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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'Gullak' Season 5 OTT Release: Date, Time, Plot, Cast, Where To Watch

The Mishra family is ready to open the doors of Mishra Nivas once again. After winning audiences over with its simple storytelling, relatable characters and slice-of-life moments, Gullak is returning for a fifth season that promises more laughter, family drama and emotional twists.

The newly released trailer revisits the familiar world of Mishra Nivas, bringing back the everyday moments and middle-class charm that define the series. While a renovated home and new additions like Wi-Fi hint at changing times, the show's focus on family bonds, conversations and daily struggles remains unchanged.

What happened in Season 4?

Season 5 arrives after an emotional fourth season that explored the changing dynamics within the Mishra household. The previous season saw Aman navigating the challenges of growing up, while his elder brother Annu finally achieved a breakthrough in his professional life after facing several setbacks.

What To Expect From Season 5?

Season 5 continues to follow the lives of the Mishras as they navigate changing times while staying rooted in the values that have made them one of the most loved families on Indian streaming platforms.

One of the key storylines this season centres on Annu Mishra, who appears to be considering moving into a separate apartment.

The development could bring significant changes to the family, as Season 5 explores themes of ambition, independence, self-discovery and the challenges that come with adulthood.

ALSO READ: Michael OTT Release: Date, Time, Where To Watch Biopic On King Of Pop

A Major Casting Change

Season 5 introduces a significant casting update, with Anant V. Joshi taking over the role of Annu Mishra from Vaibhav Raj Gupta, who portrayed the character in previous seasons.

The series continues to star Jameel Khan as Santosh Mishra, Geetanjali Kulkarni as Shanti Mishra, Harsh Mayar as Aman Mishra and Sunita Rajwar as Bittu Ki Mummy. The ensemble cast also includes Shivankit Singh Parihar, Gopal Dutt, Manuj Sharma and Helly Shah.

When And Where To Watch?

Gullak Season 5 will premiere on June 5, 2026, and will be available to stream on Sony LIV.

Watch The Trailer Here:

ALSO READ: 'He-Man And The Masters Of The Universe' India Release: Plot, Cast, Early Reviews — All You Need To Know

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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.

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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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Mob Attacks Woman Over Witchcraft Rumour, Husband Dies While Saving Her

A tragic incident of mob violence driven by deep-seated superstition has resulted in the death of a man in Gadivakda village, located in the Vijaynagar taluka of Sabarkantha district. The fatal confrontation occurred after rumours spread throughout the village branding a local resident, Kamlaben, as a witch (dayan).

One man died and two others were left injured in Gujarat's Gadivakda village of the Sabarkantha district as he tried to save his wife from a mob attack.

The fatal confrontation occurred after rumours spread throughout the village branding a local resident, Kamlaben, as a witch (dayan).

According to police officials, the incident happened when an aggressive crowd of villagers gathered and ordered Manubhai Ramjibhai Damor and his wife to pack up their belongings and leave the village permanently.

The situation quickly escalated as the mob advanced toward the house to physically assault Kamlaben, throwing stones at the property and creating panic. Seeing the imminent danger to her life, Manubhai and his children stepped forward to shield her from the attackers.

During the confrontation, the villagers attacked the family with sharp weapons, inflicting severe blows on those attempting to intervene.

Manubhai sustained fatal head injuries during the confrontation, while two other members of his family were also left wounded. The severely injured victim was rushed to a nearby hospital for emergency medical attention, but doctors declared him dead upon arrival.

Khedbrahma Division Deputy Superintendent of Police Kuldeep Nai said that a police case has been registered against 12 villagers linked to the murder. The suspects booked by the police include eight men and four women who were allegedly part of the mob.

Local police teams have initiated further investigations into the matter and are conducting operations to track down and apprehend the accused individuals.

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

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

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

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

See the post here:

View this post on Instagram

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

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

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

From Tamil Cinema Superstar to Tamil Nadu's Chief Minister

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

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

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

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IPL Chairman Hits Bullseye On Vaibhav Sooryavanshi Amid India Call Up Debate

The clamour for Vaibhav Sooryavanshi's fast-tracked inclusion into the senior Indian men's team is growing deafening. Barely a year since his IPL debut, the cricket world is already convinced the 15-year-old prodigy is ready for the highest level. Fans won't have to wait long for a glimpse of his talent as the teenager is set to feature for India-A as early as next month, when the Tilak Varma-led squad heads to Sri Lanka for a tri-series. Sooryavanshi has scored nearly 600 runs (583) in the IPL this term.

IPL chairman Arun Dhumal hit the nail right on the head when asked about the way forward for the teenager, calling him a 'special talent' while insisting that the BCCI and RR's continued guidance would make him even better.

"I feel the BCCI and the franchise would need to handhold him in terms of showing him the right way so that his temperament stays intact. Because sport is not only about physical skill, it is also about mental toughness," Dhumal told The Times of India ahead of the IPL Eliminator between RR and SRH.

"And definitely, we will do our bit to make sure that the kind of skill set he has allows him to perform for India for many, many years to come."

Like any other cricketer, Sooryavanshi might have his ups and downs, but his future will be determined by how he overcomes those challenges.

For now, Sooryavanshi has a big responsibility on his young shoulders - taking his team to the final of the IPL and earning the opportunity to dethrone Virat Kohli's RCB.

Before any talk of the final, Sooryavanshi and RR must first navigate past the explosive batting line-up of SRH in the Eliminator. Should they clear that hurdle, a virtual semi-final against Gujarat Titans awaits them in Qualifier 2. 

No team has ever won the IPL from fourth place in the playoff era, and RR will need their teenage prodigy firing on all cylinders to rewrite history.

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Sooryavanshi Reveals Why He Missed Chris Gayle's Fastest Century Record

Vaibhav Sooryavanshi looked unstoppable. The cricket world waited with bated breath. The teenager had already scored 97 off 28 balls. Three more runs in one ball against Sunrisers Hyderabad in the IPL 2026 Eliminator and the 15-year-old Rajasthan Royals opener would have shattered Chris Gayle's record for the fastest IPL ton (30 balls vs Pune Warriors, 2013). It was not to be. He was dismissed by Praful Hinge. His final score read 97 runs (29 balls, 12x6s, 5x4s).

Wearing the Orange Cap after a breathtaking 28-ball 97 in a high-pressure Eliminator, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi said he consciously shut out the pressure of the occasion and backed his natural game as Rajasthan Royals piled up 243 for 8 against Sunrisers Hyderabad in the Indian Premier League (IPL) in New Chandigarh on Wednesday.

"Yes, I had that in my mind," Sooryavanshi said when asked if the occasion crossed his mind while batting. "My coaches told me to play freely, enjoy the game, and not take any pressure."

When asked if the century was on his mind, he said: "I wasn't really thinking about it like that, but I played that shot after looking at the fielder, and that's why I mistimed it. If I had gone towards third man, it would have cleared easily. But I tried to hit it straight, and that's why I missed the shot."

SRH skipper Pat Cummins started with a defensive setup, placing deep square leg and deep midwicket for the teenager while bowling almost all full and straight deliveries. This tactic almost worked for three balls before one overpitched ball disappeared over mid-off for six. RR were 9 without loss after the first over and quickly picked up speed as Eshan Malinga and Sakib Hussain were also taken apart.

Sooryavanshi raced to 50 in 16 balls, matching Suresh Raina's record for the fastest half-century in an IPL playoff. He also surpassed Chris Gayle for the most sixes in a T20 tournament. By the end of the fourth over, he had scored 36 off 10 balls, and RR were a remarkable 63 without loss.

At the other end, Yashasvi Jaiswal had a strange supporting role, scoring 19 off 16 while watching the teenager dominate every delivery. Sooryavanshi seemed ready to break Gayle's record for the fastest IPL century, but he top-edged an attempted uppercut off Praful Hinge to deep third on 97. RR were then 125 for 1 after eight overs.

The momentum barely dipped. Dhruv Jurel launched a furious counterattack, reaching 50 in 20 balls after dismantling Cummins and Shivang Kumar with scoops, pulls, and towering straight hits. RR surged to 192 for 3 in 13.5 overs before wickets started falling in clusters, including Riyan Parag and Dasun Shanaka.

Donovan Ferreira and Ravindra Jadeja added a quick 20 off 12 balls late in the innings, though SRH finished strongly with Nitish Kumar Reddy's precise wide yorkers and a brilliant boundary catch from Abhishek Sharma to dismiss Jofra Archer.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

(With inputs from Vivek Shahi)

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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.

from NDTV News- Special https://ift.tt/JeoNMUK

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