20 tournament.

Posting on Instagram, Gayle said, "Outstanding @Vaibhav_Sooryavanshi09, a new six machine @iplt20" He also cheered up Sooryavanshi on missing out on what could have been the fastest IPL hundred in 29 balls, another record which Gayle holds. He said that while Sooryavanshi was "unlucky", he will "get there eventually."

Sooryavanshi's Sensational Season in Numbers

This season, Sooryavanshi has scored 88.9 per cent of his runs through fours and sixes, as compared to Andre Russell's 85.5 per cent of 510 runs through boundaries in the 2019 IPL for Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR), as per CricViz.

Sooryavanshi has also levelled with Gayle for most instances of hitting 10-plus sixes in an IPL innings, a total of four times. Three of these occasions have come this season, making him the first batter to hit 10-plus sixes in three IPL innings in a season.

Record-Breaking Knockout Performance

The 15-year-old's take down of cricket legends one by one continues as he also surpassed Sri Lankan legend Sanath Jayasuriya's tally of seven powerplay sixes during the IPL 2008 clash between Mumbai Indians (MI) and Chennai Super Kings (CSK), with eight sixes in the powerplay at Mullanpur.

Sooryavanshi is the batter with the most runs coming in the powerplay during an IPL season, with 490 runs, overtaking Australian legend David Warner, who scored 467 runs for SRH in the 2016 edition.

This is also his fifth fifty-plus score in the power play in IPL, with only Warner (six such scores) ahead of him.

He has also joined Suresh Raina (87 against Punjab Kings in 2014) and Adam Gilchrist (74 against Delhi Daredevils in 2009) for fifty-plus scores made during powerplay in an IPL knockout/playoff match.

This is Sooryavanshi's fifth fifty in less than 20 balls, with only Abhishek Sharma (six) above him.

The 15-year-old's 16-ball half-century tied with Raina's 16-ball fifty (against PBKS in 2014) for the joint-fastest fifty in an IPL knockout/playoff match.

Twelve sixes smashed by him are also the most in an innings by a batter in IPL knockouts/playoffs, outdoing Shubman Gill's 10 sixes against the Mumbai Indians (MI) in 2023.

Sooryavanshi has the most sixes in an IPL inning by an Indian as well.

Ninety-seven runs by Sooryavanshi is the second-highest individual score for RR in an IPL knockouts/Playoffs game, behind 106* runs by Jos Buttler against RCB in the qualifier 2 of IPL 2022.

Youngest Achiever and Uncapped Hero

This is the most runs an uncapped batter has scored in an IPL season, overtaking his opening partner Yashasvi Jaiswal's tally of 625 runs in the 2023 season.

Also, he is the youngest to complete 600 runs in an IPL season. Before the left-handed sensation arrived on the scene, no other batter in T20 history had smashed 600+ runs in a T20 tournament while also striking at 200-plus.

RR Eliminate SRH, Advance to Qualifier 2

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

Prashant Kishor slams Nitish Kumar: 'His own people sold him'

Asianet News Central — Thu, 28 May 2026 01:00:20 +0530

'His own people sold him politically'

Jan Suraaj Founder Prashant Kishor on Wednesday took potshots at former Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar and asked why would a person with a mandate of 202 seats chose to go to Rajya Sabha. Talking with ANI, Kishor said that aligning "with the wrong elements inevitably leads to bad outcomes".

He said JD-U leader is to a certain extent responsible for "what has befallen him". He alleged that when Nitish Kumar showed signs of political weakness, "his own people sold him politically".

"There is a saying: if you associate with the wrong kind of people, only bad things will happen to you. To a certain extent, Nitishji himself is responsible for what has befallen him... When Nitish Kumar showed signs of political weakness, his own people sold him politically. This is clear to the entire populace of Bihar," Kishor said.

"Why would a person with a mandate of 202 seats choose to go to the Rajya Sabha?... Aligning with the wrong elements inevitably leads to bad outcomes," he added.

BJP and JD-U are part of the ruling NDA in Bihar. BJP had emerged as the largest party in the polls, winning 89 seats. Janata Dal (United), won won 85 seats. Nitish Kumar, the longest-serving Chief Minister of Bihar, took oath as Rajya Sabha member last month. BJP leader Samrat Choudhary is the new Chief Minister of the state.

Jan Suraaj to contest Bankipur seat

Kishor said his party will fight the Bankipur assembly seat, vacated by BJP chief Nitin Nabin.

"It will not be difficult for Jan Suraaj at all. Jan Suraaj has resolved that Bankipur, which has served as a BJP stronghold for the past 40 years, will be contested by Jan Suraaj with full force, and every effort will be made to ensure that they are defeated there. It is not a question of who the candidate will be," he said.

"It has been decided that the party will go door-to-door, intensifying the public outreach campaign over the coming month, seeking the opinions of the people, and doing whatever it takes to ensure the BJP is defeated there," he added.

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

Preity Zinta thanks PBKS fans after heartbreaking IPL 2026 exit

Asianet News Central — Thu, 28 May 2026 00:30:59 +0530

After Punjab Kings' (PBKS) heartbreaking exit from the 19th edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL), team co-owner and actor Preity Zinta shared an emotional note for fans, thanking them for standing by the franchise throughout their campaign. In an X post, Preity Zinta reflected on PBKS' rollercoaster ride and expressed gratitude toward the supporters.

"A big thank you to all the supporters of PBKS for standing strong with us all through the rollercoaster ride of IPL 2026. From the highs to the lows & everything in between.... felt more wholesome with all of your love Till we meet again, all my love & best wishes #Ting," she wrote.

Fans quickly responded the post, cheering for the team and their overall performance in IPL 2026.

PBKS' Rollercoaster IPL 2026 Campaign

During the first half of the IPL season, Punjab Kings dominated the points table, winning their first six matches in a row and holding the number one position for nearly a month. However, in the second half of IPL, the team struggled to win matches and, eventually, on Sunday, it got eliminated from the playoff race.

PBKS, coming in as fan favourites after a 2025 runners-up finish, did incredibly well in the first half with six wins, a no result and a record-breaking unbeaten stretch of seven matches. They were seated at the top of the table with 13 points.

PBKS' poor tactical choices with bat and ball and catch drops led to their form tapering off, as they endured six morale-crushing defeats in a row before finally beating Lucknow Super Giants (LSG). For them, the 15 points earned were not enough.

Rajasthan Royals (RR), who earned a total of 16 points, removed PBKS from the fourth position to take the final playoff spot by beating Mumbai Indians (MI). PBKS finished just one point short of the playoff spot at fifth place.

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

Subodh Bhave on 'Shree Baba Neeb Karori Maharaj': Film to show life journey

Asianet News Central — Thu, 28 May 2026 00:30:41 +0530

Actor Subodh Bhave opened up about his upcoming film 'Shree Baba Neeb Karori Maharaj'. Speaking to ANI, Subodh Bhave explained how the film chronicles key aspects from the life of Neem Karoli Baba. "In a two-hour film, we were able to capture the entire life of Neem Karoli Baba. Our director and producer have tried to divide it into two parts. The first part is about to release now, while the other will be released in a few months. From his childhood till his passing away, we have tried to show his life journey in this film," Bhave said.

Director's Extensive Research

The actor said director Sharad Singh Thakur did extensive research on the life of Neem Karoli Baba. "Sharad Ji has done all the research on the film. He wanted the film to be made on Baba. He has been doing research for 4-5 years. He visited the places where Baba went. He met all those people, his family, his disciples, his devotees, those who have seen Baba. He also did a lot of research on all the books written on him," Bhave added.

Promo and Poster Unveiled

Earlier in April, Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami unveiled the promo and poster of the film titled 'Shree Baba Neeb Karori Maharaj'. The Chief Minister noted that the divine life of Neem Karoli Baba continues to inspire millions of people even today.

At the unveiling of the film's poster, Yoga Guru Swami Ramdev, Swami Chidanand Saraswati, film director Sharad Singh Thakur, and artists were present.

Cast and Crew

The project features acclaimed actors including Subhod Bhave, Hiten Tejwani, Mohit Gupta. The movie is directed by Sharad Singh Thakur.

Baba Neem Karori Dham, Kainchi, is located on the Nainital-Almora road in Uttarakhand. (ANI)

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

Sumit Antil, Esha Singh shatter world records in a single day

Asianet News Central — Thu, 28 May 2026 00:30:34 +0530

India witnessed a double celebration of world records in para athletics and shooting as Union Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya congratulated athletes Sumit Antil and Esha Singh for their performances at international events.

Sumit Antil Shatters Own World Record

Antil once again etched his name in the record books by shattering his own world record with a massive 74.82m throw at the Indian Open Para Athletics Championship 2026.

Calling it a "historic feat," Mandaviya lauded the javelin thrower's continued dominance on the global stage.

"Historic feat. Congratulations to Sumit Antil on shattering the World Record yet again with a massive 74.82m throw at the Indian Open Para Athletics Championship 2026," Mandaviya wrote on X. https://x.com/mansukhmandviya/status/2059661993796313333?s=20

Esha Singh Clinches Gold with World Record

In another outstanding achievement for India, shooter Esha Singh clinched the gold medal in the Women's 25m Pistol event at the ISSF World Cup in Munich, setting a new world record with a phenomenal score of 43.

Highlighting the achievements, Mandaviya termed it a "day of world records for Bharat," celebrating India's growing excellence across multiple sporting disciplines.

"A day of World Records for Bharat. At the ISSF World Cup in Munich, Esha Singh scripted history by winning Gold in the Women's 25m Pistol event with a phenomenal World Record score of 43," Mandaviya wrote in another post on X. https://x.com/mansukhmandviya/status/2059695300227612942?s=20

Antil's Continued Dominance

India's Olympic and World Championship gold medalist para javelin thrower Sumit Antil broke his own world record in men's javelin F64 at the Indian Open Para Athletics Championships in Bengaluru on Wednesday.

A statement from the Sports Authority of India (SAI) Media said, "Sumit Antil has once again rewritten history by breaking his own World Record in the Men's Javelin F64 category with a massive throw of 74.82m at the Indian Open. With this effort, he surpassed his previous World Record of 73.29m, which he had set at the 2022 Asian Para Games."

Antil is one of the finest para-athletes generated by India, having secured back-to-back Paralympic gold medals in the 2020 and 2024 editions. He is also a three-time World Para Athletics Championships gold medalist.

During the World Para Athletics Championship in Delhi last year, Antil had a memorable outing in front of the home crowd, nailing a meet record of 71.37m with his fifth try to capture his third gold at the event. His three World Para Athletics gold medals are the most by an Indian. (ANI)

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

IPL Eliminator: Sooryavanshi's 97 helps RR knock out SRH by 47 runs

Asianet News Central — Thu, 28 May 2026 00:00:41 +0530

A sensational 97 in 29 balls from Vaibhav Sooryavanshi and exceptional bowling performances from Jofra Archer and Nandre Burger helped Rajasthan Royals (RR) beat Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) by 47 runs in the Indian Premier League (IPL) Eliminator at Mullanpur on Wednesday.

With this loss, SRH has been eliminated from the tournament, while Rajasthan Royals will battle Gujarat Titans in Qualifier two on Friday for a spot in the final against defending champions Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB). After GT was put to bat first by SRH, Sooryavanshi (97 in 29 balls, with five fours and 12 sixes) and Dhruv Jurel (50 in 21 balls, with five fours and three sixes) played magnificent knocks as RR marched to 243/8 in 20 overs. During the chase, SRH sunk to 57/4 in the powerplay itself, despite a brief counter-attack from Ishan Kishan (33 in 11 balls, with three fours and three sixes). Archer (3/58) and Burger (2/26) were central to RR's success with the ball, skittling out SRH for just 196 in 19.2 overs.

Royals' Bowlers Dominate SRH Chase

Chasing 244, Jofra Archer struck for RR on the second ball, getting Abhishek Sharma for a golden duck. SRH was 0/1 in 0.2 overs. Ishan Kishan ended the over with a counter-attack, hitting Archer for two fours and a six. Travis also got a four and six off Nandre Burger before Kishan once again smashed Archer for a six and two fours to start the third over. However, Archer struck again, breaking the 50-run stand to remove Kishan for a 11-ball 33, with three fours and sixes each. SRH was 51/2 in 2.5 overs.

The Burger-Archer duo continued to trouble SRH, dismissing Smaran Ravichandran for just one. SRH were 52/3 in 3.3 overs. Archer continued to make merry, removing Head for an eight-ball 17 in the fifth over, with SRH down at 57/4 in 4.4 overs.

At the end of six overs, SRH were 71/4, with Heinrich Klaasen (11*) and Nitish Kumar Reddy (3*) unbeaten. Heinrich and Nitish tried building a partnership, but Yash Raj Punja stopped Klaasen with a sensational lbw dismissal for just 18 in 10 balls. Half of the SRH side was down at 83 runs in 6.5 overs.

Nitish Kumar Reddy continued to fight, picking two fours against Sushant Mishra in the eighth over and two fours and a six against Yash Raj in the next, bringing up SRH's 100-run mark in 8.3 overs. Salil Arora at the other end, also carted Brijesh Sharma for two fours and a six in the 10th over, bringing up the 50-run stand in 18 balls. At the end of 10 overs, SRH was 132/5, with Nitish Kumar (35*) and Salil (20*) unbeaten.

The 56-run stand was ended by Ravindra Jadeja, who got Nitish caught for 20-ball 38 by Dasun Shanaka at deep mid-wicket, with three fours and two sixes. SRH was 137/6 in 10.5 overs. In the next over, Sushant got Pat Cummins for one in two balls, reducing SRH to 139/7 in 11.1 overs.

SRH reached the 150-run mark in 13.2 overs. Another partnership was cut short at 24 runs by Jadeja, who removed Salil for a 21-ball 35 with two fours and two sixes. SRH was 163/8 in 14.4 overs.

Shivang Kumar and Eshan Malinga carried the chase forward, with Shivang playing some fine shots. However, Burger got his second wicket, removing Eshan for just five. SRH was 187/9 in 17.3 overs. Sushant Mishra took the final wicket of SRH, removing Shivang Kumar for 27, with a fantastic catch from Vaibhav Sooryavanshi. SRH was all out for 196 in 19.2 overs. Archer (3/58) and Burger (2/26) were sensational with the ball. Sushant Mishra and Jadeja also got two wickets.

Sooryavanshi's Heroics Power RR to Massive Total

Earlier, Rajasthan Royals (RR) opener Vaibhav Sooryavanshi delivered a breathtaking masterclass, smashing a sensational 29-ball 97 to power RR to a commanding total of 243/8. The 15-year-old sensation set the tone early with fearless strokeplay and explosive hitting, racing to a rapid half-century and keeping the innings at a blistering pace throughout his stay at the crease.

Asked to bat first, Rajasthan got off to a flying start. In the third over, Sooryavanshi smashed 23 runs off SRH skipper Pat Cummins, including a hat-trick of sixes, taking RR to 45/0. RR reached the 50-run mark in 3.2 overs courtesy a Sooryavanshi six against Sakib Hussain. He continued his explosive batting in the next over, bringing up a blistering half-century off just 16 balls as Rajasthan raced to 63/0, with Sakib taken down for three sixes.

The momentum carried through the rest of the powerplay, with the Royals finishing at a dominant 80/0 after six overs, with Sooryavanshi (60*) and Jaiswal (19*) unbeaten. During his stunning assault, Sooryavanshi also broke the record for most sixes in an IPL season, surpassing the previous mark of 59 held by Chris Gayle.

Sooryavanshi made an absolute meal out of Praful Hinge, smashing him for three sixes and two fours. During the final ball of the eighth over pacer Hinge claimed the big wicket of Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, who fell just three runs short of what would have been the fastest century in IPL history. RR was 125/1 in eight overs, having reached the 100-run mark in 7.2 overs. The Royals opener had smashed a sensational 29-ball 97, featuring five fours and 12 massive sixes, before his dismissal. Sooryavanshi's explosive knock had already put the Royals in a commanding position, helping them race to 136/1 at the halfway stage of the innings.

In the second delivery of the 11th over, spinner Shivang Kumar dismissed struggling Yashasvi Jaiswal, who managed a run-a-ball 29, including four boundaries. RR was 137/2 in 10.2 overs. Despite the wicket, the Royals crossed the 150-run mark by the end of the over, courtesy of two sixes from Dhruv Jurel, who had just arrived.

In the next over, bowled by SRH skipper Pat Cummins, wicketkeeper-batter Dhruv Jurel took charge, smashing 17 runs, including two fours and a six as RR surged to 168/2. Jurel then brought up a quickfire half-century off just 20 balls during the fourth delivery of the 14th over. However, he fell immediately after reaching the milestone, with Praful Hinge striking on the very next ball. Jurel departed for a 21-ball 50, which included five fours and three sixes. RR was 192/3 in 13.5 overs.

Rajasthan continued their aggressive charge, crossing the 200-run mark and reaching 207/3 after 15 overs. In the second ball of the 16th over, Hinge struck again, removing skipper Riyan Parag, who made a quick 12-ball 26 featuring two fours and two sixes, as RR moved to 214/4.

Towards the end, Rajasthan ended up losing wickets in clusters. Donovan Ferreira (12), Dasun Shanaka (5), Jofra Archer (4), Nandre Burger (1), and Ravindra Jadeja (12*) as the Royals ended up scoring 243/8 in 20 overs.

Brief Scores

RR: 243/8 (Vaibhav Sooryavanshi 97, Dhruv Jurel 50, Praful Hinge 3/54) beat SRH: 196 in 19.2 overs (Salil Arora 35, Ishan Kishan 33, Jofra Archer 3/58). (ANI)

For Hyderabad, Praful (3/54) took a three-wicket haul. Eshan Malinga (1/40), Shivang (1/19), and Nitish Reddy (1/12) were also among the wicket takers. (ANI).

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

AIADMK rift ends? EPS, Velumani factions withdraw petitions

Asianet News Central — Thu, 28 May 2026 00:00:38 +0530

After weeks of deepening rift within the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK), the party has now signalled towards a reconciliation with both factions of the party withdrawing their respective petitions against one another. The MLAs belonging to the faction led by SP Velumani and CV Shanmugam have officially withdrawn a letter submitted to Tamil Nadu Assembly Speaker JCD Prabhakar, which had requested the appointment of a new AIADMK legislature party leader and chief whip. Similarly, the faction led by General Secretary Edappadi K Palaniswami (EPS) has also withdrawn its petition seeking action against the rebels under the 'Anti-Defection Law'.

Genesis of the AIADMK Rift

The internal rift fumed when Chief Minister Vijay's floor test turned into an ADMK versus ADMK showdown after 25 of the party MLAs led by CV Shanmugam voted for the Tamilaga Vetteri Kazhagam (TVK). Although the CM Vijay-led TVK had the support of 119 MLAs, it passed the floor test with 144 votes.

According to the Tenth Schedule of the Constitution, it amounts to disqualification from the House if an MLA votes or abstains from voting contrary to any direction issued by the political party to which they belong or by any person or authority authorised by it, without prior permission of such political party.

This was followed by the EPS-led faction initiating disciplinary action against the leaders accused of violating the party whip during the floor test. Several leaders, including CV Shanmugam and C Vijayabaskar, were removed from organisational posts.

Reconciliation Efforts Underway

However, reconciliation is on the cards after a meeting between members of the SP Velumani-Shanmugam-led faction and EPS, where the MLAs submitted an apology letter to the general secretary, which was held today. Notably, almost all MLAs associated with the 'rebel' camp were present during the meeting with the party leadership, with the exception of senior leader CV Shanmugam.

JCD Prabhakar said he would examine the petitions submitted by both sides before arriving at a decision. "I cannot disclose the contents of the petitions given by two groups of AIADMK. I will go through the petition in detail and let you know about my decision tomorrow morning," the Speaker said.

On an optimistic front, five AIADMK MLAs had already submitted apology letters to the Speaker's office expressing their support for the EPS faction on Monday, adding to the possibility of reconciliation.

Party Projects United Front

Earlier today, the AIADMK asserted that there will be "no more divisions" within the party, indicating a reunion between Edappadi K Palaniswami (EPS) and Shanmugam-Velumani camp, indicating that the party factions have decided to finally bury the hatchet.

Velumani asserted that there is "no split in the party, only differences of opinion" amid ongoing internal tensions within the organisation, as rival factions moved to withdraw disqualification-related petitions and signalled a possible reconciliation. "There is no split in the party, only differences of opinion. We are all united. There are no conflicting views," Velumani said, addressing the media persons while referring to the internal differences that emerged within the party after the elections.

In a firm message posted on their social media handle, AIADMK invoked the legacy of late chief J Jayalalithaa to call for unity. "Even after me, no matter how many centuries pass, the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam will continue to function solely for the welfare of the people," AIADMK IT Wing said, quoting Jayalalithaa. The message described the AIADMK as a "steel fortress" built upon the sacrifices of millions of workers, declaring that it can no longer be shaken. "This steel fortress, built through the sacrifices of millions of party workers, can no longer be shaken by anyone! From now on, there will be no divisions among us. No one will ever again have a way to destroy this steel fortress. We have only one goal. That is to once again see our 'Two Leaves' flag flying over the Fort," the statement read.

Resignations Rock Party Amidst Truce

However, the party suffered a setback on Tuesday after Ambasamudram AIADMK MLA Esakki Subaya resigned, following the exit of three MLAs who joined hands with the ruling Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK).

With Subaya's resignation, the total number of resignations from the AIADMK camp has risen to four, reducing the party's strength in the Tamil Nadu Assembly to 43 MLAs. The total number of vacant Assembly constituencies has now risen to five, including the Tiruchirappalli constituency where actor-turned-politician Vijay had contested.

Earlier on May 18, senior AIADMK leader S Semmalai resigned from the party and submitted his resignation letter to AIADMK General Secretary Edappadi K Palaniswami, citing dissatisfaction over recent developments within the party and expressing anguish over its current state.

In his resignation letter, Semmalai said the series of events in the party following the elections had caused him "immense mental anguish" and claimed that lakhs of party workers shared similar concerns.

This political rift has caused AIADMK to lose several MLAs to TVK. The party is currently attempting to project an image of unity to stabilise its base and prepare for future electoral challenges.

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

PM Modi reviews Rs 30,000 crore infra projects at 51st PRAGATI meet

Asianet News Central — Thu, 28 May 2026 00:00:34 +0530

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday chaired the 51st meeting of PRAGATI, the ICT-enabled, multi-modal platform aimed at fostering Pro-Active Governance and Timely Implementation, by seamlessly integrating efforts of the Central and State governments, at Seva Teerth. During the meeting, the Prime Minister reviewed seven critical infrastructure projects across the Railways, Power and Road sectors covering nine States worth around Rs 30,000 crore. These projects, pivotal to economic growth and public welfare, were reviewed with a focus on timelines, inter-agency coordination, and timely issue resolution.

Prime Minister also reviewed Ken Betwa Link Project and Swachh Bharat Mission-Urban 2.0.

Key Projects and Missions Under Review

Power Sector: Rooftop Solar Push

While reviewing power sector projects, Prime Minister emphasized the need to accelerate rooftop solar adoption across urban areas, with a special focus on cities, residential clusters and public institutions. He underlined that rooftop solar should be taken up in mission mode to reduce electricity costs, improve energy security and promote clean energy at the household and community level, a release said.

Road and Port Connectivity: Vadhavan Port Model

While reviewing road and port connectivity projects, it was emphasised that Vadhavan Port should be developed as a model of port-led, multi-modal development, where every major mode of transport is seamlessly integrated to create a future-ready logistics ecosystem. The project should not be seen merely as a port, but as a national gateway connected through coastal shipping, inland waterways, dedicated freight corridors, high-speed rail connectivity, highways and airport linkages.

Swachh Bharat Mission 2.0

Prime Minister emphasised the need for effective implementation of Swachh Bharat Mission 2.0 and underlined that the mission should move beyond infrastructure creation and ensure measurable outcomes through regular monitoring, citizen participation and convergence between various stakeholders. He asked states to expedite the completion of solid waste management-related infrastructure, including waste processing plants and GOBARdhan plants.

Ken-Betwa River Inter-linking Project

While reviewing Ken-Betwa River Inter-linking Project, Prime Minister observed that Ken-Betwa project should serve as a model for other States to resolve inter-State water issues through cooperation, timely clearances, technology-based monitoring and mission-mode execution. States were encouraged to identify similar opportunities where river-linking, water conservation, groundwater recharge and efficient irrigation can be taken up in an integrated manner to ensure long-term water security.

PM's Directive on Project Delays

Prime Minister also underlined that the delay in the implementation of public projects leads not only to cost escalation but also deprives citizens of timely access to essential facilities and development benefits. He observed that every delay has a direct impact on people's lives, regional growth and public resources. He stressed that Ministries, Departments and States must adopt a more proactive and time-bound approach to resolve pending issues, remove bottlenecks and ensure faster execution.

Call for Innovative Use of Infrastructure

Prime Minister also emphasized that innovative use of canal networks should be explored, including installation of solar panels along canals and over canals for clean electricity generation. This would help optimize land use, reduce evaporation losses, generate renewable energy and create additional economic value from water infrastructure.

New Monthly Review System for Social Sector

At the beginning of the meeting, the Cabinet Secretary informed that, in pursuance of the directions of the Prime Minister, a system of monthly review of social sector schemes at the State level has also been operationalised. This mechanism aims to ensure regular monitoring, faster resolution of implementation issues and greater accountability at the State and district levels.

As part of this initiative, Swachh Bharat Mission has been taken up for review at the State level in the first instance. (ANI)

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

Kerala clinches U-20 National Football title with a stunning comeback

Asianet News Central — Thu, 28 May 2026 00:00:29 +0530

Kerala scripted a sensational comeback to clinch the Swami Vivekananda U-20 Men's National Football Championship title after defeating Mizoram 4-2 in a thrilling final at the Ramakrishna Ashrama Ground 1 here on Wednesday.

Trailing 0-2 at half-time, Sheril Shaji Thomas once again proved to be Kerala's talisman as he scored a crucial brace, including a stoppage-time penalty, to guide his side to the title and finish as the tournament's top scorer with 13 goals. His goals came in the 71st and the 95th (90+5) minutes, according to All India Football Federation (AIFF) release.

Ajith KR sparked the comeback with Kerala's first goal in the 55th minute before substitute Shamil EK produced a brilliant finish to put Kerala ahead in the 83rd minute.

For Mizoram, Mesak C Lalrinngheta opened the scoring with a stunning long-range curler in the 11th minute before setting up Vanlairamnghaka for their second goal in the 34th minute in an impressive first-half display.

Mizoram Dominates First Half

Mizoram had looked firmly in control during the opening half. Their attacking football caused Kerala plenty of problems, and they took the lead in spectacular fashion in the 11th minute. Mesak C Lalrinngheta received the ball near the edge of the box on the right side and noticed Kerala goalkeeper Fayad Firoz slightly off his line. The forward then unleashed a stunning curling effort that dipped beautifully into the top corner.

The confidence flowing through the Mizoram side was evident, and they doubled the lead in the 34th minute with a brilliantly crafted move. Lalrinngheta turned provider this time as he threaded a precise through ball into the path of Vanlairamnghaka. The striker showed composure beyond his years as he raced clear, rounded the goalkeeper, and calmly slotted the ball into the empty net.

Kerala's Stunning Second-Half Comeback

Kerala, however, emerged with a transformed side after the break. Their response began in the 55th minute when Ajith KR pulled one back from a corner. Mizoram failed to clear the danger, and the ball fell kindly to Ajith, whose powerful strike took a wicked deflection off Isak Lalvenhima before finding the net.

The goal shifted the momentum completely in Kerala's favour. Mizoram, who had looked comfortable earlier, suddenly found themselves under relentless pressure. Kerala drew level in the 71st minute after a costly mistake from goalkeeper Lalhruaitluanga Kawlni. Danish MV struck a fierce shot from outside the box, which should have been gathered comfortably, but the goalkeeper spilt the ball, and Sheril Shaji Thomas reacted quickest to tap home the rebound.

With the contest finely poised, Kerala delivered the decisive blow in the 83rd minute. Substitute Shamil EK produced a moment of brilliance inside the box as he turned sharply before firing a superb left-footed strike beyond the goalkeeper to put Kerala ahead for the first time in the match.

Dramatic Finale Seals Famous Victory

Mizoram's frustrations boiled over deep into stoppage time when Eddie Lalhmangaihzuala brought down Ummer Afaf CA inside the penalty area. The referee awarded a penalty and sent off Lalhmangaihzuala for a second booking, while Freddy Lalruatkima was also dismissed following the ensuing fracas. Sheril Shaji Thomas calmly converted the spot-kick in the fifth minute of injury-time to seal a famous victory and spark jubilant celebrations among the Kerala players and supporters.

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

Quad meet sees positive moves, focus to shift to Indian Ocean: Expert

Asianet News Central — Thu, 28 May 2026 00:00:28 +0530

There have been very positive movements in the Quad Foreign Ministers' meeting hosted by India including on marine surveillance, former senior diplomat Ashok Sajjanhar has said and noted that the focus of the four-nation grouping will be also be on the Indian Ocean apart from West Pacific. In an interview with ANI, Ashok Sajjanhar, said that the United States had not got expected results from President Donald Trump's China visit and that could be a reason for revived interest in Quad grouping. Quad Foreign Ministers' meeting was held on Tuesday.

US-China Dynamics and Quad's Revival

"As the MEA stated in its briefing yesterday, there have been 11 meetings since the Quad was established in 2017. Over the past nine years, eight meetings were held, and in the last one and a half years, there have been three meetings. I think that's a good record...there have been numerous reports that as far as Quad is concerned, it has lost its dynamism because the US has not been keen to take it forward, not invested much political capital in it," he said.

"Mr Trump in his first term, he had characterized China as a systemic rival during his first term...but right now, he seems to be looking at China only as an economic competitor and so there has been some sort of winding down as far as focus on taking Quad forward is concerned. The fact that Quad was revived in November 2017 during first presidency of Mr Trump, it was basically to push back against aggressive stance of China particularly in South China Sea but also elsewhere," he added.

Sajjanhar, a former ambassador of India to Kazakhstan Sweden and Latvia, said if Trump's assessment of China is becoming different that would also have an impact on how US wants to take part in Quad.

"The fact that MrTrump has just been to China, and he had several asks. He wanted China to pressure Iran to open the Strait of Hormuz, ensuring that Iran does not go in for a nuclear weapon etc or exporting more of technology to China. He had taken huge number of CEOs of all major US technology firms. None of that has helped. In fact, China did not come forward in providing any solace to Mr Trump," he said.

Expanded Focus and New Initiatives

"On the other hand, Chinese President Xi mentioned only about the Thucydides trap, saying we should not be fighting each other and the US should not take a very strong stand on Taiwan. These were the only two messages he gave. So maybe the interest of the US in the Quad might have got revived," he added. He said there have been "very positive movements, not only in marine domain awareness, but also in marine surveillance" and also lauded the decision of Quad countries working in coordination with the Government of Fiji, to advance port infrastructure and associated activities in the country.

"Earlier the focus used to be on West Pacific. Now the focus is also going to be on Indian ocean. India, of course, occupies a very important position as far that is concerned. There has been some positive moves and greater trust, greater confidence that US is goving to stand fully behind the Quad forum," he said. Sajjanhar also lauded critical minerals agreement between India and the United States as also the Pax Silica initiative.

Quad Joint Statement on Regional Security

The joint statement issued after Quad Foreign Ministers' Meeting said that the grouping remains seriously concerned about the situation in the East China Sea and the South China Sea.

"We reiterate our strong opposition to any destabilizing or unilateral actions including by force or coercion that threaten peace and stability in the region. We express our serious concerns regarding dangerous and coercive actions, including interference with offshore resource development, the repeated obstruction of freedom of navigation and overflight, and the dangerous manoeuvres by military aircraft and coast guard and maritime militia vessels, especially the unsafe use of water cannons and flares, and ramming or blocking actions in the South China Sea. We are seriously concerned by the militarization of disputed features," the statement said.

Upholding International Law

The Quad countries emphasized the importance of upholding freedom of navigation and overflight, other lawful uses of the sea, and unimpeded commerce consistent with international law, as reflected in UNCLOS.

"We re-affirm that maritime disputes must be resolved peacefully and in accordance with UNCLOS, and reiterate that the award rendered ten years ago by the Arbitral Tribunal is a significant milestone and the basis for peacefully resolving disputes between the parties," the statement said. The Ministers/Secretary of State welcomed recent and upcoming activities conducted by their four countries and in cooperation with partners to advance a free and open Indo-Pacific.

New Maritime Security Initiatives

The Ministers announced key new initiatives to strengthen maritime and transnational security, economic prosperity and security, critical and emerging technology, and support humanitarian assistance and emergency response across the region.

The Quad partners launched the first ever Indo-Pacific Maritime Surveillance Collaboration (IPMSC) initiative to leverage Quad country maritime surveillance in the Indo-Pacific, enhancing information sharing and maritime domain awareness capacity with an initial focus on the Indian Ocean Region as well as through subject matter expert exchanges and tabletop exercises.

The Quad partners expanded their work as part of the Indo-Pacific Partnership for Maritime Domain Awareness (IPMDA). Quad countries are developing a comprehensive Common Operating Picture (COP). The IPMDA initiative enhances maritime domain awareness in the Indo-Pacific, harnessing real-time information in Indo-Pacific maritime zones which will have benefits for the entire region. (ANI)

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

IPL 2026 Eliminator: Kavya Maran’s Reaction to SRH’s Batting Collapse against RR Goes Viral (WATCH)

Hrishikesh Damodar — Wed, 27 May 2026 23:52:41 +0530

The Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) CEO Kavya Maran was visibly disappointed over her team’s batting collapse in the IPL 2026 Eliminator against the Rajasthan Royals at the Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket Stadium in Mullanpur on Wednesday, May 27.

Chasing a mammoth 244-run target set by RR after their bowling attack was dismantled, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi’s fiery 97-run knock, SRH apparently succumbed to scoreboard pressure early on in their run chase, as they lost key batters, including Abhishek Sharma (0), Travis Head (17), Heinrich Klaasen (18), and Ishan Kishan (33), and they collapsed to 81/5 in 6.5 overs.

At that stage, Sunrisers Hyderabad needed 163 runs from 79 balls, with a required run rate of 12.38 per over to chase down the mammoth target of 244, which is the highest target for an IPL Eliminator match.

Also Read: IPL 2026: Dhruv Jurel joins Parag, Samson in elite RR 500-run club

Kavya Maran’s Reaction to SRH’s Batting Collapse Goes Viral

SRH CEO Kavya Maran has always been in attendance for her team’s crucial encounters, and her passionate presence in the stands has made her a familiar and highly anticipated face for fans. Maran is often known for her unfiltered reactions, irrespective of whether the team is performing at its peak or facing a difficult collapse.

Her presence at the Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket Stadium in Mullanpur was no exception. As the Sunrisers’ chase faced a steep uphill battle following the top-order collapse, the cameras repeatedly captured Maran’s visible distress. Kavya Maran was already deflated by Vaibhav Sooryavanshi’s blistering 97-run knock.

Now, watching her team’s batting collapse in a mammoth run chase was even more demoralizing as she witnessed the top and middle order topple under the mounting pressure of the required run rate. A clip, which was posted by IPL on its X handle (formerly Twitter), A clip, which was posted by the IPL on its official X handle, went viral on social media, where Kavya was seen visibly dejected after the fall of Ishan Kishan’s wicket.

2️⃣ early wickets, 1️⃣ signature celebration Updates ▶️ https://t.co/OBIYYIuhbt #TATAIPL | #Eliminator | #TheFinalLeap | #SRHvRR pic.twitter.com/PdzGUqHPz5

— IndianPremierLeague (@IPL) May 27, 2026

A picture went viral on social media, especially X, where Kavya Maran is shown sitting in the stands with her arms crossed, wearing a somber and focused expression, capturing palpable tension and frustration experienced during the Sunrisers Hyderabad's difficult run chase in the IPL 2026 Eliminator.

Kavya Maran doesn’t look happy at all after SRH’s collapse in the Eliminator. #SRHvsRR pic.twitter.com/kCw1cyKioJ

— Faruk (@uf2151593) May 27, 2026

Kavya Maran has been one of the most passionate owners of an IPL franchise, who consistently demonstrates deep emotional investment in her team’s journey. Her reactions while watching the SRH’s batting collapse were nothing short of a window into the raw intensity of playoff cricket.

An End for Road for SRH

Meanwhile, Sunrisers Hyderabad’s journey in the IPL 2026 has come to an end as they lost to the Rajasthan Royals by 47 runs in the Eliminator. With a 244-run target, SRH were bundled out for 196 in 19.2 overs, falling 48 runs short of the massive target.

Nitish Kumar Reddy (38) and Salil Arora (35) shared a 56-run partnership for the sixth wicket after the Sunrisers Hyderabad were left reeling at 81/5 following Heinrich Klaasen’s wicket. However, their efforts were not enough as they lost the remaining four wickets for 59 runs in 8.5 overs, bringing a definitive end to the Sunrisers' 2026 campaign.

For RR, Jofra Archer led the bowling attack with a spell of 3/58 at an economy rate of 14.50 in four overs. Nandra Burger (2/26), Sushant Mishra (2/21), and Ravindra Jadeja (2/21) picked up two wickets each, completing a dominant team performance that stifled the Sunrisers' chase and propelled the Royals into the next stage of the tournament.

The Rajasthan Royals will face the Gujarat Titans in Qualifier 2 in order to seal their berth for the title clash against the defending champions, the Royal Challengers Bengaluru.

Also Read: IPL: Rajasthan Royals' Vaibhav Sooryavanshi smashes Russell's record

Delhi: 3 rescued, including woman, after fire guts Udyog Nagar factory

Asianet News Central — Wed, 27 May 2026 23:32:33 +0530

Three people, including a woman, were rescued after a fire broke out at a factory in Delhi's Udyog Nagar area on Wednesday night, officials said.

According to the Delhi Fire Services (DFS), a call regarding a factory fire at L-8, Udyog Nagar, under the jurisdiction of Udyog Nagar police station, was received at around 8:53 PM.

Following the alert, three water tenders and three water bowsers were rushed to the spot.

Assistant Divisional Officer (ADO) RK Sinha and Station Officer (STO) Naveen Thakran were among the officers supervising the operation.

Rescue and Fire Control

At around 9:30 PM, STO Naveen Thakran reported that three persons, including one woman, had been rescued from the factory by DFS personnel and shifted to a hospital.

One additional water bowser was also requisitioned and dispatched to the site.

The fire was brought under control at around 9:35 PM, officials said.

Further details are awaited. (ANI)

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

IAF partners with IIT Bombay for Su-30 MKI predictive maintenance

Asianet News Central — Wed, 27 May 2026 23:32:15 +0530

The Indian Air Force on Wednesday signed three contracts with IIT Bombay towards the adoption of predictive maintenance for IAF's Su-30 MKI aircraft. The signing of contracts was presided over by Air Marshal KAA Sanjeeb, AVSM, VSM, Director General (Aircraft) IAF and Shireesh B Kedare, Director, IIT Bombay.

Partnership to Boost Operational Readiness and Self-Reliance

In an X post, IIT Bombay said that the partnership will strengthen the operational readiness of the Indian Air Force and deepen its technical self-reliance. "This is a stepping-stone for pathbreaking technology of using advanced technology for prognostic and prescriptive maintenance, which will be developed using fully indigenous know-how evolved at IIT Bombay. This paradigm shift will strengthen IAF's operational readiness, deepen technical self-reliance and accelerate the march of Indian aerospace technology towards the frontiers of predictive, data-driven engineering," the Institution said.

IIT Bombay further hailed the collaboration between the Indian Air Force and IIT Bombay towards self-reliance in terms of strategic technologies. "This collaboration is in line with the commitment of IAF and IIT Bombay towards Aatmanirbharta in strategic technologies of next generation and also showcases the technological prowess of our academia to develop futuristic systems in India," it said.

"The contract signing ceremony was presided over by Air Marshal KAA Sanjeeb, AVSM, VSM, Director General (Aircraft) IAF and Shireesh B Kedare, Director, IIT Bombay," IIT Bombay added.

(ANI)

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

Meghalaya border fence 90% done amid new MHA demographic panel

Asianet News Central — Wed, 27 May 2026 23:32:13 +0530

Meghalaya Border Fencing 90% Complete

Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad Sangma on Wednesday reaffirmed his government's commitment to securing the state's international frontier, reporting that 90% of the India-Bangladesh border fencing within Meghalaya is complete. The update comes as the Union Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) announces a major national initiative to investigate the complexities of demographic changes across the country.

Addressing reporters, Chief Minister Sangma highlighted that out of the total 440-km stretch of the international border, approximately 400 km has already been fenced. He asserted that Meghalaya is currently outpacing other states in border demarcation efforts.

While the project is nearing completion, the final 40-45 km remains pending due to sensitive local challenges. CM Sangma explained that in specific areas, the planned fence alignment creates practical difficulties for residents. "Fencing of around 400 km border has been completed out of 440 km; only 40-45 km is remaining. Ninety per cent of the work is done. The remaining 10% is pending due to local issues," said CM Sangma.

The proposed alignment occasionally deviates from the actual international border, inadvertently cutting through Indian territory and impacting local landholdings. In some stretches, the fence is slated to run directly through villages, posing a risk of bisecting residential settlements. "We are talking to the locals and trying to resolve genuine concerns because, in some locations, the fence alignment runs through villages. In comparison to other states, Meghalaya is ahead," said CM Sangma, expressing confidence that through active dialogue, the state will eventually achieve 100% completion of the fencing project.

MHA Forms Committee on Demographic Changes

The Chief Minister's update coincides with a significant move by the Union Government to address broader national security and social cohesion concerns. Late Tuesday, the MHA's Foreigners-I Division issued a resolution to constitute a High-Level Committee on Demographic Changes (HLCDC).

MHA's Foreigners-I Division issued the resolution late on Tuesday, hours after Union Home Minister Amit Shah announced the formation of the committee on his official X handle. As per the resolution, "extensive challenges have emerged due to demographic changes, including those linked to illegal immigration." These changes, it says, observed in certain regions, are not attributable to normal fertility or mortality trends but are instead caused by external abnormal factors such as illegal immigration, irregular population mobility, and administrative laxity.

The resolution notes that although such changes are most visible in border districts, their impact has extended to urban centres, industrial corridors, tribal regions, and other socially and economically sensitive areas. "These shifts have significantly affected public service delivery, local governance, resource distribution, and social cohesion," reads the resolution.

"The Government of India has therefore decided to constitute the HLCDC under the Ministry of Home Affairs to conduct a scientific study of the nature, causes, and consequences of demographic changes across the country and to recommend appropriate policy, administrative, and legal measures," the resolution further mentioned.

The committee will be chaired by retired Justice Prakash Prabhakar Naolekar, with the Joint Secretary (Foreigners-I), MHA serving as Member Secretary. Other members include the Census Commissioner, retired Indian Administrative Service officer Durga Shankar Mishra, retired Indian Police Service officer Balaji Srivastava, and economist Shamika Ravi.

As per its terms of reference, the committee will examine challenges arising from demographic changes, including those due to illegal immigration, and study possible causes such as variations in fertility, cross-border movement, economic opportunities, and socio-environmental factors. It will identify underlying factors, including abnormal settlement patterns and planned migration, and analyse structural population changes at the level of religious or social communities, especially those diverging from uniform trends.

The MHA will provide all necessary administrative and logistical support to the committee. Its headquarters will be located in New Delhi, and it is required to submit its final report within one year. (ANI)

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

US intensifies Iran blockade, redirects 109 ships in Arabian Sea

Asianet News Central — Wed, 27 May 2026 23:32:11 +0530

US Intensifies Naval Blockade on Iran

In a significant escalation of maritime tensions in West Asia, the United States armed forces have intensified enforcement operations to choke off maritime traffic bound for or originating from Iranian territories. Detailing the scale of the ongoing naval operations in a post on X, the US military said it "redirected" 109 commercial vessels in the Arabian Sea on Wednesday to enforce President Trump's blockade of ships travelling to and from Iranian ports via the Strait of Hormuz.

An MH-60R Sea Hawk helicopter approaches USS Delbert D. Black (DDG 119) after patrolling the Arabian Sea in support of the U.S. blockade against Iran. As of May 27, 109 commercial vessels have been redirected to ensure compliance. pic.twitter.com/Ic6btTvrpz — U.S. Central Command (@CENTCOM) May 27, 2026

The naval restrictions from Iran and the US across the contested waters have drastically disrupted international trade. The blockade of the Strait and Gulf of Oman began on April 13 and has provoked an energy crisis with severe global economic consequences. To maintain a watertight perimeter and ensure absolute compliance with the economic sanctions against Iran, American naval assets are executing continuous aerial surveillance and active interdiction missions. Several US Sea Hawk helicopters are currently patrolling the Arabian Sea to make sure the blockade continues.

White House Refutes Claims of Diplomatic Breakthrough

Against the backdrop of this aggressive naval enforcement, the White House has delivered a sharp, high-stakes rebuttal to Tehran, completely dismantling claims broadcast by state-backed networks regarding an imminent diplomatic breakthrough over these crucial maritime trade corridors. The US administration issued a definitive denial of assertions that Washington and Tehran were on the verge of finalising a preliminary blueprint aimed at restoring maritime commerce through one of the world's most critical energy transit choke points.

Calling the report a "complete fabrication", the White House denied claims aired by Iranian state television that the United States had proposed a draft Memorandum of Understanding involving the lifting of the naval blockade on Iran and the withdrawal of American forces from the Gulf region. This aggressive pushback underscores the intense information warfare currently playing out alongside kinetic tensions in the region.

In a severe public correction aimed not just at foreign state broadcasters but also at domestic newsrooms that carried the unverified narrative, Washington chose to issue a direct public takedown on social media. "This report from Iranian-controlled media is not true and the MOU they 'released' is a complete fabrication. Nobody should believe what Iranian state media is putting out. FACTS MATTER," the White House said on X as it lashed out at US media for reporting the Iranian claims.

Details of Purported Iranian Diplomatic Proposal

The underlying controversy traces back to details propagated earlier on Wednesday by Iranian state television and the Mizan news agency. Their accounts indicated that an outlined framework proposed a sequential withdrawal of US military forces from areas surrounding Iran, alongside the cessation of the maritime blockade enforced by Washington. In exchange for these concessions, the reports claimed that Tehran would pledge to normalise commercial vessel transit through the channel, aiming to return traffic to pre-conflict volumes within a tight one-month timeframe.

Crucially, Iranian media outlets specified that naval warships are excluded from the provisions of the draft agreement, meaning the diplomatic relief focuses strictly on civilian supply lines. Furthermore, the reports outlined that maritime traffic through the channel would be overseen by Tehran in close coordination with Muscat, keeping regional navigation firmly under local management.

Despite the optimistic tone of the broadcast text, the Iranian media coverage itself emphasised that the framework is strictly tentative and unauthenticated. Regional officials are reportedly underscoring that further intense discussions and "tangible verification" are mandatory before Tehran commits to a definitive pact. The timeline for these verifications is already structured under the purported terms. Iranian sources noted that, should a conclusive accord be finalised within a 60-day window, the arrangement could eventually be codified through a legally binding United Nations Security Council resolution.

Global Market Impact and Geopolitical Context

The global stakes of these negotiations cannot be understated, given that the Strait of Hormuz facilitates the movement of a massive percentage of global crude supplies as one of the world's most pivotal energy transit corridors. Consequently, the unverified reports of the potential diplomatic breakthrough immediately impacted global energy markets. The news initially drove US crude futures lower to trade below USD 89 per barrel as traders anticipated a swift reduction in supply vulnerabilities and a de-escalation of geopolitical friction in West Asia.

These fast-moving diplomatic movements directly coincide with a wider international push by US President Donald Trump to orchestrate a comprehensive regional peace framework encompassing Iran and multiple Middle Eastern nations, a grand strategy aimed at fundamentally reshaping the geopolitical landscape of the entire region. (ANI)

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Assam BJP welcomes UCC-2026, lauds CM Himanta Biswa Sarma's role

Asianet News Central — Wed, 27 May 2026 23:31:56 +0530

The Bharatiya Janata Party in Assam on Wednesday welcomed the passage of the Uniform Civil Code-2026, calling it a "historic and transformational reform," and lauded Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma for leading the initiative in the state Assembly. In a statement issued from the party headquarters, Atal Bihari Vajpayee Bhavan, State BJP spokesperson Devajit Mahanta conveyed the views of State BJP President Dilip Saikia, expressing gratitude to the Chief Minister of Assam and congratulating all 102 NDA legislators for their role in turning the Bill into law on the concluding day of the first session of the Sixteenth Assam Legislative Assembly.

Saikia said women have, across generations, played a pivotal role in shaping Assam's social, cultural and economic progress, and added that the implementation of the UCC adds a new dimension to the BJP-led government's mission of women's empowerment.

BJP slams Congress's 'anti-women mindset'

Expressing disappointment over the opposition from the Indian National Congress, Saikia alleged that the party has "once again revealed its anti-women mindset" after opposing the "Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam" in Lok Sabha and standing against the political empowerment of women. He said, "Such opposition is unfortunate not only for women, but for society as a whole."

'Landmark step toward equality'

Describing the legislation as a landmark step toward equality and social justice, Saikia said it reflects the government's commitment to eliminating discrimination and building a modern, progressive and balanced legal framework. "At the same time, adequate safeguards have been ensured to preserve and respect the distinct culture, traditions and rights of indigenous and tribal communities," he said.

Saikia further stated that under the leadership of Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, the state has once again set an example in advancing constitutional values, social harmony and progressive reforms. He termed the day a historic milestone that would be remembered in Assam's political and social history.

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PM Modi: Govt committed to modernising PDS for timely food delivery

Asianet News Central — Wed, 27 May 2026 23:31:48 +0530

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday said that the government is committed to ensuring that food grains reach every needy person on time through the SARTHAK-PDS scheme, underlining that the scheme has been continued. PM Modi, in an X post, noted that a decision has been taken to make the Public Distribution Scheme (PDS) more modern and effective by making delivery, logistics, and transportation arrangements under the PDS more transparent and efficient. "Our government is committed to ensuring that foodgrains reach every needy person in the country on time through the PDS. In this direction, a decision has been taken to continue making the PDS more modern and effective. This will make the delivery, logistics, and transportation arrangements under the PDS more transparent and efficient, while also speeding up the resolution of complaints," the Prime Minister said.

देश के हर जरूरतमंद तक पीडीएस के माध्यम से समय पर खाद्यान्न पहुंचे, इसके लिए हमारी सरकार प्रतिबद्ध है। इसी दिशा में सार्थक पीडीएस को ज्यादा आधुनिक और प्रभावी बनाकर जारी रखने का फैसला किया गया है। इससे पीडीएस से होने वाली डिलिवरी, लॉजिस्टिक्स और ट्रांसपोर्टेशन व्यवस्था अधिक… — Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) May 27, 2026

SARTHAK-PDS Scheme Details

Earlier today, the Central government announced the SARTHAK-PDS scheme with a total outlay of Rs 25,530 crore aimed at modernising the Public Distribution System (PDS), improving logistics and introducing artificial intelligence-based systems for beneficiary management and grievance redressal.

During a cabinet briefing today, according to the details shared, the SARTHAK-PDS scheme will run for five years from April 1, 2026, to March 31, 2031. The scheme includes assistance to state agencies for intra-state movement of food grains, support for fair price shops and modernisation of the public distribution system.

AI-Enabled Modules to Modernise PDS

As part of the next phase of SMART PDS, the government also announced the introduction of three major AI-enabled modules named NIRMAL, ASHA and SAKSHAM.

NIRMAL Platform

The NIRMAL platform will function as an AI-driven real-time PDS beneficiary registry and will provide live inter-ministry integration along with cross-scheme convergence.

ASHA Module

The ASHA module has been designed as a multilingual AI grievance and citizen engagement platform that will operate through calls, WhatsApp, IVRS and chatbots. According to the government, the system will be scalable to handle up to 3 lakh interactions per day.

SAKSHAM Platform

The SAKSHAM platform will work as an AI-enabled supply chain system with vehicle tracking, QR traceability, demand forecasting and route optimisation features.

Expected Benefits and Improvements

The government said the new technology-driven system is expected to improve the identification of eligible beneficiaries and increase citizen satisfaction levels.

The government also stated that the scheme is expected to reduce the travel distance of food grains by 15 to 50 per cent, helping save food grains and encouraging local procurement.

The logistics improvements under the programme are projected to generate annual savings of around Rs 280 crore along with a 35 per cent reduction in carbon emissions.

The scheme will also introduce QR-coded tags for food grain bags and vehicle location systems to improve transparency and monitoring across the supply chain. (ANI)

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

Scindia, Tripura CM launch Rs 236 crore 'Mission Queen Pineapple'

Asianet News Central — Wed, 27 May 2026 23:31:47 +0530

Union Minister for the Development of North Eastern Region (MDoNER), Jyotiraditya Scindia, together with the Chief Minister of Tripura, on Wednesday launched 'Mission Queen Pineapple', a Rs 236 crore convergence-led initiative for pineapple cultivation and value chain development in Tripura.

According to a press release, the Mission is designed as a three-year implementation roadmap from Q2 FY2026 to Q4 FY2028 for promoting Tripura's Unique Selling Proposition (USP), the GI-tagged Queen Pineapple. Anchored by MDoNER, the Mission builds upon convergence with Schemes and interventions of the Ministries of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare, Food Processing Industries, Commerce, MSME, APEDA, DPIIT, ICAR, CSIR, TRIFED, NERAMAC and the Government of Tripura for establishing an integrated pineapple value-chain ecosystem in the State.

A Vision for the North Eastern Region

Scindia underscored Prime Minister Narendra Modi's vision of positioning the North Eastern Region as a hub of high-value agricultural and horticultural products, the release stated. Addressing the stakeholders including the pineapple farmers, processors and investors joining virtually, Scindia stated, "Under Prime Minister Narendra Modi's vision, Tripura's agricultural strengths are being transformed into globally competitive brands."

The Minister highlighted that the objective is not merely crop cultivation, but enabling farmers to become active players across the entire value chain -- from production and aggregation to processing, branding, packaging and exports. Emphasising the Mission's broader approach, Scindia said, "Our goal is to build a complete value chain--from farm to global markets--so that farmers become active participants in the prosperity created by their produce."

The Minister observed that while Tripura Queen Pineapple possesses a unique aromatic profile, low-fibre texture and GI-backed distinctiveness, farmers continue to receive commodity prices due to weak market integration and inadequate infrastructure. He noted that the Mission aims to bridge this gap through convergence-led investments and market-oriented interventions that will significantly enhance farmer value realization, the release said.

Integrated Infrastructure and Processing

Highlighting the major infrastructure components under the Mission, the Minister stated that the programme will establish a "Hub & Spoke" integrated pineapple post-harvest ecosystem comprising one central Hub near Agartala airport and eight spoke collection centers across major pineapple-growing clusters of West Tripura, Khowai and Sepahijala districts. The infrastructure will include grading facilities, cold storage, reefer logistics, solar cold storage, IoT-enabled farm monitoring and digital traceability systems.

The Minister further highlighted the revival of the Nalkata Pineapple Processing Unit through a Viability Gap Funding (VGF) model to be implemented by NERAMAC in partnership with private partners. The facility will support commercial-scale processing and value addition for pineapple-based products

Bio-Economy Strategy

Referring to the Mission's bio-economy strategy, the Minister stated that nearly 60 percent of the pineapple plant, presently discarded as waste, would be converted into value-added products through Bromelain extraction, Pineapple Leaf Fiber (PALF) processing and GI-branded confectionery units. He emphasised that these interventions would create new opportunities for women SHGs, tribal communities and rural entrepreneurs while strengthening the circular economy around pineapple cultivation.

The release noted that as part of the launch programme, a short film on the Pineapple Mission was screened, followed by interactions with progressive pineapple farmers from Tripura and remarks by investors and industry representatives.

Tripura's Commitment to the Mission

Chief Minister of Tripura Manik Saha said that pineapple was declared the State Fruit of Tripura. He highlighted that Tripura's renowned Queen and Kew varieties of pineapple are grown naturally in the state's hilly terrain without chemical inputs, making them exceptionally sweet, juicy and aromatic. He further stated that the State Government is promoting value addition, food processing, packaging, branding and market linkages to enhance farmers' income and generate employment opportunities in rural areas.

Expressing confidence in the support of the Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region (MDoNER), he said the initiative would help bridge productivity gaps and establish Tripura pineapple as a global brand. Agriculture Minister of Tripura Ratan Lal Nath also highlighted the mission objectives and thanked MDoNER for the initiative.

Addressing Sector's Structural Gaps

Sanjay Jaju, Secretary, MDoNER in his introductory remarks elaborated on the implementation framework of the Mission and highlighted the need for a Mission-mode approach to unlock the full economic potential of Tripura Queen Pineapple. He underlined that despite being among the most aromatic and low-fiber pineapple cultivars in India, smallholder growers presently receive only Rs 6 to Rs 10 per kilogram at the farmgate level, whereas processed and export-grade products can command significantly higher value in domestic and international markets, the release noted.

The Secretary further highlighted that the Mission seeks to systematically address major structural gaps in the sector, including post-harvest losses, lack of integrated cold-chain infrastructure, absence of commercial-scale processing facilities, weak branding and limited structured GI monetisation and buyer-linkage systems.

Mission Activities and Global Branding

As per the release, the Mission activities would also include GI authorisation workshops, QR-based traceability systems, GI monetisation frameworks, buyer-seller meets, organic certification support, export-readiness measures and annual flagship events such as the "Tripura Queen Pineapple Festival", aligned with International Pineapple Day on 27 June.

The Mission envisions transforming Tripura Queen Pineapple into a globally recognised premium brand while strengthening sustainable livelihoods, farmer-led value creation and export-oriented growth across the State. The launch event was attended by officials of MDoNER and the Government of Tripura along with farmers, entrepreneurs and other stakeholders. (ANI)

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

Supriya Sule alleges 'gang war' in Pune, slams state law and order

Asianet News Central — Wed, 27 May 2026 23:31:47 +0530

'Gang War Underway in Pune': Supriya Sule Slams Law and Order

Ahead of the Eid-ul-Adha celebrations, Nationalist Congress Party (Sharad Chandra Pawar) MP Supriya Sule on Wednesday alleged a sharp deterioration in the law and order situation in Pune, claiming that crime in the city is rising continuously and that a "gang war is currently underway".

Sule made the remarks while also referring to the issue of a shed built for animal sacrifice in Mira Road ahead of Eid ul-Adha, but primarily focused her criticism on the law and order situation in Maharashtra. "Crime in Pune is escalating continuously, day after day. A gang war is currently underway," Sule said while speaking to reporters. She added that the situation required urgent attention from the state administration.

She further cited data, claiming it was sourced from the Union Ministry of Home Affairs. "This data comes from the Union Government's Ministry of Home Affairs: Pune holds the top spot for crime within the state and the fifth spot nationwide," she said.

Questioning the effectiveness of governance and policing, Sule asked what steps were being taken by the Maharashtra government. "What exactly is the Maharashtra government doing? What is the police force doing? After all, the Maharashtra Police is known to be an excellent and honest force. The fault lies with the invisible force operating from behind the police," she added.

Clash in Mira Road Over Goats for Eid

Her remarks come after clashes broke out in Mira Road's Poonam Cluster Society after residents protested against the presence of goats brought inside the premises for sacrifice ahead of Eid Al-Adha, prompting heavy police deployment to restore order in the area on Tuesday.

Tensions escalated outside the housing society, with allegations and counter-allegations between two groups, leading to a confrontation that turned violent.

Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP), Mira-Bhayandar, Rahul Chauhan, said the matter was discussed in a meeting after objections were raised, following which the municipal corporation designated a separate location for the activity. He added that residents mutually agreed to shift the goats from the society to the designated site, after which the situation was brought under control. (ANI)

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Renowned filmmaker Anik Dutta dies after fall from terrace in Kolkata

Asianet News Central — Wed, 27 May 2026 23:31:37 +0530

Renowned filmmaker and ad filmmaker Anik Dutta passed away on Wednesday after reportedly suffering critical injuries following a fall from the terrace of a house in Gariahat, Kolkata.

Police Launch Investigation into Mysterious Death

As per initial reports, Dutta was seriously injured after falling from the terrace and was rushed to a private hospital in Dhakuria in a critical condition. He was later declared dead at the hospital.

According to sources, the filmmaker was at his wife's residence in Gariahat when the incident took place. He reportedly fell from the terrace of the house and sustained severe injuries.

Police have cordoned off the area where he was found, and an investigation is currently underway to determine whether the fall was accidental or if any foul play was involved. Sources said Dutta's daughter lives abroad, and the body will be sent for post-mortem examination after she arrives in Kolkata.

Tributes Pour In from Tollywood and Politics

As soon as the news came out, a wave of grief swept across the Tollywood film industry. Many Bengali artists took to their social media platforms and paid tributes.

West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari, in an X post, offered his tributes to Anik Dutta. "Saddened by the untimely demise of renowned filmmaker Shri Anik Dutta. His contributions towards Bengali Cinema is priceless. Heartfelt Condolences to his family & friends. I trust @KolkataPolice will investigate & unearth the mysterious circumstances shrouding his sudden death," he wrote. https://x.com/SuvenduWB/status/2059621789375099007

Actor Prosenjit Chatterjee offered homage on Instagram. Mimi Chakraborty also mourned the filmmaker's demise and wrote, "This is so sudden and shocking, Anik Da. May your soul rest in peace. Praying for your entire family at this hard time. May God be by your side."

Actor Jeet took to X and expressed his condolences. "Deeply saddened to hear about the passing of Anik Dutta. A fantastic filmmaker, a creative soul, and a storyteller who left his own distinct mark through cinema. My heartfelt condolences to his family, friends, and admirers. May his soul rest in peace. Om Shanti," he wrote. https://x.com/jeet30/status/2059570172638449776

A Look at His Acclaimed Work

A renowned name in the Bengali film industry, Anik Dutta was best known for his work across films like 'Aparajito' (2022), 'Borunbabur Bondhu' (2019) and 'Bhooter Bhabishyat' (2012). (ANI)

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

Japanese, German delegations visit Deendayal Port for collaboration

Asianet News Central — Wed, 27 May 2026 23:31:24 +0530

Japanese Delegation Discusses Port Development

The Japanese Delegation on Wedesday visited the Deendayal Port Authority (DPA) Kandla and held an insightful interaction meeting chaired by Indian Railway Service of Mechanical Engineers (IRSME), Chairman, DPA Sushil Kumar Singh in the presence of senior officials of DPA and representatives of Larsen & Toubro (L&T). The discussions focused on port-led development, infrastructure collaboration, innovation and future opportunities in the maritime sector.

German Delegation Strengthens Cultural Ties

Earlier, a German delegation paid a visit to the Deendayal Port Authority, where it also attended the Shiv Mahapuran Katha organised on the occasion of Purushottam Maas at the Port's township, strengthening global friendships through culture, spirituality and shared values.

During their visit to DPA Kandla, the German Delegation also attended the sacred Shri Shiv Mahapuran Katha being organised on the auspicious occasion of Purushottam Maas at DPA's Port Township, Gopalpuri, Gandhidham by Gopalpuri Saarvajanik Mitra Mandal. The delegation saw a beautiful reflection of India's timeless traditions and spiritual heritage, welcoming the world with warmth and reverence.

Landmark MoU for Green Hydrogen Hub

As the Deendayal Port continues to make strides across several sectors, the Deendayal Port Authority, Kandla, on Tuesday signed a landmark Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with GH2 Solar Limited to conduct a "Joint Feasibility Study & Strategic Roadmap" for the export of Liquid Green Hydrogen from the port. The initiative aims to enhance sustainable maritime operations by establishing a strategic framework for green energy logistics at the port.

"Powering the future of clean energy Deendayal Port Authority, Kandla has signed a landmark MoU with GH2 Solar Ltd. for a Joint Feasibility Study & Strategic Roadmap to enable Liquid Green Hydrogen Export from Kandla Port. A significant stride towards positioning #DPAKandla as India's Green Hydrogen Hub and advancing sustainable, future-ready maritime operations," the Deendayal Port Authority posted on X. (ANI)

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

Esha Singh breaks world record, wins 25m pistol gold at ISSF WC

Asianet News Central — Wed, 27 May 2026 23:31:18 +0530

Indian shooter Esha Singh broke the world record, securing the women's 25-metre pistol gold at the ISSF World Cup at Munich on Wednesday. As per Olympics.com, in a field which also featured the current Olympic champion Yang Ji-in, Esha was exceptionally calm during the elimination stage, scoring 43/50 in the final, which stands as a world record at both junior and senior levels.

This is India's first ISSF WC medal of the season at an individual level across all events. The 21-year-old also secured a direct entry in the ISSF World Cup final, which will take place in Italy this year in December.

Munich WC: Final Standings

Former world champion Doreen Vennekamp of Germany got silver with 38/50, while Bulgaria's Miroslava Mincheva bagged bronze with 31/45. The Olympic champion Yang Ji-in, who topped the qualification charts with a score of 592-28x, secured a fifth-place finish.

Qualification Round Performance

Esha was fifth in the qualification with 587-19x, registering 293 in precision and 294 in rapid fire. But on the other hand, double Olympic medalist Manu Bhaker finished 12th in the qualification, missing out on the final with a score of 582-19x

Rahi Sarnobat, 2014 Commonwealth Games gold medallist in the same shooting discipline, also fell short, finishing 14th with 581-23x. India's Arshdeep Kaur and Tejaswani competed under ranking points only (RPO) status and finished 44th and 51st, respectively.

India's Medal Tally This Season

Overall, Esha's win marked India's third medal across rifle, pistol and shotgun World Cup events this season. At Spain in the rifle/pistol WC, Mukesh Nelavalli and Palak Gulia secured a 10 m air pistol mixed team gold while in shotgun, Vivaan Kapoor and Neeru Dhanda bagged bronze in the mixed team trap event in Almaty, Kazakhstan.

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

Jan Suraaj to contest Bankipur bye-election, vows to defeat BJP

Asianet News Central — Wed, 27 May 2026 23:31:17 +0530

Jan Suraaj founder Prashant Kishor on Wednesday expressed confidence in his party winning the Bankipur seat in the bye-elections, opening its account in Bihar, after BJP President Nitin Nabin vacated the seat and moved to the Rajya Sabha in March this year.

Jan Suraaj to challenge BJP stronghold

Speaking to ANI, Prashant Kishor acknowledged that the seat has been a BJP bastion and said that Jan Suraaj will contest with "full force." Kishor said, "It will not be difficult for Jan Suraaj at all. Jan Suraaj has resolved that Bankipur, which has served as a BJP stronghold for the past 40 years, and currently happens to be the seat held by the BJP's National President, will be contested by Jan Suraaj with full force, and every effort will be made to ensure that they are defeated there."

He added that the Jan Suraaj will carry a door-to-door campaign, intensifying the public outreach. "It is not a question of who the candidate will be. It has been decided that the party will go door-to-door, intensifying the public outreach campaign over the coming month, seeking the opinions of the people, and doing whatever it takes to ensure the BJP is defeated there," he added.

Background of the bye-election

Nitin Nabin had resigned from the Bankipur seat, from where he won four consecutive times, as he was elected as the National President of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and moved to the Rajya Sabha after winning a seat in the biennial polls.

Past election performance

In the last elections in 2025, Nitin Nabin defeated Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD)'s Rekha Kumari by a margin of 51,936 (33.4 per cent) votes. Jan Suraaj's Vandana Kumari was placed third, winning just 7,717 votes.

In the 2025 elections, Jan Suraaj faced a debacle in its electoral debut, after not being able to open an account in the seats tally. The ruling NDA swept the polls, with the BJP emerging as the single-largest party with 89 seats, and the Janata Dal (United) finishing a close second with 85. (ANI)

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

SC Collegium recommends 5 names, including senior advocate V Mohana

Asianet News Central — Wed, 27 May 2026 23:31:09 +0530

SC Collegium Recommends Five for Apex Court

The Supreme Court Collegium has recommended five names to the Centre for appointment as judges of the apex Court. The Collegium recommended Justice Sheel Nagu, Chief Justice of Punjab and Haryana High Court, Justice Shree Chandrashekhar, Chief Justice of Bombay High Court, Justice Sanjeev Sachdeva, Chief Justice of Madhya Pradesh High Court, Justice Arun Palli, Chief Justice of Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh High Court, and senior advocate V Mohana.

The recommendation was made at the Collegium meetings held on May 22 and 27. The elevation of senior advocate Mohana is expected to strengthen women's representation in the Supreme Court, which currently has only one woman judge, Justice BV Nagarathna. No woman has been appointed to the apex court since August 2021.

The sanctioned strength of the Supreme Court was recently increased by four, taking the total number of judges, including the Chief Justice of India, to 38. At present, the Supreme Court is functioning with 32 judges, while two more vacancies will arise in June following the retirement of Justice JK Maheshwari and Justice Pankaj Mithal.

Understanding the Collegium System

The Supreme Court Collegium deals with the appointment and transfer of judges to the Supreme Court and the various High Courts. The system evolved through a series of landmark verdicts collectively known as the "Three Judges Cases."

Collegium Composition

Under the current structure, the Supreme Court Collegium consists of the CJI and the four senior-most judges, while a High Court Collegium is headed by the incumbent Chief Justice of that court along with its two senior-most judges.

The Appointment Procedure

The process of appointment or transfer is initiated by the respective Collegium. Following the initiation, the proposals for High Court appointments are reviewed by the Supreme Court Collegium and the CJI. Following the review, these recommendations are sent to the Union Law Minister.

The Minister then presents these recommendations to the Prime Minister and the President for final approval. If the central government returns a recommendation for reconsideration, and the Collegium unanimously reiterates its initial decision, the government is constitutionally bound to approve the appointment.

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

Kasauli forest fire: IAF, ground teams douse massive blaze after 27 hrs

Asianet News Central — Wed, 27 May 2026 23:31:06 +0530

A massive forest fire that raged for more than 27 hours in the Kasauli Beat area of Solan district was finally brought under control on Wednesday after an extensive joint firefighting operation involving ground teams and aerial support from the Indian Air Force (IAF).

According to the State Forest Department, the fire broke out around 1 PM on May 26 and spread across nearly 10 hectares of forest land. Officials classified the incident as a ground fire, while the exact cause of the blaze is yet to be ascertained.

Joint Firefighting Operation

The firefighting operation witnessed coordinated efforts by multiple agencies under the state's Incident Response System. Nine personnel from the State Forest Department were deployed on the ground to contain the flames in the difficult forest terrain.

Aerial Intervention by IAF

As the fire intensified in inaccessible areas deep inside the forest, the Indian Air Force was pressed into service for reconnaissance missions and aerial water-dropping operations using Bambi buckets. Officials said the aerial intervention played a crucial role in preventing the fire from spreading further.

Challenging Terrain and Ground Efforts

Forest officials stated that the operation was particularly challenging due to the steep and rugged terrain of the affected area. Ground teams also faced the threat of stone slides while carrying out firefighting activities. Fire brigade vehicles were unable to access the site because of the dense forest cover and difficult topography, forcing responders to rely heavily on manual firefighting methods and aerial support.

No Casualties or Property Damage Reported

Despite the scale of the incident, no human casualties, wildlife losses, or incidents of human-wildlife conflict were reported. Authorities also confirmed that no structural or property damage occurred during the fire. Officials added that neither the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) nor the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) was required for the operation, as the situation was managed by the Forest Department with IAF assistance.

Post-Incident Assessment

The State Forest Department has completed a preliminary post-incident assessment and documented the affected area with geo-tagged photographic evidence for further evaluation. (ANI)

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

ED raids Pinarayi Vijayan's premises in Rs 182-cr CMRL money case

Asianet News Central — Wed, 27 May 2026 23:31:05 +0530

A massive political firestorm has engulfed Keralam following extensive searches by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) across 10 locations in the state and Bengaluru. The raids, targeting premises linked to former Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, are part of a high-stakes money laundering probe involving the Cochin Minerals and Rutile Limited (CMRL) case. The investigation centres on a Rs 182-crore money laundering probe.

Details of the ED Investigation

The raids, which began early Wednesday morning, covered multiple locations in Thiruvananthapuram, Kannur, Ernakulam and Bengaluru. Officials said the searches were part of an ongoing investigation into alleged fraudulent financial transactions and "fake expenses" flagged during earlier probes by multiple central agencies. According to officials, one of the key allegations under scrutiny involves payments made to Exalogic Solutions Private Limited, a firm owned by Vijayan's daughter Veena, which allegedly received Rs 2.78 crore from CMRL under the guise of consultancy services. Investigators also said Empower India Capital Investment Private Limited allegedly extended loans of Rs 50 lakh to Exalogic despite defaults in repayment. Officials further said the probe is also examining broader allegations of fictitious expenses amounting to Rs 182 crore and suspected diversion of funds through entities linked to the management of CMRL. Intelligence inputs also suggested that Veena was residing with her father at the Thiruvananthapuram premises when the ED team arrived for the search operation.

Pinarayi Vijayan Alleges 'Political Vendetta'

Following the raids, Pinarayi Vijayan strongly termed the action a "targeted political vendetta," alleging that central agencies were being misused for political purposes. He also launched a sharp attack on the BJP-led central government and referred to past political statements made during the election campaign. He said, "They were here conducting a search from 7 pm yesterday until this very moment. The team that came is only following instructions from above; after all, isn't that how our country works now? Being officers, they are bound to obey the orders given by their superiors. However, the way these things are handled is incorrect. It is a form of political interference. I believe their spending so many hours here has actually helped us understand many things. This didn't happen suddenly; the ED has been wanting to do this for a long time."

He further added, "Even someone like Rahul Gandhi previously questioned, 'Why isn't Pinarayi's house being raided? Why isn't Pinarayi being arrested?' That was what he asked. The BJP government is taking such planned and coordinated actions against opposition leaders and workers across the country."

Political Reactions Erupt Across Kerala

The allegations triggered strong reactions across political parties in Keralam. Keralam Home Minister Ramesh Chennithala said the state government had no prior information about the ED action and clarified that no assistance was sought from the state machinery. He said, "The Keralam government or the Home Ministry has no information about this raid. They did not seek our support either, so we do not know the details of the operation. This question needs to be posed to the ED." He further alleged political understanding between rival parties, stating, "Everybody in Keralam knows there was an understanding between the BJP and the CPM."

BJP MLA V Muraleedharan, however, defended the investigation, calling it a legal process. He said, "It's a legal procedure. I don't understand why CPI(M) is so agitated... there is a case under PMLA... if they have any legal counter, they should have submitted that in court." He further added that the investigation had been ongoing for years and accused the opposition of attempting to politicise the matter.

Senior CPI(M) leader Nilotpal Basu rejected the allegations and called the ED action a "political charade," accusing central agencies of being misused. He said, "We have protested across Keralam. The central govt has weaponised the CBI and ED...the charges that they make and the level of success in prosecution are abysmally low. It's a political charade; we won't accept it."

CPI(M) MP John Brittas termed the raids a "conspiracy" by the Congress and BJP while acknowledging that incidents of violence had taken place during protests. He, however, urged authorities to follow due process in dealing with alleged damage to property.

Protests and Violence Erupt

Law & Order ADGP H Venkatesh said police teams had been deployed and strict action would be taken against those involved in the attack on ED vehicles. "A team has been sent to arrest the accused. Strong legal action will be taken... none of the accused will be let off," he said.

Tensions escalated in the state capital after CPI(M) workers allegedly attacked the convoy of ED officials as they were leaving Vijayan's residence following a seven-hour search. Protesters reportedly pelted stones, bricks and eggs at official vehicles, causing damage and forcing security personnel to intervene. Following the incident, ED officials lodged a complaint with local police authorities. Security has been tightened across Thiruvananthapuram as investigations continue and the political confrontation intensifies.

Background of the Probe

The ED probe stems from allegations of irregular financial transactions involving CMRL and associated entities, including Exalogic Solutions. Earlier findings by the Income Tax Department and Serious Fraud Investigation Office (Serious Fraud Investigation Office) had flagged suspected fake expenses, shell transactions, and irregular remuneration patterns. The matter had earlier been examined by the Kerala High Court, which upheld the validity of the ED investigation under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act, allowing the probe to proceed.

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Shamita Shetty blasts 'patriarchal' trolls shaming her for age, status

Asianet News Central — Wed, 27 May 2026 23:30:53 +0530

Actor Shamita Shetty has given a befitting response to social media critics of her age and marital status. In a candid and unapologetic Instagram story, Shamita called out the regressive mindset behind such comments, urging critics to stop policing women's personal choices.

Shamita Shetty's Strong Reply to Trolls

Addressing comments on her changing appearance with age, Shamita wrote, "Yes I will look different. Things change with time it's the natural way of life.. nothing stays forever including physical appearance! BUT For my age I'm healthy, fit and happy with a grateful heart for all that the almighty has given me.. and that's all that matters to me."

She also responded sharply to remarks on not getting married "on time". Slamming what she described as "patriarchal, cave-man like, male-centric thought process", Shamita added, "Aapne shaadi karke kya ukhaad liya hai bhai? (What have you achieved after getting married?) Most importantly why the hell do u follow us single women to age shame us and inflict us with your patriarchal, cave-man like.. male centric thought process! Pl do me a favour n unfollow me pronto!"

A Look at Shamita's Career

Shamita Shetty made her Bollywood debut in 2000 with Aditya Chopra's directorial 'Mohabbatein.' Her career was off to a great start, with her earning the IIFA Award for Star Debut of the Year (Female) after 'Mohabbatein'. However, her fame slowly faded away. Even though she starred in a few films like 'Fareb' and 'Zeher', she could not gain enough prominence.

In the last couple of years, Shamita garnered a new fan base with her stints on reality shows such as Khatron Ke Khiladi, Bigg Boss OTT 1, and Bigg Boss 15. (ANI)

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Christopher Mpofu excited to join Gujarat Diamonds for Big Cricket League

Asianet News Central — Wed, 27 May 2026 23:30:43 +0530

Former Zimbabwe cricketer Christopher Mpofu has expressed his excitement about joining the Gujarat Diamonds for the upcoming season of the Big Cricket League. According to a release, sharing his thoughts on being a part of the franchise, Mpofu said, "I am very excited to be a part of Gujarat Diamonds in the Big Cricket League. We will definitely try our best to win this tournament."

Mpofu on cricket development in Zimbabwe

Speaking about cricket development in Zimbabwe, Mpofu added, "I come from a place where cricket is still growing and developing. Our national team has achieved some wonderful moments in the past, but there is still a lot more to do for the growth of the sport."

Praise for the Big Cricket League

The former Zimbabwe pacer also praised the initiative of the Big Cricket League and highlighted its contribution towards promoting cricket at different levels. "Events like the Big Cricket League are doing wonderful work in promoting the game, not only for professional cricketers but also for amateur players who are looking for opportunities to showcase their talent," he said.

Big Cricket League's Inaugural Season

The much-awaited Big Cricket League is scheduled to begin on June 3 in Greater Noida, Uttar Pradesh, while Gujarat Diamonds will play their opening match against Mumbai Marines on June 4 at 7 PM. Christopher Mpofu has remained a popular figure not only for his performances on the field but also for his contributions off the field, inspiring young cricketers across different regions. With a strong squad and experienced players in the lineup, Gujarat Diamonds will look to make a significant impact in the inaugural season of the Big Cricket League. (ANI)

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Africa CDC thanks India for pharmaceutical supplies for DRC Ebola aid

Asianet News Central — Wed, 27 May 2026 23:30:36 +0530

Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) on Wednesday extended gratitude to India for emergency pharmaceutical supplies in the midst of Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Africa CDC stated that the supplies include essential diagnostics, therapeutics, infection prevention and control materials, among other things.

In a post on X, it said, "Africa CDC welcomes the arrival of emergency pharmaceutical supplies generously donated by the Government and people of India to support the ongoing response to the Bundibugyo Ebola Outbreak in the DRC. Received in Uganda by Africa CDC's Eastern Africa RCC, the supplies include essential diagnostics, therapeutics, infection prevention and control materials, and case management support that will soon be deployed to affected communities in eastern DRC." https://x.com/AfricaCDC/status/2059605867423527232?s=20 "Africa CDC thanks the Government of India for its continued support and commitment to protecting lives and advancing health security across the continent," it added.

WHO: Ebola Outbreak Outpacing Response Amid Conflict

Meanwhile, Director-General of the World Health Organization, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said that Eastern DRC now faces a catastrophic collision of disease and conflict with the Ebola outbreak in Ituri province outpacing the response. The Ebola Bundibugyo virus has no approved vaccine nor treatment. Stopping this Ebola transmission depends entirely on humanitarian access. Yet ongoing clashes are driving mass displacement, pushing exposed contacts into overcrowded camps and severing critical containment corridors. Frontline workers are risking everything, while attacks on health facilities make tracking cases and their contacts nearly impossible, he said in the statement. https://x.com/DrTedros/status/2059557343923167511?s=20

Uganda Seals Border to Contain Outbreak

Muhoozi Kainerugaba, Chief of Defence Forces of the Uganda People's Defence Force cautioned that the security forces are sealing their entire border with the DRC until further notice. "The security forces are sealing our entire border with the DRC until further notice. No movement of people between the two countries is permitted. This is in response to the Ebola outbreak in DRC. Trying to breach this order will endanger your life. We will update you on the situation as it develops," he said in a post on X. https://x.com/mkainerugaba/status/2059669340857737531?s=20

Russia Announces New Ebola Vaccine

Meanwhile, the Russian Embassy in South Africa announced that Russian scientists have developed a vaccine against a new Ebola strain. https://x.com/EmbassyofRussia/status/2059323252300767643?s=20

"Russian scientists have developed a vaccine against a new Ebola strain, Health Minister Murashko announced. According to the Russian scientists, the vaccine may also protect against the rare Bundibugyo strain linked to the outbreak in the DRC." (ANI)

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WB: TMC holds protest as Speaker yet to acknowledge LoP, allot room

Asianet News Central — Wed, 27 May 2026 23:30:31 +0530

Trinamool Congress leaders on Wednesday held a protest against the West Bengal Assembly Speaker Rathindra Bose for allegedly neither acknowledging the appointment of Leader of Opposition nor allotting a room to him as yet. TMC MLAs also alleged that the Assembly Speaker refused to meet them.

On May 9, the TMC appointed senior leader Sobhandeb Chattopadhyay as the Leader of Opposition in the Assembly. Kunal Ghosh said, "The Speaker is not giving the official acknowledgement for the Leader of Opposition. Speaker and Chief Minister's rooms are ready; the room of the Opposition Leader is not ready yet."

Sobhandeb Chattopadhyay, a TMC MLA from Ballygunge seat, had won his seat with a margin of 61,476 (36.9 per cent).

TMC alleges disregard for democratic conventions

On May 22, TMC protested, demanding allotment of the official room for the LoP. Sharing an X post, the party wrote, "Leader of the Opposition Shri Sovandeb Chatterjee has pointed out that never before has any Speaker demanded a 'resolution book' or 'resolution copy' for recognition of the LoP. As per long-standing convention, support from around thirty members has always been considered sufficient. The resolution was duly submitted and communicated accordingly."

"Yet, even after this, the office room meant for the Leader of the Opposition has still not been allotted. This goes against democratic conventions and reflects an unfortunate disregard for Assembly norms and the dignity of the Opposition," the post read.

Other key appointments

Meanwhile, the TMC named Asima Patra and Nayana Bandyopadhyay as the Deputy Leaders of Opposition. Party leader Firhad Hakim has been appointed as Chief Whip in the House.

BJP forms government in West Bengal

Suvendu Adhikari took oath as the first BJP Chief Minister of West Bengal, after the party won a record 207 seats in the recent assembly polls, with Trinamool Congress getting only 80 seats.

The BJP's tally rose to 208 seats after winning the Falta Assembly constituency in re-polling on May 21. (ANI)

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PIL in SC seeks timestamps on VVPAT slips for electoral transparency

Asianet News Central — Wed, 27 May 2026 23:30:27 +0530

PIL Seeks Timestamps on VVPAT Slips

A philanthropist, Nalla Suresh Reddy, based at Paloncha in Kothagudem district, has raised a significant debate over accountability and auditability of the electoral process by submitting to the Supreme Court that the absence of exact time-stamping on VVPAT slips leaves a significant audit gap. Form 17A records voter participation; Form 17C records the account of votes; the Control Unit records vote totals; and the WPAT slips evidence of the voter's selected candidate. Yet, where a dispute concerns the timing, sequence, late-hour surge, complaint window, booth-level abnormality or post-poll discrepancy, the physical paper trail itself remains silent on the exact time at which the vote was cast and recorded. A time-stamped slip would enable lawful verification without disclosing voter identity, the petitioner noted.

Supreme Court Directs ECI to Consider Plea

Speaking to ANI, Suresh Reddy stated that he has approached the Supreme Court through a public interest petition seeking to record the exact time and date of the vote on Voter Verifiable Paper Audit Trail (VVPAT) slips to enhance electoral transparency. He noted that the petition was not a politically motivated plea but was aimed at ensuring a truly free and fair election process. A three-judge Bench headed by Chief Justice of India Surya Kant directed the Supreme Court Registry to forward the petition and entire case records filed by Suresh Reddy to the Election Commission of India (ECI) to treat the petition as a representation for consideration.

Suresh Reddy informed that he would submit a representation to the Election Commission along with the Supreme Court directive in a couple of days after consulting the legal team.

Suresh Reddy referred to instances of significant last-minute voter turnout in previous elections and argued that printing the exact time on VVPAT slips would improve transparency and help to audit the electoral process.

Technical Feasibility Under ECI's Domain

The court observed that while the issue raised by the petitioner pertained to electoral integrity, the specific relief sought involved questions of technical feasibility and it falls under the domain of the Election Commission. (ANI)

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S Jaishankar in Cyprus for EU Foreign Ministers' informal meeting

Asianet News Central — Wed, 27 May 2026 23:30:25 +0530

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Wednesday arrived in Cyprus to participate in the Informal Meeting of the EU Foreign Affairs Ministers. Jaishankar arrived at the venue at the invitation of Vice-President of the European Commission Kaja Kallas. In a post on X, he said, "Arrived in Cyprus to participate in the Informal Meeting of the EU Foreign Affairs Ministers - Gymnich. Thank EU HRVP Kaja Kallas and FM Constantinos Kombos of Cyprus for the invitation." https://x.com/DrSJaishankar/status/2059670423080735071?s=20

Stopover in Germany

In a significant diplomatic stopover, Jaishankar was warmly received by India's Ambassador to Germany, Ajit V Gupte, at Frankfurt Airport on Wednesday. The meeting, which took place as the EAM transited through Germany on his way to Cyprus for the European Union Foreign Ministers' (EU FM) meeting, served as a vital platform for reviewing the trajectory of bilateral relations. During the brief but productive interaction, in a post on X, the Indian Embassy in Germany stated that Ambassador Gupte provided the EAM with a comprehensive briefing on the current state of India-Germany relations. https://x.com/eoiberlin/status/2059612326207119824?s=20

About the Gymnich Meeting

Kaja Kallas travelled to Cyprus on May 27-28 to chair the traditional 'Gymnich' informal meeting of EU Foreign Ministers. The meeting will be hosted by Cyprus in the city of Limassol. The Foreign Ministers of India, Saudi Arabia and Ukraine have been invited to participate in specific discussions.

EU Ministers of Foreign Affairs will meet for an informal Foreign Affairs Council on 27-28 May 2026 in Lemesos. The meeting will be conducted in the Gymnich format, which takes place once every six months and provides the opportunity for more open discussion and reflection on key issues. The Gymnich meeting of the Presidency of the Council of the European Union by Cyprus is co-chaired by Dr Constantinos Kombos, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Cyprus, and Kallas, EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy. During the meeting, Ministers will discuss current and regional issues. (ANI)

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LA28 Paralympics Unveils Schedule for Biggest Games in History

Asianet News Central — Wed, 27 May 2026 23:30:25 +0530

LA28 Unveils Record-Breaking Paralympic Schedule

The Los Angeles 2028 (LA28) Paralympic Games organising committee has unveiled the full competition schedule, confirming more than 1,100 hours of action across 14 days, featuring 23 sports and nearly 20 venues within a 35-mile (56-km) radius of the city.

According to the schedule released on Wednesday, the LA28 Paralympics will feature 560 medal events, making it the largest edition of the Paralympic Games in history in terms of both scale and participation, according to Olympics.com. The Opening Ceremony is set to be held on August 15, 2028, while the Closing Ceremony will take place on August 27. Ticket registration for the Games will begin in 2027.

New Sports and Events Highlight Expanded Programme

A key highlight of the 2028 Paralympics will be the debut of para climbing, which will be contested at the Games for the first time. It also marks the first sport ever added to the Paralympic programme by an organising committee. https://x.com/LA28/status/2059652289741365753?s=20 In addition, three new medal events have been included in the schedule -- a women's para table tennis event, a para triathlon event, and a para swimming relay for athletes with an intellectual impairment. With the expanded programme and record number of sports, LA28 is set to stage the biggest Paralympic Games ever held.

'A Legendary Paralympic Games'

"The Paralympic Games are a must-see elite sporting event," said LA28 Chief Athlete Officer Janet Evans, as quoted by Olympics.com. "As the world's third-largest sporting event, they celebrate athletic excellence at the highest level, demonstrating relentless determination and the limitless potential and power of sport. With more sports and days of competition than ever before, LA28 is setting the stage for a legendary Paralympic Games."

"We have the opportunity to break barriers and redefine what the Paralympic Movement and disability representation can mean for the next generation," said LA28 VP of Paralympic Strategy and Relations Ileana Rodriguez. "We have the chance to shine a brighter light on more Paralympians than ever before, and I cannot wait for fans everywhere to witness the extraordinary athleticism and unforgettable moments that their performances are sure to bring."

Push Towards Gender Parity

Women will account for 45% of athlete quota places at LA28, an increase from 42% at Paris 2024, marking the most gender-balanced Paralympic Games in history. Six sports are also aiming to achieve full gender parity for the first time: para archery, boccia, para judo, para powerlifting, para table tennis, and para triathlon, reflecting a continued push towards equality in Paralympic competition. (ANI)

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IPL: Rajasthan Royals' Vaibhav Sooryavanshi smashes Russell's record

Asianet News Central — Wed, 27 May 2026 23:01:15 +0530

Rajasthan Royals' 15-year-old prodigy Vaibhav Sooryavanshi continues leaving behind a trail of records, surpassing West Indies legend Andre Russell for most runs scored in an Indian Premier League (IPL) season. During the eliminator clash against Sunrisers Hyderabad, Sooryavanshi smacked a sensational 97 in 29 balls, with five fours and 12 sixes at a strike rate of over 334.

A Season of Dominance

In this season, Sooryavanshi has smashed 680 runs in 15 innings at an average of 45.33 and a strike rate of 242.85, including a century and four fifties, with a best score of 103. He has smashed 55 fours and 65 sixes in 280 balls faced. His balls per boundary shot ratio is 2.3, and balls per six ratio is 4.3. This season, Sooryavanshi has scored 88.9 per cent of his runs through fours and sixes, as compared to Russell's 85.5 per cent of 510 runs through boundaries, as per CricViz.

Record-Breaking Six Hitting

Master of the Powerplay

Sooryavanshi is the batter with the most runs coming in the powerplay during an IPL season, with 490 runs, overtaking Australian legend David Warner, who scored 467 runs for SRH in the 2016 edition. This is also his fifth fifty-plus score in the power play in IPL, with only Warner (six such scores) ahead of him.

This is Sooryavanshi's fifth fifty in less than 20 balls, with only Abhishek Sharma (six) above him. The 15-year-old's 16-ball half-century tied with Raina's 16-ball fifty (against PBKS in 2014) for the joint-fastest fifty in an IPL knockout/playoff match.

Playoff Performance for the Ages

Twelve sixes smashed by him are also the most in an innings by a batter in IPL knockouts/playoffs, outdoing Shubman Gill's 10 sixes against the Mumbai Indians (MI) in 2023. Sooryavanshi has the most sixes in an IPL inning by an Indian as well.

Ninety-seven runs by Sooryavanshi is the second-highest individual score for RR in an IPL knockouts/Playoffs game, behind 106* runs by Jos Buttler against RCB in the qualifier 2 of IPL 2022.

Youngest to Reach New Heights

This is the most runs an uncapped batter has scored in an IPL season, overtaking his opening partner Yashasvi Jaiswal's tally of 625 runs in the 2023 season. Also, he is the youngest to complete 600 runs in an IPL season.

Before the left-handed sensation arrived on the scene, no other batter in T20 history had smashed 600+ runs in a T20 tournament while also striking at 200-plus.

Match Summary

Put to bat first, RR scored 242/8 in 20 overs, with Sooryavanshi (97 in 29 balls, with five fours and 12 sixes) and Dhruv Jurel (50 in 21 balls, with five fours and three sixes) playing crucial knocks. Praful Hinge (3/54) was the pick of the bowlers for SRH. (ANI)

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Delhi CM Rekha Gupta approves renaming of metro stations, public spots

Asianet News Central — Wed, 27 May 2026 23:00:33 +0530

Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta has approved the renaming of several metro stations, hospitals and other public places in Delhi. According to the Delhi CMO, Rohini West Metro Station will now be known as 'Dr Baba Saheb Ambedkar Hospital Metro Station'. In addition, the under-construction sports complex in Begampur (Rohini) will be named 'Atal Khel Parisar' after former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee. A statue of the late Prime Minister will also be installed there. The Chief Minister said the renamed public places reflect Delhi's diverse cultural identity, social consciousness and national heritage. She said the government is committed not only to Delhi's development, but also to strengthening its historical and cultural identity.

A meeting of the State Names Authority (SNA), chaired by Chief Minister and SNA Chairperson Rekha Gupta, was recently held at the Delhi Secretariat, where all the proposals were approved unanimously. Senior officials, including the Chief Secretary of Delhi, the Secretary of the Urban Development Department, the Managing Director of Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) and the Director of the Delhi Development Authority (DDA), attended the meeting.

Begampur Sports Complex Named 'Atal Khel Parisar'

The proposal for naming the newly constructed sports complex located at Begampur (Sector-33, Rohini) was presented in the meeting. The Chief Minister said Atal Bihari Vajpayee was a statesman in Indian politics who gave a new direction to development, democratic values and national unity. Naming the sports complex after him, she said, would inspire the younger generation.

Rohini Metro Stations Renamed

In order to make the metro station's identity clearer and improve convenience for commuters, approval was also granted to rename Rohini East Metro Station as 'Rohini Metro Station'. The Chief Minister said Bharat Ratna Dr. Bhimrao Ambedkar's contribution to the country's social and constitutional history is unparalleled. She said institutions and public places associated with his name convey the message of equality, justice and social empowerment to society, the CMO stated.

Other Major Renamings Across Delhi

The Chief Minister also informed that the proposal to name the under-construction hospital in Jwalapuri as 'Baba Ramdevji Maharaj Hospital' has been approved. According to the Chief Minister, the meeting also considered a proposal to incorporate the area's local identity into the name of Dwarka Metro Station. Approving the proposal, the Authority decided to rename the station as 'Dwarka-Kakrola Metro Station'. The objective of this decision is to establish the geographical and social identity of the area more clearly.

The meeting also unanimously approved the proposal to rename Britannia Chowk in Shakurpur as 'Ashwini Chopra (Minna) Chowk'. The Chief Minister said honouring personalities who have made significant contributions to society and public life is among the government's priorities, and such decisions help strengthen collective public memory.

Connecting Generations to History and Heritage

Chief Minister Rekha Gupta said Delhi is not merely the administrative capital of the country, but also represents the nation's cultural, social and historical consciousness. She said it is the government's responsibility to honour inspiring personalities, local identity and national values through the naming of important public places and institutions in the capital. Such decisions, she added, help connect future generations with their history, heritage and inspirational figures, the CMO said. (ANI)

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Tripura's Gandatwisa Emerges as Major Mango Farming Hub for Farmers

Asianet News Central — Wed, 27 May 2026 23:00:30 +0530

Gandatwisa Emerges as Mango Farming Hub

The Gandatwisa area under Dhalai district of Tripura is gradually emerging as a major mango farming hub, as a growing number of farmers are shifting from traditional cultivation to commercial mango orchards due to higher profitability and favourable soil conditions.

Farmers in the Gumti region of Gandatwisa have increasingly adopted mango farming over the past few years after discovering that the area's fertile soil and climatic conditions are highly conducive for cultivating different indigenous and foreign varieties of mangoes. Large stretches of land in the region are now covered with sprawling mango orchards laden with fruit. With the harvesting season approaching, farmers are eagerly waiting for mid-June when the ripe mangoes will be ready for plucking.

Many cultivators have expressed satisfaction over the increasing returns from mango cultivation, stating that the profit margin is significantly higher compared to traditional farming practices. According to local farmers, the number of mango cultivators in the entire Gandatwisa belt has risen remarkably in recent years, transforming the region into a centre for world-class mango production.

A Farmer's Success Story

One of the progressive farmers, Tapan Jyoti Chakma, while speaking exclusively to ANI, highlighted the success and potential of mango farming in the state. "After a lot of hard work, I built this garden with my own hands. I have put in great effort and labour behind this orchard. Mango orchards are showing very good potential in Tripura. So, I would encourage fellow farmers to cultivate mango orchards so that they can create a better future for the coming generations," he said.

Government Support Fuels Growth

Chakma also acknowledged the support received from the Agriculture and Forest Departments in developing the orchard. "Behind this orchard, I received a lot of support from the Agriculture Department and Gandacherra. I also received several saplings from the Forest Department, including many flower plants, which I planted around the garden to make it look beautiful. Therefore, I can never forget the support of the Agriculture Department. They helped me a lot and also arranged water facilities for the orchard. I sincerely thank the Forest Department as well," he added.

Exotic Varieties and Export Potential

The farmer further revealed that mangoes from the region are being supplied to markets outside the state and even exported abroad. He said the orchards in the area feature several premium international varieties. "We have many varieties of mangoes here, and none of them is local varieties. We have Japan's Miyazaki mango, Thailand's Yang Yang mango, Banana mango, Baripur variety, and many other kinds of mangoes. I also have the American Red Palmer mango. Personally, I am getting very good yields from the Miyazaki mangoes here," Chakma stated.

The rapid rise of exotic mango cultivation in Gandatwisa is now being viewed as a promising example of horticultural diversification and rural economic growth in Tripura.

Chakma added, "After a lot of hard work, I built this garden with my own hands. I have put in great effort and labour behind this orchard. Mango orchards are showing very good potential in Tripura. So, I would encourage fellow farmers to cultivate mango orchards so that they can create a better future for the coming generations."

He noted that the Agriculture Department and Gandacherra showed a lot of support to him. The Forest Department gave him seedlings of various flower plants, which Chakma used to beautify the garden.

"Behind this orchard, I received a lot of support from the Agriculture Department and Gandacherra. I also received several saplings from the Forest Department, including many flower plants, which I planted around the garden to make it look beautiful. Therefore, I can never forget the support of the Agriculture Department," he said.

"They helped me a lot and also arranged water facilities for the orchard. I sincerely thank the Forest Department as well," he added.

Chakma further highlighted that the mangoes that are being sent outside and even to foreign markets are going from Dhalai.

"We have many varieties of mangoes here, and none of them is local varieties. We have Japan's Miyazaki mango, Thailand's Yang Yang mango, Banana mango, Baripur variety, and many other kinds of mangoes. I also have the American Red Palmer mango. Personally, I am getting very good yields from the Miyazaki mangoes here," he said. (ANI)

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

Congress respects SC verdict on SIR, fears BJP using it as weapon

Asianet News Central — Wed, 27 May 2026 23:00:28 +0530

Congress MP Manickam Tagore on Wednesday said that the party respects the Supreme Court's verdict on Special Intensive Revision (SIR) over electoral rolls, while accusing the BJP of using it as a "weapon."

The Supreme Court upheld the Election Commission of India's (ECI) SIR exercise, which was first undertaken in Bihar, holding that the exercise is constitutional, legally tenable and cannot be struck down merely because it differs from the ordinary process of voter-roll revision.

Manickam Tagore warned against the alleged misuse of the SIR exercise and said, "We respect the Supreme Court's verdict, but the main issue is the way the Election Commission is bulldozing the SIR exercise and attempting to misuse it. In states where the BJP wants to manipulate elections, they are using SIR as a weapon. Therefore, while we respect the Supreme Court's views, SIR should not be allowed to become a weapon that undermines the democratic process in India."

Today, a bench of Surya Kant and Joymalya Bagchi held that the SIR exercise cannot be declared 'ultra vires' solely on the ground that it adopts a process distinct from the routine revision of electoral rolls contemplated under the statutory framework. The apex court further clarified that the ECI's powers in the process remain limited to determining eligibility for inclusion in electoral rolls and do not extend to ascertaining citizenship status. It held that the deletion of a person's name from the voter list does not divest that individual of citizenship, since citizenship can only be determined by the competent authority under law.

Congress Details Concerns

Addressing a press conference in Delhi, Singhvi said the issue of SIR was always about "substance and intent" rather than the Election Commission of India's (ECI) power to conduct the revision.

"SIR is always and was always a matter of substance, never a matter of form. It is about substance and intent. Really speaking, the power of doing SIR was not being questioned. What was being questioned was the mode, manner, timing and style of doing it. The substance of the lack of justice was the question mark," Singhvi said." On that count, unfortunately, the Supreme Court judgment, which has upheld the legal and constitutional validity of SIR, has raised as many questions as it has answered," he added.

Citizenship Determination a Key Issue

Raising concerns over citizenship, Singhvi said the Supreme Court had clearly held that the final authority to determine citizenship lies with the competent authority under the Citizenship Act and not with the Election Commission.

"The final decisive body regarding citizenship is not the Election Commission. The decisive body under the Citizenship Act is the competent authority, which consists of the Ministry of Home Affairs and others...And their decision will be binding and final. So if this is true, you saw that in all 12-14 states, the 7.5 crore people who were removed primarily on the basis of citizenship, right? So how did it happen that they were removed before their citizenship was decided?" Singhvi said. The Congress leader also alleged "significant flaws, serious flaws, errors, deficiencies and gaps" in the Election Commission's implementation of the SIR process. (ANI)

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

Singapore Open: Prannoy upsets Christie; Lakshya Sen also advances

Asianet News Central — Wed, 27 May 2026 22:31:11 +0530

HS Prannoy upset World No. 5 Jonatan Christie 10-21, 21-12, 21-18 in a 61-minute men's singles battle on Day 2 of the Singapore Open at the Singapore Indoor Stadium. Lakshya Sen defeated China's Lu Guang Zu 21-17, 21-15, and mixed doubles pair Dhruv Kapila and Tanisha Crasto advanced to the next round following a 21-14, 20-22, 21-13 victory over Malaysia's Wong Tien Ci and Lim Chiew Sien, according to a release.

Prannoy's Comeback Victory

Former World No. 6 Prannoy gave a strong comeback after dropping the opening game. Despite Christie holding a 7-3 advantage in their previous meetings, the Indian took control of the second game from 2-all and never allowed the Indonesian to outplay him, comfortably closing it 21-12.

The decider turned into a tense contest. While Jonatan held the advantage through the early exchanges, momentum shifted towards Prannoy in the closing stages. Trailing 16-18, the Indian scored five consecutive points to seal the victory 21-18.

Prannoy will next face Singapore's Loh Kean Yew in the Round of 16. Loh Kean Yew defeated India's Kidambi Srikanth 22-20, 19-21, 21-17.

Other Indian Results

Lakshya Sen defeated Lu Guang Zu in straight games in the other men's singles clash to book his place in the pre-quarterfinals. A tough challenge awaits the Indian next as he faces Kunlavut Vitidsarn, who had beaten Sen in the quarterfinals of the Thailand Open 2026 last month.

Doubles Action

In mixed doubles, Dhruv and Tanisha secured the opening game before the Malaysians forced the match into a decider. The Indian pair responded strongly, taking control from 7-6 in the final game to seal a 21-13 win in 58 minutes.

In women's singles, Malvika Bansod went down fighting against Lin Hsiang Ti 21-11, 19-21, 12-21. Rutaparna Panda and Swetaparna Panda lost in the Women's doubles. (ANI)

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

IPL 2026: Dhruv Jurel joins Parag, Samson in elite RR 500-run club

Asianet News Central — Wed, 27 May 2026 22:30:40 +0530

Dhruv Jurel Enters RR Record Books

Rajasthan Royals (RR) wicketkeeper-batter Dhruv Jurel etched his name into the franchise's record books after a fine half-century against Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) in the IPL 2026 Eliminator on Wednesday. Jurel's fluent knock during the high-pressure knockout clash helped him surpass the 500-run mark in a single IPL season from No. 3 or lower order. With this, the keeper-batter became only the third Royals batter to achieve the feat in an IPL edition, joining Riyan Parag, who scored 573 runs in 2024, and Sanju Samson, who accumulated 531 runs in the same season. Jurel now stands at 508 runs in 2026*. The innings also saw Jurel enter another exclusive list, recording six 50-plus scores in the ongoing season, placing him among RR's most consistent performers in a single IPL campaign. He now joins a select group in franchise history for most 50-plus scores in an IPL season, alongside Jos Buttler (8 in 2022), Yashasvi Jaiswal (6 in 2023 and 6 in 2025), and his own tally of 6 in 2026*.

RR Post Mammoth 243/8 in Eliminator

Coming to the contest, the Royals produced a dominant batting display to post a massive 243/8 in their IPL 2026 Eliminator against Hyderabad, largely powered by a sensational innings from 15-year-old opener Vaibhav Sooryavanshi.

15-Year-Old Sooryavanshi's Historic 97

Asked to bat first, Rajasthan got off to a flying start as Sooryavanshi immediately took control of the powerplay with fearless and aggressive strokeplay. He launched SRH skipper Pat Cummins for 23 runs in the third over, helping RR race to 45/0. The young opener continued his assault in the next over, bringing up a blistering half-century off just 16 balls as Rajasthan surged to 63/0, eventually finishing the powerplay at a commanding 80/0. Sooryavanshi's extraordinary hitting saw him dominate the SRH bowling attack with remarkable consistency. During his stay, he also created history by breaking the record for the most sixes in a single IPL season, surpassing Chris Gayle's previous tally of 59 sixes. The teenager continued to accelerate at a breathtaking pace before falling in the eighth over to Praful Hinge. Sooryavanshi was dismissed for a stunning 29-ball 97, which included five fours and 12 towering sixes. He missed out on what would have been the fastest century in IPL history by just three runs, but his innings had already placed Rajasthan in a commanding position at 136/1 at the halfway stage.

Jurel Adds Mid-Innings Momentum

After his dismissal, RR maintained momentum despite losing wickets at regular intervals. Yashasvi Jaiswal struggled to find rhythm and was dismissed for a run-a-ball 29 by spinner Shivang Kumar in the 11th over, although Rajasthan still crossed the 150-run mark soon after. Wicketkeeper-batter Jurel then injected fresh momentum into the innings with a blistering counterattack against SRH skipper Pat Cummins. J urel smashed 17 runs in an over and went on to bring up a rapid half-century off just 20 balls in the 14th over. However, he fell immediately after reaching the milestone, dismissed by Praful Hinge for a 21-ball 50 that included five fours and three sixes.

Hinge Leads Late SRH Fightback

Rajasthan continued to maintain a strong scoring rate, reaching the 200-run mark in the 15th over and moving to 207/3. However, SRH struck back through Praful Hinge, who removed skipper Riyan Parag for a quick 12-ball 26 featuring two fours and two sixes. In the closing stages, RR suffered a cluster of wickets as Donovan Ferreira (12), Dasun Shanaka (5), Jofra Archer (4), and Nandre Burger (1) fell cheaply. Ravindra Jadeja remained unbeaten on 12* as Rajasthan closed their innings at a formidable 243/8.

For Hyderabad, Praful Hinge was the standout bowler with figures of 3/54, while Eshan Malinga (1/40), Shivang Kumar (1/19), and Nitish Reddy (1/12) also contributed with wickets. (ANI)

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

Parimatch betting case: ED seizes Rs 1.56 crore assets, freezes funds

Asianet News Central — Wed, 27 May 2026 22:30:31 +0530

The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has seized movable assets worth Rs 1.56 crore, including cash of approximately Rs 1.2 crore, and frozen funds amounting to Rs 3.8 crore held in various bank accounts. The action was taken during search operations conducted on May 26 under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), 2002.

The searches were carried out at 17 locations across Maharashtra, Rajasthan, Delhi, Gujarat, Daman, and Uttar Pradesh as part of an ongoing investigation into the Cyprus-based illegal online betting platform Parimatch.

Scale of Fraud and Investigation Details

During the search proceedings conducted by the Mumbai Zonal Office of the ED, officials recovered and seized various incriminating documents and digital devices. The ED initiated its investigation based on an FIR registered by the Cyber Police Station, Mumbai, against Parimatch.com for allegedly duping users through its online betting platform. According to findings so far, the ED said, the platform defrauded investors by luring them with promises of high returns and is estimated to have generated over Rs 3,000 crore in a single year.

Elaborate Money Laundering Scheme Uncovered

ED said its investigations have revealed that Parimatch and its associates operated through a complex network of mule accounts, payment intermediaries, and financial inclusion channels to collect, layer, and transfer user funds.

"In several instances, user withdrawals were processed without direct outward payments from accounts controlled by the platform. Instead, deposits made by other users were routed directly into the withdrawing user's bank account or UPI ID in multiple tranches, thereby masking the actual money trail and avoiding direct payment linkages," said the agency.

"Further findings indicate that user deposits and withdrawals were routed through multiple current accounts opened in the names of software, fintech, and technology-related entities that were also engaged in legitimate business activities."

ED stated that the accounts were allegedly used to collect user deposits and route payouts under the guise of vendor payments, business transactions, and payment gateway services.

The ED investigation has also uncovered the misuse of Banking Correspondent (BC) networks, mobile money transfer agents, Grahak Seva Kendras, Cash Management Services (CMS), local kirana stores, and retail outlets for processing payouts and facilitating the movement of funds linked to the platform.

"A layered mechanism was identified wherein user funds were routed through retailers and Grahak Seva Kendras operating under BC networks. Funds were first transferred to such retailers, who passed them to the BC, which in turn recharged the retailers' wallets. These wallets were then used to make payouts to Parimatch users, effectively concealing the true source and trail of funds," mentioned the agency.

Additionally, it said, certain agents allegedly diverted cash received through CMS channels and adjusted it against RTGS transfers sourced from deposits made by Parimatch users, thereby disguising the origin of the funds. The diverted cash was subsequently transferred outside India through hawala channels.

Surrogate Advertising and Marketing Tactics

The ED probe has also revealed that Parimatch promoted its betting platform through surrogate advertisements under the names "Parimatch Sports" and "Parimatch News."

"The platform adopted a hyperlocal marketing strategy by sponsoring teams in local cricket leagues across more than 15 states, as well as in hockey and football tournaments," said the agency.

Moreover, it said, the platform promoted betting-related advertisements through leading quick-commerce applications and distributed promotional materials along with grocery deliveries to attract new users.

"These advertisements were strategically displayed during app usage and order placements to maximise user onboarding."

So far, the ED said it has frozen assets worth Rs 112 crore in connection with the case, and further investigation is ongoing. (ANI)

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

West Asia crisis: Govt reviews fuel, LPG supply, urges no panic buys

Asianet News Central — Wed, 27 May 2026 22:30:27 +0530

The government on Wednesday reviewed the availability of fuel, fertilisers and other essential commodities amid the ongoing West Asia crisis, asserting that supplies across the country remain normal and urged citizens to avoid panic purchases of petrol, diesel and LPG.

The review was carried out during the sixth meeting of the Informal Group of Ministers (IGoM) on West Asia, chaired by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, to assess India's preparedness and supply chain resilience amid the evolving geopolitical situation.

Minister of Chemicals & Fertilizers Jagat Prakash Nadda; Minister of Power Manohar Lal; Minister of Petroleum and Natural Gas Hardeep Singh Puri; Minister of Consumer Affairs, Food & Public Distribution Prahlad Joshi; Minister of Railways, Information & Broadcasting, Electronics & Information Technology Ashwini Vaishnaw; Minister of Parliamentary Affairs Kiren Rijiju; Minister of Ports, Shipping and Waterways Sarbananda Sonowal; Minister of Labour and Employment, Youth Affairs & Sports Dr Mansukh Mandaviya; and Minister of State (Independent Charge) of the Ministry of Science & Technology Dr Jitendra Singh attended the meeting.

In a post on X after the meeting, Rajnath Singh said, "The supply situation in the country today is normal," and urged citizens to "avoid panic purchases of petrol, diesel and LPG as the Government is leaving no stone unturned to ensure the availability of all essential items."

According to the release, the IGoM reviewed the availability of essential commodities and took stock of the resilience of the country's supply chains amid the disruption caused by the crisis in West Asia.

Fuel Supply Situation

The government said supplies of petrol and diesel across the country remain "fully adequate", noting that India has an installed refining capacity of 258.1 million tonnes per annum (MTPA) against domestic consumption of 243.2 million tonnes in the last financial year. India also exports around 61.5 million tonnes of petroleum products annually, and "there is no supply gap", the release said.

Concerns Over Retail Fuel Misuse

The ministry further said Public Sector Oil Marketing Companies (OMCs) have not passed on the full rise in international fuel prices to consumers and are currently absorbing losses of around Rs 550 crore per day to protect retail buyers.

However, the government flagged concerns over some industrial users allegedly shifting to retail fuel purchases to take advantage of lower protected prices, along with instances of black marketing by certain dealers. It said enforcement action has been intensified by the Ministry, OMCs and state governments.

Fertiliser Availability for Kharif Season

The meeting also reviewed fertiliser availability ahead of the Kharif sowing season. According to the release, the fertiliser requirement for Kharif 2026 has been estimated at 390.54 lakh metric tonnes (LMT), while current availability stands at around 200.47 LMT, or over 51 per cent of the requirement.

The government said approximately 122.4 LMT of fertilisers through imports and domestic production have been added to availability after the crisis. India has also secured around 15 LMT of DAP, including TSP, and 10 LMT of NPKs, including AS, expected to arrive at Indian ports during May and June.

Rajnath Singh directed officials to continue enhancing preparedness and stressed that "fertilisers and other essential agricultural inputs should remain adequately available to farmers to ensure that food prices in the country continue to remain stable."

The release added that fertiliser input supplies are being reviewed regularly and subsidy dues to fertiliser companies are being cleared on a weekly basis to ensure uninterrupted availability. (ANI)

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India crowned U23 Asian wrestling champions, clinch 27 medals overall

Asianet News Central — Wed, 27 May 2026 22:30:24 +0530

The Indian men's freestyle wrestling team was crowned the undisputed champions at the U23 Asian Wrestling Championships in Da Nang, Vietnam, lifting the Team Championship Trophy with a spectacular first-place finish. India dominated the freestyle standings to claim the top spot ahead of powerhouse nations Kyrgyzstan and Kazakhstan, who finished second and third, respectively. This historic freestyle victory capped off a sensational continental campaign for the entire Indian contingent, which amassed a staggering total of 27 medals, comprising eleven gold, seven silver, and nine bronze, across the Freestyle, Women's Wrestling, and Greco-Roman categories, as per a press release from the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI).

Freestyle Squad's Medal Haul

The championship-winning freestyle squad wrapped up their campaign with nine medals, including four gold, three silver, and two bronze. Akshay T Dhere (57kg) and Vicky (97kg) set the tone with brilliant gold medals, and the momentum was carried forward by Kumar Mohit (65kg) and Chandermohan (79kg), who also stood atop the podium. Deepak Rathi (61kg), Punit Kumar (92kg), and Lacky (125kg) contributed to the historic team title with hard-fought silver medals, while Deepak Berwal (74kg) and Mor Sachin (82kg) rounded out the freestyle tally with crucial bronze medal finishes.

WFI President Hails Historic Triumph

"Lifting the U23 Asian Championship Trophy is a monumental achievement for Indian wrestling and a moment of immense pride for the entire country. Our freestyle grapplers have shown unparalleled determination and technical superiority to finish ahead of top wrestling nations like Kyrgyzstan and Kazakhstan," said Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) President Sanjay Singh.

"Across all three styles, our athletes have proven that the future of Indian wrestling is incredibly bright. I extend my heartiest congratulations to all our medal winners, coaches, and support staff for making this historic triumph possible," he added.

Dominant Performance by Women Wrestlers

India's women wrestlers were equally dominant throughout the tournament, delivering an exceptional performance to capture ten medals. The women's contingent brought home a remarkable six gold medals, with Muskan (53kg), Tapasya (57kg), Bhagyashree (62kg), Pulkit (67kg), Mansi (68kg), and Kajal (76kg) all showcasing their technical superiority in their respective title clashes. Neha (59kg) and Sweety (50kg) fought valiantly to secure silver medals, while Amruta (72kg) and Ahilya (55kg) finished their campaigns on the podium with bronze.

Greco-Roman Team's Contribution

In the Greco-Roman category, the Indian grapplers laid a strong foundation early in the tournament by securing eight medals. Sumit led the charge with a spectacular gold in the 63kg division, supported by silver medals from Suraj (60kg) and Sagar Singh (67kg). Neeraj Patel (55kg), Sachin (77kg), Rohit Bura (87kg), Rohit (97kg), and Hardeep (130kg) added to the impressive haul with well-deserved bronze medals.

Focus Shifts to U17 Championships

With the highly successful conclusion of the U23 competition, the focus will now shift to the sub-junior contingent. The U17 Asian Wrestling Championships are set to commence at the same venue in Da Nang tomorrow, with the opening bouts scheduled to begin from 10 AM onwards.

(ANI)

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Hema Malini's 60-year cinema journey celebrated with live concert

Asianet News Central — Wed, 27 May 2026 22:30:23 +0530

A special "Hema Malini Live-in Concert" is scheduled to take place in Mumbai on July 10, celebrating the legendary actress' remarkable 60-year journey in cinema. The event will also serve as a heartfelt tribute to her enduring legacy and contribution to the Indian film industry.

View this post on Instagram A post shared by FWICE (@fwicemum) Her late husband and legendary actor Dharmendra will also be honoured posthumously.

A 360-Degree Tribute and Charity Concert

RJ Anirudh Chawla is the brainchild behind the upcoming mega celebrations for Hema Malini. Speaking to ANI, Anirudh shared, " Aaj bhi 60 saal baad cinema mein, she has remained so active and relevant. So I thought I would create a 360-degree 'Hema Malini Universe' with her, because the idea of a 'universe' is quite in trend these days. I have also started working on a book with her, we are making a documentary as well, and the concert I am going to do "Hema Malini Live in Concert' is being held to mark her completion of 60 years in cinema. Lekin isko hum Dharam ji ki yaad mein bhi kar rahe hain."

"So I suggested to Hema ji that we turn this into a charity musical concert, with the proceeds being donated to both FWICE and CINTAA. Since this industry gave Dharam ji his identity as an actor, it only feels right that we give something back to the industry, especially for the welfare of the workers and artists who have supported and sustained it throughout," he added.

Dharmendra Posthumously Awarded Padma Vibhushan

On Monday, Hema Malini received Padma Vibhushan on behalf of her late husband, and cinema icon Dharmendra, who passed away on November 24, 2025. President Droupadi Murmu presented the prestigious award to Hema Malini at the Civil Investiture Ceremony at the Rashtrapati Bhavan. (ANI)

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

SRH vs RR, IPL 2026 Eliminator: Records Galore for Vaibhav Sooryavanshi During His 97-Run Blitz

Hrishikesh Damodar — Wed, 27 May 2026 22:12:26 +0530

Vaibhav Sooryavanshi smashed a blistering 97-run knock in the IPL 2026 Eliminator for RR. The 15-year-old enjoyed a record-breaking season, shattering eight IPL records, including most runs by an uncapped player and most sixes in a season.

The Rajasthan Royals (RR) batting sensation, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, has left the Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) bowling completely dismantled during their IPL 2026 Eliminator at the Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket Stadium in Mullanpur on Wednesday, May 27.

Sooryavanshi played a blistering knock of 97 off 29 balls, including 12 sixes and 5 fours, at an astonishing strike rate of 334.48, as RR posted a solid total of 243/8 in 20 overs and set a 244-run target for the SRH to chase. The 15-year-old missed out on Chris Gayle’s record for the fastest IPL century (30 balls) by a mere three runs,

On that note, let’s take a look at eight key records shattered by Vaibhav Sooryavanshi with his fiery performance in his maiden IPL appearance.

Vaibhav Sooryavanshi has been on a persistent six-hitting spree, as he shattered the former West Indies’ flamboyant batter Chris Gayle’s record for the most sixes in a single season. Gayle smashed 59 sixes in IPL 2013, and now the record has been passed on to the young batting sensation.

With 12 sixes in the IPL 2026 Eliminator, Sooryavanshi has taken the tally of maximums past 60, making him the first-ever batter to achieve this feat in a single IPL season, setting a new benchmark in the tournament's history. He entered the Eliminator with 53 sixes in his pocket and smashed seven sixes inside the powerplay to break Chris Gayle’s record of 59 maximums in an IPL season.

In 15 matches, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi has logged 65 sixes so far in the season, continuing his record-breaking run as he leads the six-hitting charts in IPL 2026.

Also Read: Sachin Tendulkar hails 15-year-old Vaibhav Sooryavanshi's knock

The young batting sensation has achieved another milestone in the history of IPL, as he became the uncapped player with the most runs in a single IPL season. He shattered his RR teammate Yashasvi Jaiswal’s record of 625 runs in IPL 2023, which had stood as the benchmark for an uncapped player.

Additionally, Sooryavanshi became the first batter to cross the 650-run mark as an uncapped player in a single IPL season, setting a new benchmark for consistency and dominance, which has already defined him as the standout performer of the 2026 campaign.

With his explosive 97-run knock, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi has now amassed 680 runs, including a century and four fifties, at an average of 45.33 and a strike rate of 242.85 in 15 matches, firmly establishing himself as a transformative talent in the league.

As Vaibhav Sooryavanshi crossed the 600-run mark for the first time in a single IPL season, the young batter achieved a unique feat that no other player had ever accomplished in the history of the cash-rich T20 league in the world.

24 batters, including the likes of Virat Kohli, Chris Gayle, David Warner, and KL Rahul, had previously scored 600+ runs in an IPL season, but none combined it with a 200+ strike rate. However, the 15-year-old prodigy, the 25th to reach the 600-run mark, has redefined aggressive batting with a historic IPL 2026 season at a strike rate above 200 throughout his campaign.

Earlier, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi achieved the feat of becoming the second batter after former KKR all-rounder Andre Russell to amass 500 runs with a strike rate of 200 and above.

Despite playing his first-ever IPL playoff, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi was completely unfazed by the pressure of the knockout, as he continued to carry on his aggressive batting and fearless strokeplay in the Eliminator against the Sunrisers Hyderabad.

The young batter has smashed his fifth fifty of the season in just 16 balls, equalling former CSK batter Suresh Raina’s record for the fastest fifty in IPL playoff/knockout history, which had stood since 2014. By matching the legendary benchmark, Sooryavanshi has further solidified his reputation as a big-match player capable of delivering under the highest pressure.

In his IPL career, Sooryavanshi has smashed five fifties under 20 balls, joining an elite group of power-hitters.

Also Read: IPL: Vaibhav Sooryavanshi smashes Chris Gayle's sixes record in a season

Vaibhav Sooryavanshi has further etched his name in the history books of the tournament as the first batter to hit 10 or more sixes in two different matches in a single IPL season, a feat he achieved during his prolific 2026 campaign.

Interestingly, Sooryavanshi achieved this ‘12-six’ milestone in both matches against the Sunrisers Hyderabad, first during their league stage encounter on April 25, and again during the IPL 2026 Eliminator, where his blistering 97-run knock featured another 12 maximums.

By recording these spectacular outings against the SRH, the 15-year-old has solidified his reputation as an unstoppable force, becoming the first player in the history of the league to hit 10+ sixes in multiple matches within a single edition of the tournament.

Vaibhav Sooryavanshi has often been known as the powerplay dominator, as he takes on the opposition bowlers with fearless intent. During his IPL 2026 campaign, Sooryavanshi ascended to the top of the all-time chart by surpassing former Australian flamboyant batter David Warner’s record of 467 powerplay runs in a single season.

Scoring 60 runs in the powerplay against the SRH in the Eliminator, Vaibhav has aggregated 490 runs in the first six overs throughout this season, setting an unprecedented benchmark for dominance at the top of the order.

The achievement, which came along with his 97-run knock, further highlights his status as the most destructive powerplay batter in the history of the league.

Also Read: IPL 2026: Suresh Raina praises RCB captain Rajat Patidar's knock

Furthering his record-breaking spree, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi has become the second batter in IPL history to accumulate over 600 runs in a single season through boundaries alone. Jos Buttler was the first to achieve this feat when he aggregated 602 runs during his 863-run season in 2022. Sooryavanshi has reached this milestone with an even higher proportion of his total runs coming from fours and sixes.

Through 65 sixes and 55 fours, the 15-year-old has now accumulated 610 runs solely through boundaries. This staggering stat highlights that Vaibhav Sooryavanshi has scored nearly 90% of his total 680 runs in the 2026 campaign, which have come from boundaries, a testament to his unmatched ability to clear the ropes and find the fence at will.

Moreover, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi has also shattered Chris Gayle’s record (354) for the most runs scored via sixes in a single IPL season. By smashing the ball into the stands 65 times, he has accumulated 390 runs exclusively from maximums, establishing an entirely new standard for boundary-hitting dominance in the tournament's history.

Last but not least, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi has now established a new record for the most innings with a strike rate of 200 or more in a single IPL season. Throughout his IPL 2026 campaign, the 15-year-old has surpassed the 200-strike-rate threshold in nine separate innings (minimum 10 balls faced).

The young batter has comfortable eclipse former KKR all-rounder Andre Russell’s record of eight innings with a strike rate of 200 or more, which he recorded during his iconic 2019 campaign. Sooryavanshi levelled Russell’s record when he played a knock of 93 off 38 balls against the Lucknow Super Giants.

With nine innings of 200+ SR in a single IPL season, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi has officially set the gold standard for high-octane batting in the tournament. Alongside his record-breaking tally of 680 runs, Sooryavanshi has firmly established himself as the most explosive batter of IPL 2026, redefining high-impact T20 batting with unprecedented consistency at an elite strike rate.

CPI(M) protests ED raid on Pinarayi Vijayan; Brinda Karat detained

Asianet News Central — Wed, 27 May 2026 22:01:03 +0530

CPI(M) Protests ED Action, Leaders Detained

The Communist Party of India (Marxist) staged a protest at the Enforcement Directorate (ED) headquarters in Delhi against the agency's raids on the residence of former Keralam Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Wednesday. The protest was led by CPI(M) General Secretary M.A. Baby.

As per CPI(M), during the protest, Delhi Police detained the demonstrators. The detained accused included senior leader Brinda Karat, Polit Bureau members Ashok Dhawale, Mariam Dhawale and Vijoo Krishnan, Central Committee members Vikram Singh, and Delhi State secretary Anurag Saxena. More than one hundred protesters were also detained.

Party Condemns 'Political Vendetta'

Details of the ED Probe

Officials told ANI, "The company of Veena, Exalogic Solutions Private Limited (a one-person company), received fraudulent payments totalling Rs 2.78 crores from CMRL under the guise of Income Tax consultancy services."

Further, the officials privy to the case said the Empower India Capital Investment Private Limited (EICPL), operated by SN Sasidharan Kartha, MD of CMRL, allegedly extended loans to Exalogic totalling Rs 50 lakhs, despite Exalogic failing to make timely repayments.

CMRL is a publicly listed company in which 48.75 per cent shares are held by the general public, and 13.41 per cent shares are held by the Keralam state PSU Kerala State Industrial Development Corporation (as on March 31, 2023).

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