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Eminent political scientist J Prabhash explains why the Congress-led alliance won so comprehensively in Kerala and why it will need to demonstrate efficiency in governance very quickly

The 1949 NATO consensus is dead. Key Trump advisor Keith Kellogg has revealed a plan to tear down the "bloated" 32-member alliance and replace it with a "tiered" system. In this new world, U.S. protection isn't guaranteed—it's earned through defense spending and support for American operations in the Middle East. With troop withdrawals already underway in Germany, Italy, and Spain, Washington is sending a clear message: support "Operation Epic Fury," or lose the U.S. security umbrella.

Lucknow Super Giants face a dire IPL 2026 season, reeling from six consecutive losses and languishing at the bottom. Captain Rishabh Pant's form and leadership are under scrutiny, while batting collapses and inconsistent bowling plague the team. With playoff hopes fading, LSG desperately needs an extraordinary turnaround to salvage their campaign.

And how it became the state that delivered one of the biggest political reversals of the Modi era

U.S. President Donald Trump referred to the conflict with Iran Monday as a "mini-war," and said it is "working out very nicely." Trump made the comments during a small business summit at the White House. "I call it a mini war because that's all they are. They don't have a navy anymore," Trump said. He told the crowd he would have preferred to keep Iran’s higher quality ships but it didn't work out that way. "I said, 'Why didn't you just take the ship? Why did you have to send it to the bottom of the sea?'" Trump recalled.

Rajya Sabha member Raghav Chadha accused the AAP-led Punjab government of using state machinery for political vendetta against MPs who joined the BJP. He alleged selective targeting through various agencies, presenting these concerns to the President. Another rebel MP, Sandeep Pathak, stated they sought constitutional safeguards from the President, who assured protection.

According to ABC News, US Central Command confirmed 22 crew members were sent to Pakistan for repatriation, while six others were moved earlier. The ship, seized after attempting to bypass a US blockade, is also being returned to its owners. Tehran frames the development as a major strategic win after weeks of tension at sea. The incident involved warning shots and a US Marine boarding operation.#Iran #USA #Touska #BreakingNews #Tehran #USNavy #Pakistan #MiddleEast #ABCNews #WorldNews #NavalCrisis #IranUS #Geopolitics #ShipSeizure #GlobalTensions

Despite another loss in IPL 2026, Lucknow Super Giants coach Justin Langer backed captain Rishabh Pant, highlighting a recent practice innings of 95 off 30 balls as proof he's close to his best. Langer defended Pant's decision to bat lower in the order, calling it a selfless move for the team's benefit.

Election Results 2026 Live Updates: Bharatiya Janata Party-led NDA secured a massive victory in West Bengal, Assam and Puducherry. TVK swept Tamil Nadu and UDF made a massive comeback in Kerala.<br /><br />Counting of votes are still under way across West Bengal, Tamil Nadu, Assam, Kerala and Puducherry. The Election Commission of India is yet to release official figures.<br /><br /><b>BJP pushes ahead in Bengal and Assam<br /></b><br />Early trends from the Assembly election results indicated major political shifts across eastern and southern India, with the BJP emerging as a dominant force in West Bengal and Assam. In West Bengal, the BJP was leading in 109 seats, well ahead of the ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC), which was ahead in 63 constituencies according to Election Commission trends. The contest remained the centrepiece of Election 2026, marked by fierce campaigning over issues such as electoral rolls, alleged rigging and political polarisation.<br /><br />Security remained tight across Bengal, with more than 2.5 lakh Central Armed Police Force personnel deployed alongside state police. BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari expressed confidence that the party would form the government, while the TMC leadership remained cautious as counting continued. In neighbouring Assam, chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma led the BJP to a commanding position, with the party ahead in 74 of the state’s 126 seats, while Congress trailed far behind at 23.<br /><br /><b>Vijay’s TVK stuns Tamil Nadu<br /></b><br />Tamil Nadu delivered one of the biggest surprises of the election, with actor-politician Vijay’s Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) making a dramatic electoral debut. The party was leading in 103 seats, putting it ahead of both the AIADMK and the ruling DMK. The AIADMK was ahead in 67 seats, while the DMK slipped to third place with 38 seats, pointing to a major political churn in the state’s Dravidian landscape.<br /><br /><b>Congress gains ground in Kerala, NDA leads in Puducherry<br /></b><br />Kerala offered a boost for the Congress-led United Democratic Front (UDF), which surged ahead in the counting trends. Congress was leading in 61 seats, while the CPI(M) and CPI were ahead in 29 and nine seats respectively. KPCC president Sunny Joseph described the trends as evidence of a strong pro-UDF wave. In Puducherry, the contest remained fragmented, with Congress and BJP tied at two seats each, while the All India NR Congress was leading in seven constituencies.<br />

Trump launches Project Freedom as US forces move to escort stranded ships through Strait of Hormuz. CENTCOM says the mission will restore safe navigation in the world’s most vital oil corridor. Iran has warned any American interference will be seen as a ceasefire violation, raising fears of a fresh Gulf confrontation. Trump says trapped crews need food, sanitation, and urgent humanitarian relief. The Strait handles massive global oil flows, making any clash a threat to energy prices and world markets. Watch the latest updates as Washington and Tehran face a dangerous new standoff at sea.#Trump #Iran #Hormuz #StraitOfHormuz #USNavy #CENTCOM #MiddleEast #BreakingNews #OilPrices #ProjectFreedom #Tehran #WorldNews #GulfCrisis #ShippingCrisis #DonaldTrump