NEW DELHI: The education ministry on Wednesday raided seven buildings in Kolkata as part of its money laundering probe into real estate developer Merlin Group, finding that the builder has links with some senior politicians and bureaucrats in Bengal. “The role of these public servants and their financial dealings with real estate groups and their promoters are being scrutinized,” ED sources said. The action comes ahead of the WB polls, which are scheduled to take place on April 23 and April 29. Officials briefed on the investigation said the agency “seized a number of incriminating digital devices and documents from the builder’s premises, revealing his deep ties to state officials and politicians.” To further establish the money trail in the ongoing investigation, ED is probing Merlin Group promoters Sushil Mohta, Saket Mohta and other related entities. Sources said the agency is examining some forged documents to fraudulently encroach on various plots of land in Kolkata, including public lands. “The accused then commercially developed the land by embarking on large-scale real estate projects. They used forged documents to disguise themselves as the legitimate owners and lured the public into investing huge sums of money in their projects,” a senior official said.
Tyler Robinson mystery: Podcaster Barron Coleman claims Tyler Robinson timeline mystery deepens as he made jarring admissions after being detained by police in Charlie Kirk case
Tyler Robinson’s name is being talked about again, and this time it’s because of a timing issue that’s impossible to ignore. Podcaster Baron Coleman claims something doesn’t make sense in the Charlie Kirk murder case. According to him, Tyler Robinson may have been in police custody when a jarring message appeared in which he appeared to confess. This claim is now going viral because it directly calls into question the official timeline. Coleman said he reviewed court records and noticed that Tyler Robinson was questioned on Sept. 11 at 6:25 p.m. But the Discord message in which Taylor allegedly admitted to the killing was sent at 8:57 p.m. that day.If the timing is right, the big question is simple. How could a detained person send such a message?The message was sent by the username “zealous_monkey_55095”, and the full text is as follows:“Hey guys, I have bad news for you. Yesterday was me at Vocational College. I’m sorry about it all. I’m going to surrender in a moment through a Sharifi friend. Thanks for all the good times and laughs; you all were awesome. Thank you for everything.” Earlier reports from the BBC and the Washington Post said the message came before his arrest. Now, this new claim has led to a new look at the case.
Barron Coleman questions Tyler Robinson A discordant confession Court records indicate earlier police detentions
Barron Coleman’s main point is clear. He thinks the timeline doesn’t add up. If Tyler Robinson had been at the police station before 7 p.m., the Discord confession that emerged nearly two hours later is difficult to explain.That’s why his claims have received so much attention. Now people online are asking if the message was actually sent by Taylor Robinson.When the case first came to light, the Washington Post was the first to report on the Discord news. At the time, officials said the message was released before the arrest. But Coleman said court documents tell a different story.Even the FBI has shown interest in Discord chats. FBI Director Kash Patel has said investigators hope to question members of the group to find out what happened.Meanwhile, Discord itself is undergoing an internal review. According to CBS News, a spokesperson for the company said, “There is no evidence that the suspect planned the incident or incited violence on Discord.” Still, the issue of timing Coleman raised has now become central to the discussion.
Candace Owens Supporting Baron Coleman’s claims and questioning Taylor Robinson’s official version of the Charlie Kirk case
Shortly after Barron Coleman shared his findings, Candace Owens publicly responded and supported his claims. She said her team had reported similar situations earlier.“We covered this on the Sept. 19 show and incorporated it into our schedule. Tyler Robinson was taken into police custody just before 7 p.m. Somehow I completely missed the subsequent court filing that confirmed this,” Candace Owens wrote on X.She also made another strong claim. According to her, authorities were not truthful about what Taylor Robinson was wearing when she arrived at the police station.“The timing and attire of Governor Cox’s press conference were huge lies,” she added.Her comments quickly went viral, with many online agreeing with her and questioning official reports.Meanwhile, law enforcement maintained its stance. When Taylor’s friends asked him if he killed Charlie Kirk, he did not deny it, officials said.Utah Governor Spencer Cox also confirmed that the state plans to seek the death penalty in the case.Taylor Robinson currently faces charges of aggravated murder, obstruction of justice and firearms-related crimes. His preliminary hearings are scheduled for May 18, 19 and 21, 2026.
‘The journey started before I was born’: Mukul after winning match for LSG
New Delhi: Lucknow Supergiants beat Kolkata Knight Riders off the last ball intense pulsed light There was a new hero in 2026 as a young Mukul Choudhary announced his victory on the big stage with a fearless winning strike. LSG, chasing 182, fell into a slump for a while, but Choudhury’s explosive 27-ball unbeaten performance of 54 turned the game around.Reflecting on his journey after the match, the Man of the Match said: “My journey actually started before I was born. My father had a dream that one day his son could play cricket. But our financial conditions were not good at that time, so I could not start early.”
He added: “I started playing around 12-13 years old. There weren’t many academies at that time. The SBC Cricket Academy had just opened and I trained there for about 5 to 6 years. “Chaudhry’s rise to prominence has not been easy and he has led City in search of better opportunities. “After that, I moved to Jaipur because if you want to play at the next level, you have to move forward. I have been practicing in Jaipur for the past four years,” he said, before explaining how the playing experience helped him grow. “I stayed in Gurgaon for 3-4 months and played in Delhi, which helped me a lot to adapt to the faster pace of cricket.”Despite the pressure of an intense chase, his mindset remains simple. “There is pressure, sir. But I think God has given me this opportunity, so I just believe in my own ability. This is an opportunity where you can achieve great things and make a name for yourself.”His attitude in the chase was clear: “My plan is simple – I want to hold on until the end. I believe in myself and if I don’t hold on until the end, I can win the race.”Chowdhury bided his time patiently. “The idea is that even if a bowler bowls four perfect balls, at least one of them will come into my zone. I only needed one ball to hit a six. “When it came, he didn’t miss it. “The first shot. I didn’t hit a six in the first two games, so the first six was special to me.”Summing up his fearless style, he said: “I’ve always played attacking cricket since I was little. I’ve always been the one to bat.”In the end, Chaudhry remained down to earth: “Yes sir… but they are serving the country at the border. I am just here to do my part.”
Assam, Puducherry record high voter turnout
Assembly polls in Assam, Kerala and Puducherry on Thursday showed record voter turnout, which Election Commission officials said was a “verification” of the particularly intensive revision and special revision of electoral rolls and a sign of people’s “unwavering trust in the electoral process”. The surge in opinion polls surpassed previous peaks – with support reaching an all-time high in Puducherry, 91.2% in Assam, 85.8% in Assam, and 78.2% in Kerala, the state’s highest level since 1987. Officials said the final number could rise after combined reporting. Puducherry’s vote share surpassed the record high of 86.2% set in 2011, while Assam broke the record of 84.7% set in 2016 when the BJP formed its first government, ousting the Congress after three consecutive terms. Voter turnout in Assam reached its highest level since the first election in 1951. Chief Election Commissioner Janesh Kumar said the polls were “a historical witness not just for India but for the entire democratic world” and congratulated voters in Assam and Puducherry. Repeating the success story of the November 2025 Bihar polls, which recorded the highest ever turnout in the state, an EC official said on Thursday. Eliminating deceased, rotating, absentee and repeat voters reduced the total number of votes cast and increased turnout, the official said. Another said door-to-door census could increase voter awareness and increase participation. “This increases enthusiasm by making voters aware of their right to vote,” he said. “Despite questions raised by the opposition parties, voters… have complete confidence in the SIR,” another Election Commission official said, adding that the exercise verified the accuracy and conduct of the elections. Kerala saw a decrease of about 900,000 voters (3.2%), Puducherry saw a decrease of 7.6% or 77,367 voters, and Assam saw a net loss of about 240,000 voters, almost 1% of its conscripted electorate.
Assam’s Muslim-majority seats surge
Across Assam, the surge in participation has been uneven. Muslim-majority constituencies led the way in turnout, with Dalgaon in Dalang district recording 94.5% turnout and 15 similar constituencies recording over 90% turnout. The share in Hindu-majority districts in Upper Assam is about 82%, below the state average and slightly lower than in 2021. The Bodo region has an average of 85%, the Barak Valley 82.9%, while the Karbi Anglong and Dimahasso hills have the lowest proportions at 74.2%. Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma termed the engagement “not ordinary but historic” and proposed a comprehensive mandate. “I think we will get more than 90 seats (in the 126-member parliament). Even if we get to 100, there will be nothing surprising,” he said. Assam’s single-phase elections saw sporadic clashes in several constituencies, leaving around 30 people injured and seven arrested. In Kerala, despite hot weather, voters turned out to vote, with support exceeding 80% in several districts. The line continued after the official closing time. Prominent politicians, including CM Pinarayi Vijayan, Congress MP VD Satheesan and BJP MP Rajeev Chandrasekhar voted early. Film celebrities like Mammootty, Mohanlal, Suraj Venjaramodu and Asif Ali also participated in the voting. In Thiruvananthapuram, first-time voters received halwa boxes and thank you cards as part of the outreach effort.
Donald Trump reacts to Melania’s revelations about Epstein; ‘Knows nothing’
President Donald Trump, like many others, said he was caught off guard by Melania Trump’s sudden speech at the White House, where she refuted the allegations related to Jeffrey Epstein. The 79-year-old said he had no prior knowledge of her comments.
In an interview with MS Now, Trump said he had “no idea” about the first lady’s on-camera statement. He added, “She doesn’t know [Epstein]” and then abruptly ended the call with reporters.
Melania Trump’s rare speech
Melania Trump made a rare and highly charged public statement in the White House Cross Room, directly rebutting years of speculation linking her to Epstein.
“I am not a victim of Epstein,” she said. “Epstein did not introduce me to Donald Trump. I met my husband by chance at a party in New York City in 1998.”
In her speech, Melania firmly denied any personal relationship with Epstein or his associate Ghislaine Maxwell, stressing that any contact occurred only within overlapping social circles in New York and Palm Beach.
She also warned against spreading misinformation online. “These images and stories are completely false. I am not a witness or an unnamed witness to any of Epstein’s crimes,” she said.
“The false slander against me by small-minded, politically motivated individuals and entities seeking to damage my reputation for financial gain and political advancement must stop,” the first lady continued. “My attorneys and I successfully fought these baseless and baseless lies and will continue to defend my good reputation without hesitation.”
In a notable move, Melania Trump called for broader accountability in the Epstein case, urging lawmakers to take action.
“I call on Congress to provide survivors-specific public hearings for the women who were victims of Epstein,” she added.
Melania-Ghislaine Maxwell Email
She also addressed a review of email exchanges with Maxwell that appeared in the document release. “My email responses to Maxwell amounted to nothing more than casual correspondence. My polite response to her emails amounted to nothing more than a trivial note,” Melania said.
According to her account, she first met Epstein in 2000, years before the charges against him became public, and she insists she was unaware of any wrongdoing at the time.
Candace Owens: ‘Low IQ’: President slams Candace Owens, Tucker Carlson and other podcasters, calls them losers chasing cheap publicity
Donald Trump I couldn’t hold it back this time. The President of the United States published a lengthy post on his Truth social account on Thursday, publicly attacking four prominent conservative voices: Tucker Carlson, Megyn Kelly, Candace Owens and Alex Jones. He called them “losers” and “stupid people” and said they spoke against him just to get attention. All four have previously publicly questioned his approach and views, leading to a clear schism within his own support base. Trump claims these critics don’t represent his movement and are just trying to stay relevant.Donald Trump wrote in the post that these commentators have “low IQs” and said they “will say anything necessary for some ‘free’ and cheap publicity.” He also pointed to their past careers, claiming they have lost influence and are now trying to gain clicks through podcasts and online content.
Donald Trump targets Tucker Carlson, Megyn Kelly, Candace Owens and Alex Jones in pointed public message
Donald Trump’s message is long and very direct. Not only did he disagree, he questioned their credibility and past work. He said Tucker Carlson was “a broken man” after leaving Fox News. He brought up an old debate with Megyn Kelly and criticized her tone.He also called out Candace Owens for past comments about the French first lady and said Alex Jones deserved the financial damage he faced following his legal case related to false accusations of the Sandy Hook tragedy.Donald Trump reiterated that these voices are not part of his core support base. “MAGA agrees with me,” he said, adding that he was focused on larger national and global issues. He also claims that these critics often try to contact him, but he chooses not to respond.
Why Tucker Carlson, Megyn Kelly, Candace Owens and Alex Jones disagree with Donald Trump
The tension didn’t start suddenly. Over the past few weeks, these commentators have expressed concerns about Trump’s tone, decision-making style and the way he handles major global affairs.Tucker Carlson questions whether Trump is keeping his previous promises. Megyn Kelly expressed concerns about messaging and public communication. Candace Owens also addressed what she sees as inconsistencies. Alex Jones, known for his strong opinions, criticized Trump’s approach and direction.They all suggested in different ways that Trump should focus more on unity and clarity rather than reacting strongly to criticism. Their comments were not identical, but the common thread was that they expected him to do something different. Trump clearly disagrees. His response suggested this was no longer a quiet disagreement but a public one between him and some of his former supporters.
With just an hour left for Baramati contest, Congress withdraws
Pune/Mumbai: With just an hour left to withdraw the nomination, the Congress on Thursday finally responded to the demands of the Pawar family and Mahayuthy’s associates by dropping NCP chief and deputy chief minister Sunetra Pawar’s candidate in the Baramati by-election. Twenty-two independent candidates remain in the race, but there are now no major challenges for her widow. Ajit Pawarhe died in a plane crash on January 28, necessitating a by-pass. Voting will take place on April 23 and counting will take place on May 4. chief minister of maharashtra Devendra FadnavisSunetra Pawar, NCP (SP) MP Supriya Sule and MLA Rohit Pawar spoke to senior Congress leaders to convince the party not to field candidates in Baramati, the constituency that Ajit Pawar has represented since 1991. Even Congress Party (SP) president Sharad Pawar, who had earlier said there was nothing wrong with the Congress party’s campaign in the Baramati bypoll, has now advised his alliance partners to withdraw. “Maharashtra has lost a talented politician like Ajit Pawar. The Baramati seat fell vacant due to a tragic accident and in this context, my advice to the Congress is not to contest from this seat. This is a national party and the best we can do is attract them. Ultimately, it has to take a decision,” Sharad Pawar said. Rohit Pawar met state Congress president Harshwardhan Sapkal in Mumbai demanding withdrawal of troops, followed by another delegation of NCP leaders, including MLA Sana Malik, also met him for the same purpose. Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis called Sapkar. “I request Sapkar to follow the Maharashtra tradition and withdraw troops from Baramati like the BJP did after the death of former home minister Patil,” he said.
Melania Trump’s spat with Epstein: Bombshell in Ghislaine Maxwell’s emails – full text here
The first lady gave a rare speech at the White House on Thursday Melania Trump has vehemently denied any ties to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, calling the claims false and damaging. However, her statement drew attention to an email exchange between her and Epstein associate Ghislaine Maxwell, which has been released by the U.S. Department of Justice.
What did Melania say?
Melania Trump strongly denied the claims in her statement. She said: “These lies linked me to shameful people Jeffrey Epstein Today needs to end. “
She said she was never close to Epstein or Ghislaine Maxwell and described her contact with Maxwell as casual. “I was never friends with Epstein. From time to time Donald and I were invited to the same parties as Epstein because overlapping social circles is common in New York,” she said.
“To be clear, I never had a relationship with Epstein or his associate Maxwell. My email responses to Maxwell can only be classified as casual communications. My polite response to her email amounted to nothing more than a trivial note,” she added.
She also denied rumors that she knew about Epstein’s crimes or visited his private island. “I know nothing about Epstein’s abuse of his victims. I was never involved in any capacity, I was not a participant, I never flew on Epstein’s plane, and I never visited his private island,” she said.
Melania said she first met Epstein in 2000 when she attended an event with Donald Trump and was unaware of his criminal activities. She also denied that she met Donald Trump through Epstein.
“I am not a victim of Epstein,” she said.
Also read: ‘Not one of his victims’: Melania Trump denies ties to ‘shameful’ Jeffrey Epstein
What is email?
Allegedly, on October 23, 2002, Melania wrote to Maxwell:
“Dear G! How are you? Great story about JE in NY Magazine. You look great in the photos. I know you are busy flying around the world. How about Palm Beach? I can’t wait to get down there. Call me when you get back to NY. Have a great time! Love, Melania”
Maxwell allegedly responded:
“Sweet Pea – thanks for your message. Plans have actually changed again and I’m on my way back to New York now. I’m leaving again on Friday so I still don’t think I’ll have time to see you sadly. I’ll try to call though.”
Melania acknowledged the correspondence but insisted it was nothing more than casual social exchanges, consistent with the overlapping social circles common in New York City and Palm Beach at the time.
Also read: Read Melania Trump’s full speech on Jeffrey Epstein ties – top quotes and revelations
Epstein case remains political issue for Trump
The Epstein case has become a political issue in Donald Trump’s second term. He has spoken out about Epstein in the past and the case continues to draw attention.
Court records and investigations reveal that Jeffrey Epstein had ties to many powerful people in politics, business and finance. He pleaded guilty to prostitution-related charges involving minors in 2008 and was arrested again in 2019 for sex trafficking of minors. He later died in a Manhattan jail, his death ruled a suicide.
Record display trump card He flew on Epstein’s plane in the 1990s, but Epstein denied this. After Epstein was first charged, Trump reportedly told a police chief that “everybody knows he’s been doing this,” according to FBI records, according to Reuters.
Trump said he severed ties with Epstein in the mid-2000s and was unaware of his crimes.
How DNA could power the next generation of supercomputers |
The combination of synthetic DNA and electronics is changing the approach to neuromorphic computing and is a new way to address the rising energy costs associated with current artificial intelligence. Combining molecularly engineered DNA sequences with quasi-two-dimensional perovskite semiconductor materials, researchers can create “memristors,” or memory resistors, based on the brain’s ability to create new memories through synaptic plasticity. DNA offers very high data density, storing 215 petabytes of information per gram; therefore, a device built using DNA hybridization and synthesized using ultra-low voltages of less than 0.1 volts has both processing power and memory on the same device. Using both processes and memory on the same device can dramatically reduce energy usage (i.e., by a factor of 100), creating a powerful, scalable model for the next generation of energy-efficient, high-capacity supercomputers.
DNA powers next-generation supercomputers
Standard calculations are approaching the “thermodynamic limit”, and synthetic DNA as a programmable nanomaterial will be the answer to this problem. According to a journal published by Wiley Online Library, when silver ions dope synthetic DNA and combine with perovskites, the resulting synthetic DNA, or DNA, creates stable conductive pathways for high-density storage. These devices are memristors, which retain memory (data) like neurons in biological systems without the need for constant power.
Why DNA is the key to sustainable computing
As artificial intelligence continues to expand, the energy required to move data on standard chips will become too great. Research funded by the National Science Foundation (NSF) shows that biological systems have advantages over contemporary chip architectures when it comes to parallel processing. Computing using DNA-enhanced processing (i.e., DNA-based computers) will enable multi-input processing and consume 90% less energy than traditional non-volatile memory.
The high-density advantage of DNA
One of the greatest advantages of DNA is its spatial efficiency. As cited in the NIH study, DNA stores data millions of times more densely than silicon. This will have a huge impact on future supercomputers, as the physical footprint of data centers will be reduced, while at the same time, the reliability of long (cold) data storage will increase through the chemical stability of the synthetic DNA strands.
Bioelectronics that can withstand extreme temperatures of 121 degrees Celsius
Bioelectronics face performance limitations due to fragility; however, research recently announced that composites of synthetic DNA and perovskites can withstand extreme temperatures of 121 degrees Celsius (250 degrees Fahrenheit), making it possible to design DNA-driven electronics that can withstand the thermal demands of high-performance supercomputers, potentially becoming an alternative to the current semiconductor industry.
Melania Trump approval ratings: First lady accused of massive ‘cover-up’ of Epstein; polls give bad news
Melania Trump’s approval rating has suffered a major blow, especially after her recent comments about her relationship with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. The latest polling data puts the 55-year-old at the bottom of the modern First Ladies’ popularity rankings.
What did Melania Trump say about Epstein?
In a surprise speech on Thursday, Melania Trump denied any ties to Epstein. “The lies linking me to the disgraceful Jeffrey Epstein need to end today,” she read from prepared remarks, declining to take questions.
“The lies linking me to the disgraceful Jeffrey Epstein need to end today.” She vehemently denied claims that Epstein played any role in her personal life or relationship with Donald Trump.
Read more: ‘Not one of his victims’: Melania Trump denies ties to ‘shameful’ Jeffrey Epstein
“I was never friends with Epstein. From time to time, Donald and I were invited to the same parties as Epstein, as overlapping social circles was common in New York City and Palm Beach,” she said. “To be clear, I have never had a relationship with Epstein or his associate Maxwell.
“I was not a victim of Epstein. Epstein did not introduce me to Donald Trump. I met my husband by chance at a party in New York City in 1998,” she added.
Senior adviser Mark Beckman said behind the scenes: “First Lady Melania Trump is speaking out now because enough is enough. The lies have to stop.”
Melania Trump’s approval rating
According to recent surveys, Melania’s net approval rating has dropped to -12, down sharply from +3 in January 2025, with analysts calling the numbers “historically bad.”
CNN data expert Harry Enten noted that previous first ladies, including Michelle Obama, Jill Biden, Hillary Clinton and Laura Bush, all maintained net positive approval ratings during their time in office. Critics point to lingering controversies — such as the widely panned 2018 jacket and the poorly received documentary Melania: 20 Days of History — as possible reasons for her decline in popularity.
However, the poll was conducted before the first lady made a rare direct public statement from the White House.
Read more: Read Melania Trump’s full speech on Jeffrey Epstein ties – top quotes and revelations
Melania Trump accused of hiding facts
Meanwhile, some social media commentators have accused Melania of covering up Epstein’s major controversy.
“There’s a big news story about Epstein and Melania that’s trending. Who’s ruining it? She’s obviously trying to get ahead of it. What’s that?” MaileOnX has more than 54,000 followers and posts on the X (formerly Twitter) platform.
Another person tweeted: “The cover-up can continue. Melania Trump is speaking out about Epstein, which means she is on to something.”
The renewed focus on Epstein comes amid broader political tensions, including fallout within the Trump administration over its handling of the documents. President Trump recently fired Attorney General Pam Bondi, who was criticized by some of her political base for her delay in releasing documents related to the case.
Epstein was once a well-connected financier with ties to many prominent figures in politics and business. He died in 2019 while awaiting trial on federal sex trafficking charges, and authorities ruled his death a suicide.