Bengal Voters Mum, May Not Release Exit Poll Data Today: Axis My India Founder

Following the completion of the final phase of voting in the West Bengal Assembly elections, several pollsters have released exit poll projections that show a divided picture of the likely outcome. Some surveys forecast a victory for the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), while others suggest that the Trinamool Congress (TMC), led by Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, will retain power. 

One prominent agency, however, has so far remained silent.

In an interview with NDTV, Pradeep Gupta, founder of Axis My India, said his organisation may not release exit poll data for West Bengal on Thursday if it does not obtain a sufficiently representative sample.

"See, the method of Axis My India is talking to people face to face. And when we tried to talk after the first phase, about 60-70 per cent of the people had their lips sealed. They were not even ready to say yes or no," Gupta told NDTV.

"No one is ready to talk to anyone in the context of elections. So, as long as our sample is not representative, on the basis of a 20-30 per cent sample, we do not believe it is right to predict any number. For that, we will try once again Thursday. Maybe now that the elections have been held,  people will be more relaxed," he added. 

Gupta reiterated in the interview that there is a "possibility" that Axis My India may not release its Bengal numbers on Thursday. 

"I don't have any opinion, because when no one is speaking, my boundaries are cut short," Gupta said. "It is my habit to try my best. We have tried and sweated it out for all these days, and we have been sweating it out for so long. It would be a matter of disappointment for us too if we couldn't predict it, after all the effort and sweat we've been putting in."

The West Bengal assembly has 294 seats, with 148 needed for a majority. 

Voting took place in several phases and concluded on Wednesday. Among the exit polls already released, projections vary significantly. Praja Poll estimated the BJP could win between 178 and 208 seats, while Matrize and Poll Diary placed the BJP above the majority threshold at 161 and 171 seats, respectively. 

By contrast, Janmat Polls projected the Trinamool and its allies securing 195 to 205 seats, with Peoples Pulse forecasting a range of 177 to 187 seats for the ruling party. Both suggest that the Trinamool's organisational strength and welfare programmes have helped it withstand the challenge from the BJP.

Most pollsters expect the alliance of the Left parties and the Congress to perform poorly, with their combined seat share remaining in single digits in many projections.

from NDTV News- Special https://ift.tt/Rok73E0

Read More

Axis Exit Poll Shock: Will 'Jana Nayagan' Vijay Rule Tamil Nadu Next?

Exit polls for the Tamil Nadu Assembly election point to a commanding return for the DMK-led alliance, but one projection for actor Vijay's TVK has emerged as the defining variable in a contest that may yet defy precedent.

While most exit polls converge on a DMK-led victory, the Axis My India projection has shifted the center of gravity of the conversation by placing Vijay's Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) in the 98 to 120 seat range. LIVE UPDATES

That estimate, if borne out, would not only disrupt the immediate electoral outcome but force a reassessment of what constitutes a breakthrough in Tamil Nadu politics.

To understand the scale of that claim, it must be placed against history.

The DMK's landmark 1967 victory delivered roughly 138 seats in a 234-member Assembly and installed the party in power. But that win came after years of organizational buildup and electoral participation dating back to the 1950s. 

A decade later, in 1977, M G Ramachandran's AIADMK secured around 130 seats. Though formally new, it emerged from a split within the DMK and carried with it a substantial share of the existing cadre and political network.

The Axis projection for TVK describes a fundamentally different case. The party was registered in 2024, is contesting all 234 seats independently, and does not draw from an inherited Dravidian structure. 

On raw numbers, even the upper end of 120 seats would fall short of those earlier benchmarks. But as a greenfield, stand-alone formation taking on both dominant parties simultaneously, such a result would arguably mark the most significant debut by a genuinely new political force in the state, if it materialises as projected.

That possibility stands in sharp contrast to the broader exit poll landscape, which largely favors continuity.

People's Pulse projected the DMK alliance at 125 to 145 seats and the AIADMK bloc at 65 to 80. Peoples Insight offered a similar range of 120 to 140 for the DMK and 60 to 70 for the AIADMK. Praja Poll went further, estimating 148 to 168 seats for the ruling alliance and limiting TVK to a marginal 1 to 9 seats.

Other agencies introduced more competitive scenarios. P-Marq placed the DMK alliance between 125 and 145 seats and the AIADMK between 65 and 85, while assigning TVK 16 to 26 seats. Matrize projected a narrower gap, with the DMK at 122 to 132, AIADMK at 87 to 100, and TVK at 10 to 12.

A handful of polls suggested a fractured mandate. Kamakhya Analytics estimated the DMK at 78 to 95 seats, AIADMK at 68 to 84, and TVK at 67 to 81, placing Vijay's party in a potential kingmaker role. JVC projected an AIADMK-led surge with 128 to 147 seats, pushing the DMK to 75 to 95 and TVK to 8 to 15.

Against this fragmented backdrop, the Axis numbers stand out not only for their scale but for the scenarios they unlock.

At 118 seats or above, TVK could form a government on its own. Between 105 and 117, it could emerge as the single largest party and face immediate coalition pressures. Between 98 and 104, it could still hold the balance of power, with the ability to support or block either of the established alliances.

These pathways carry added significance because TVK's campaign rested on rejecting pre-poll alliances and positioning itself as an independent alternative to both DMK and AIADMK. A strong showing would validate that strategy and suggest a consolidation of support across voter segments that have historically split between the two dominant formations.

Even so, exit polls are not definitive outcomes. Tamil Nadu's electoral history includes instances where projections have failed to capture final seat distributions, particularly in contests involving multiple competitive fronts.

For now, the state stands between two narratives. One points to a familiar result anchored by the DMK alliance. The other, driven by the Axis projection, raises the prospect of a structural shift led by a first-time entrant. 

from NDTV News- Special https://ift.tt/aO5f9Yz

Read More

'Fowl Play': 140 Chickens Die After Wedding DJ Plays Loud Music

A poultry farm owner in Uttar Pradesh has filed a police complaint after 140 chickens died at his farm, alleging that the cause was loud music from a DJ system used during a wedding procession that passed nearby on the night of April 25.

The incident occurred in UP's Sultanpur district. On the fateful night, the wedding procession for the daughter of local resident Babban Vishwakarma moved through the village. The procession had come from Ram Bhadra Purva in the Kudwar area and included a DJ playing music at high volume. 

Sabir Ali, who operates Sabir Ali Poultry Farm located near the village, stated that the procession passed in front of his farm around 9:30 PM. According to his account, the intense noise from the DJ caused panic among the chickens. He said the birds could not tolerate the sound and 140 of them died as a result.

In his complaint to the police, Sabir Ali described the sound as high-decibel and said it frightened the poultry, leading directly to the deaths. 

"The noise was so intense that the chickens got frightened and died," the complaint stated.

Following the complaint, the police registered a case on Tuesday night against Kavi Yadav, a DJ operator from Parsipur. 

The police are investigating whether the music system was operating beyond the permissible sound limits at the time. Officers are also looking into the sequence of events to determine if the noise levels contributed to the loss of the chickens.

According to experts, high-intensity sound waves can trigger severe stress responses in birds and animals, sometimes resulting in cardiac arrest. 

The poultry farm owner has attributed the entire loss to the volume of the music played during the wedding procession. No immediate comment was available from the DJ or the family holding the wedding.

from NDTV News- Special https://ift.tt/Bn1GpmE

Read More

PSG vs Bayern Munich UEFA Champions League: When And Where To Watch Live

PSG vs Bayern Munich UEFA Champions League Semifinal: Holders Paris Saint-Germain take on six-time champions Bayern Munich in a high-octane, first-leg semifinal clash of the UEFA Champions League at Parc des Princes. Defending champions PSG, who won their first title last year, outclassed Liverpool 4-0 in the quarterfinals, while Bayern-who last won Europe's premier club competition in 2021-edged out 15-time champions Real Madrid 6-4 on aggregate. Both PSG and Bayern have netted 38 goals in the competition this season. The German giants defeated the Parisians 2-1 when the sides met in the group stage earlier this season. 

PSG vs Bayern Munich LIVE Streaming, UEFA Champions League Quarterfinal LIVE Telecast: Check Where and How to Watch

When will the PSG vs Bayern Munich, UEFA Champions League match take place?

The PSG vs Bayern Munich, UEFA Champions League match will take place on Wednesday, April 29 (IST).

Where will the PSG vs Bayern Munich, UEFA Champions League match be held?

The PSG vs Bayern Munich, UEFA Champions League match will be held at the Parc des Princes, Paris, France.

What time will the PSG vs Bayern Munich, UEFA Champions League match start?

The PSG vs Bayern Munich, UEFA Champions League match will start at 12:30 AM IST.

Which TV channels will show the live telecast of the PSG vs Bayern Munich, UEFA Champions League match?

The PSG vs Bayern Munich, UEFA Champions League match will be televised on Sony Sports Network.

Where to follow the live streaming of the PSG vs Bayern Munich, UEFA Champions League match?

The PSG vs Bayern Munich, UEFA Champions League match will be live streamed on the SonyLiv app and website.

(All details are as per information provided by the broadcaster)

from NDTV News- Special https://ift.tt/J3rKdyp

Read More

Farhan Akhtar Reveals What He Has Learned From Don 3 Setbacks

Filmmaker and actor Farhan Akhtar has opened up about the long-delayed third instalment of the Don franchise, stating that the project still holds strong creative importance for him. 

His last directorial outing in the series was Don 2, which featured Shah Rukh Khan and Priyanka Chopra in lead roles.

Over the past few months, speculation around Don 3 has continued, with the most recent development being Ranveer Singh stepping away from the project after initially being linked to the lead role.

In a recent interaction with The Hollywood Reporter India, Farhan Akhtar admitted that the past few years have been particularly challenging, adding that he has learnt to "expect the unexpected". 

He further explained, "Nothing can be taken for granted till you actually have it on film," highlighting the uncertainties surrounding large-scale productions.

Despite the delays and setbacks, Farhan Akhtar subtly made it clear that the film is far from being shelved. He described Don 3 as one of the "incredible stories" he still wants to bring to life.

The Controversy

The film, however, has been caught in controversy following Ranveer Singh's exit. Farhan Akhtar's production banner, Excel Entertainment, is said to have approached the Producers Guild of India, claiming that the actor's last-minute withdrawal caused losses of around Rs 40 crore.

As per reports, Ranveer Singh claimed he left the project because he was not satisfied with the script.

He later alleged that Farhan Akhtar wanted to bring Hrithik Roshan on board; however, Dhurandhar's success changed his mind.

A few days ago, Hrithik dismissed the claims and clarified that he was never approached for Don 3.

He told Variety India, "What started off as just a rumour has now taken a life of its own, and it's important to set the record straight. I would like to categorically clarify that I was never approached for Don 3 at any given time. I request the media to steer clear of any such unverified reports."

Ranveer Singh On Board for Don 3

In 2023, the production house announced that Ranveer Singh would be playing the titular character in the third installment.

Farhan Akhtar shared a post, saying, "A new era begins."

A New Era Begins #Don3 @RanveerOfficial #JasonWest @javedakhtarjadu @ritesh_sid @ShankarEhsanLoy @PushkarGayatri @j10kassim @roo_cha @vishalrr @excelmovies @rupinsuchak @chouhanmanoj82 pic.twitter.com/i1hHrl6fuo

— Farhan Akhtar (@FarOutAkhtar) August 9, 2023

Don Franchise

Don is the 1978 classic headlined by Amitabh Bachchan. Farhan Akhtar brought the first remake in 2006 with Shah Rukh Khan leading the charge. In 2011, he also helmed the sequel, titled Don 2, with Shah Rukh Khan.

ALSO READ: When Hrithik Roshan Supported Farhan Akhtar In Picking Shah Rukh Khan For Don Over Himself

from NDTV News- Special https://ift.tt/g9ew4MX

Read More

Sehwag Shuts Down Iyer's Selection In India's T20I Team, Gives Blunt Reason

Much like every season, the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 campaign has seen several Indian players make a case for national selection. Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) stars Devdutt Padikkal and Rajat Patidar have impressed heavily, leading to many experts and fans calling for their entrance into the Indian team. RCB mentor Dinesh Karthik has been one of those, stating that Padikkal's sensational form would make it very hard for the BCCI selection committee to ignore him. However, legendary India opener Virender Sehwag expressed disagreement, raising a different perspective.

Sehwag suggested that there is no place in the Indian T20I side for players like Padikkal, Patidar or even Shreyas Iyer and Yashasvi Jaiswal, as the current national side is extremely strong.

"Dinesh Karthik is saying that Padikkal should play for India, but every season players emerge who feel that they should play for India. But where is the space in the Indian team?" said Sehwag, speaking on Cricbuzz.

"There is no place for Rajat Patidar, Shreyas Iyer, Devdutt Padikkal, and there are many more players. There is no place for Vaibhav Suryavanshi, Yashasvi Jaiswal. There are five players who are scoring runs, but who will you drop for them? Where is the space?" Sehwag added.

India's T20I team has grown into arguably the strongest T20I side of all time, winning two T20 World Cups in a row, in 2024 and 2026. Under the leadership of Suryakumar Yadav, India have not lost a single T20I series till date.

Padikkal has had a superb IPL 2026 campaign, slamming 208 runs in just six innings. He has already slammed three swashbuckling half-centuries in that period. What has been even more impressive is his strike-rate of over 184.

Padikkal has represented India twice in T20Is and twice in Tests, but his last international appearance in the shortest format came nearly five years ago.

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

Read More

Fabulous Lives Of Cartel Wives: Women Masterminds Of Latin Drug Businesses

Latin-American drug cartels are globally known to be dominated by men. Whether it is the geared-up foot soldiers, the gang leaders or the hitmen, men have always been the face of the cartels. However, the recent killing of the world's most-wanted traffickers, Nemesio "El Mencho" Oseguera Cervantes, in a daring operation by the Mexican military has revealed that sometimes it is the cartel women that you need to watch out for. 

El Mencho had a $15 million bounty on his head and was wanted by both Mexican and US authorities. While he was successfully on the run for years, it was one of his lovers that led the military to the mountains of Tapalpa in western Mexico, where he was hiding, according to a CNN report. 

While the lover's identity has been kept hidden, her role in one of Mexico's most significant anti-drug operations underscores the role of women in Latin America's drug cartels. From trophy wives to smuggling operatives and masterminds, women have been involved in every level of cartel operations. And if they are married to the bosses, they are often involved in more decision-making roles. 

"If you are the wife of a senior cartel boss, you are likely read into their logistics, their operations, their strategies. So, when your husband is captured or killed, it's possible that you're able to take over a large chunk of the business," Henry Ziemer, an expert on organised crime at the Center for Strategic and International Studies, told CNN. 

Griselda Blanco: Queen Of Cocaine

Colombia's Griselda Blanco was one of Latin America's most famous woman crime bosses and known as the "Queen of Cocaine". She had three husbands, all partners in her businesses and responsible for shipping huge shipments of cocaine from Colombia to Miami in the 1970s and 80s. She was recently portrayed by Sofia Vergara in Netflix's series "Griselda". 

Griselda was known to have links with both Pablo Escobar and the Medellin Cartel and was the mastermind behind several killings. "Even by the context of how hits were taken out in the cartels across the Americas in the 70s and 80s, she's still pretty ruthless," Claire White, director of education at The Mob Museum in Las Vegas, told CNN.

Griselda also hired more women than men and employed them as smugglers. "She had that ability to recognise skills and see women and put them into those positions," Elaine Carey, historian and author of 'Women Drug Traffickers: Mules, Bosses, and Organised Crime', told CNN.

Antonella Marchant

Antonella Marchant ran the Los Marchant clan alongside her father in Chile and specialised in financials and logistics. Los Marchant imported large quantities of cocaine from Bolivia and distributed it in the southern part of the Chilean capital, Santiago. 

Antonella and her father were sentenced to 15 years in prison, and her brother was sentenced to 12 years in 2023 for an operation in December 2021 that involved more than 300 kilograms of cocaine. 

Rosalinda Gonzalez Valencia: La Jefa

Rosalinda Gonzalez Valencia, known as "La Jefa" or "The Boss," was El Mencho's wife. The US sanctioned her brother Abigael and the Los Cuinis family-based cartel he led. The cartel has been closely aligned with the Jalisco New Generation Cartel and it is Rosalinda to whom El Mencho owes his own ascent in the Jalisco cartel.  

"In reality, El Mencho reached the (Jalisco) cartel's leadership through a diplomatic strategy via marriage," Mexican public security expert David Saucedo told CNN. Rosalinda has been accused of being one of the group's financial masterminds and was also charged with money laundering in 2018. 

"Rosalinda's role in the cartel is pretty fundamental in the sense that she has always been involved in the money side. (Besides) when people in that world are married, they're not living what you and I would consider a conventional marriage. Who knows whether they were still romantically involved?" Deborah Bonello, author of 'Narcas: The Secret Rise of Women in Latin America's Cartels', told CNN. 

Emma Coronel Aispuro 

While Rosalinda came from a cartel family, not all narco-wives came from a drug background or were visibly involved in operations. For instance, Emma Coronel Aispuro, wife of notorious Mexican drug lord Joaquin "El Chapo" Guzman and a California-born former beauty queen, is mostly known for her modelling career. She has appeared in music videos, modelled for brands and also become an influencer with over five lakh followers on Instagram. She has always denied involvement in any of her husband's businesses. 

Coronel was, however, arrested in 2021 and sentenced to three years in prison after she pleaded guilty to money laundering and drug trafficking charges related to El Chapo's narcotics business.

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

Read More

Raghav Chadha Loses 1.1 Million Instagram Followers After AAP Rebellion

Seven MPs, two-thirds of the AAP's total strength in the Rajya Sabha - these were the headline numbers when Raghav Chadha announced he was quitting the party, and a merger with the BJP was in the offing. 

Less than a day later, there was another figure that was grabbing eyeballs: 1.1 million. 

That is the number of followers the Rajya Sabha MP lost on Instagram since he made the announcement.

The move has triggered sharp reactions both within the party and on social media.

NDTV tracked Raghav Chadha's Instagram account after reports emerged that users were unfollowing him. According to the data, on the day of the announcement, he had 14.2 million followers.

As of now, his follower count has declined to 13.1 million, indicating that nearly 1.1 million users have unfollowed him within just 24 hours.

Reacting to the drop, AAP MLA and spokesperson Sanjeev Jha said, “Party volunteers and supporters have started unfollowing him on Instagram because he betrayed the party. People do not like his move. He always made reels to attract them, but that is also not working in his favour.”

Another AAP leader said the drop in social media followers indicates that his popularity is declining.

Amid these developments, AAP has taken a strong stance against the rebel MPs. AAP said that “seven of our MPs have joined the BJP through illegal means. This is against the anti-defection law.” The party added that the law does not recognise such a split as valid and that action should be taken.

The party said it would write to the Rajya Sabha Chairman, demanding the disqualification of these MPs.

from NDTV News- Special https://ift.tt/bVW6Sp7

Read More

US, Iran Prepare For 2nd Round Of Talks In Pak Without Vance, Ghalibaf

After days of stalemate, the United States has confirmed that Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner will head to Pakistan on Saturday for a new round of talks with Iran.

"I can confirm Special Envoy Witkoff and Jared Kushner will be off to Pakistan again tomorrow morning to engage in talks...  with representatives from the Iranian delegation," White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt told Fox News on Friday.

Leavitt added that everyone will be on standby to fly to Pakistan if necessary, but first, these top aides will go there and report back on the situation to US President Donald Trump and Vice President JD Vance.

Steve Witkoff, the US Special Envoy to the Middle East, and Jared Kushner, Trump's son-in-law, have been central to the first round of talks held in Pakistan on April 11 and 12.

Both US Vice President JD Vance and Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, the leader of the Iranian negotiating team in the first round of talks, will notably be absent from the second round of talks.

This comes after Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi announced a "timely tour" to Pakistan, Oman and Russia focused on "bilateral matters and regional developments".

"Embarking on a timely tour of Islamabad, Muscat, and Moscow. The purpose of my visits is to closely coordinate with our partners on bilateral matters and consult on regional developments. Our neighbours are our priority", he wrote on X.

Earlier, Iran said that it won't hold talks until the US lifts its blockade in the Strait of Hormuz, while the US side was demanding verifiable assurances that Tehran will end its nuclear programme and lift its own blockade of the strait.

At a Pentagon briefing on Friday, US Secretary of Defence Pete Hegseth said Trump had said the US “had all the time in the world and we are not anxious for a deal”.

He added that Iran had a chance to make a "good deal, a wise deal".

from NDTV News- Special https://ift.tt/dNDt2X6

Read More

Mojtaba Injured, A 'Board' Of Generals Helps Take The Calls In Iran

Iran's Supreme Leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, is dependent on the advice of the generals in the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps to manage the country, who collectively make the decisions, The New York Times reported.

"Mojtaba is managing the country as though he is the director of the board. He relies heavily on the advice and guidance of the board members, and they collectively make all the decisions. The generals are the board members," said Abdolreza Davari, a politician who was a top aide to former Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad with ties to Mojtaba Khamenei.

Mojtaba has been in hiding since the US-Israeli strikes killed his father Ayatollah Ali Khamenei on February 28. Although he survived with injuries, his wife and son were also killed in the bombing. Currently, access to him is limited, with only doctors and medical staff treating his injuries.

To prevent Israeli tracking and potential strikes, senior Iranian military and political leaders have ceased visiting Mojtaba. His treatment is currently being overseen by the health minister and Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, who is himself a heart surgeon.

The report says that even though the Supreme Leader is "gravely wounded", he is mentally sharp and engaged. 

One of his legs has been operated on thrice, and he will be using a prosthetic for it. His arm has also undergone surgery and is gradually regaining function. His face and lips have been severely burnt, which makes it difficult for him to speak. Officials have said that he might even need plastic surgery.

Moreover, Mojtaba has not issued a statement verbally because he does not want to appear vulnerable or "sound weak", which is why he only issues written statements.

Owing to Mojtaba's safety, injuries and challenges of reaching him, the decision-making has been delegated to the generals. The report states that "ultra-hard-liners" are still participants of political discussions and the influence of clerics is diminishing.

How The Guards Have Taken Over

Iran's power structure is currently being steered by the Revolutionary Guards, who hold sway across multiple centres of authority. The force is led by Ahmad Vahidi, while Mohammad Bagher Zolghadr, a former hardline commander, now heads the Supreme National Security Council. Another key figure, Yahya Rahim Safavi, continues to wield influence, as he served as a senior adviser to both father and son supreme leaders.

Meanwhile, the elected government has been pushed to the sidelines. The president and his cabinet have largely been tasked with maintaining internal stability, ensuring consistent supplies of essentials like food and fuel, and keeping day-to-day governance running smoothly, according to officials familiar with the situation.

Diplomatic authority has also shifted. Minister of Foreign Affairs of Iran, Abbas Araghchi, who previously led negotiations with the United States, has seen his role diminished. In his place, parliamentary speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf has assumed a more prominent position in shaping the country's external engagement.

Strategic military decisions, ranging from operations against Israel and Gulf nations to the closure of key maritime routes, have been driven by the Guards. They have also overseen ceasefire arrangements with Washington and sanctioned both backchannel outreach and direct talks. Notably, senior Guard commanders were, for the first time, directly included in Iran's negotiating team with the United States.

That said, Iran's political system has never operated as a single, unified bloc. Its structure deliberately accommodates overlapping centres of power, where disagreements are frequent and sometimes openly aired. Figures like Pezeshkian and Araghchi still retain positions on the National Security Council.

Even so, within the current leadership framework, the balance of power appears firmly tilted toward the military establishment. For now, the generals remain aligned, with little indication of internal fractures.

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

Read More

Before Iran War, China Amassed World's Largest Oil Stockpile

Ahead of the war in Iran, China aggressively added to its oil reserves, more than any other country, according to the United States government data released this week.

"Prior to the Iran conflict, preliminary government data indicate that China has continued building inventories in 2026," the article stated.

The New York Times reported earlier in the month that China imported 15.8 per cent more oil in January and February compared to the same period last year.

"Oil stockpiling has been taking place for a while now, and Chinese regulators were already preparing for geopolitical tensions to arise from the Trump administration," Cosimo Ries, an energy analyst at Trivium China told the publication.

According to the US Energy Information Administration, China had nearly 1.4 billion barrels of oil put aside compared to 1.2 billion barrels among 32 members of the International Energy Agency (IEA). Of these, the US has 413 million barrels.

Moreover, the US has been drawing out its stockpile. It is left with 405 million barrels after selling 8 million barrels in April. US President Donald Trump has authorised the release of 172 million barrels of oil from the Strategic Petroleum Reserve (SPR) to combat high energy prices and supply disruptions caused by the conflict with Iran.

Why China Is Stockpiling

The Oxford Institute for Energy Studies said that China is stockpiling due to three factors. First, crude prices remain subdued as global demand continues to soften. Second, risks are intensifying due to potential supply chain disruptions and strict sanctions on major exporters like Russia, Iran, and Venezuela. Third, a new domestic energy mandate now requires companies to increase their strategic reserves to ensure long-term security.

China is very dependent on global oil because it is the world's largest crude oil importer, but it has filled its coffers in a "pretty wise" and "strategic step", as Ries said.

Due to the Iran war, the traffic through the Strait of Hormuz, through which one-fifth of the world's oil supply flows, has been disrupted.

Iran vowed it would not reopen the Strait of Hormuz as long as the United States continues to blockade its ports.

from NDTV News- Special https://ift.tt/TjqWet0

Read More

'Where Do You Get Brain For Such Moves?' Axar Blasted For Captaincy vs SRH

Axar Patel-led Delhi Capitals suffered a massive 47-run defeat at the hands of Sunrisers Hyderabad in their IPL 2026 game on Tuesday. In the match at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium in Hyderabad, DC captain Axar won the toss and opted to bowl first. SRH put on a batting show and posted a mammoth total of 242 for 2 in the allotted 20 overs. Abhishek Sharma shone with an unbeaten 135-run knock, while Heinrich Klaasen and Travis Head also contributed with identical scores of 37. In the chase, Delhi failed to give a serious fight and were restricted to 195 for 9 despite Nitish Rana's 57.

While Abhishek played a sensational knock, Axar's poor captaincy also helped SRH's cause. The DC skipper and Kuldeep Yadav bowled two overs each, while Nitish Rana, a part-time spinner, was given four overs.

To make things worse, Rana was handed the ball during the 15th over of the SRH innings and ended up leaking 23 runs in the over. He was smashed by a set batter Abhishek for three sixes and one four. Rana ended up conceding 55 runs in his quota of four overs while failing to take any wicket.

"Axar Patel is the captain here and the vice captain of the T20 World Cup team. Yet, he has bowled only two overs. And he's giving the 15th over to Nitish Rana with Abhishek Sharma well-set. I am not sure where you get the brain for such moves. What's the use of all the thinktank and analytics teams?" Krishnamachari Srikkanth said in a video on his YouTube channel as quoted by Sportskeeda.

"Axar Patel is an international bowler. He and Kuldeep Yadav are in the current Indian T20 World Cup-winning team. And they've both combined to bowl four overs. Then you suddenly bring a Nitish Rana out of nowhere and give him four overs. How's this justified? This is pure absurdity. These kinds of moves only pull your team down," he added.

SRH are a side who love to bat first and put up big totals. Batting is their strength. Srikkanth opined that DC captain Axar should have opted to bat first against the SRH after winning the toss.

"It was an absurd decision to win the toss and bowl first. It was like feeding SRH mango in the summer season. All the teams should start winning the toss and batting first to put scoreboard pressure," the former India opener concluded.

from NDTV News- Special https://ift.tt/hXl42vJ

Read More

Rs 1.5 Crore Overseas Star To Debut For CSK In El Clasico vs Mumbai Indians

Spencer Johnson is poised to take centre stage for Chennai Super Kings (CSK) in their critical bottom-of-the-table match against Mumbai Indians in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai on Thursday. Bowling coach Eric Simmons hinted at Johnson's potential inclusion due to Khaleel Ahmed's injury. Khaleel had to leave the field before finishing his overs in CSK's last game against Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR). This situation led the team to consider Johnson, who was signed for Rs 1.5 crore as a replacement in their bowling lineup. His addition comes at a time when injuries have heavily impacted Chennai's season.

“Khaleel Ahmed & Anshul Kamboj have been really good for us. Spencer Johnson (Khaleel's replacement) will be in our starting XI tomorrow night," Simmons said on the eve of the match.

CSK has faced challenges all season, starting with three straight losses to Rajasthan Royals, Punjab Kings, and Royal Challengers Bengaluru. They briefly revived their season with wins over Delhi Capitals and KKR, but then experienced another setback with a 10-run loss to Sunrisers Hyderabad.

Mumbai's performance has also been shaky. After starting their season with a win against KKR, they lost to DC, RR, RCB, and PBKS before getting back on track with a second win against the Gujarat Titans.

Apart from Johnson, former skipper Dhoni, 44, has already started light training, including his first wicketkeeping session of IPL 2026 at the Wankhede Stadium on Tuesday, after missing CSK's first six matches.

With only two wins from six games, CSK is currently in eighth place in the points table. Their matchup on April 23 against arch-rivals Mumbai Indians is crucial as they aim to turn their season around.

The Mumbai Indians have finally found their feet with a fine performance against the Gujarat Titans in Ahmedabad, with pacer Jasprit Bumrah claiming his first wicket of the season in their sixth match. In between, the Mumbai Indians also lost opener Rohit Sharma to a hamstring injury in his right leg. He had retired hurt in the match against the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB), and skipper Hardik Pandya said he will miss the next two matches

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

from NDTV News- Special https://ift.tt/Ce93UPp

Read More