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EPS say AIADMK will finalise NDA seat sharing in four days

AIADMK general secretary Edappadi K Palaniswami said on Friday that seat-sharing arrangements with the BJP and other NDA partners for the April 23 Assembly elections would be finalised within four days, along with an announcement of allocated constituencies. He dismissed reports of friction in negotiations, describing the discussions as smooth after his meeting with Union Home Minister Amit Shah in Delhi.

The AIADMK heads the NDA in Tamil Nadu, with allies including the BJP, AMMK and PMK. Palaniswami said constituencies would be assigned based on each ally’s electoral strength. He also confirmed that BJP leader Piyush Goyal would visit the state to continue talks.

Rejecting speculation about any engagement with Vijay’s TVK, he said no such discussions had taken place and ruled out the entry of new allies, calling the alliance complete. On a controversial remark by party MP C Ve Shanmugam, he noted that an apology had been issued and the matter should rest.

Palaniswami said the party’s manifesto would be released within a week and reiterated promises such as financial assistance to address economic distress. He framed the election as a direct contest between the AIADMK-led NDA and the DMK, accusing the ruling party of corruption and poor governance.

MEA: PM Modi spoke to 5 world leaders on West Asia conflict

Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal at a press briefing in Delhi, said, "PM spoke with 5 world leaders yesterday. He spoke to leaders of Oman, Malaysia, France, Jordan, and Qatar. In these conversations, the Prime Minister put forth India's position on the ongoing conflict in West Asia. He highlighted the need to prioritise dialogue and diplomacy for de-escalation and the subsequent restoration of peace and stability. The Prime Minister strongly condemned attacks on energy infrastructure. Prime Minister and the various leaders reiterated their support for safe and free navigation through the Strait of Hormuz."

"The Prime Minister spoke with the Sultan of Oman and conveyed advance Eid greetings to him and to the people of Oman. The Prime Minister reiterated India's condemnation of the violation of Oman's sovereignty and territorial integrity and appreciated Oman's efforts in facilitating the safe return of Indian nationals..."

Delhi HC quashes look-out circular against NDTV founders Prannoy, Radhika Roy

Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma files nomination for 2026 elections

Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, who is eyeing his second successive term in the 2026 Assembly elections, filed nomination papers on Friday, seeking re-election from the Jalukbari constituency. He has won the seat for five consecutive terms since 2001. Jalukbari comes under the Guwahati Lok Sabha constituency. 

Biswa Sarma has won from the seat thrice on the ticket of the Congress and twice on that of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), which he currently represents. 

Sarma was accompanied by his wife Riniki Bhuyan Sarma, son Nandil Biswa Sarma, BJP's Gauhati Lok Sabha MP Bijuli Kalita Medhi and Guwahati Mayor Mrigen Sarania.

Before reaching the Kamrup (Metropolitan) District Election office to file the nomination, the CM, atop an open vehicle, led a large procession for a distance of about five-and-a-half kilometres. 

Hoax bomb threat email triggers search at Mumbai Press Club

An email warning of an explosion at the Mumbai Press Club set off a security scare on Friday, after the sender claimed "gas bombs" had been placed inside the premises and would detonate at 1 pm, police said.

The message, sent by an individual identifying as Neerja Ajmal Khan, also contained political assertions, according to officials.

Following the alert, police and multiple security agencies rushed to the Press Club building in south Mumbai and carried out an extensive search. Teams from the Bomb Detection and Disposal Squad (BDDS), along with sniffer dogs, combed the premises.

No explosives or suspicious objects were found during the operation, and authorities later confirmed the threat to be a hoax.

An investigation is underway, with cyber experts working to trace the source of the email, police added.

(With agency inputs)

Man dies after lift malfunction at Kolkata Hospital, Suvendu calls it 'murder'

A man died after allegedly being trapped in a malfunctioning lift at the state-run R G Kar Medical College and Hospital in north Kolkata on Friday, triggering sharp political reactions ahead of the West Bengal polls.

BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari called the incident “murder,” holding Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, Health Secretary Narayan Swaroop Nigam and hospital authorities accountable. He alleged the elevator was under repair when it was used. “I have documents with me… they intentionally killed (the man) using a lift that was being repaired. A case of murder should be immediately registered in the matter,” he said.

The victim, in his early 40s, had brought his four-year-old son for treatment. His family claimed the lift stopped suddenly and had no operator. He was later found bleeding and declared dead.

Hospital official Atin Ghosh acknowledged possible lapses, calling it an “unfortunate incident,” while police said action would follow legal procedures.

(With agency inputs)

IRGC spokesman Ali Mohammad Naini killed in US-Israel strikes

Spokesman of Iran's Revolutionary Guards (IRGC) Ali Mohammad Naini has been killed, reported state media on Friday as the war with US-Israel continued to rattle the entire Gulf. Naini has been killed in strikes launched by the US and Israel, state media reported.

This is the fourth major blow to Iran government and military leadership this week with the country having lost three other top officials - Ali Larijani, Gholamreza Soleimani and Esmail Khatib - in strikes. 

The drone and missile exchange, triggered by the US-Israeli strikes on Iran on February 28, saw a sharp escalation this week with Israel striking South Pars gas field attack and Iran retaliating by hitting world's largest LNG plant in Qatar - the Ras Laffan facility.

Iran releases first video of Mojtaba Khamenei amid speculation over his health

Amid suspense over the whereabouts of Iran's new supreme leader, Iranian state media outlets have released what they claim was the first-ever video of Mojtaba Khamenei teaching religious studies to a group of students. Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting (IRIB) claimed the footage was being released for the first time

The IRIB, however, did not provide details about when the video was shot, raising suspicion that it was an archived clip. In the video, Khamenei can be seen addressing a group of students in Arabic.

The 56-year-old cleric took over as Iran's Supreme Leader after his father, Ali Khamenei, was assassinated in a US-Israeli strike on February 28. But he has remained out of the public eye since the start of the war, fuelling speculation about his health. 

While Iranian media have said Mojtaba Khamenei has injured his leg in the strikes that also killed his wife and child, the US media have claimed he's "disfigured" and might be in a coma. A Qatari media report also claimed he was in Moscow for treatment and recovering. 

Iran's supreme leader says enemies' 'security must be taken away'

Iran's new Supreme Leader Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei called Friday for the enemies of his nations to have their “security” taken away, in his latest message to the public.

Khamenei made the remarks in a statement issued on his behalf and sent to President Masoud Pezeshkian, after Israel killed Intelligence Minister Esmail Khatib.

Khamenei hasn't been seen since he was named as supreme leader, succeeding his father, the 86-year-old Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who was killed in an Israeli airstrike on the first day of the war on February 28.

American and Israeli officials have suggested that Mojtaba Khamenei was hurt in the war.

Israel says it struck Syrian 'commander centre' and weapons depots

Israel's military said Friday it struck sites in Syria in response to attacks against the Druze. The army said it struck infrastructure belonging to Syria in response to attacks on Druze population in Sweida in southern Syria.

Syria's state-run SANA news agency did not immediately acknowledge the attack, which marks the first Israeli attack on Syria as its war with the United States targeting Iran continues.

Israel has a significant Druze population. Israel previously has intervened in defence of the Druze in Syria, launching dozens of airstrikes on convoys of government fighters and even striking the Syrian Defence Ministry headquarters in central Damascus.