Rolex Hikes Gold Watch Prices Second Time In A Row, But Luxury Buyers Stay Unfazed

Rolex increased the price of its gold watches by an average of 5% this month, adding an unusual second annual increase to its major markets, which include the United States, Hong Kong, and Britain, according to reports.

Despite a generally muted luxury goods market, there remains a robust demand for premium products, as evidenced by the increase, which comes after a somewhat larger increase in January that was neither worldwide nor gold-specific, reported Reuters, citing two luxury research platforms and dealers.

According to Mark Xu, head of marketing at the research platform WatchCharts, other top luxury brands have also upped their pricing. For example, Cartier, which is owned by Richemont, hiked the price of its gold watches by up to 10% last month. Citing rising gold prices and currency fluctuations, Richemont stated in its annual report that it has adopted gradual pricing hikes at its Jewellery Maisons, including Cartier.

The industry saw many price increases last year, which was unusual as well. However, this was due to US import duties, which are currently at 10% for Switzerland, the country with the largest watch industry in the world.

Unexpected Second Price Increase

According to Erik Boneta of Boneta Inc., a US-certified pre-owned watch dealer, the market was taken aback by Rolex's second raise this year: "No one saw it coming."

Despite the fact that more middle-class consumers are no longer spending money on luxury, industry analysts claim that the luxury watch market is still able to sell watches advertised as unique investment items to extremely wealthy clients.

According to WatchCharts, Rolex raised the average cost of its timepieces by 6.2% in January in Germany, Hong Kong, Japan, the UK, and the US. 

Price Of Gold Has Soared

Since 2024, the price of gold has nearly doubled to over $4,200 per ounce. According to Zouheir Guedri, founder of the luxury research business Data&Data, gold watches from several brands, including Rolex, Richemont, Moët Hennessy Louis Vuitton 9LVMH), Swatch, Breitling, and Chopard, are up 4% to 6% on average from a year ago.

He claimed that high-end watchmakers were "encouraging clients toward precious-metal and higher-end references" in an effort to attract the elite who still had money to spare.

The price hikes have been significantly higher for some models. The price of a white gold Rolex Cosmograph Daytona, which Hollywood actor Paul Newman wore in the 1970s, is $59,100 in the United States, up 14% this year and 33% since 2024.

Premium Exports Have Risen

According to Vontobel experts, Swiss watch exports valued at more than 20,000 Swiss francs ($25,038) had more than doubled from pre-pandemic levels and accounted for more than two-thirds of the industry's overall value of 24.4 billion francs in 2025.

According to the report, this represented an increase from 22% of the total in 2019

Simon Lazarus, head of PR and content at online luxury watch platform Chrono Hunter, believes that demand for Rolex watches will continue to exceed supply. "It comes down to brand desirability," he said. "Rolex has always been the high flyer".

ALSO READ: Young Indians No Longer Want Alcohol To Taste Like Alcohol

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Mumbai Police Responds To Priyanka Chaturvedi's 'Disgraceful' Remark

A viral social media post by the Mumbai Police addressing consent via the ongoing Pranit More biryani controversy has drawn sharp political backlash. Shiv Sena (UBT) lawmaker Priyanka Chaturvedi slammed the law enforcement department's official social media handle, calling its attempt to address the matter "disgraceful."

The Mumbai Police joined the conversation on X, using the trend to emphasise that consent cannot be bought. The police warned, “Rs 370 gets you one plate of biryani. Our lock-up serves free meals with a longer stay.” The post ended with the hashtag “#BiryaniIsNotConsent”.

????It's your choice

????निवड तुमची आहे!#BiryaniIsNotConsent pic.twitter.com/VtxXw7ehQt

— मुंबई पोलीस Mumbai Police (@MumbaiPolice) June 10, 2026

Responding to an official campaign touting the city's commitment to "Safeguarding Women", Chaturvedi criticised the force, replying, "Do better, Mumbai Police, this is so disgraceful."

Do better @MumbaiPolice , this is so disgraceful pic.twitter.com/kx1uwPSuu1

— Priyanka Chaturvedi???????? (@priyankac19) June 10, 2026

This gained the attention of users as well as police authorities, who responded further to her post, "Ma'am, with due respect to your interpretation, isn't it the most rightful thing to stand with women and for women?"

ALSO READ: Pranit More Show Row: Audience Member Loses Job Over Viral 'Rs 370 Biryani' Comment

While clarifying that the language was used only to grab attention and was intended for good purposes, the police added, "We condemn their dignity being breached even in words and are willing to put the word across in a language understood best. Safeguarding women and their dignity is never out of trend!"

This was dismissed by Chaturvedi, who said, "No. But they are selling cheap thrills on the basis of what is trending. Shameless."

What is the biryani controversy?

The "Rs 370 Biryani" controversy erupted after a clip from comedian Pranit More's crowd-work show went viral. In the video, an audience member named Himanshu Jangra stated that he spent Rs 370 on a chicken biryani date, implying that the financial expense entitled him to physical intimacy with the woman.

The comment sparked massive online outrage for reducing consent to a commercial transaction. Amid mounting backlash, comedian Pranit More issued an apology on Instagram before subsequently deactivating his account.

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SIPs Are Like Marilyn Monroe: "If You Can't Handle Them At Their Worst...''

Back in 2012, I interviewed the late Parag Parikh when he was about to launch PPFAS Mutual Fund. Besides his contrarian investing style, the one thing that stood out about him was his refreshingly candid take on things. This was when mutual funds were witnessing outflows for years and assets under management stood at a little over Rs 5 lakh crore - largely debt-oriented.

When I asked him how he planned to garner investments at a time when mutual funds weren't in favour, he said: "By being on the side of the investor". He then pointed to a note he had gotten stamped on the physical prospectus of the AMC's inaugural equity fund that said: "Please do not invest in this fund if you can't remain invested for at least five years".

I can't draw a straight line from the note to PPFAS' outperformance over the past decade, and the swelling of its assets. But surely, sobering investors' expectations when the temptation is to oversell helps attract the right set of investors who won't leave when the going gets tough.

ALSO READ: Equity Fund Inflows Slump 40% To Rs 22,908 Crore In May, Lowest In 2026

Don't Blame Your SIPs

Which brings me to the chatter over SIPs of late, as returns have remained muted for years amidst a sideways market.

Veteran investor Shankar Sharma seemingly mocked SIPs, saying they were a great product - but only for institutions that used it to sell expensive stocks to retail investors.

I have a different take. SIPs are a great product for retail investors, so long as expectations are rightly set.

For years, the industry has sold SIPs with the market squarely focused on returns but not risk. (That financial theory and practice equate risk with volatility is itself an awfully incorrect way of looking at things but that's a piece for another day.)

But all of investing boils down to a few basic truths - even first principles, if you will -- which the industry, and I dare say, financial media, overcomplicate.

Let's look at them from the Indian context:

1. Indian economy grows at an average 6%. Add another 4-6% by way of inflation, and we look at 10-12% nominal growth.
2. Consequently, companies, on average, will grow their earnings at a similar 12% rate - Sensex EPS data from 30 years bears out this correlation nearly one-to-one.
3. Assuming the market is fairly-valued (say an index price-to-earnings multiple of 16), you can expect 12% returns over the long term. Money doubles every six years. Pretty decent, though not spectacular.

The problem arises when the market goes from fairly valued to over valued, and investors are shown the recent 20-25% CAGR picture, without a warning that periods of underperformance likely follow periods of outperformance.

The standard disclaimer - "past performance is not an indicator of future results" - doesn't amount to much if the risk of negative or low long-term returns isn't specifically communicated in the context of the current valuation picture.

So, if, as an investor, you're unhappy with your SIP returns, you've been sold the right product with the wrong expectations.

ALSO READ: Gold ETFs Break 13-Month Win Streak As Investors Pull Out Rs 725 Crore In May

What You Should Expect Now

SIPs aren't a magic bullet that will always give good returns. Over a period of three-five years, their returns very much resemble a spring. If the market has fallen sharply recently, they will likely do well. If you start when a lot of the money has already been made recently, you will likely have to endure pain.

We're in the pain phase now, meaning that sooner or later, things will turn for the better. So, if you're an investor, this is the time to stay the course and not to throw in the towel.

The question is how much better.

After all, the market has only gone from expensive to less expensive.

Plus, the market is not fully pricing in changing global dynamics. Should equities be valued in the same way in a deglobalising world order, as they were in a globalising world where flow of capital was entirely driven by merit rather than also nationalistic considerations?

And it's not an overstatement to state that AI is the most powerful disinflationary force the world has, and will likely, ever see. Meaning the 6 + 6 math I outlined earlier could likely become 5 + 4 or thereabouts in the future.

So, if you continue to invest without worrying about returns, your SIP returns will likely go from poor to decent to maybe even amazing in due course.

Put simply, if the SIP could speak, it would liken itself to Marilyn Monroe who famously said: "if you can't handle me at my worst, you don't deserve me at my best."

I only wonder if you factored this in when you began your SIPs.

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Amy Adams Shares The Hilarious Reason She'll Never Enter The Love Island Villa

Millions of viewers are following the latest season of Love Island USA, and it turns out Amy Adams is one of them. The actress revealed that she is a big fan of the dating reality show, but made it clear that viewers should not expect to see her walking into the villa as a contestant anytime soon.

During an appearance on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, Adams spoke about her love for the series and shared why taking part in it will be extremely difficult for her. While she enjoys watching the drama, relationships and surprises, she joked that many parts of the experience sound like her worst nightmare.

Adams pointed to several things that will make life in the villa challenging, including constantly being around strangers, socialising all day, spending time in the sun and wearing swimwear. She also shared a funny observation about the show that many fans may have overlooked. According to her, there's very little shade around the villa.

Amy Adams said, “I'm a little behind on this season. A little behind. That show's really fun to watch, but it gives me a lot of anxiety. It's like my personal nightmare, like strangers, socialising, bikinis. Sun. There's just no shade. Does anyone notice there's no shade on the show? I would just be, like, running around with zinc oxide, being like, ‘You're looking a little crispy.' That's totally hot.”

When Jimmy Fallon asked, “Are you into reality TV in general?”

“I think I'm a little bit more of a true crime gal, I love Dateline. Why is it relaxing? I think there are psychological studies behind it, but I can't quote them, but we love it,” she said.

Amy Adams' appearance on The Tonight Show came days after the release of her new series, Cape Fear. The psychological thriller follows a happy couple whose lives are turned upside down when Max Cady, a notorious killer from their past, played by Javier Bardem, is released from prison and decides to take revenge.

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India Buying More Oil From Russia Vs November, Says Hardeep Puri; Allays Shortage Concerns

Amid concerns over disruptions in global energy markets following escalating tensions in West Asia, Petroleum and Natural Gas Minister Hardeep Singh Puri on Monday sought to reassure consumers, asserting that India remains well-positioned in terms of energy security and fuel availability.

Speaking to NDTV, Puri said India is currently purchasing significantly more crude oil from Russia compared with November last year and has successfully diversified its sourcing strategy by importing crude from as many as 41 countries. 

The minister stressed that the country's energy requirements remain adequately met despite ongoing geopolitical uncertainties.

Puri credited the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi for ensuring both the availability and affordability of fuel for Indian consumers.

ALSO READ: 'Avoid Travel To Iran': Indian Embassy In Tehran Issues Fresh Advisory

He noted that the government has consistently prioritised shielding citizens from the impact of global price volatility.

Addressing concerns over a potential fuel shortage, the minister said there is no cause for alarm, adding that India is well supplied and prepared to manage any external disruptions. 

He, however, pointed out that nearly 60% of the country's LPG imports and around 90% of its crude oil imports traditionally transit through the Strait of Hormuz, reflecting the strategic importance of the maritime route.

Puri also criticised opposition-ruled states for not fully complying with fuel price-related measures, while highlighting that the Centre had absorbed significant fuel price pressures in recent years. 

He noted that fuel prices were last revised upward in February 2022.

Reiterating the government's commitment to energy access, the minister said nearly 33 crore Indian households continue to have sufficient fuel supplies for their daily needs.

ALSO READ : 'Humiliating For American Power': US Senator As Netanyahu Ignores Trump's Appeal, Strikes Iran

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Video: Salim Kumar's Son Confronts Paparazzi At Father's Funeral

The funeral of National Award-winning Malayalam actor Salim Kumar was held with full State honours at his residence in North Paravur, Ernakulam district, Kerala, on Sunday. 

Amid the sombre atmosphere, Salim Kumar's eldest son, Chandu, was seen visibly upset as large crowds and media personnel surrounded the residence. Videos circulating on social media show Chandu reportedly raising his voice at photographers and videographers, urging them to step back and allow the family enough space to pay their final respects in peace.

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A post shared by Sooraj Kalliyoor (@ac_media_tvm)

The emotional moment unfolded as relatives and close friends gathered around the actor's mortal remains. With the area becoming increasingly crowded due to the presence of media and onlookers, Chandu appeared frustrated and repeatedly asked those carrying cameras to move away from the immediate vicinity of the family.

About Salim Kumar's Death

Salim Kumar died on Saturday. 

The Government of Kerala confirmed his death in an official statement and expressed "profound grief" over the loss of the veteran actor.

In its statement, the government described Salim Kumar as a "renowned film actor" and highlighted his contributions to Malayalam cinema. 

It noted that he won the National Film Award for Best Actor in 2010 for his performance in Adaminte Makan Abu. He had also received the Kerala State Film Award for Second Best Actor for Achanurangatha Veedu in 2005.

ALSO READ: Mammootty Mourns Salim Kumar's Death: 'An Unending Sorrow'

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PM Modi Meets EAC Members, Discusses Measures To Boost Economic Growth Amid Global Turmoil

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday chaired a meeting with the members of the Economic Advisory Council (EAC) to the prime minister and discussed a plethora of ideas and measures to bolster India's economic growth amid global turmoil.

The prime minister and the EAC-PM members discussed various ideas and measures to further boost India's economic growth in times of global turmoil, they said.

The members also gave their assessment of the impact of the West Asia conflict on India and the world.

West Asia Conflict's Potential Impact

Ever since the war in West Asia began, economies around the world have felt adverse impacts in various aspects; be it energy prices spiralling out of control, restriction to air spaces, or security threats. 

Additionally, conflict and military escalation threatens to push 2.5 million people in India into poverty and the country is projected to experience some loss in its human development progress, according to estimates and projections by the United Nations.

ALSO READ: 'Iran Situation Seems To Be Going Quite Well': Trump Claims Amid Fresh Round Of Fire

The United Nations Development Programme, in a report titled 'Military Escalation In The Middle East: Human Development Impacts Across Asia And The Pacific' noted that the conflict is "widening human development pressures across Asia and the Pacific.

Through higher fuel, freight, and input costs, the shock is diminishing household purchasing power, raising food insecurity, straining public budgets, and weakening livelihoods."

The preliminary assessment, issued Tuesday, estimates that globally 8.8 million people are at risk of falling into poverty and the West Asia military escalation could cost Asia-Pacific up to $299 billion.

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Tecno Pova 8 to Launch in India With 8,000mAh Battery on This Day

Tecno has confirmed the launch date of its upcoming Pova 8 smartphone in India. The handset is set to arrive next week and has already been teased in official promotional material. The company has also revealed part of the phone's design, including a redesigned rear camera module and confirmation of a large battery. Recent certification listings and benchmark appearances have additionally hinted at several hardware specifications, including the chipset, charging capabilities, software version, and storage configurations expected on the smartphone.

Tecno Pova 8 India Launch: All We Know

According to an X post shared by Pova Mobile India, the Tecno Pova 8 will launch in India on June 11 at 12pm IST. A banner of the upcoming model on the Flipkart app suggests it will be available for purchase in the country via the e-commerce site. The teaser also offers an early look at the smartphone's design and confirms that it will pack an 8,000mAh battery.

The promotional material suggests that the Tecno Pova 8 handset, teased in green and silver finishes, retains a rear camera layout similar to the Tecno Pova 7. However, the newer model appears to feature a matrix-style dotted lighting element integrated into the camera module.

It appears to be similar to the Glyph Matrix system on the Nothing Phone 3 and Phone 4a Pro, which uses a grid of micro-LEDs to display notifications and key information, allowing users to check updates without turning on the screen.

A Tecno handset, speculated to be the Pova 8, was recently reportedly spotted on Geekbench with a MediaTek Dimensity 7100 chipset paired with 6GB of RAM and Android 16.

The Tecno Pova 8 with support for 45W wired fast charging is also said to have appeared on the FCC certification database. The phone is expected to come with 3G, 4G, and 5G network support, alongside Bluetooth, NFC, Wi-Fi, and GPS connectivity. NFC availability is likely to vary by market. Other leaks claim that the upcoming phone could be available in 6GB + 128GB, 8GB + 128GB, and 8GB + 256GB variants.

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Kohli "Doesn't Want The Life He Lives In India": Ex-Teammate Explains Why

The camera is always on Virat Kohli. From a small gesture towards his teammate to an aggressive celebration when a rival batter gets out, Kohli's every act is always under the gaze of the lens. It does not stop there - at airports, in hotel lobbies, on the streets, inside restaurants - there is rarely a time when Kohli is not followed. The celebrity status that superstars like Kohli have comes with its share of burden. Kohli's ex-teammate at Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB), Liam Livingstone, who currently plays for Sunrisers Hyderabad in the IPL, shared his opinion on Kohli's tryst with fame.

"What's he like in the dressing room?" Michael Vaughan asked England star Liam Livingstone in a podcast.

"He was amazing. I'd always played against Virat, and he's always laughing," Livingstone said.

"If you want to have a go at someone, he'll have a go back at you. But on the field, he's ultra-competitive. As soon as he steps over that line, he's a different person. Away from cricket, he is a really nice, chilled-out, lovely guy who loves spending time with his family. A very chilled-out guy," Livingstone added, reflecting on Kohli's natural disposition.

"And almost kind of doesn't want the life that he lives in India. He doesn't really want the eyes on him all the time. He is a genuinely nice guy. When he gets out onto the pitch, he is the most competitive player I have seen."

Kohli, in recent years, has divided his time between India and England. Before the IPL, Kohli was staying in England. Several reports claimed that it was an attempt by Kohli to escape the constant attention and frenzy that he generates.

Livingstone went on to praise the role of RCB's Director of Cricket Mo Bobat and coach Andy Flower in the evolution of Kohli.

"Mo [Bobat] and Andy [Flower] went in and changed the way he played. They were brave enough to do that," Livingstone said.

"They asked him to be a bit more aggressive, hit more sixes, and keep going with that aggression in the powerplay. You see the way he plays now in the powerplay, and he's way more aggressive than he used to be. Even against spin, he's playing more shots than he ever did.

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Nifty, Sensex Down 1%, All Sectors In Red: Three Reasons Why Market Is Falling

Domestic equities are trading lower on Wednesday, tracking weak global cues, and lingering geopolitical tensions. Benchmark indices are in the negative territory, with selling pressure visible across sectors. 

Nifty fell as much as 1.41% to 23,151, whereas Sensex fell 1.55% to 73,492.6 intraday. At 1:38 pm, Nifty is down 0.59% at 23,344.4, and Sensex is down 0.67% at 74,150.22..

The pressure comes on the back of gaining crude prices, and volatile IT stocks. 

All sectors were trading in the red, with losses led by IT, which remained 3.61% down during early trade, followed by Realty, Media, and PSU Bank.

The broader market is also facing pressure with the Nifty Smallcap 250 falling almost 0.54%, and the Nifty Midcap 150 dropping about 0.74%.

Here's three reasons why markets are crashing on Wednesday:

US-Iran War Uncertainty

On June 3, US Central Command said U.S. forces defeated multiple Iranian ballistic missiles and drones amid attempted attacks across the Middle East. Iran launched several missiles toward regional neighbours, but none hit their targets: two fired at Kuwait fell short or broke apart, and three aimed at Bahrain were intercepted by US and Bahraini air defenses.

Earlier, CENTCOM shot down three Iranian one-way attack drones launched toward civilian mariners in regional waters. In response, US forces conducted self-defense strikes on an Iranian military ground control station on Qeshm Island. No U.S. personnel were harmed, and CENTCOM said forces remain vigilant during the ongoing ceasefire.

US President Donald Trump called reports of a cessation in talks 'false and erroneous.'

"The conversations between us have been going on continuously, including four days ago, three days ago, two days ago, one day ago and today,” Trump said in a social media post. "Where they lead, one never knows, but as I told Iran, It's time, one way or another, for you to make a Deal."

Gaining Crude Prices

Oil prices extended gains for a third straight session on Wednesday as hopes of a near-term peace agreement between the US and Iran faded, while renewed fighting in the Middle East added to concerns over global crude supplies.

Brent crude climbed towards $97 a barrel, while US benchmark West Texas Intermediate traded near $95. The latest advance comes after oil prices gained more than 7% over the first two trading sessions of the week.

The uncertainty has complicated expectations for the resumption of oil flows from the region. Traders had previously bet that a deal could lead to a quicker reopening of supply routes and help ease pressure on global inventories. Instead, delays are increasing concerns that countries may need to rely more heavily on existing crude stockpiles while waiting for exports from the Persian Gulf to normalise.

Volatile IT Stocks

IT stocks have turned volatile after a strong run-up, with investors increasingly booking profits amid stretched valuations. Technical indicators suggest a reversal in momentum, prompting traders to reduce exposure. Sentiment has also been hit by cautious commentary from foreign brokerages, some of which have flagged concerns around earnings growth and demand visibility.

At the same time, the broader structural setup remains challenging, with uncertainty around discretionary technology spending and the pace of recovery in key overseas markets. Adding to the pressure, global software stocks have witnessed a technical pullback, dragging down sentiment toward Indian IT names as well.

Add image caption here

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Sooryavanshi Not Greatest Ever MVP In A Season, IPL Experts Explain Why

IPL experts Ambati Rayudu, Aaron Finch, and Tom Moody thoroughly enjoyed Vaibhav Sooryavanshi's blitz in the 2026 season but still refused to give his performance the status of the MVP (Most Valuable Player). The 15-year-old batter left everyone spell-bound with his powerful performance, amassing 776 runs in 16 matches for Rajasthan Royals. Apart from being the leading run-scorer of the tournament, Sooryavanshi also bagged sveral awards, including the most number of sixes (72). While the Bihar-born batters continues to receives heartfelt praises from all over the world, IPL experts still rated Sunil Narine's performance Kolkata Knight Riders in 2024 as the greatest. 

The former West Indies all-rounder was at his absolute best in the 2024 season, scoring 488 runs at a strike rate of 181 and also scalped 17 wickets, playing a pivotal in KKR's third title win.

Speaking on ESPNCricinfo, the experts trio acknowledged Sooryavanshi's extraordinary talent but still considered Narine to be ahead of him in the list of individual performers. 

"Sunil Narine, for me, beats everyone in terms of the best individual IPL season because he's not a well-accomplished batsman like Shane Watson. He had to do a makeshift job opening against quality fast bowling. That season surpasses many great seasons, including Warner's. It was unbelievable. For me, these two seasons are right at the top and difficult to separate," Rayudu said.

Agreeing to Rayudu's statement, Finch added, "I have Narine clearly at the top as the greatest individual IPL season. He was a brilliant bowler, took crucial wickets, scored important runs, struck at 181 and maintained an economy rate of 6.7. To open the batting, bowl in all phases of the innings and then win the title — that's the icing on the cake. That's the greatest season of all time."

Hearing this, Moody joined in and pinpointed the fact that Narine's economy in 2024 was below seven, and he himself was scoring almost 11 runs per over.

"One thing that stands out is that he conceded fewer than seven runs per over in a season where he was scoring at almost 11 runs per over. He's the champion. The runs he scored, we've never seen before. The way he played while still taking 17 wickets at 6.7 makes that season extraordinary."

Speaking about Sooryavanshi, Rayudu and Moody stated that the teenager needs to prove himself on different surfaces, in order to be considered the MVP.

"The only point I would make is that whenever the wicket was slow, he got out early. So he still has to prove himself consistently on slightly more difficult surfaces," said Rayudu. 

"One thing to consider is that this is the era of the Impact Player, where surfaces are much easier to bat on than historically," Moody said.

"Back then, bowlers like Narine, Amit Mishra and Rashid Khan dominated the tournament. Today, that influence has reduced considerably. That's a serious factor when comparing players across different IPL eras," he added. 

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Shoaib Ibrahim's Father Taken Off Ventilator After Brain Surgery

TV actor Shoaib Ibrahim has shared a fresh update on his father's health, a week after he was hospitalised following a brain haemorrhage. In a recent vlog, Shoaib said that his father's condition has improved. He revealed that doctors had earlier placed him on ventilator support due to several medical concerns, but it has now been removed. He also added that his father is conscious and has started responding to him, indicating a positive recovery.

Details

Shoaib said in his vlog, "I brought my father to the hospital last Sunday. After that, his surgery was delayed for 3-4 days because he was on blood thinners. Finally, he underwent surgery on Wednesday, and it went well. Since then, he has started responding. Earlier, he wasn't reacting at all." 

"Over the past few days, my father's heart rate had increased and his blood pressure was also fluctuating. He was unable to swallow properly, so he was placed on a ventilator as a precautionary measure. However, he has now been taken off the ventilator. The support was removed on Sunday after 3-4 days," he added.

Talking about the current condition, Shoaib said, "His heart rate is now under control. Since he had been under anaesthesia for several days, it caused some gas build-up in his intestines, but that has also improved today."

He added, "Speech abhi nahi hai. Dheere dheere unki speech therapy shuru hogi. Aj papa se milke aaya. Achchhe se smile kar raha hai, respond kar rahe hain, bolne ki koshish kar rahe. Inshaallah woh dheere dheere hoga." 

(His speech hasn't returned yet. Gradually, his speech therapy will begin. I met him today. He is smiling well, responding, and trying to speak. InshaAllah, it will improve slowly.)

Background

In a previous video, Shoaib Ibrahim spoke about how serious his father's medical emergency was.

Shoaib Ibrahim said, "As you all know, my father has been hospitalized. We initially thought it was a stroke, but this time it turned out to be a brain haemorrhage. He is not doing well. The last time he had a stroke, there was a blood clot in his brain, which paralyzed the left side of his body. But he was speaking, and he recovered quickly; however, this time there was a lot of bleeding, and it had spread, causing speech problems for him."

"Papa is not reacting at all. The swelling has reduced, and they will perform a procedure on his brain. They will make a hole in his skull and remove the blood clots so that they do not spread. They are waiting for the swelling to subside. They don't want to rush things; they are closely monitoring him for two days," Shoaib added. 

Also Read: Why Dipika Kakar Is Drinking Ground Black Coffee, Husband Shoaib Ibrahim Explains

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"If I Speak About Him...": RCB Captain Sums Up What Makes Kohli An Icon

Royal Challengers Bengaluru captain Rajat Patidar on Sunday said Virat Kohli is "used to doing great things" and his presence in the dressing room was invaluable after they won their second successive Indian Premier League title. The 37-year-old Kohli anchored Bengaluru's chase of 156 against Gujarat Titans in the final with an unbeaten 75 to steer the team home with two overs to spare in Ahmedabad. Bengaluru and Kohli, who finished the season with 675 runs including one ton and five half-centuries, have dominated the T20 tournament since they won their first IPL crown at the 18th attempt last year.

"If I speak about Virat Kohli, I don't have words to explain him. He is used to doing great things," Patidar told reporters.

"He is a great player, everyone knows him - the way he bats. We all have an opportunity to learn from him on and off the field. We spend lot of time with him and try to learn whatever he says, regarding cricket or anything else."

Patidar added, "He reaches out to players to talk about cricket. I always keep watching him -- what he does and the one thing is that his energy in the nets is same as it is in the match."

Called "King Kohli" for his prolific run-scoring, the star opener sealed victory with a six to cap a magnificent 42-ball innings featuring nine fours and three sixes.

Kohli, who has stepped away from Test cricket and T20 internationals, remains a superstar cricketer and the biggest crowd-puller in the sport.

Kohli's iconic number 18 jersey dominated the stands at the Narendra Modi Stadium, the world's biggest cricket ground which recorded an official attendance of over 90,000 spectators.

Bengaluru's win took Patidar in elite company as only the third captain to win back-to-back IPL titles.

MS Dhoni achieved the feat with Chennai Super Kings in 2010 and 2011, while Rohit Sharma led Mumbai Indians to glory in 2019 and 2020.

"Last year was a lot of pressure, this year was more calm because the way we played throughout the tournament, we dominated this year," said Patidar.

"S we were pretty much confident that if we are playing like this we are definitely going to win the second title for RCB."

On his style of captaincy, Patidar said, "I am not expressive but at the same time I am aware of the game situation. Of course you need a backing, as I said there was a lot of backing by the management and the players as well."

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

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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:

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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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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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Shemar Moore Returns As Hondo In New 'S.W.A.T. Exiles' Spinoff

The S.W.A.T. franchise is officially getting a new chapter, and Shemar Moore is set to reprise his role as Daniel “Hondo” Harrelson in the upcoming spinoff series, according to reports from CinemaBlend. Sony Pictures Television announced that it had ordered a new part titled, S.W.A.T. Exiles.

The new series comes after the original S.W.A.T. concluded its eight-season run on CBS in 2025. The 10-episode first season of S.W.A.T. Exiles wrapped filming in February and is currently being presented to potential buyers during the 2026 LA Screenings in Los Angeles. The show has not yet secured an official network or streaming home, the outlet further reported.

In the spinoff, Hondo is pulled out of forced retirement after a high-profile mission goes wrong. He is then tasked to lead a “last-chance experimental SWAT unit made up of untested, unpredictable young recruits.” 

Joining Moore in the new cast are Ronen Rubinstein, Freddy Miyares, Lucy Barrett, Zyra Gorecki and Adain Bradley. Despite the focus on a new generation of officers, original series cast members Jay Harrington, David Lim and Patrick St. Esprit are also confirmed to reprise their roles.

The news of the returning cast follows earlier reports of behind-the-scenes tension after some cast members, including Harrington and Lim, reportedly expressed disappointment over not initially being approached for the spinoff. The speculation fueled rumours of production drama, though Moore recently shared a celebratory social media video featuring the new ensemble during a public screening event.

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The continuation of the franchise marks another comeback moment for S.W.A.T., which previously survived cancellation twice during its original broadcast run. Fans can still stream the original series on Netflix.

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300 Tourists Rescued After Gulmarg Gondola Technical Issue Sparks Panic

What began as a scenic cable car ride over the snow-covered peaks of Jammu and Kashmir's Gulmarg turned into a terrifying ordeal for nearly 300 tourists on Sunday after the famed Gulmarg Gondola service suffered a sudden technical breakdown, leaving visitors stranded mid-air for hours.

A massive multi-agency rescue operation involving the Army, Jammu and Kashmir Police, paramilitary forces and Civil Defence teams was launched immediately to evacuate tourists trapped inside multiple chair cars suspended above the mountainous terrain.

Officials said the technical snag occurred around 1 pm, disrupting operations in the first phase of the Gulmarg Gondola service in north Kashmir's premier tourist resort.

"A sudden technical fault hit the operations in the first phase of the Gulmarg cable car," a senior official of the Gulmarg Development Authority said.

The first phase of the Gondola runs from the Gulmarg bowl to Kangdori, while the second phase extends up to Apharwat Peak at an altitude of nearly 4,000 metres.

Visuals from the spot showed tourists stranded mid-air as rescue teams worked to safely bring them down amid growing panic and anxiety.

Deputy Chief Minister Surinder Choudhary was among the senior officials who rushed to the spot to supervise rescue operations.

On the instructions of the Chief Minister, Hon'ble Deputy Chief Minister @Surinderch55 is in Gulmarg personally overseeing the rescue operation following the temporary stoppage of the Gondola service due to a technical fault. The local Hon'ble MLA @FarooqShah_JKNC is also on site… pic.twitter.com/btx9sosnqE

— Office of Chief Minister, J&K (@CM_JnK) May 25, 2026

Union Home Minister Amit Shah praised the rescue teams for the successful evacuation of all stranded tourists.

Applause to India's disaster response forces for safely rescuing 300 tourists stranded mid-air in cable cars in Gulmarg, Kashmir. The disaster response teams comprising the SDRF, NDRF, Army personnel, local police, and the administration swung into action and rescued all the…

— Amit Shah (@AmitShah) May 25, 2026

Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha and Chief Minister Omar Abdullah said they were closely monitoring the situation and had directed all available resources to ensure the safe evacuation of tourists.

Authorities said the exact cause of the technical snag is yet to be ascertained.

The Gulmarg Gondola, regarded as Asia's highest cable car project, is one of Kashmir's biggest tourist attractions, offering panoramic views of snow-clad Himalayan peaks at elevations exceeding 13,000 feet.

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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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Game Of Friends, Rivals And Allies Begins As Parties Prep For UP Polls 2027

The game in Uttar Pradesh politics has only just begun, but the real drama is yet to unfold. With the UP assembly elections scheduled for February 2027, political parties have already started their preparations.

The BJP is currently engaged in a series of meetings. And with the elections in mind, the UP cabinet was recently expanded, resulting in the induction of six new ministers and the granting of independent charge to two others.

The BJP intends to contest the elections in alliance with the Rashtriya Lok Dal, Apna Dal, Nishad Party, and the Suheldev Bharatiya Samaj Party. Through this coalition, the BJP aims to successfully navigate and balance the complex caste equations of UP.

As a counter-strategy to this, Samajwadi Party leader Akhilesh Yadav has introduced the 'PDA' formula - an acronym representing the coalition of Pichhda (backward classes), Dalit, and Alpsankhyak (minorities).

The Opposition bloc INDIA's precise configuration in UP remains unclear. Although formal negotiations between the Congress and the Samajwadi Party have not yet started, leaders from both parties have been engaging in a war of words. A significant development, however, was when two Congress leaders went directly to BSP leader Mayawati's house to meet her.

Although the meeting itself did not materialise, this move by the Congress certainly injected a new intensity into the political atmosphere of UP. Consequently, the Samajwadi Party was compelled to declare that it is preparing to contest all the 403 assembly seats. Shortly thereafter, state Congress chief Ajay Rai issued a similar statement asserting that the Congress, too, is preparing to contest all the seats solo.

However, certain political events that have transpired since the West Bengal assembly elections are unlikely to be viewed as auspicious signs for the INDIA bloc. For instance, during the Bengal elections, Congress MP Rahul Gandhi took a highly aggressive stance against Trinamool Congress leader Mamata Banerjee, but Akhilesh Yadav went to Kolkata to stand in solidarity with Banerjee, a move that likely did not sit well with the Congress leadership.

It is pertinent to note here that during the previous Lok Sabha elections, the Samajwadi Party gave one seat in UP to the Trinamool. Political leaders from Delhi to Lucknow indicated that an alliance between the Congress and the Samajwadi Party is indeed inevitable, but intense bargaining and negotiations on seat-sharing are certainly to be expected.

The Congress and the Samajwadi Party had previously contested the 2024 Lok Sabha elections together, with the Samajwadi Party contesting on 62 Lok Sabha seats. The party won 37 seats, whereas the Congress contested 17 seats and won six. In light of this, the Congress asserts its claim to contest at least 70 seats, while the Samajwadi Party does not appear to be in a position to offer more than 50.

Extrapolating the results of the Lok Sabha elections onto the assembly constituencies, the Samajwadi Party held the lead in 184 assembly segments, while the Congress led in 39. Whenever the Congress and the Samajwadi Party sit down face-to-face to negotiate an alliance, discussions will inevitably revolve around these very figures.

However, there is another crucial factor weighing on Akhilesh Yadav's mind: the imperative to prevent a fragmentation of the Muslim vote. This time around in UP, AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi is poised to field candidates in approximately 50 constituencies, specifically in regions such as Moradabad, Saharanpur, Azamgarh, Meerut, Muzaffarnagar, Bijnor, and Mau. This is precisely why the SP will need the Congress's help to prevent a splintering of the Muslim vote base in these specific areas.

The Congress is making concerted efforts to somehow bring Mayawati into the fold of this alliance. Else, she is likely to attempt to disrupt the Samajwadi Party's prospects by fielding a large number of Muslim candidates. Many political observers believe that the BSP contesting independently, combined with a potential alliance between Owaisi and the Azad Samaj Party led by Chandrashekhar Azad, could work to the BJP's advantage. All things considered, as far as UP is concerned, it can be said for now that the game has only just begun and the real drama is yet to unfold.

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