A man trapped for nearly two weeks in a flooded gold mine in Sinaloa, Mexico, has been rescued by military divers. Structural failure and flooding caused the mine to collapse, killing two other workers.
Published On 9 Apr 2026
Badminton Asia Championships: Ayush stuns World No. 7 Feng; Sindhu, Prannoy win
India’s Ayush Shetty stunned world No. 7 Lin Shi Feng of China in straight games to enter the second round of the men’s singles competition at the Badminton Asia Championships here on Wednesday.
World No. 25 Ayush, who had won the US Open Super 300 title last year, registered a 21-13, 21-16 victory in 51 minutes. Lin raced to a 4-1 lead early on, but Ayush clawed back to level at 7-7 before gradually taking control to pocket the opening game.
After the change of sides, the Chinese again moved ahead 4-1 and extended it to 12-9, but Ayush turned the tide with a six-point burst to surge to 18-13.
Lin closed the gap to 16-18, but the Indian held his nerve to shut the door on his fancied opponent.
PV Sindhu defeated Malaysia’s Wong Ling Ching in women’s singles 15-21, 21-11, 21-19 in 1 hour and 7 minutes. She will next face World No. 2 Wang Zhi Yi of China in the pre-quarterfinals both having 3-3 win-loss in past meetups.
In men’s singles, HS Prannoy beat Nguyen Hai Dang of Vietnam 24-22, 21-12 in 47 minutes. He will meet Hong Yang of China in the pre-quarterfinals after the latter received a walkover in the opening round. Lakshya Sen, Kidambi Srikanth, Malvika Bansod and Tanvi Sharma exited in the opening round.
This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever
‘Euphoria 3’ rates low ahead of official release
Ahead of its April 12 release, ‘Euphoria 3′ is facing a critical backlash, with early ratings plummeting to a series low of 50% on Rotten Tomatoes. Critics are lambasting the show’s plot and character chemistry, noting a spiritual hollowness and a perceived lack of grasp on its adult characters. The final season shifts focus to the characters’ lives post-high school.
Sam Levinson’s ‘Euphoria’ has been the talk of the town as of late since the third and final season is only days away from being released. However, the early ratings being shared by critics online have set a brand new record for the series. Ahead of its release, many critics shared their opinions online about the upcoming show, and the overall ratings for the final season have dropped drastically.
‘Euphoria 3 ’ scores the lowest ratings in its three-season run
The latest season of ‘Euphoria’, as per the statistics by Rotten Tomatoes, has become the lowest-rated season out of all three. Ahead of the April 12 release, many critics rated the show on the popular platform, and as of right now, the overall rating is quite low, leaving fans shocked.The latest season currently has a 50% critics’ score from 20 reviews, whereas season 2 of ‘Euphoria’ held a rating of 78%, and season 1 held a rating of 80%. The Popcornmeter ratings are also yet to kick in. Although the score is set to fluctuate after the official release of the episodes, this pre-release rating has still sent shockwaves through the fandom.Many of the early reviews are also highly critical of the show’s plotline and chemistry on screen. One of the reviews on the website read, “Levinson’s series was never this spiritually hollow, and it was always more active, insistent, and ambitious.” Another review from a critic reads, “Without the high school setting, the only thing to cling to is Euphoria’s characters, but that only makes it more apparent that Levinson may not have had a good grasp on them to begin with.”
Plot summary of ‘Euphoria 3’
The 3rd and final season of ‘Euphoria’ follows almost all of the main characters in their lives; however, all of them have now shifted away from the high school dynamic. Moved on into their lives as adults, the premise of the show now becomes even more mature. Rue, now sober, is battling with her demons, while Cassi and Nate have gotten married. Maddy seems to be working in Hollywood, while Jules is getting through art school.
Kuldeep said ‘trust me’, Miller agreed but backed out: Steyn, Rayudu call it a blunder that will cost DC massively
A chaotic final two balls cost the Delhi Capitals in their 211 chase at home on Wednesday, as they suffered their first defeat of IPL 2026, losing to Gujarat Titans by just one run. With David Miller at the centre of the heartbreak, and under scrutiny for denying a single to Kuldeep Yadav on the penultimate ball, former cricketers Dale Steyn and Ambati Rayudu warned that the blunder could come back to haunt Delhi later in the season.
Delhi, who had won their opening two matches, made a promising start to the chase with a 76-run opening stand before KL Rahul took control. After a cautious start, Rahul found his rhythm, accelerated smartly, and kept the boundaries flowing even as wickets fell at the other end. He anchored the chase with a well-crafted 92 before departing with 45 still needed off the final three overs.
Miller’s outing at the Arun Jaitley Stadium proved eventful. He had earlier walked off injured but returned after Tristan Stubbs’ dismissal and shifted momentum in Delhi’s favour, including a 23-run over off Mohammed Siraj that reduced the equation to two runs from two balls.
However, Delhi faltered at the finish.
A crucial dot ball on the penultimate delivery — with Miller refusing a single — left DC needing two off the final ball. The South African failed to connect, while Kuldeep, attempting a desperate run that could have forced a Super Over, was run out inches short by wicketkeeper Jos Buttler.
Speaking to ESPNCricinfo, Steyn weighed in on the decision. While he acknowledged Miller backing himself after striking a 106-metre six earlier in the over, he felt a smarter approach was required in the closing moments.
“You are reading Kuldeep’s body language there, where he is telling Miller, ‘Trust me, I’ve got this.’ And you see that as he’s hit it, he’s taken off for the run, but then decided against it. He was backing himself. He just hit a 106-metre six, so he’s in the zone. He was feeling it. But Miller’s too good a player not to take a single. You take what’s given to you, it’s a draw or a tie, and then you back your tail end there in terms of Kuldeep to get that single. Or even if he misses it, that you’re quick enough and smart enough to run and get that bye, which in the case of Kuldeep wasn’t able to do. Maybe just a slight hesitation, believing that Miller’s the kind of player that can hit the ball off the ground. And errors that will cost them massively,” he said.
Rayudu echoed the sentiment, revealing that there had been a discussion between the two batters before the fifth ball, but Miller changed his mind at the last moment.
“I think so, because I think the chat was all about, uh, let’s tie the game first and then, you know, maybe I can in the last ball. Yeah, it’s quite unfortunate for Delhi. They were, they were. They played the game for most of the batting innings, and they had a chance to really tie the game and go to the super over on maybe a minute of the last ball. Things happen, but as Dale said, that’s the last thing when it comes to qualifying, you know, when it’s close, this game might actually happen,” he said.
Surbhi Jyoti treats fans to a ‘photo buffet’ of her baby bump
Television actress Surbhi Jyoti, on Wednesday evening, treated her fans to a “photo buffet” as she shared a series of adorable pictures where she was seen proudly flaunting her baby bump.
The actress, who is all set to welcome her first baby in February this year, had announced her pregnancy and had taken to her social media to share the good news with her fans.
View this post on Instagram
In the latest set of pictures, the mommy-to-be is seen in different attires, flaunting her baby bump.
In one close-up selfie, she is seen making a playful pout.
In another picture, the actress is seen in a pink printed co-ord set, posing calmly near plants and a pool.
In another picture, Surbhi looks radiant in the same pink outfit, smiling and highlighting her pregnancy glow.
In another picture, Surbhi was seen placing her hands delicately on her baby bump as if having a conversation with her baby in the womb.
Her latest caption read, “Photo buffet,” further adding a pink flower.
Earlier, while announcing her pregnancy, Surbhi had shared an emotional post that read, “Om
Our greatest adventure begins. Little Love arriving this June.”
On the professional front, Surbhi Jyoti rose to fame with her popular show Qubool Hai.
The show, within no time, made her a household name. She later went on to feature in the hit shows like Naagin
On the personal front, Surbhi tied the knot with Sumit Suri in October 2023 in a dreamy ceremony held in Jim Corbett, Uttarakhand.
This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever
Kerala polls 2026: 20 seats that could shape the state’s verdict | India News
Kerala is out for voting on Thursday and the noise is over.The ‘Kalashakkottu’ has ended, the loudspeakers are off and after weeks of rallies, temple runs, church visits, candidate selfies and backroom arithmetic, the election is back where Kerala likes it best – booth by booth, ward by ward, vote by vote.Now the real contest shifts to queues outside schools, ward-level mobilisation, last-mile turnout and the quiet discipline of booth agents.The ruling LDF is trying to do what no front in Kerala politics has done in decades: win a third straight term. The UDF claims the mood has shifted after strong local-body results and anti-incumbency. The NDA, meanwhile, is likely not chasing a statewide breakthrough so much as trying to convert a handful of high-visibility pockets into durable political beachheads.But if Kerala’s election is often sold nationally as a simple LDF-vs-UDF duel, 2026 is not that neat.This time, the map is full of constituencies where the margin is thin, the candidate is bigger than the party, or the third player can scramble the script. Some seats are classic swing zones. Some are prestige battles. Some are mini-referendums on ministers.And some, especially in the south and central belt, are where the BJP believes it can finally turn “presence” into “seats”.
Think of these seats as Kerala’s pressure points: if the LDF wants a third straight term, it must hold most of them; if the UDF wants to turn local-body momentum into a comeback, it must convert these edges into victories; and if the BJP wants a real headline, not just a vote-share story, its breakthroughs will likely come from this list.In short: This is where Kerala’s election stops being theory and becomes arithmetic.
1) Vattiyoorkkavu: The capital’s mood test
Back in 2021, Vattiyoorkkavu election results looked comfortable for the Left, with VK Prasanth of the CPI(M) defeating Veena S Nair of the Congress by 21,515 votes. On paper, that margin suggested a seat firmly under LDF control. In the 2026 battlefield, however, the contest looks far more competitive. VK Prasanth is back for the LDF, the UDF has fielded heavyweight K. Muraleedharan, and the BJP has brought in former DGP R Sreelekha.What makes this seat especially significant is the changing political mood in the capital region. BJP’s recent success in taking the Thiruvananthapuram Corporation mayor’s post gave the party a symbolic urban breakthrough and fresh organisational confidence. That does not automatically translate into an Assembly win, but it changes the energy on the ground.
2) Kazhakkoottam: The tech corridor with rising political heat
In Kazhakkoottam, Kadakampally Surendran of the CPI(M) defeated S Suresh Kumar of the Congress by 15,079 votes in 2021. It was not a razor-thin margin, but neither was it beyond reach. In 2026, the same broad contest returns, with Kadakampally Surendran for the LDF, S Suresh Kumar for the UDF, and V Muraleedharan fielded by the BJP.This is one of Kerala’s most rapidly changing urban constituencies, shaped by Technopark, apartment clusters, new middle-class voters and growing frustration around infrastructure and mobility. That makes it more fluid than a traditional suburban seat. The BJP’s stronger ecosystem in the capital belt adds a third angle that can complicate the arithmetic. If the NDA rises here while Congress remains competitive, the LDF’s 2021 cushion can shrink quickly.
3) Nemom: Kerala’s saffron test
If one Kerala seat always arrives with prime-time graphics ready, it is Nemom.In 2021, V Sivankutty of the CPI(M) won with 55,837 votes, defeating Kummanam Rajasekharan of the BJP by just 3,949 votes. Congress, though a distant third with 36,524 votes, was still relevant enough to shape the outcome.In 2026, the contest is even bigger. V Sivankutty returns for the LDF, KS Sabarinadhan contests for the UDF, and Rajeev Chandrasekhar is the BJP’s marquee face. This is a serious three-cornered fight. The BJP believes Rajeev Chandrasekhar’s national profile can finally push it over the line.Meanwhile, Congress has put trust in Sabarinadhan to reclaim the anti-LDF space. The LDF knows its best ally may once again be an opposition vote split.If the BJP is to win a seat in Kerala, many in the party still see Nemom as one of its cleanest paths.
4) Paravur: Satheesan’s leadership seat, and a test of UDF authority
In Paravur, V D Satheesan of the Congress won decisively in 2021, polling 82,264 votes and defeating MT Nixon of the CPI by 21,301 votes. Satheesan secured 51.87% of the vote, while the CPI finished with 60,963 votes or 38.44%. The BJP-aligned BDJS candidate A.B. Jayaprakash polled 12,964 votes (8.17%). In 2026, the contest becomes politically larger than the seat itself. V D Satheesan returns for the UDF, the LDF has fielded ET Tyson of the CPI, and the BJP has nominated Valsala Prasanna Kumar. On numbers alone, Paravur may not look like a knife-edge contest, but Satheesan’s presence changes its weight entirely. This is not just a constituency battle; it is also a referendum on the authority and credibility of the UDF’s chief campaign face.If Satheesan wins comfortably, the UDF can project stability and leadership strength. If the margin narrows sharply, the LDF will immediately try to frame it as evidence that the opposition’s loudest voice is not translating statewide momentum into deeper local consolidation. That is what makes Paravur more than just another safe-looking seat: it is a leadership barometer wrapped inside an Assembly contest.
5) Aranmula: The Sabarimala echo chamber
In Aranmula, Veena George of the CPI(M) won in 2021 with 74,950 votes, defeating K. Sivadasan Nair of the Congress by 18,242 votes. That is a healthy margin, and on paper it gives the LDF a clear advantage.In 2026, Veena George returned to the LDF, while K. Sivadasan Nair returned for the UDF. Meanwhile, the BJP has fielded Kummanam Rajasekharan.Aranmula matters because Pathanamthitta district often carries a larger symbolic charge in Kerala politics. This is a region where cultural issues, temple politics and the long shadow of the Sabarimala debate can still influence tone and turnout.Even when the BJP does not win, its ability to shape the discourse can alter the contest between the LDF and UDF.
6) Puthuppally: Chandy country, now legacy politics
In Puthuppally, Oommen Chandy of the Congress won the 2021 election by 9,044 votes, reinforcing the constituency’s long association with one of Kerala’s most iconic leaders.In 2026, the seat remains emotionally charged, with Chandy Oommen contesting for the UDF, Jaick C. Thomas for the LDF and Raveendranath Vakathanam for the BJP.For the Congress, Puthuppally is not just another seat. It is a test of whether the Oommen Chandy legacy still converts into electoral strength beyond memory and sentiment. If the UDF underperforms here, the signal will be alarming statewide.If Chandy Oommen wins comfortably, the party can argue that the Chandy halo still carries political value in central Kerala.
7) Konni: The Pathanamthitta barometer
In Konni, K U Jenish Kumar of the CPI(M) defeated Robin Peter of the Congress by 9,953 votes in 2021.That made it a meaningful LDF gain in a constituency long seen as highly competitive.In 2026, Jenish Kumar is back for the LDF, while the UDF has fielded Prof. Satheesh Kochuparambil.The field is further complicated by Varughese Oommen as an Independent and Sundaresan TP of the NDA-backed BDJS.Konni is one of those seats where candidate personality and local networks matter almost as much as front-level arithmetic. If Congress cannot claw back in a constituency it has historically treated as winnable, its broader recovery story in central Travancore begins to look thinner.
8) Alappuzha: Red turf, but never fully safe
In Alappuzha, PP Chitharanjan of the CPI(M) defeated AA Shukoor of the Congress by 11,116 votes in 2021.It was a solid LDF win, but not an untouchable one. In 2026, PP Chitharanjan returns for the LDF, while AA Shukoor is back for the UDF. The BJP has fielded M J Job.Alappuzha town is often treated as ideologically predictable from a distance, but its urban pockets, labour politics and coastal anxieties make it more dynamic than that label suggests.If the UDF can cut the margin here, it would signal a broader improvement in coastal central Kerala.
9) Haripad: Chennithala’s personal fortress
In Haripad, Ramesh Chennithala of the Congress defeated Sajilal of the CPI by 13,666 votes in 2021. It was a convincing win for one of the UDF’s biggest faces.In 2026, Chennithala is back for the UDF, taking on TT Jismon of the CPI for the LDF and Sandheep Vachaspathi for the BJP.This is not just a constituency contest; it is also a test of whether one of the UDF’s most recognisable senior leaders still retains strong personal command over his base.If Chennithala’s margin slips sharply, it would raise questions about whether the aura of the UDF’s senior leadership is weaker than it appears.
10) Tanur: A 985-vote thriller returns with a new cast
In Tanur, the 2021 result was one of the closest and most politically revealing contests in the Malappuram district. V Abdurahiman, contesting as the LDF-backed NSC candidate, won with 70,704 votes (46.34%) and defeated PK Firos of the UDF-backed IUML by just 985 votes.Firos polled 69,719 votes (45.70%), while K Narayanan Master of the BJP secured 10,590 votes (6.94%).In 2026, the seat becomes even more intriguing because the cast has changed, while the underlying tension remains. The NSC has fielded Muhammed Sameer, the IUML has nominated PK Navas, and the BJP has named Deepa Puzhakkal.Tanur matters because if the UDF wins it back, it reinforces the idea that narrow LDF gains in League-heavy belts were temporary and personality-driven. If the LDF-backed NSC holds on despite a candidate change, it becomes a much bigger story.
11) Muvattupuzha: Congress’s aggressive attack face
In Muvattupuzha, Dr Mathew Kuzhalnadan of the Congress defeated Eldo Abraham of the CPI by 5,361 votes in 2021.That made it a competitive but meaningful UDF hold.In 2026, Kuzhalnadan is back for the UDF, facing N Arun of the CPI for the LDF, with a NDA-backed Twenty20 nominee adding a wildcard factor.Kuzhalnadan matters beyond one constituency because he has emerged as one of the UDF’s most visible and aggressive anti-government voices. If he wins comfortably, the UDF can claim that its new-generation, attack-politics strategy is converting into votes and not just headlines.
12) Thripunithura: Tradition meets volatility
In Thripunithura, K Babu of the Congress defeated M Swaraj of the CPI(M) by just 992 votes in 2021.It was one of the closest contests in the state and immediately marked the seat as a long-term battleground.In 2026, the UDF has fielded Deepak Joy, while the LDF has nominated Unnikrishnan K N.An NDA-backed Twenty20 nominee could again complicate the vote math.Thripunithura has become one of the clearest examples of urban Kerala’s volatility: affluent pockets, temple-belt sentiment and anti-incumbent churn can all move in different directions here.If the UDF holds it again, it can claim that 2021 was not a one-off; if the LDF flips it back, it will be read as a warning sign for the opposition in the Kochi belt.
13) Thrissur: Always dramatic, now truly combustible
Few seats capture Kerala’s triangular politics like Thrissur. In 2021, P Balachandran of the CPI won with 44,263 votes, defeating Padmaja Venugopal of the Congress by just 946 votes, while Suresh Gopi of the BJP polled 40,457 votes and proved the BJP’s viability.In 2026, the LDF has fielded Alankode Leelakrishnan, the UDF has nominated Rajan J Pallan, and Padmaja Venugopal is now the BJP candidate. With Gopi winning the Lok Sabha seat here in 2024, this makes Thrissur one of the most combustible seats in the state. If the BJP wants a genuine breakthrough headline, Thrissur is one of its clearest openings.
14) Irinjalakuda: Congress must keep its old ground
In Irinjalakuda, Prof R Bindu of the CPI(M) defeated Thomas Unniyadan of the Kerala Congress (Jacob)/UDF by 12,794 votes in 2021. It was a comfortable but not unassailable win. In 2026, Prof R Bindu returns for the LDF, while Thomas Unniyadan is back for the UDF, with Santosh Cherakulam contesting for the BJP.As a ministerial and prestige seat, Irinjalakuda matters more than its raw numbers might suggest. If the UDF cannot make this competitive in Thrissur district, its larger central Kerala pitch starts to look patchy.
15) Chalakkudy: Crowded ballot, tricky seat
In Chalakudy, Saneeshkumar Joseph of the Congress defeated Dennis Antony of the Kerala Congress (M) by just 1,057 votes in 2021. That narrow margin immediately made the seat vulnerable. In 2026, Saneeshkumar Joseph returns for the UDF, while the LDF has fielded Adv. Biju S. Chirayath of the Kerala Congress (M). A Twenty20-backed candidate, Adv Charlypaul, adds another layer of uncertainty.This is the kind of constituency where a fragmented ballot can either sink the incumbent or unexpectedly save him.
16) Palakkad: The loudest three-way fight in Kerala
After Nemom, Palakkad may be the most nationally watchable Assembly seat in Kerala. In 2021, Shafi Parambil of the Congress defeated E. Sreedharan of the BJP by 3,859 votes in one of the state’s most closely followed contests.In 2026, the equation is completely reset. The UDF has fielded Ramesh Pisharody, the well-known film and television personality. The BJP has nominated Sobha Surendran, one of its most battle-tested campaigners in Kerala. The LDF is backing Independent N M R Razaq. This makes Palakkad a genuine three-way battle. Pisharody brings celebrity appeal and local recall, but celebrity does not automatically convert into transferable votes in Kerala. Sobha brings persistence and cadre energy. The LDF’s decision to back an independent only adds to the unpredictability. If the BJP wants a “breakthrough” headline, Palakkad is firmly on the shortlist.
17) Perinthalmanna: Malappuram’s tactical chessboard
In Perinthalmanna, Najeeb Kanthapuram of the IUML defeated K P Mujeeb of the CPI(M) by just 38 votes in 2021. That microscopic margin alone makes it one of the most important rematches in Kerala.In 2026, the contest returns almost as a referendum on that cliffhanger, with Najeeb Kanthapuram for the UDF and KP Mujeeb for the LDF. In a district usually read as UDF-friendly, Perinthalmanna is proof that the LDF can get close enough to truly threaten. If the UDF widens the gap, it reinforces Muslim League resilience in Malappuram. If the LDF flips it, that becomes one of the most politically meaningful upsets in the state.
18) Kozhikode North: Urban Left vs expanding BJP vote
In Kozhikode North, Thottathil Raveendran of the CPI(M) won in 2021 with 59,124 votes, defeating the Congress candidate by 12,928 votes. The BJP, however, also posted a substantial vote, crossing the 30,000 mark, which is significant in an urban north Kerala constituency.In 2026, Thottathil Raveendran returns for the LDF, while the UDF has fielded Adv. K. Jayanth and the BJP has nominated Navya Haridas. The BJP may not start as the favourite, but its vote share is too large to ignore. If that vote rises further, the Congress suffers first. If it dips, the UDF becomes more competitive. That makes Kozhikode North one of the best seats to read the triangular balance in urban north Kerala. This is a seat where the BJP’s ceiling, the UDF’s recovery and the LDF’s staying power can all be measured at once.
19) Manjeshwaram: The north Kerala cliffhanger that never stops being dramatic
No Kerala battleground list is complete without Manjeshwaram. In 2021, A K M Ashraf of the IUML defeated K Surendran of the BJP by just 745 votes, once again reinforcing the seat’s reputation for razor-thin outcomes.In 2026, A K M Ashraf is back for the UDF. Surendran returns for the BJP, and K R Jayanandan contests for the LDF. Few seats in Kerala combine border demographics, communal polarisation risks, local candidate strength and turnout sensitivity as sharply as this one. For the BJP, it remains one of the most emotionally important “almost there” seats. For the UDF, it is a must-hold. For the LDF, even small shifts in vote transfer discipline can decide the outcome.
20) Dharmadam: Pinarayi’s fortress
If there is one constituency in Kerala where the result matters beyond the seat itself, it is Dharmadam. Chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan is back in the fray here, turning this north Kerala constituency into a prestige battle for the LDF. In 2021, Vijayan won comfortably with 1,04,157 votes, defeating C. Raghunath (Congress), who polled 63,329, by a margin of 40,828 votes. The BJP’s C K Padmanabhan finished third with 14,685 votes. That made Dharmadam look like a safe red fortress—but in Kerala, even “safe” seats are read politically when the chief minister himself is on the ballot.In 2026, the contest is once again high-profile. Pinarayi Vijayan (CPI-M) is facing Adv V P Abdul Rasheed (Congress), while the BJP has fielded K Ranjith. On paper, the chief minister remains the clear favourite, and the LDF’s organisational muscle in Kannur gives him a strong cushion. But this is still a seat where the margin will matter almost as much as the victory. A reduced winning margin would give the opposition a talking point; a dominant win would allow the LDF to project continued control in its ideological heartland.
The bigger picture
The 2026 Kerala election still has a clear statewide frame: Can the LDF win a third straight term, can the UDF turn local-body momentum into an Assembly comeback, and can the NDA convert visibility into seats? But inside that frame, the real action is highly local.In the capital, the BJP’s Thiruvananthapuram Corporation breakthrough has given the NDA its strongest fresh talking point. In Thrissur, Suresh Gopi’s 2024 win still hangs over the map. In Kochi and other urban centres, the UDF’s strong 2025 civic performance suggests anti-incumbency is real, though not necessarily uniform. The UDF is also betting that the Gandhi surname still means something tangible in Kerala. Rahul Gandhi’s long Wayanad connection gives the Congress a ready-made emotional bridge with voters, and Priyanka Gandhi’s campaign appeal can lift cadre morale and media attention at a crucial moment.In Left bastions, the LDF is betting that welfare delivery and organisational depth can still overpower noise.So yes, Kerala will still be counted in 140 seats. But as voting unfolds through the day, these 20 constituencies are where the state’s larger political story may begin to reveal itself first.
Stock market today (April 9, 2026): Nifty50 opens below 23,900; BSE Sensex down over 500 points on rising oil prices, US-Iran ceasefire concerns
Stock market today (AI image)
Stock market today: Nifty50 and BSE Sensex opened in red on Thursday, a day after the stock market saw a record single day gain. While Nifty50 went below 23,900, BSE Sensex was down over 500 points. At 9:16 AM, Nifty50 was trading at 23,857.40, down 140 points or 0.59%. BSE Sensex was at 77,034.34, down 529 points or 0.68%.Market analysts are of the view that the near-term outlook remains constructive.Dr. VK Vijayakumar, Chief Investment Strategist, Geojit Investments Limited says, “The 2-week ceasefire between US and Iran and the consequent sharp decline in crude prices provided the trigger for a sharp 873 point rally in Nifty yesterday. The short-covering and accumulation in attractively valued financials facilitated the sharp surge in the market. Even though RBI’s monetary policy on expected lines with no change in rates and stance was not market boosting, the Governor’s comment that “growth impulses remain strong supported by robust private consumption and sustained investment demand” augurs well for the market.“With 6.9% GDP growth and 4.6% inflation projected for FY 27 by the RBI, the nominal GDP growth for FY27 can be around 11.5% which can deliver around 12% earnings growth in FY 27. With fair valuations in the market now, if the West Asian ceasefire holds, the market will remain resilient. But there are some concerns surrounding the Israeli attack on Lebanon and its fallout on the ceasefire. If crude again spikes in response to this development, the uptrend witnessed yesterday will be at risk of losing stream. The big takeaway from the rally in the market yesterday is that fairly valued stocks depressed by FPI selling and shorting will bounce back at any time. Patience is the key.” US equities ended significantly higher on Wednesday. All three major indices opened with solid gains and maintained upward momentum through the session, driven by a broad-based relief rally after a temporary pause in the conflict.However, sentiment turned cautious in Asia on Thursday. Regional markets opened lower, while S&P 500 futures slipped 0.2 per cent, after Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad-Bagher Ghalibaf said three clauses of the ceasefire proposal had already been violated.In commodity markets, oil prices edged higher on Thursday amid concerns that supplies from the Middle East may not fully normalise, as doubts persist over the durability of the ceasefire and restrictions remain in place around the Strait of Hormuz.Gold prices, meanwhile, were largely steady as investors refrained from taking fresh positions, awaiting clearer signals on the ceasefire negotiations as well as key US inflation data due later in the day.On the institutional front, foreign portfolio investors remained net sellers, offloading shares worth Rs 8,692 crore on Tuesday. In contrast, domestic institutional investors provided support to the market, with net purchases of Rs 7,979 crore.(Disclaimer: Recommendations and views on the stock market, other asset classes or personal finance management tips given by experts are their own. These opinions do not represent the views of The Times of India)
George Clooney slams Trump over Iran remark, calls it `war crime`
Hollywood actor George Clooney has strongly criticised US President Donald Trump for threatening to erase “a whole civilization” unless Iran agreed to his terms for a ceasefire deal that was subsequently reached, according to Variety.
Speaking at an event in Cuneo, Italy, Clooney addressed around 3,000 high school students and voiced concern over recent geopolitical tensions. According to Italian news agency ANSA, the actor said, “Some say Donald Trump is fine. But if anyone says he wants to end a civilization, that`s a war crime. “
He further stressed the importance of maintaining ethical boundaries in political discourse. “You can still support the conservative point of view, but there must be a line of decency, and we must not cross it,” he added.
Clooney also expressed concern over Trump`s reported stance on the NATO alliance amid tensions surrounding Iran. “I`m worried about NATO,” Clooney said. “It has ensured that Europe, but also the rest of the world, has been safe. Dismantling an institution like this worries me. Aside from many mistakes, I believe the U.S. [with NATO] has also done many extraordinary things that have stood the test of time,” as quoted by Variety.
During the interaction, Clooney also engaged warmly with students, greeting them in Italian before switching to English. He joked about understanding Italian, telling the audience to “watch what you say.”
The Clooney Foundation for Justice, the human rights campaign group established by George and Amal Clooney, was founded in 2016 and currently works in 40 countries, according to Variety.
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‘Consistency over sixes’: Markram backs Pant, explains Shami’s true value for LSG | Cricket News
Lucknow Super Giants’ Aiden Markram (ANI Photo)
KOLKATA: Lucknow Super Giants’ Aiden Markram isn’t the kind of a batter who will go out there and start smacking sixes. He goes about his job without much flourish but delivers what is required. Excerpts from a conversation with South Africa’s white-ball captain...LSG have three players who have led their national sides in you, Nicholas Pooran and Mitch Marsh. Does captain Rishabh Pant bounce off ideas with you?Yes, he does. It’s always a fine balance because it’s his team and he wants to do it his own way, which is important. The nice thing is whenever there’s a bit of uncertainty or he is in need of an opinion, he liaises with myself, Mitch, Nikki, obviously (strategic advisor) Kane Williamson.Pant seems to be in good form…Any team that has Rishabh firing is a better team. He’s an absolute entertainer with serious abilities. He always wants to lead from the front. He’s got a lot of pride in his performance. You can’t keep a good player down for too long.Unlike last year, LSG doesn’t have any injury problems this time…Definitely better than last year. We’ve seen really good things from the pace attack in the first two games. Obviously pacer (Mohammed) Shami joining with his ability and experience is huge.Shami was brilliant in the last game…There’s no one really like him. To have him in the team and also have him sharing that knowledge with some of the younger pacers like Prince Yadav and Mayank (Yadav) is invaluable.You’ve evolved as a T20 player…It was more about understanding my role. You have a lot of guys now playing T20 cricket that are able to hit sixes from the first ball. My way of doing things might look a bit different. Still playing Test cricket, you can’t develop the technical side of the T20 game. I have to work with what I have and that’s more about trying to hit good cricket shots and trusting that that’ll work on the day. So there might be a few less sixes but if I can still strike at the required rate, that makes me happy.You’re known to be very calm. Have your ever lost your cool on the field?Of course. You’re only human. I guess over a period of time, if you’re not performing, you get very frustrated. It did happen when I was a bit younger. Over time, I’ve settled down. I remember having conversations with Hashim Amla about it and he just said that cricket is one of the reasons we live, but not the only reason. Trying to be consistent, whether you’re doing well or not, is important as a human being. That’s sort of now what I strive towards managing.Would you call the 136 in the WTC final your most defining knock?It’ll go down as one of the coolest days of my life. The emotions were a roller-coaster for both teams and naturally we were chasing that first trophy. To have done it at a place like Lord’s, with our friends and family around, it was special. It’s a memory that will live with me forever.What do you think of Rajasthan Royals’ young opener Vaibhav Sooryavanshi?It’s unbelievable to watch him, to be fair. You try to think back to when I was 15, I think I would have done well to get the ball to the boundary for four. He’s walking out in IPL and smacking sixes. He is completely fearless. You acknowledge it, respect it. I’m sure he’s going to have a huge future ahead of him and he’s going to have a lot of us cricket fans glued to the TV.
Sona Mohapatra backs Alia Bhatt amid hosting trolls: `Bollywood, learn to laugh`
Singer Sona Mohapatra has expressed her support for actress Alia Bhatt after she was trolled for her hosting skills during a recently held award ceremony. In her first attempt at hosting, Alia was seen sharing the stage with comedian Zakir Khan and actor-comedian Sunil Grover. Commenting on Alia`s performance as a host, users criticised her stint, terming it overacting and cringe. Singer Sona Mohapatra has now come out in her support and urged Bollywood to laugh a little.
Sona Mohapatra on Alia Bhatt getting trolled for hosting
She was heard saying in her Instagram post, “I`m weighing in on the Alia Bhatt Screen Awards monologue, which has been all over the place and is being trolled. First things first, guys, it was live. Live means no retake, no edit, no filter, no rethink. And honestly, doing such authentic work in Bollywood is a big stunt. Most desi actors won`t even pick up that mic. She gave it a shot, and that itself is amazing.”
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“It is brave. Secondly, let`s talk about the audience. Performance is not only on stage when it`s live. The audience and the room in front of you also have to perform. It`s their duty. And the Bollywood room, they are dead on arrival. I know I`ve performed in these rooms many times; I can give you the example of the Mijwan fashion show to illustrate. Shabana Azmi ji does it to raise funds for the Mijwan weavers. And it is full of stars, designer outfits, flashbulbs. Even when they`re around for a good cause, they`re like dead. Their vibes there will be, ‘My outfit is better than hers,’ ‘Which important actor or director`s eye can I catch?’ And oh my God, it`s a tough, tough audience,” Sona went on to add.
Sona on Alia’s comparison with Zakir Khan
Addressing Alia`s comparison with Zakir, the singer shared, “He`s an ustad of stand-up. Try getting him to act or dance like Alia; you`ll get your answer.” Expressing her faith in the Jigra actress, Sona concluded, saying, “Next time, I think Alia will do even better. Or Bollywood, learn to laugh a little. It won`t kill you.”
Workwise, Alia is gearing up for the release of YRF Spy Universe actioner Alpha. The film is all set to release on July 10 and stars Bobby Deol, Anil Kapoor, and Sharvari in pivotal roles. Apart from this, she has SLB’s Love and War in the pipeline.
