FILE – Israeli far-right lawmaker Itamar Ben-Gvir gestures after the release of election exit poll results at his party’s headquarters in Jerusalem on November 2, 2022. (AP Photo/Oren Ziv, File)

France announced it has banned Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir from entering the country after he released videos mocking and intimidating pro-Palestinian activists detained from a Gaza-bound aid flotilla. The video shared by the Israeli minister has also drawn widespread international condemnation and renewed calls for European sanctions against the far-right minister.The French foreign minister announced the move in a post on Twitter, accusing Ben-Gvir of “inexplicable” behavior towards French and European citizens, who were among hundreds of activists stopped by Israeli forces in international waters earlier this week. Barrot wrote, “To date, Itamar Ben-Gvir is prohibited from entering French territory. This decision follows his unspeakable actions towards French and European citizens who were passengers on the Global Sumud Flotilla.”“We cannot tolerate that French citizens can be intimidated, threatened or brutalized in this way – even more so by a public official,” he said, adding that he also urged the EU to impose bloc-wide sanctions on the Israeli minister.The ban comes after a video shared by Ben-Gvir on Wednesday sparked outrage across Europe and rights groups. In a post on Twitter, he shared a video of detained flotilla activists and captioned it, “This is how we accept supporters of terrorism. Welcome to Israel.”In one clip, the minister is seen waving a large Israeli flag over prone detainees, whose hands appeared to be tied. Another clip of the video shows him shouting “Am Yisrael Chai” – Hebrew for “the nation of Israel lives”) at a kneeling activist with zip-tied wrists.The footage also showed detainees kneeling with their foreheads pressed to the ground inside an outdoor holding area while the Israeli national anthem played and armed guards surrounded them. The footage was titled “Welcome to Israel”.Israeli forces intercepted the flotilla in international waters when the convoy attempted to break the Israeli naval blockade of Gaza. The activists set sail from Turkey aboard about 50 ships as part of the Global Sumud Flotilla initiative, saying they were delivering humanitarian aid and protesting the blockade imposed on Gaza since 2007.According to French authorities, the detained activists included 36 French citizens. Israel later said the detainees would be deported.Barrot criticized the flotilla mission itself, saying that France did not support the activists’ viewpoint.They wrote, “We reject this flotilla approach, which produces no useful effect and imposes an additional burden on diplomatic and consular services.”Despite that criticism, France said the treatment of detainees crossed a line. Barrot said he was coordinating with Italy in pursuing EU sanctions against Ben-Gvir.Spain has also urged the European Union to impose sanctions on an Israeli minister, while the United Kingdom has summoned Israel’s most senior diplomat to London over what it described as an “inflammatory video”.Netanyahu distanced himself from the video but refrained from taking action against his coalition partner. The Israeli Prime Minister said Ben-Gvir’s conduct was “not in line with Israel’s values ​​and norms”, although he retained him in his Cabinet, news agency AP reported.At the same time, Netanyahu defended Israel’s interception of the flotilla, previously describing the aid mission as a “malicious plan” aimed at supporting Hamas.Israel has maintained tight control over all entry points into Gaza for nearly two decades. The blockade is facing increasing international scrutiny during the ongoing Gaza war, as there are severe shortages of food, medicine and other essential supplies in the area. Aid agencies have repeatedly warned of worsening humanitarian conditions, particularly during the period when Israel completely halted aid distribution.The latest flotilla operation follows a similar attempt last month that was stopped by Israeli authorities in international waters near Greece, with most of the activists later expelled to Europe.

The trailer of Netflix’s upcoming film ‘Maa Behan’ became even more special after the launch event director. Suresh Triveni Gave an exciting update about a possible reunion between Madhuri Dixit And Anil Kapoor. Having collaborated with both the stars separately this year, the filmmaker admitted that sharing screen space with the great duo again is something he is really looking forward to.Talking about the idea, Suresh revealed, “I mean it’s been a dream for me, the same year I worked on Project One with Anil Kapoor and Madhuri Dixit,” according to NDTV. Their statement instantly caught the attention of the audience and the discussion started about this beloved onscreen couple.

Suresh Triveni wants to do comedy with Madhuri Dixit and Anil Kapoor

During the conversation, Suresh was asked if he would be interested in casting the actors together again, especially since fans have been waiting for another collaboration for years. Responding enthusiastically, he said, “Of course, I’m ready. Do you guys want to bring them together?”The crowd responded with a resounding “yes”, making the moment even more memorable. Reacting to the audience’s enthusiasm, the filmmaker said, “The decision has come… Mera toh mana hai (I personally really want it). In fact, Pooja (Pooja Tilani, writer) and I were discussing that we should try doing comedy with her.” This statement has already fueled speculations that a new comedy entertainer from the iconic duo may be in the works soon.

Madhuri Dixit joins in the excitement

Madhuri had a warm interaction with fans at the event and was equally excited about the prospect of another collaboration with Anil Kapoor. Addressing the excited crowd, he asked, “Would you like to see us together again?” As the audience started clapping, the actress turned towards Suresh and jokingly told him, “Suresh, this is a new job for you.” Her playful reaction further added to the nostalgia surrounding the pair.

Movies that made Anil Kapoor and Madhuri Dixit a hit pair

This pair is one of the most famous onscreen pairs of Hindi cinema. In the late 80s and 90s, he delivered many memorable films that became fan favourites. Their chemistry came to the fore in classics like ‘Tezaab’, ‘Ram Lakhan’, ‘Parinda’, ‘Kishan Kanhaiya’, ‘Beta’, ‘Pukaar’ and later ‘Total Dhamaal’.Songs like “Ek Do Teen” from ‘Tezaab’ and “Dhak Dhak Karne Laga” from ‘Beta’ are popular even today. Be it romance, emotional drama or comedy, this pair has been a constant hit with the audience.

‘Maa Behan’ ready for Netflix release

Meanwhile, Suresh Triveni is currently gearing up for the release of ‘Maa Behen’ starring Trupti Dimri, Dharna Durga and Ravi Kishan alongside Madhuri Dixit. The dark comedy revolves around a chaotic mother-daughter trio who find themselves entangled in an unusual scam.The film is scheduled to premiere on June 4 on Netflix.

At least 24 people were killed and more than 50 injured in a powerful blast that targeted a train carrying military personnel near the Chaman Fatak railway station in Pakistan’s Balochistan province on Sunday, officials said.According to police officials, the blast occurred near railway tracks in Quetta and caused partial damage to a train, while at least 10 vehicles parked nearby were also damaged.GeoTV reported that the impact of the explosion shattered windows and glass panels of nearby buildings. Many injured people were taken to nearby hospitals for treatment.According to AFP, army personnel were also among those killed in the attack in Quetta, the provincial capital of Balochistan.The train carrying army personnel and their family members was on its way from Quetta to Peshawar for the Eid holidays when the blast occurred.The official said the train was crossing the signal at Chaman Pattak when the explosive-laden device hit a compartment, causing a powerful explosion.Images and video from the site showed a damaged train carriage lying on the ground and people climbing over the debris in search of survivors. Several injured victims were seen being carried on stretchers as armed security personnel cordoned off the area.Following the incident, authorities declared an emergency in government hospitals in Quetta and called in additional doctors and medical staff to deal with the situation.Railway officials said that after the blast, Peshawar-bound Jafar Express was stopped at Quetta railway station as a precautionary measure.Provincial Home Minister’s spokesman Babar Yousafzai said all concerned institutions have been put on high alert after the blast.He also urged people to avoid gathering near the blast site so that rescue and emergency teams can continue operations without any hindrance.Immediately after the blast, security personnel and rescue teams reached the area and started relief and investigation operations.Balochistan, Pakistan’s largest but poorest province, has long suffered from instability and underdevelopment. The region has also seen a long-running insurgency, with separatist groups accusing the federal government of exploiting its rich natural gas and mineral resources without sufficient local benefits.

Panama City: Venezuelan Nobel Peace Prize Laureate Maria Corina Machado announced on Saturday that she plans to run for president again and intends to return to her country before the end of 2026.Machado’s comments, while meeting in Panama with several fellow Venezuelan opposition leaders, come more than four months after the White House made a surprise decision to sideline then-President Nicolas Maduro after his capture by US forces and instead work with loyalists to Venezuela’s ruling party.Machado has been in exile since December, when she emerged from hiding somewhere in Venezuela for 11 months and traveled to Norway, where she was awarded the Nobel Prize.He told reporters in Panama City that he and other gathered opposition leaders were “committed to a democratic transition through free and fair presidential elections, where all Venezuelans inside and outside the country vote.”Still, it is unclear when presidential elections will be held in Venezuela.US President Donald Trump and senior administration officials have praised Maduro’s successor, Acting President Delsey Rodriguez, who has opened Venezuela’s oil industry to US investment at a time of rising oil prices due to the war in Iran.The Trump administration has also slowed discussion of elections, which are required by Venezuela’s constitution to be held within 30 days if the president becomes “permanently unavailable.”Machado said it would take seven to nine months of planning to hold elections under democratic conditions. Necessary changes include the appointment of neutral election officials, voting registration updates, and the ability for opposition candidates to contest elections without government interference.Machado became Maduro’s strongest rival in recent years, but his government barred him from running for office in the 2024 presidential election, forcing him to choose retired ambassador Edmundo González Urrutia to represent him on the ballot.Officials loyal to the ruling party declared Maduro the winner just hours after voting closed, but Machado’s well-organized campaign gathered evidence that Gonzalez had defeated Maduro by a more than 2-to-1 margin.On Saturday, Machado told reporters that she would run against any other presidential candidate in an “impeccable election”.“I will be a candidate, but of course there may be others,” she said. “I would love to compete with everyone, with anyone who wants to be a candidate.”

According to US media outlet Axios, the United States and Iran are close to signing a proposed deal that would extend the current ceasefire for 60 days, reopen the Strait of Hormuz and allow Iran to resume oil exports, while negotiations continue over Tehran’s nuclear program.According to the report, the draft memorandum of understanding (MoU) will allow ships to pass through the Strait of Hormuz without tolls during a period of 60 days while Iran will clear mines deployed in the waterway to restore shipping traffic.In return, the US would lift its blockade of Iranian ports and issue sanctions relief, allowing Iran to sell oil freely, Axios reported, citing a US official.The proposed agreement would include negotiations on curbing Iran’s nuclear activities.

Key points of the proposed deal

60 day ceasefire extension:

Strait of Hormuz to reopen:

No toll on shipping:

America will reduce economic pressure:

‘Relief for Performance’ Model:

Nuclear commitments by Iran:

Iran will commit to:

Further nuclear talks during the ceasefire:

US troops will remain in the area temporarily:

Israel-Hezbollah conflict will end:

Israel retains the right to take action against Hezbollah’s threats:

Possible widespread reestablishment in relationships:

Nuclear talks remain central

The proposed agreement reportedly includes Iran’s commitments that it will never build nuclear weapons and that it will negotiate to suspend uranium enrichment and remove its stockpile of highly enriched uranium.According to Axios, Iran has already provided verbal commitments through mediators about the concessions it wants to make on enrichment and nuclear materials.The development comes after a New York Times report cited two US officials as saying that a key element of the proposed deal is an “explicit commitment” by Tehran to give up its stockpile of highly enriched uranium.According to the report, how Iran will surrender its uranium reserves will be discussed in the subsequent rounds of nuclear talks. According to the International Atomic Energy Agency, Iran currently has about 970 pounds of uranium enriched to 60%.Iranian officials had previously opposed including the uranium issue in the early stages of talks and wanted it to be delayed to later talks.

Trump says deal close, Iran alert

US President Donald Trump said on Saturday that a “massively negotiated” peace memorandum was near completion and claimed the Strait of Hormuz would reopen under the deal.“The final aspects and details of the deal are currently under discussion and will be announced soon,” Trump wrote on Truth Social.However, Iran’s Fars news agency refuted Trump’s claim regarding the strait, saying that Iran would continue to manage the waterway and described Trump’s comments as “inconsistent with reality”.Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Ismail Baghai said, “There are still issues that need to be discussed through mediators,” stressing that Tehran’s priority is to end threats of new US attacks and address the conflict in Lebanon.

Mediation efforts led by Pakistan

Pakistan has emerged as the main mediator in the talks. Pakistan Army Chief Asim Munir recently met senior Iranian leaders, including top negotiator Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf and Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi, in Tehran.The leaders of Saudi Arabia, Qatar, the UAE, Egypt, Türkiye and Pakistan backed the emerging framework during a conference call with Trump on Saturday.The proposed framework is expected to be unveiled in phases, starting with formally ending the war, reopening the Strait of Hormuz and opening a 30-day negotiating window for a comprehensive nuclear deal.Axios further reported that US forces mobilized to the region will remain deployed during a period of 60 days and will return only after a final agreement is reached.

Concerns over Israel, global oil markets

According to Axios, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu reportedly raised concerns over parts of the proposed agreement during a call with Trump, particularly provisions related to ending the Israel-Hezbollah conflict in Lebanon.The agreement is being closely watched globally as the Strait of Hormuz handles a large share of global oil shipments. Global energy markets had been severely disrupted by the closure of waterways since the beginning of the war.Oil prices and shipping routes remain volatile amid uncertainty over conflict and negotiations.Under the talks, Iran has demanded an end to the US blockade on its shipping and relief from sanctions.

Lucknow Super Giants’ Director of Cricket, Tom Moody hinted that the franchise will evaluate its options, including Rishabh Pant’s captaincy, after the team’s defeat against Punjab Kings on Saturday ensured that they will finish at the bottom of the points table for the 2026 edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL 2026).

The franchise has been in the headlines for the right and wrong reasons, but Rishabh Pant’s captaincy has been one of their most disappointing aspects this year. The wicketkeeper-batsman has struggled to make an impact with the bat or with his leadership despite having some talented names in the team – be it experienced campaigners or some top uncapped talent.

Speaking after LSG’s defeat at home, Moody acknowledged that reflection is the need of the hour, but added that leadership is also something he will revisit and hope to improve upon going forward.

lsg vs pbks, IPL 2026: Update | Achievement:

Moody said in the post-match press conference, “I know this season has been difficult for us, but we will reflect on it. We will take time, consider all aspects and assess things properly. Certainly, we have not lived up to the expectations or standards that we had set for ourselves. When it comes to the leadership of the franchise, we will look very seriously at what it looks like in the future.”

He said, “Like every department, when you consider a season, we will make an informed decision. It certainly feels like we need to consider a reset.”

Moody did not want to blame anyone for this yet. But it looks like some serious introspection will be required from within to improve their fortunes for next season.

Moody said, “We are all responsible. I don’t think this is the time to point the finger at any individual. We all have to take accountability. As I said, now is not the time to put the blame on any particular department. We need time to calmly consider this, but certainly there are some things that we need to pay attention to and they will be addressed.”

What’s next for Rishabh Pant?

The 28-year-old is hitting his prime athletic years, but his career is not going at the same pace. he was recently thrown out India’s white-ball arrangements for the recent home series against Afghanistan, Which could be an indication that the Indian team also wants to move forward.

The plight continued in the test team too The role of Pant’s vice-captain is being handed over to KL Rahul.Which is ironic, given the previous captain of LSG before 2025.

At LSG, Pant has not performed well with the bat or captaincy and it will be interesting to see if the franchise chooses to continue supporting him next season or move on from the Indian star.

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