LIVE: When Laura Cardoso stunned us with the most amazing T20I spell – my take

For the first time since hostilities erupted in late February, the Gulf nations – United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Kuwait and Oman – have all reported a clear sky, with no Iranian missiles or drones crossing their airspace. The calm comes amid a tentative two‑week cease‑fire between the United States and Iran, offering a shaky but hopeful sign that the wider regional confrontation might cool down. Over the past six weeks, Iran has launched hundreds of missiles and thousands of unmanned aerial vehicles, targeting what Tehran describes as U.S. interests and allied countries in the Gulf, causing casualties, damage to civilian infrastructure and a constant state of alert. In the latest statements, the United Arab Emirates’ defence ministry affirmed that its air‑defence systems have not detected any ballistic missiles, cruise missiles or UAVs in recent hours, marking a significant pause after a relentless barrage that saw the UAE’s defenses intercept more than five hundred ballistic missiles, dozens of cruise missiles and over two thousand UAVs since the conflict began. The absence of new air threats is being watched closely by observers, who see it as a possible early indicator of a broader de‑escalation, even though the cease‑fire remains fragile and the risk of renewed strikes still looms over the region.

Ever wondered where the highest ATM in the world is tucked away? I found myself on a winding mountain road in a remote region, chasing the story of a solitary cash dispenser perched at an altitude unlike any other. In this vivid, first‑person account I describe the journey through mist‑clad valleys, the quirky challenges of reaching a bank machine perched on a rugged slope, and the surreal feeling of pulling out cash where eagles soar. The piece captures the awe of standing beside a piece of everyday technology that has been set against a backdrop of towering peaks, while also offering practical observations about the location’s accessibility, the surrounding landscape, and the simple pleasures of a roadside chai break. It weaves personal anecdotes with clear facts – the ATM’s installation in a remote mountainous region and its record as the world’s highest ATM – to give readers an engaging glimpse of a unique intersection between finance and geography, all narrated in a relaxed, conversational Indian English style.

Keralam’s latest assembly elections witnessed a remarkable jump in voter participation, with the Election Commission of India reporting a 77.45 percent turnout, up from the 74.06 percent recorded in the 2021 polls. The surge was not limited to a single time slot; instead, the state saw a steady climb in the number of voters from the early morning surge to a late‑evening push. Over 2.71 crore eligible voters and 883 candidates contested, making the day a massive democratic exercise. Analysts say the pattern of voting—early birds generally being party cadres, a midday lull distinguishing urban from rural enthusiasm, and an evening spike from undecided or younger voters—offers clues about the mood of the electorate and potential shifts in political power. This piece walks through those trends in a conversational, personal style, sprinkling in everyday Indian observations, and explains why the timing of each vote can be as telling as the vote itself.

In a surprising turn of events, former US President Donald Trump placed a phone call to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, urging a reduction in Israel’s military operations against Lebanon. The conversation, reported by NBC News and confirmed by a senior US government official, came on the same day that Israel launched a fresh strike on Lebanese territory, an action that appeared to breach the existing cease‑fire arrangement. Donald Trump’s request was framed around the need to create a conducive atmosphere for the ongoing Iran ceasefire negotiations, highlighting how shifts in one conflict zone can ripple across the broader Middle‑East landscape. While the call itself underscores the delicate dance of diplomacy, analysts note that the timing points to a strategic effort to balance hard‑line security concerns with the pressing desire for regional stability. The situation continues to evolve, leaving observers to weigh the possible repercussions for both Israel’s security posture and the fragile peace efforts concerning Iran.

Pakistani Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar has spoken to Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan for the second day in a row, as Islamabad gears up to host a crucial round of talks between the United States and Iran. In their conversation Dar thanked Saudi Arabia for its steady backing of Pakistan’s efforts to keep the neighbourhood peaceful, while Prince Faisal asked for full clarity on every detail of the tentative agreement that the two superpowers are trying to nail down. Both sides stressed that keeping diplomatic channels open is the only way to stop the violence that has already taken a heavy toll on civilians across the region, from the cease‑fire violations in Lebanon to the missile and drone exchanges that have rattled Gulf countries. The calls come just after a temporary truce was announced, pausing Iran’s retaliatory strikes after weeks of a US‑Israel campaign that has already caused thousands of casualties. Pakistan’s mediation, which began after more than a month of fighting, aims to bring the negotiations to a close within a two‑week cease‑fire period, with Iranian officials signalling they want a final settlement in Islamabad. The story reflects the delicate balance of interests that Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, the United States, and Iran are trying to manage, and highlights how small diplomatic gestures—like a phone call—can play a big part in steering the wider regional peace process.

The Indian National Congress has rolled out a sweeping manifesto for the upcoming Tamil Nadu Assembly polls, pledging to create 3 lakh government jobs within 300 days, achieve 100 percent dog vaccination and sterilisation by 2030, and launch a universal basic income of Rs 2,000 per month for every family. The party also vows to recruit 40,000 new police personnel, including 10,000 women commandos, set up a single‑window emergency call centre under the “Dial 100” banner, and transform Tamil Nadu into a global spiritual tourism hub. Infrastructure promises range from pothole‑free roads to a near‑zero road‑accident death target. The manifesto was unveiled in Chennai in the presence of senior leaders such as DK Shivakumar, Karti Chidambaram and state chief K Selvaperunthagai, and it outlines a transparent recruitment calendar, department‑wise vacancy listings, and a host of safety and health initiatives. This description captures the core promises, their intended impact on everyday life in Tamil Nadu, and the political context without repeating the article’s opening lines.