Aadhaar Enabled Payment System (AePS) Explained: What It Is, How It Works, Features and More

National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) introduced the Aadhaar Enabled Payment System (AePS) in 2016 as a new method for direct benefit transfers from the government to the citizens, plugging leakages in the system. AePS, a “bank-led model”, is claimed to bring people living in underserved parts of the country into the fold of the formal banking system. Using AePS, you can check your account balance using AePS by either visiting a micro ATM or a local agent outlet, withdraw cash, deposit money, transfer money from one AEBA to another, and get a copy of your mini account statement.

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Propeller: One-Way Night Coach OTT Release: Where to Watch John Travolta’s Emotional Family Drama

Propeller: One-Way Night Coach is a nostalgic family drama set in the golden era of aviation.

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Upcoming Smartphones in June 2026: Motorola Edge 70 Pro+, Xiaomi 17T, Lava Bold N2 5G and More

Brands like Motorola, Huawei, and Xiaomi are set to unveil new devices across flagship, mid-range, and budget segments in June this year. Here we have listed the smartphone launches set to take place next month. Our picks include the Xiaomi 17T, Motorola Edge 70 Pro+, Lava Bold N2 5, and Huawei Nova 16 series, among others.

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Oura Ring 4 Review: An Always-on Solution to Effective Health Tracking

Oura’s Ring 4 arrives a bit too late to India, a good four years after its global launch. It offers good activity tracking and excellent sleep tracking, but has a few flaws in terms of functionality. And there’s also the fact that a lot of its features are blocked behind a subscription plan. Our review explains why it functions better as a passive health tracker versus a full-blown fitness smartwatch.

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Faces Out on OTT: Know Where to Stream This Psychological Thriller Film Online

Faces is a Malayalam psychological thriller film that has been written and directed by Neelesh EK. The film explores the dark conspiracy, thriller, and intense sequences surrounding a rare mental condition caused by trauma.

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How to Block a Debit or Credit Card In Case of Loss or Theft: A Step-By-Step Guide

All major banks in India let customers block their credit or debit cards using different methods, in case their card has been lost or stolen. While you can always visit the nearest branch to block your card, it is not always possible, especially if it is a bank holiday. You can either block your credit or debit card via your bank’s mobile banking app, internet banking portal, or SMS service. In case a bad actor gets access to your credit or debit card’s CVV number and you card’s number, they can use it to transfer money to their bank accounts.

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Vijay's In-Flight Photo With Air Hostess Wins Internet: "Extra Special Duty"

A picture taken aboard a flight featuring an air hostess and C. Joseph Vijay has gone viral on social media, with fans celebrating the Tamil Nadu Chief Minister's humble and approachable public image. The photograph was clicked during Vijay's return journey from New Delhi following his first official multi-day visit to the national capital since taking oath as Chief Minister earlier this month. The cabin crew member identified as Uma Meenakshi shared the image online, calling the flight duty "extra special" after getting the opportunity to meet the actor-turned-politician in person.

Dressed in his now-signature monochrome black-and-white formal attire, the Chief Minister appeared relaxed in the viral picture, which quickly spread across fan pages and political circles.

"Crew duty became extra special today with Honourable Chief Minister Shri C. Joseph Vijay (fondly known as Thalapathy) @actorvijay onboard," the air hostess wrote on Instagram while sharing the image.

See the post here:

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by UMA MEENAKSHI (@yamtha.uma)

The actor-turned politician's supporters praised Vijay for maintaining the same down-to-earth persona that made him one of Tamil cinema's biggest stars long before entering politics. Many users commented on how comfortably he interacted with ordinary people despite now holding the state's top political office.

The flight came at the end of a politically significant visit to Delhi, where the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam founder held meetings with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and several senior Union ministers. Discussions reportedly focused on central funding for Tamil Nadu, infrastructure expansion, welfare programmes, investment opportunities and pending state projects.

From Tamil Cinema Superstar to Tamil Nadu's Chief Minister

Vijay's rise from cinema superstar to Chief Minister has been one of the most closely watched political developments in recent Tamil Nadu history. After launching Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam in 2024, he rapidly transformed his massive fan base into a political support network, positioning himself as a fresh alternative in the state's Dravidian political landscape.

His campaign focused heavily on youth engagement, governance reform, anti-corruption messaging, and welfare-driven development. Riding on enormous popularity among younger voters and first-time supporters, TVK emerged as a major political force within a remarkably short period.

Vijay, who also heads the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK), won a trust vote on May 13 with the support of Congress, CPI, CPI(M), VCK and Indian Union Muslim League (IUML) MLAs. The TVK emerged as the largest party after winning 108 seats in the assembly elections.

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Netanyahu Orders Israel Army To Take Control Of 70% Of Gaza Strip

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Thursday he had ordered the country's military to take control of 70 per cent of the Gaza Strip, in defiance of the terms of a fragile ceasefire that took effect in October.

"We are currently squeezing Hamas. We now control 60 per cent of the territory in the strip," he said at a conference in an occupied West Bank settlement, according to a video aired by Israel's Channel 12 network.

He said the military had controlled 50 per cent of Gaza under the terms of the ceasefire, adding: "My directive is to move to... 70 percent".

"We're squeezing them from all (sides). We'll deal with what's left afterwards."

The first phase of the truce saw the last hostages seized in Hamas's October 7, 2023 attacks on Israel, which triggered the war in Gaza, released in exchange for Palestinians detained by Israel.

The transition to the second phase, which was supposed to involve Hamas's disarmament and a gradual withdrawal of the Israeli army, has been stalled for months.

Under the terms of the ceasefire, Israeli forces were to pull back behind a so-called "yellow line", a demarcation between the area under Hamas control and that held by the Israeli army.

Netanyahu announced on May 15 that the Israeli army had expanded its grip on the Gaza Strip.

"There were those who said: get out, get out. We did not get out. Today we control... how much? 60 per cent. Tomorrow we shall see," he said at the time.

Gaza remains gripped by daily violence, with both the Israeli military and Hamas accusing one another of violating the truce in effect since October 10.

Israel has killed more than 900 people since the ceasefire, according to Gaza's health ministry, which operates under Hamas authority and whose figures are considered reliable by the United Nations.

Israel said on Wednesday it had killed the new head of Hamas's armed wing in Gaza, Mohammed Odeh, after killing his predecessor earlier this month.

Since Hamas's October 2023 attack, Israel has systematically targeted the group's leaders, both in Gaza and across the region.

Odeh is the fourth head of the Ezzedine Al-Qassam Brigades that Israel says it has killed since the start of the Gaza war.

On Wednesday, Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz repeated Israel's goal of ending Hamas's rule over the Palestinian territory and alluded to a plan for the forced displacement of its residents.

"The plan for voluntary migration from Gaza will also be implemented -- everything will be done at the right time and in the right way," he said.

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

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Tendulkar Reacts On Sooryavanshi's Historic 29-ball 97 For RR vs SRH

For eight straight overs, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi had the world on their feet and glued to their screens. The 15-year-old Rajasthan Royals batter cracked a 29-ball 97 against Sunrisers Hyderabad in the IPL 2026 Eliminator, with five fours and 12 sixes at a strike rate of over 334. Indian cricket icon Sachin Tendulkar hailed 15-year-old Vaibhav Sooryavanshi for his sensational knock against Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) in the Eliminator, pointing out his "outstanding bat swing" and how well he clears his front foot for balls aimed at the legs, giving him the freedom to hit his sixes.

He also went past legendary West Indies batter Chris Gayle for most sixes in a T20 tournament, having smashed 65 sixes so far in the ongoing Indian Premier League (IPL) season.

Posting on X, Sachin wrote, "Vaibhav Sooryavanshi's bat swing has been outstanding. What's even more remarkable is how beautifully he clears his front foot to create room for balls aimed at his legs. This freedom allows him to play the way he does. That innings was nothing short of spectacular!"

Vaibhav Sooryavanshi's bat swing has been outstanding. What's even more remarkable is how beautifully he clears his front foot to create room for balls aimed at his legs. This freedom allows him to play the way he does.

That innings was nothing short of spectacular!

— Sachin Tendulkar (@sachin_rt) May 27, 2026

India's World Cup-winning all-rounder also hailed the "Boss baby" for breaking Gayle's record, posting, "Boss baby breaks world boss's record! Unbelievable, this kid is great to watch. #unreal #VaibhavSooryavanshi #SRHvsRR @IPL"

Boss baby breaks world bosses record! Unbelievable this kid great to watch 🔥 #unreal #VaibhavSooryavanshi #SRHvsRR @IPL

— Yuvraj Singh (@YUVSTRONG12) May 27, 2026

Former Indian cricketer Mohammed Kaif also hailed the arrival of a "miracle, a future star", saying that "cricket has so much to look forward to".

"We are seeing a miracle, we are seeing a future star, we are seeing Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, the wonder boy. Jaw-dropping sixes, breaks Universal Boss Chris Gayle's record of most sixes in his first full IPL season. And he's just 15. The opposition players, owners, and the entire cricket world applaud. Cricket has so much to look forward to," posted Kaif on X.

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.

The 15-year-old's takedown 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 powerplay in the 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 the 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.

The 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 Mumbai Indians (MI) in 2023. Sooryavanshi has the most sixes in an IPL innings 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 Qualifier 2 of IPL 2022.

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 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.

Put in 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

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Indian Startup's Experimental Balloon Platform Rises 25 km Above Earth

A massive experimental balloon gently flew from the Indira Gandhi Stadium in Vijayawada, Andhra Pradesh. It was part of India's private space sector's leap into the space domain, as a startup demonstrated how special high altitude balloons can transform communications, surveillance and scientific research.

Red Balloon Aerospace, a Hyderabad-based company founded in 2025, has successfully launched what it calls India's first indigenous private super-pressure balloon carrying commercial payloads. The mission, named SANA, marks a significant milestone not just for the company but for India's growing ambition in the emerging near-space economy.

The company's VISTA platform rose to about 25 kilometres above Earth, a region far above commercial aircraft but well below satellites. This Stratospheric Zone, between roughly 20 and 50 kilometres, has long remained underutilised globally despite offering unique advantages of persistent observation and lower costs.

India is no stranger to balloon-based science. Government institutions such as the Tata Institute of Fundamental Research and the Indian Institute of Astrophysics have been using high-altitude balloons for decades, especially for astrophysics experiments and atmospheric studies. Their work has built a strong scientific foundation. What makes this moment different is that a private startup is now translating that legacy into commercial applications, moving swiftly to build an industry around near-space platforms.

Red Balloon Aerospace has achieved operational commercial flight within just eight months of its founding. This rapid development shows how private enterprise is accelerating innovation and deployment speed in sectors that were once dominated by government programs.

Mission SANA

Mission SANA carried payloads from seven national and international partners. These included biological experiments, propulsion demonstrations, onboard computing systems, earth observation sensors and navigation validation technologies. According to the company, all payload missions were completed, demonstrating that Indian platforms can meet global commercial standards.

Dr C V S Kiran, Co-founder and Chief Executive Officer, said the mission is only the beginning of a broader effort to build a near-space ecosystem.

"VISTA validates our core near-space platform technology, and this is only the beginning. Our advantage is execution speed, enabling us to design, test and deploy indigenous stratospheric platforms at a pace that demonstrates India's capability to compete globally in emerging space sectors," he added.

He said this mission placed India among five nations globally with indigenous stratospheric hydrogen balloon capability, alongside the United States, France, Japan, and China

Hydrogen is much cheaper compared to Helium that is also used in high altitude balloons. However, hydrogen is risky to handle as it is highly flammable.

The technology behind VISTA sets it apart from conventional balloons. It uses a super-pressure design that allows it to maintain a stable altitude for extended periods, potentially lasting weeks or even months. 

Unlike traditional balloons that quickly rise and descend, this stability creates a persistent observational and communication platform high above the Earth.

Such platforms can act as floating towers in the sky. From this vantage point, they can support telecommunications, especially in remote or underserved regions, monitor natural disasters in real time, and enable surveillance over large geographic areas. They can also play a role in emerging non-terrestrial network technologies, complementing satellite systems.

Red Balloon Aerospace says its technology addresses a critical gap in spatial infrastructure. While aircraft operate below 10 km and satellites orbit above 160 km, the stratosphere between 20 and 50 km has remained largely unused despite offering strategic advantages. Stratospheric platforms provide high-resolution imaging with longer dwell times than satellites, flexible deployment without orbital launch costs, and rapid response capability for disaster management and communications.

The economic model is equally important. By carrying multiple payloads from different customers on a single flight, the platform enables a shared or rideshare approach. This significantly reduces costs and makes near-space access more affordable for startups, research institutions and government agencies.

Red Balloon Aerospace is also developing a broader suite of platforms, including tethered aerostats and long-endurance airships. Together, these systems aim to create an integrated stratospheric infrastructure layer for communications, earth observation and strategic applications.

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6 Months Into Marriage, Lucknow Woman Found Dead After Dowry Harassment

A 26-year-old woman in Lucknow died by suicide on Monday, barely six months after her marriage, with her family accusing her husband and in-laws of sustained dowry harassment that drove her to take her own life.

Shweta Singh was found hanging at her in-laws' residence in Lucknow's Thakurganj area. Her family has alleged that she faced repeated demands for dowry, including pressure for a four-wheeler, and that her in-laws murdered her before staging the scene to look like suicide.

Shweta had married Bhupendra Singh, also known as Shubham Singh, on November 22, 2025. According to her father, Umesh Kumar Singh, the harassment began soon after the wedding. He claims her husband mentally tortured her on a daily basis. Her mother-in-law is said to have involved her own relatives in taunting Shweta, which left the young woman severely distressed.

Police registered a case on Tuesday following a complaint lodged by Umesh Kumar Singh. 

The accused include Bhupendra Singh, his mother, his father, his brother, his brother's wife, and his sister. They face charges under Section 80 (dowry death) and Section 85 (cruelty) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, along with provisions of the Dowry Prohibition Act.

Thakurganj Station House Officer Omveer Singh Chauhan said Shweta's in-laws took her to hospital after she was found hanging, where doctors declared her dead. 

The accused are currently on the run, and police have launched raids to trace them.

A senior police officer stated that further action will depend on the post-mortem report. Shweta's body has been sent for autopsy.

Her parents have levelled allegations of murder and dowry harassment against the entire family of her husband. 

(With inputs from Vivek Shahi)

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UK Wellness Coach Dies After Taking Toxic Frog Secretion During Detox Ritual

Kristian Trend, a 40-year-old wellness coach from Leicester, England, died last month after taking part in a 'cleansing' ritual involving Kambo, a toxic secretion derived from the Amazonian giant leaf frog. According to a Telegraph report, he is believed to be the first British person to die following the use of the substance.

The incident occurred at a flat in Clarendon Park, Leicester, where Trend reportedly participated in a traditional "purging" ceremony commonly associated with South American spiritual and healing practices. During such rituals, Kambo is typically applied to small burns made on the skin, allowing the toxin to enter the bloodstream.

Emergency services were called to the property on April 11 after Trend became seriously unwell during the ceremony. He was treated at the scene before being rushed to hospital, where he later died.

Leicestershire Police confirmed that a 41-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of administering poison in connection with the case. He has since been released on bail while investigations continue. Toxicology tests are currently underway to determine the precise cause of death.

Trend's death has drawn widespread attention because it came only months after he had reportedly overcome Burkitt lymphoma, a rare and aggressive form of blood cancer. After spending several months in the hospital, he recovered and later devoted his life to wellness, spirituality, and alternative healing practices. He travelled extensively across India and other parts of Asia and became well known in holistic wellness circles.

Family members said his battle with cancer had profoundly changed his outlook on life and deepened his interest in spiritual cleansing and natural therapies. His mother, Angie, reportedly said that her son believed strongly in holistic healing and had spoken about wanting to cleanse himself before death.

"He was going to cleanse himself; that's what he said to me. He was very spiritual. He took a lot of vitamins. But I don't know what happened," Trend's mother, Angie, told The Telegraph. 

About Kambo

• Kambo is a traditional Amazonian ritual practiced by indigenous tribes in South America. The ritual uses a waxy toxic secretion obtained from the giant leaf frog, also known as the giant monkey frog.
• The frog naturally produces the toxin as a defence mechanism to protect itself from predators.
• During the ceremony, participants first drink around one litre of water. Small burns are then created on the skin using a heated stick, after which the Kambo secretion is applied directly onto the open wounds.
• For men, the burns are usually made on the arms or chest, while for women they are commonly placed on the legs.
• The toxin produces intense physical and psychological reactions and is often compared to psychedelic substances such as ayahuasca. Reported side effects include confusion, memory loss, lethargy, hallucinations and psychosis.
• According to the National Institutes of Health (NIH), Kambo contains powerful bioactive compounds that can trigger dangerous reactions in the human body.
• Medical experts and health authorities have warned that the substance has been linked to severe vomiting, seizures, liver failure, heart complications and sudden cardiac death in some cases.
• Although promoted in some alternative wellness circles as a detoxifying or healing therapy, Kambo remains highly controversial due to safety concerns.
• The substance is banned in countries including Australia, Brazil and Chile. However, Kambo remains legal in the United Kingdom and can still be purchased there.

Following Trend's death, UK authorities urged people to exercise caution regarding unregulated alternative therapies. A government spokesperson said substances that pose potential public health risks remain under review.

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Trump Adds Fresh Uncertainty To Iran Peace Talks With 'Abraham Accords' Post

Days after US Secretary of State Marco Rubio spoke about progress on an Iran nuclear agreement, United States President Donald Trump has thrown in a fresh condition. He now wants Middle Eastern countries, including Iran, to join the Abraham Accords as part of any deal.

This comes on top of an already long list of conditions that includes keeping the Strait of Hormuz open, Iran abandoning uranium enrichment entirely, and Tehran receiving no compensation for losses suffered during the conflict.

What Are the Abraham Accords?

The Abraham Accords were first signed in 2020, during Trump's first term in office. They are a set of US-brokered agreements under which several Muslim-majority nations agreed to normalise diplomatic relations with Israel. The UAE and Bahrain signed up at the time, with Morocco, Sudan and Kazakhstan joining later.

In a lengthy post on Truth Social on Monday, the Republican president said he had spoken to the leaders of Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Qatar, Pakistan, Turkey, Egypt, Jordan and Bahrain. He told them that, given everything Washington had put into trying to bring this complicated situation together, it ought to be compulsory for all these countries to sign the Abraham Accords at the very minimum, and to do so at the same time.

"The Abraham Accords have proven to be, for the Countries involved (The United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Morocco, Sudan, and Kazakhstan), a Financial, Economic, and Social BOOM, even during this time of Conflict and War, with the current Members never even suggesting leaving or taking so much as even a pause," Trump said.

He singled out Saudi Arabia and Qatar as the countries that should move first. "It should start with the immediate signing by Saudi Arabia and Qatar, and everybody else should follow suit," he added.

In 2025, Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman told Trump that the kingdom was open to joining the Abraham Accords, as long as there was "a clear path" toward a two-state solution.

Trump also extended the invitation to Iran itself, should it reach an agreement with Washington. "Therefore, I am mandatorily requesting that all Countries immediately sign the Abraham Accords, and that, if Iran signs its Agreement with me, as President of the United States of America, it would be an Honor to have them also be part of this unparalleled World Coalition," he said.

He also warned, "It will only be a Great Deal for all or no Deal at all -- Back to the Battlefront and shooting, but bigger and stronger than ever before -- And nobody wants that."

Rubio Had Suggested A Deal Was Close

The new demand came shortly after Secretary of State Marco Rubio had given reporters reason for optimism. Speaking during a visit to New Delhi, Rubio indicated a deal might have been possible within hours.

"We thought we might have some news last night, maybe today," he said, adding that there appeared to be a solid proposal on the table regarding the opening of the Strait of Hormuz.

Iran Cools Expectations

Iran's foreign ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baqaei acknowledged that negotiators had made headway on a considerable portion of the issues under discussion, but cautioned against reading too much into that progress.

"It is correct to say that we have reached a conclusion on a large portion of the issues under discussion," he told a weekly news briefing. "But to say that this means the signing of an agreement is imminent -- no one can make such a claim."

US and Iranian forces have observed a ceasefire since 8 April while both sides work towards negotiating a deal. However, Iran has continued to maintain control over Gulf shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, and the US Navy has been seeking to blockade Iranian ports.

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RCB To Change Kohli's Opening Partner For Qualifier 1 vs GT? Patidar Answers

Phil Salt is an explosive opener who missed most of Royal Challengers Bengaluru's league stage matches due to injury. Jacob Bethell took his place but could not leave much of an impact. Venkatesh Iyer played against Sunrisers Hyderabad as an opener and slammed a quick-fire knock in RCB's last league stage match. The defending champions face Gujarat Titans in the IPL 2026 Qualifier 1 on Tuesday. Now the big question is whether Phil Salt will play that match or not.

Asked about the availability of opener Phil Salt, who recently returned from England after getting his injured finger treated, RCB skipper Rajat Patidar did not give a straight answer.

"He is fit and doing drills, but we have not decided the playing XI yet," he said.

Patidar admits bowlers' challenges

Patidar on Monday admitted that bowlers were finding it increasingly difficult to survive in an IPL dominated by 200-plus totals, while sidestepping the controversy over moving the final from Bengaluru to Ahmedabad. Ahead of RCB's Qualifier 1 clash against Gujarat Titans here on Tuesday, Patidar acknowledged how even scores in excess of 220-250 were no longer safe in the tournament and that it was a matter for concern for bowlers, especially pacers.

"I feel it is more challenging for the bowlers. The wickets are batting-friendly, the boundaries are smaller, and there is dew as well. Especially for fast bowlers, even a small mistake goes for six," Patidar said during the pre-match media interaction.

"But whatever wicket or conditions we get, we just try to do our best on that. It is not in my hands to decide how the wickets should be," he added.

Patidar was measured in his response when asked about the IPL final being shifted from Bengaluru to Ahmedabad.

"It's not in my control. This is a historic site, so wherever the final is going to be, that's where it is going to be. We are focused on reaching the final," he said.

The BCCI moved the title clash to Ahmedabad, citing operational issues and local political complications, including excessive ticket requests and crowd management concerns.

RCB and GT, who finished the league stage with identical points, will battle for a direct spot in the final in what Patidar described as a contest between two evenly matched teams.

"Both teams have done pretty well throughout the season. On the given day, whichever team executes its plans better and stays calm under pressure is going to win," he said.

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BCCI Selectors Want To 'Move On' From SKY, But Final Decision With One Man

Suryakumar Yadav's future as India's T20 captain could primarily be decided by head coach Gautam Gambhir, as the national selection committee is not entirely convinced that he can make it to the team purely as a batter, according to a senior BCCI source. Suryakumar, who was given the moniker SKY by Gambhir, has been struggling for form for a year now.Within the BCCI, it is understood that the selection panel is in favour of moving on from him, but the Board hierarchy also recognises that the coach-captain equation is integral to the dressing-room environment. And Gambhir's stated comfort with Suryakumar will make him a key figure in the final call.

For close to a year now, Suryakumar's place in the side has remained under scrutiny. At the moment, it is understood that all five selectors largely believe that the current T20 captain should be dropped from the XI.

The view has been gaining ground ever since the emotional dust of the T20 World Cup triumph settled. The selectors, it is learnt, began seeing the future of Indian cricket through a wider lens instead of focusing on the glow of a single tournament.

"Initially, the selectors thought that the IPL would help Suryakumar regain form like the last edition when he crossed 700 runs. But strangely, there hasn't been any technical course correction in his game.

"Even the rookiest of pacers are just bowling straight hard lengths, and he has no answer. Selectors don't see him playing the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics. It is as simple as that," a senior BCCI source told PTI.

The numbers do make for grim reading.

Suryakumar managed only 210 runs from 12 innings at a strike rate of 148 but, more alarmingly, averaged below 18 -- statistics that have sharply contrasted with the aura surrounding one of modern T20 cricket's most inventive batters.

"If someone can't earn his place as a batter, how can he be a leader? Hence, it is difficult to retain him, but Ajit (Agarkar) and Gautam need to be on the same page," the source said.

And therein lies the intrigue.

Gambhir is not known to operate as a ceremonial head coach.

Those familiar with his working style insist that in any set-up he oversees, the final word often rests with him. More importantly, his relationship with Suryakumar has remained exceptionally warm.

This means that if Gambhir chooses to back Suryakumar and veto the move to sack him, the selection committee may be forced to postpone the inevitable.

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

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"Anything India Wants, They Get": Trump's Phone Call At Live Delhi Event

US President Donald Trump came live on phone during an event in Delhi that hosted US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and expressed admiration for Prime Minister Narendra Modi as a "big fan".

The event celebrated the 250th anniversary of the US Declaration of Independence.

"... You have to be a representative of our country, Sergio. But I just want to say hello to everybody. I love the Prime Minister. Modi is great. He's my friend," Trump said as Rubio stood in front of a giant screen installed at the event.

Sergio yesterday extended an invite on behalf of Trump for PM Modi to visit the White House sometime.

His visit to India also comes just days after a major immigration policy change in the US raised concerns, as it asked many immigrants already living legally in the US to leave and apply for permanent residency - or green card - from abroad.

"We have never been closer to India. And India can count on me 100 per cent and our country. If they have any help, they know where to call. They call right here. We are doing well. We are setting records," Trump said.

"We have a record economy, a record stock market. And anything India wants, they get. And I'm a big, big fan of Prime Minister Modi," the US president said, and praised Rubio as the "greatest" secretary of state.

"He's going out as the greatest secretary of state in the history of the US. That's good. Well, you have some big ones there. When you have Marco, Sergio [US envoy to India]... you are getting the big stuff," Trump said. "I know you're going to represent us well. Everybody, enjoy your evening. And it's an honour to talk and say hello to Prime Minister Modi. And let him know I'm a big fan."

Earlier today, Rubio said the US and India are close to finalising a long-awaited bilateral trade agreement that will be "beneficial", "sustainable", and aligned with the national interests of both countries.

He made the remarks after holding talks with External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on deepening cooperation in key sectors such as trade, critical minerals, energy security and defence collaboration.

The visit by the top US diplomat comes at a significant moment in bilateral ties, as both countries seek to strengthen economic engagement following months of friction over tariffs and trade policies pursued by Washington. Analysts see Rubio's trip as an effort to reinforce confidence in the relationship and push forward negotiations on a comprehensive trade framework.

"This is not about India," Rubio said, adding that concerns over trade imbalances have shaped Washington's engagement with several partners, including traditional allies in Europe. He noted that the administration's approach stems from a broader effort to create what it views as a fairer global trading system.

"India is a massive economy and one of our leading trade partners. We do a lot of trade with India, and rebalancing trade with a country of this size and magnitude is naturally different," he said.

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74-Year-Old Bengaluru Woman Cheated Of Rs 24 Crore In Digital Arrest Scam

A major 'Digital Arrest' cyber fraud racket was busted in Bengaluru by the Karnataka State Cyber Command Unit after scammers allegedly cheated a 74-year-old woman of nearly Rs 24 crore by impersonating senior officials from central investigation agencies.

Investigators said the cyber fraudsters posed as high-ranking officials from the CBI and Enforcement Directorate (ED) and psychologically trapped the victim, Lakshmi Ramamurthy, a senior citizen from Bengaluru, through a fake "digital arrest" operation.

Police said the accused convinced the victim that she was under investigation and coerced her into transferring huge sums of money from her ICICI Bank account. Between February 10 and April 24, the victim allegedly transferred nearly Rs 24 crore through 26 separate transactions into 23 mule bank accounts spread across 10 different banks across the country.

Investigators revealed that the fraudsters were attempting to extract even more money from the victim. On April 24, the woman was reportedly in the process of availing a gold loan worth Rs 3 crore to transfer additional funds to the accused.

However, alert officials at ICICI Bank sensed suspicious activity and informed the Karnataka Cyber Command Unit. The cyber team immediately rushed to the spot and counselled the victim, successfully preventing the transfer of the Rs 3 crore to the fraudsters.

Following the intervention, police registered a case and launched a large-scale investigation into the interstate cyber fraud network.

As part of the probe, the Cyber Command Unit tracked the first-layer mule accounts where the proceeds of crime had been routed and laundered. With the help of the National Cybercrime Reporting Portal (NCRP), investigators managed to freeze multiple mule accounts involved in the scam.

Officials said more than Rs 4 crore was successfully frozen during the operation, while an additional Rs 1.46 crore was recovered through court orders. Six accused have been arrested so far, and police also confiscated six mobile phones allegedly used in the commission of the crime.

The arrested accused have been identified as:

1. N. Sivagnanam from Erode, Tamil Nadu  
2. Akkach Mallick from Mumbai, Maharashtra  
3. Palak Bhai Patel from Ahmedabad, Gujarat  
4. Amit Narendra Patel from Ahmedabad, Gujarat  
5. Om Prakash Rajput from New Delhi  
6. Gaurav Kumar from Bihar

The Karnataka State Cyber Command Unit said the investigation is continuing to trace other members of the network and identify the masterminds behind the nationwide cyber fraud operation.

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Watch: Arjun Tendulkar Scalps 1st Wicket Of IPL 2026, Muted Celebrates Follows

Arjun Tendulkar, son of legendary India cricketer Sachin Tendulkar, made his debut for Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) in IPL 2026 on Saturday, and also took his first wicket of the tournament. Tendulkar bowled an inch-perfect yorker in his third over to dismiss Punjab Kings (PBKS) opener Prabhsimran Singh, trapping him LBW. The left-arm pacer, however, did not celebrate it much, with LSG in a losing position. Tendulkar had a golden opportunity to dismiss Prabhsimran in his very first over, but LSG skipper Rishabh Pant squandered a simple catch.

When Tendulkar got Prabhsimran's wicket on the final ball of the 15th over, PBKS were already in the driving seat and on their way to victory, chasing a target of 197.

Tendulkar was not animated in his celebration, instead just exchanging high-fives with some of his teammates.

WATCH: Arjun Tendulkar takes his first wicket of IPL 2026

Yorker on point

Arjun Tendulkar denied earlier by a dropped catch but fetches his maiden #LSG wicket

Updates https://t.co/2ADKr4dqhi#TATAIPL | #KhelBindaas | #LSGvPBKS | @LucknowIPL pic.twitter.com/DiCZbP7GCB

— IndianPremierLeague (@IPL) May 23, 2026

The 26-year-old was one of LSG's better bowlers despite their defeat, finishing with figures of 1/36 in four overs.

He had a big opportunity to pick up Prabhsimran's wicket in his first over, as the PBKS star gloved a short delivery. However, Rishabh Pant uncharacteristically dropped a catch.

Tendulkar also got a chance to bat towards the end, making 5 runs in as many balls.

Tendulkar had been traded to LSG ahead of the IPL 2026 auction. It was the first time that he had joined a franchise other than Mumbai Indians (MI), where his father Sachin had played for six seasons.

Punjab Kings ultimately clinched victory over LSG to keep their IPL 2026 playoffs hopes alive. PBKS captain Shreyas Iyer slammed a stunning unbeaten 101 to guide his side to victory with two overs to go.

PBKS ended their six-game losing streak and necessarily so, moving up to 15 points with their seventh win of the IPL 2026 season. Their qualification to the playoffs depends on how Rajasthan Royals (RR) and Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) fare on the final day of the league stage.

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Jaipur Woman Dies By Suicide After Domestic Abuse, Children Recount Torture

A case of alleged domestic abuse in Jaipur has left two children without their mother. The victim, Anu Meena, allegedly died by suicide by hanging herself. Both children were witnesses to their parents' constant quarrels.

Anu married Gautam Meena, an executive engineer in the Public Works Department, in 2015. Allegations suggest that soon after marriage, Gautam began harassing her, often under the influence of alcohol. He reportedly abused and physically assaulted her multiple times.

Their son, 10-year-old Mahir, said that his father frequently beat his mother. He recalled an incident when his father came home and assaulted Anu. 

Mahir also mentioned that his mother had asked him to give her salt water whenever her blood pressure dropped. On one occasion, while he tried to help her, his father dismissed the situation. "Dad would often hit Mom and torment her. One day, he came home, played a song on the TV, then smashed the television set and beat Mom. I went to get the water, but Dad blamed Mom," Mahir said. 

Their daughter, eight-year-old Samayra, also recounted frequent fights between her parents, including public arguments at social gatherings and even during a family trip.

On April 7, Anu allegedly died by suicide after enduring ongoing abuse. Before taking the extreme step, she made a video call to her husband and carried out the act during the call. Neighbours rushed to the scene and informed her family. Despite attempts to revive her through CPR, she could not be saved.

Anu's mother, 56-year-old Maya, recalled that Anu often complained about her husband's behaviour but never imagined the situation would end this way. She said she missed a call that day and now feels she could have prevented the tragedy.

Days after the incident, Mahir accessed his mother's phone and retrieved several videos, including footage of an altercation. Anu had recorded a video inside the car in which Gautam can be clearly heard hurling verbal abuse at her. In the video, Gautam is seen verbally abusing both Anu and her family. 

Anu's brother, Neeraj Meena, said the family had repeatedly urged her to return home, but she chose to stay, concerned about her husband's well-being. He added that Gautam would often apologise after episodes of violence, which led the family to believe the situation might improve.

He further alleged that even after the incident, Gautam showed no remorse and reportedly stated that going to jail for a few days would not be a problem.

Police have initiated an investigation, and statements from the victim's family have been recorded. Authorities are examining CCTV footage and other evidence as part of the probe.

Helplines
Vandrevala Foundation for Mental Health	9999666555 or help@vandrevalafoundation.com
TISS iCall	022-25521111 (Monday-Saturday: 8 am to 10 pm)
(If you need support or know someone who does, please reach out to your nearest mental health specialist.)

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Arjun Tendulkar Reacts After Pant Blunder Costs Him 1st Wicket. Watch

Arjun Tendulkar had an eventful first outing for his new IPL outfit Lucknow Super Giants against Punjab Kings. It was the all-rounder's new beginning in the IPL. Arjun, who is the son of Sachin Tendulkar, came on late in the innings and scored five runs. He bowled an economical first over where he gave away just four runs. It could have been even better had LSG captain Rishabh Pant taken a catch behind the stumps.

Pant was furious with himself after he let go of a tough chance in the seventh over of the innings. It was a short delivery around leg, as Prabhsimran rushed into the pull shot. The ball went off the glove to the left of Pant, who leapt across and got both gloves to it, but the ball slipped out. Prabhsimran went on to score 69 off 39 balls.

Pant was frustrated, as was Tendulkar.

A massive chance goes down!

Prabhsimran Singh gets a lifeline

Will this prove costly for LSG?#TATAIPL Race to Playoffs 2026 #LSGvPBKS | LIVE NOW https://t.co/YCEmm7Idoa pic.twitter.com/ebUXQd6MO2

— Star Sports (@StarSportsIndia) May 23, 2026

Josh Inglis made a typically punishing 72, guiding Lucknow Super Giants to a handy 196 for six against Punjab Kings, who need to win this match to stay alive in the race to the IPL playoffs here on Saturday. Inglis and Pant (26, 21b) added 65 runs for the fourth wicket as the already-eliminated Super Giants recovered from a shaky 69 for three in the seventh over. Inglis 42-ball innings had two phases in it. The first part contained an opening over assault on Arshdeep Singh, four fours fetching the Aussie 16 runs. But then he left the stage for Ayush Badoni, who came to the crease after the early dismissal of Arshin Kulkarni, who opened in the place of Mitchell Marsh, and Nicholas Pooran. Badoni took the centre stage in some style, making an 18-ball 43 and added 49 runs for the third wicket with Inglis. He creamed Azmatuallah Omarzai, the No.1 all rounder as per ICC rankings, for 24 runs in the fifth over, and the run glut included a sequence of 4,6,6,4. It helped LSG recover from the early departures of two top-order batters and end the power play at a rather fine 66 for two. But Badoni's daredevilry ended soon as Prabhsimran Singh effected a smart stumping off Yuzvendra Chahal, and DRS upheld its validity. However, Inglis woke up from his stupor with a slew of sparkling shots around the ground, and he started the second segment of his innings smashing a six, four and four in a row of Arshdeep. In all, Inglis milked Arshdeep for six fours and two sixes, extending the India left-arm pacer's lean season. It brought Pant and Inglis together. Pant, who was dropped on 18 by Shreyas Iyer at covers off Chahal, was not at his fluent best, but stayed there to give some valuable company to Inglis. The Aussie right-hander reached his fifty in 28 balls but lost the company of Pant, who fell to Chahal (2/25). Inglis eventually fell to part-timer Shahshank Singh, giving an easy catch to Shreyas, who had stationed himself at a more straight long-on position. Abdul Samad (37 not out, 20 balls) belted a couple of big hits but once Mukul Choudhary fell to Marco Jansen (2/33) cheaply, LSG's hopes of crossing 200 evaporated.

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H-1B Visa Applications Drop 38%. Trump Administration Says Days Of Abuse Over

The Donald Trump administration on Thursday said applications for H-1B visas had dropped significantly this year after major changes were introduced to the work visa selection process. Calling it a crackdown on misuse of the system, the administration said "the days of abusing the programme with mass, low-wage registrations are over."

Data released by the US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) showed that properly submitted H-1B registrations fell by 38.5 per cent compared to last year, from 343,981 in fiscal year 2026 to 211,600 for fiscal year 2027.

The H-1B visa programme, widely used by Indian professionals seeking jobs in the United States, has come under tighter scrutiny in recent years. The White House had earlier rolled out stricter wage requirements and raised application fees, saying the aim was to curb widespread abuse of the system.

This year's H-1B season is wrapping up, and we're seeing great results from @POTUS' new policies that prioritize America First!

Stay tuned for more updates, but here's what we're seeing so far:

✅More top talent: We're approving more applicants with advanced degrees and higher…

— USCIS (@USCIS) May 21, 2026

In a post on X, USCIS said, "This data is a clear sign that the days of abusing the program with mass, low-wage registrations are over, and that the programme is better serving its intended purpose of attracting highly skilled foreign workers and protecting the wages, working conditions, and job opportunities of American workers."

The immigration agency also said the profile of selected applicants appeared to be changing. The H-1B programme has long faced criticism from those who argue that some companies rely on it to hire cheaper foreign labour instead of recruiting highly skilled workers.

According to USCIS, a larger share of selected candidates now hold advanced academic qualifications and command higher salaries. The agency said 71.5 per cent of selected applicants had US master's degrees or higher, compared to 57 per cent the previous year. The figures suggest that more foreign students graduating from American universities are securing H-1B visas.

USCIS also stressed that it was tightening standards around wage levels linked to H-1B jobs. It said it was "closing the door" on low-skilled and low-wage workers, adding that only 17.7 per cent of approved applications fell in the lowest wage category.

Even as some lawmakers continue to push for scrapping the H-1B programme altogether, USCIS has given no indication that such a move is under consideration. The visa allocation process for the coming year has already concluded, while the next round of registrations is expected to begin early next year.

The administration said the latest numbers reflected the impact of its policy changes, with the system now favouring applicants with stronger qualifications and higher-paying job offers.
 

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Tulsi Gabbard Quits As US Intelligence Chief To Support Ill Husband

United States Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard has resigned from her post to support her husband through his cancer battle.

The top US official shared her resignation letter to President Donald Trump in a post on X.

Gabbard said she will step down from her post effective June 30, 2026, to support her husband, Abraham, who has been diagnosed with a rare bone cancer.

"Unfortunately, I must submit my resignation, effective June 30, 2026. My husband, Abraham, has recently been diagnosed with an extremely rare form of bone cancer. He faces major challenges in the coming weeks and months. At this time, I must step away from public service to be by his side and fully support him through this battle," she wrote in the letter.

"His strength and love have sustained me through every challenge. I cannot in good conscience ask him to face this fight alone while I continue in this demanding and time-consuming position," Gabbard added, talking about her husband.

I am deeply grateful for the trust President Trump placed in me and for the opportunity to lead @ODNIgov for the last year and a half.

Unfortunately, I must submit my resignation, effective June 30, 2026. My husband, Abraham, has recently been diagnosed with an extremely rare… pic.twitter.com/PS0Dxp5zpd

— Tulsi Gabbard 🌺 (@TulsiGabbard) May 22, 2026

Gabbard said she was "deeply grateful" to Trump for the "trust you placed in me and for the opportunity to lead the Office of the Director of National Intelligence for the last year and a half."

In the key role of director, Gabbard is responsible for coordination between multiple American intelligence agencies. A Trump loyalist, she was among the multiple Indian-origin Republicans who were entrusted with a high-profile role in the President's administration.

Trump also spoke up on Friday about Gabbard's resignation in a Truth Social post, saying that she had done an "incredible job" and that "we will miss her".

"Unfortunately, after having done a great job, Tulsi Gabbard will be leaving the Administration on June 30th. Her wonderful husband, Abraham, has been recently diagnosed with a rare form of bone cancer, and she, rightfully, wants to be with him, bringing him back to good health as they currently fight a tough battle together. I have no doubt he will soon be better than ever," Trump wrote.

In Gabbard's absence, Principal Deputy Director of National Intelligence, Aaron Lukas, will serve as Acting Director of National Intelligence, Trump announced.

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Ganguly Turns Back The Clock, Slams Century In Viral Video. Internet Reacts

Former Indian cricket team batter Sourav Ganguly rolled back the years as he played some beautiful shots to score 132 runs off just 68 balls in a viral gully cricket clip. Ganguly, who was well known for his elegant off-side shots, showed off his batting prowess and even slammed few trademark sixes straight down the group during the informal match. Internet was left stunned as the 53-year-old looked completely at ease and social media users were all praise for his batting. Ganguly scored 131 in his debut Test match against England and during this knock, he decided to score 1 more.

During the video, Ganguly was given two 'lives' which meant he could afford to get dismissed once. He reached his half-century in 33 balls and ended up losing his first 'life' at 75. However, there was no stopping as he raced to the century in 58 deliveries.

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A post shared by Gully Crickett (@gullycricket_in)

Following his century, the wicket-keeper urged Ganguly to recreate his iconic Lord's celebration. However, he remained in high sprits and ended his knock on 132.

Earlier, during his appearance on Raj Shamani's podcast, Ganguly said that he had no idea Indian players were approached to do 'match-fixing'. 

He spoke to Sachin Tendulkar and Rahul Dravid, asking them if any of them had been approached by someone to do such a thing. 

"The issues that the Indian team faced just before I became captain - betting, match-fixing - I didn't even know about these things. I kept asking Sachin [Tendulkar] and Rahul [Dravid] 'Does it actually happen? Has anyone approached you?' Because no one had approached me. So, I spoke to Sachin, 'Tujhe kisi ne poocha?' He said no. We all used to play both formats - Tests and one-dayers. Asked Anil [Kumble] too, he said 'No. Nobody asked me'. So, I wasn't too sure what it even was. That [captaincy] was the job in hand. So, I didn't have these things in mind," Ganguly opened up on the Raj Shamani podcast.

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Twisha Sharma's Mother-In-Law Goes To Court, Says Clips, Chats Fabricated

Giribala Singh -- former judge and mother-in-law of Twisha Sharma -- has gone to court, claiming that an audio clip and WhatsApp chats that are being widely reported on by the media is fabricated. She has sought that the court ensure that the "original source" of these audio clips and WhatsApp chats be investigated. She also alleged that proper procedure was not followed during the seizure of the Digital Video Recorders or DVRs of the CCTV cameras. The court has been requested to re-examine the DVR and to conduct a fresh verification of the sealed recordings.

The audio clip - purportedly a conversation between Giribala Singh and Twisha's brother Major Harshit Sharma - became highly controversial, with questions apparently being raised in it about Twisha's relationships and private life. Reports said there were questions on whether Twisha had entered relationships with men for "personal gain". One line from the recording reportedly said, "Some people earn by selling their intellect, others earn by selling their bodies".

Read: 'Unfathomable Cruelty': Twisha Sharma's Brother On Her Mother-In-Law

Giribala Singh has also sought that the cellphones belonging to Twisha Sharma's family -- her father Navinidhi Sharma, mother Rekha Sharma, brother Harshit Sharma, and sister-in-law Rashi Sharma -- be seized and sent for forensic investigation. 

Twisha Sharma's family has met Chief Minister Mohan Yadav to seek justice.

The petition asserted that the facts of the case could be detected if a thorough examination be made of mobile data, chat logs, and digital records. She has requested the court to order that the electronic evidence be preserved and investigated.

The application -- filed in a court in Bhopal Court today - also alleged that the DVR for the eight CCTV cameras installed in the house was not seized in accordance with proper legal procedure. The DVR displayed a time and date approximately 2 days, 2 hours, and 20 minutes prior to the actual time of the incident, she has claimed. Singh has sought that the CCTV footage be viewed again in presence of the "panchas" (witnesses) and the applicant, the individuals visible in the footage be identified.

Read: Age, Height Mismatch: The Unanswered Questions In Twisha Sharma Case

Twisha Sharma, 33, a model and an actor, died under suspicious circumstances within months  of her wedding to Giribala Singh's son. While the police claim she died by suicide, her family members alleged she was murdered by her in-laws and have demanded a second postmortem examination.

Her husband Samarth Singh, a lawyer, is on the run. His mother has accused Twisha of being a drug addict who had a mental disorder. The police have said they had found no evidence of drug abuse in the post-mortem report.

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Tom Selleck Returns To Crime TV With New History Channel Docuseries

Tom Selleck is returning to a crime show after a break from acting following the end of Blue Bloods. The actor, known for playing New York City Police Commissioner Frank Reagan in the long running drama from 2010 to 2024, has not appeared on screen since the series wrapped up. Now, he is stepping into a new role that keeps him close to the crime genre but in a different format.

Selleck will host, narrate and serve as executive producer of a new History Channel docuseries titled Crime and Justice. The show will feature 10 episodes and will focus on real life criminal cases from American history. After Blue Bloods ended, CBS carried the story forward with a spinoff titled Boston Blue, starring Donnie Wahlberg.

Through each episode, the series will be “tracing the enduring battle between law and lawlessness and the lawmen who ultimately brought some of the nation's most dangerous criminals to justice”.

Speaking about Crime and Justice, Tom Selleck said, “Throughout my career, I've been drawn to stories about consequences and the pursuit of justice. This series looks at real cases from across American history and the people tasked with seeing them through—moments when the pressure was intense, the outcome uncertain, and the decisions carried lasting consequences.”

After Blue Bloods ended, CBS carried the story forward with a spinoff titled Boston Blue, starring Donnie Wahlberg. Even with the new series continuing the world of the original show, fans of the original show still missed seeing Tom Selleck in his role as a crime solving detective.

Along with Crime and Justice with Tom Selleck, the History Channel has also revealed four other new shows to attract viewers. The lineup includes History's Strange Fortunes, hosted by Kevin Bacon, along with Extraordinary Origins with Ted Danson, Dolph Lundgren will lead History's Greatest Machines and 102 Minutes Inside the Towers, which revisits the events of September 11.

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Indian-Origin Microsoft Veteran Dies At 59, Silicon Valley In Shock

S "Soma" Somasegar, a highly influential Indian-origin technology executive, Microsoft veteran, and venture capitalist died on May 19 at the age of 59. His death was confirmed by Seattle-based venture capital firm Madrona Venture Group, where he had served as managing director for the past 11 years. The firm said he consistently raised expectations professionally and personally through his work as a technologist, executive, and investor.

"We are heartbroken to share that our dear friend and colleague Soma Somasegar passed away unexpectedly earlier today. There is no way to adequately describe Soma's brilliance and generous spirit. He was unique at every level and raised the bar on what we expected of ourselves professionally and, more importantly, personally. We all loved Soma, as everyone who knew him did," the tribute read. 

Born in Puducherry, Somasegar built a distinguished global career that spanned nearly three decades at Microsoft before moving into venture capital. Widely respected across Silicon Valley, he was known not only for his technical leadership but also for mentoring a generation of entrepreneurs and technology executives.

Somasegar joined Microsoft in 1989 and went on to contribute to eight releases of Windows, including work on the foundational 32-bit operating system Windows NT. He later rose to become Corporate Vice President of Microsoft's Developer Division, where he oversaw key platforms including Visual Studio and the .NET framework. He also played a major role in Microsoft's transition toward open-source server runtimes and cloud-based developer ecosystems.

Beyond product development, Somasegar helped expand Microsoft's global research and development footprint outside the United States, supporting the growth of technology hubs in Hyderabad, China, Israel, and Boston. After leaving Microsoft in 2015, he joined Madrona Venture Group as managing director, focusing on investments in artificial intelligence, machine learning, intelligent applications, and cloud infrastructure. He was also an active angel and seed investor in startups across the US and internationally. Hours before news of his death emerged, Somasegar had been named to the “SEED 100” list recognising the top early-stage investors of 2026.

Tributes Pour Across Social Media

Tributes poured in from across the technology industry following news of his unexpected death. Donald Trump's AI advisor Sriram Krishnan, who was hired by Somasegar early in his career alongside his wife Aarthi Ramamurthy, shared an emotional message on X, describing him as a defining influence on their professional journey.

"It's hard to articulate how much of an impact Soma had on @aarthir and me. He spotted us out of under grad, made sure we got our first jobs, spent time with us though he was a senior executive at Microsoft and we were random junior people and showered us with kindness.  Over the years he became a mentor who would tell us how proud he was of where we had gotten. We genuinely wouldn't have the lives and careers we have now without him. I'm still in shock and so deeply heartbroken. It's a truly sad day," he wrote on X. 

S “Soma” Somasegar

It's hard to articulate how much of an impact Soma had on @aarthir and me. He spotted us out of under grad, made sure we got our first jobs, spent time with us though he was a senior executive at Microsoft and we were random junior people and showered us with… pic.twitter.com/sa9HLDjym0

— Sriram Krishnan (@sriramk) May 20, 2026

Several former Microsoft colleagues also mourned his death, remembering him as a generous mentor, visionary leader, and one of the most respected figures in the developer ecosystem.
 

Just heartbreaking news that "Soma" S. Somasegar has passed away aged 59.

His contributions to Microsoft spanned from OS/2 to Windows NT to running DevDiv where he delivered Visual Studio, .NET, and Mobile development tools that so many of us relied on.

After Microsoft, he… pic.twitter.com/ShoFrTEq0B

— Rob Tiffany (@RobTiffany) May 20, 2026

Soma taught me the software shipping triangle in 2005. I have used it in founder conversations ever since. Remembering S. Somasegar, 1966–2026. #somasegar https://t.co/LjWSf0a5cL

— The Founder Catalyst (@venkatarangan) May 20, 2026

RIP #SomaSegar (S. “Soma” Somasegar, 1966–2026).
My deepest condolences to his family.

Soma was from my alma mater, College of Engineering Guindy, and I had the privilege of staying in touch with him on and off—especially after he became a VC.
At #Microsoft, he played a key…

— Chinnu Senthilkumar (@chinnusenthil1) May 20, 2026

Folks, this is just such terrible news.

Soma was an incredible mentor and sponsor to so many of us, across both Microsoft and Madrona.

It's shocking.https://t.co/qQTRSJhLVT

— Dona Sarkar (@donasarkar) May 20, 2026

Somasegar earned a master's degree in Computer Engineering from Louisiana State University and a bachelor's degree in Electronics and Communication Engineering from Anna University. Anna University later conferred upon him an honorary doctorate for his contributions to technology and computer science. In 2008, he received the Asian American Engineer of the year award.

He is survived by his wife, Akila, and their two daughters.
 

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Rhea Chakraborty Announces Social Media Break: 'I Miss Simply Being'

Actor Rhea Chakraborty said she has been missing herself as she announced a break from social media to "reconnect with what feels real".

Chakraborty shared a post on her Instagram handle on Tuesday and said online noise feels heavy.

"Lately, I've been missing myself a little. The constant noise, the scrolling, the keeping up - it's all started to feel heavier than I expected. I miss being present without thinking about capturing the moment. I miss quiet. I miss simply being," she wrote.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Rhea Chakraborty (@rhea_chakraborty)

"So, I'm taking a step back for a while - to slow down, breathe a little deeper, and reconnect with what feels real. Choosing lived moments over posted ones, for now. See you soon," she added.

Chakraborty will next feature in the Netflix series Family Business, which will also mark her return to the screen after a seven-year hiatus. The series also features Anil Kapoor and Vijay Varma in pivotal roles. 

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

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