Month: April 2026

Actor Ram Charan has joined the growing list of stars praising Mrunal Thakur and Adivi Sesh’s latest film Dacoit, which released in theatres.

The film has opened to strong reactions from movie buffs, with many appreciating its performances and gripping storyline.

Taking to X on Tuesday, Ram Charan shared that he had “thoroughly enjoyed” the film and praised the lead cast for their work. Sharing his review, he wrote, “Watched #Dacoit and thoroughly enjoyed it.@AdiviSesh delivers a solid and memorable performance as Hari.@mrunal0801 is terrific and brings great depth to her role.@anuragkashyap72 Garu and the entire cast stand out with strong performances.”

The actor also appreciated the makers for project with “absolute conviction” and for presenting it with high technical quality. He wrote, “#SupriyaYarlagadda Garu & @AnnapurnaStdios have backed this film with absolute conviction and presented it with high technical standards. Congratulations to the entire team.”

‘Dacoit’ also features Prakash Raj, Sunil, Atul Kulkarni, Zayn Marie Khan, and Kamakshi Bhaskarla in key roles.

The film follows the story of an angry convict who wants revenge on his ex-girlfriend who betrayed him. As he plans to trap her, the story turns into an emotional journey of love, betrayal, and revenge. Shot in both Hindi and Telugu, the film’s story and screenplay have been written by Adivi Sesh and Shaneil Deo.

Ram Charan will be next seen in ‘Peddi’. Written and directed by Buchi Babu Sana, the film, also stars Shiva Rajkumar, Janhvi Kapoor, Divyendu Sharma, and Jagapathi Babu.

Produced by Venkata Satish Kilaru under his banner Vriddhi Cinemas, in collaboration with leading production house Mythri Movie Makers, the film is scheduled for release on April 30. (ANI)

Eight fire engines and around 60 firefighters are responding to a fire on Roe Way, Wallington, according to a statement by London’s Official Fire Brigade on Tuesday.

In an official statement, it noted that one of the Brigade’s 32m ladders has been deployed to the scene. Traffic in the surrounding area will be impacted as crews respond.

As per the statement, the Brigade received the first of over 10 calls reporting the fire at 1549. Firefighters from Wallington, Croydon, Purley and surrounding fire stations are at the scene.

The cause of the fire is not yet known.

In a post on X, London’s Official Fire Brigade informed that traffic in the surrounding area will be impacted as crews respond.

Eight fire engines and around 60 firefighters are responding to a fire on Roe Way, #Wallington.

Traffic in the surrounding area will be impacted as crews respond.

More information to follow https://t.co/3EY8wKN8xb pic.twitter.com/meTnVcDUUm

— London Fire Brigade (@LondonFire) April 14, 2026

Traffic in the surrounding area was impacted, and authorities advised avoiding the area. There are no reported casualties yet.

This is a developing story. More details are awaited. (ANI)

In a characteristically blunt critique of transatlantic energy policy, US President Donald Trump lashed out at the United Kingdom’s refusal to expand North Sea oil production, calling the situation “tragic” and “absolutely crazy.”

Taking to Truth Social on Tuesday, the President argued that the UK is sitting on one of the world’s greatest energy fields while allowing its economy to be “choked” by high import costs and green energy mandates.

President Trump highlighted the stark economic contrast between the UK and its neighbour, Norway, which has seen record profits from its maritime resources during the ongoing West Asia energy crisis.

Trump claimed that Norway is “making a fortune” by selling North Sea oil back to the UK at double the cost. He renewed his long-standing opposition to renewable infrastructure, explicitly stating, “NO MORE WINDMILLS!” as he urged the UK to pivot back to fossil fuels.

“Europe is desperate for Energy, and yet the United Kingdom refuses to open North Sea Oil, one of the greatest fields in the World. Tragic!!! Aberdeen should be booming. Norway sells its North Sea Oil to the U.K. at double the price. They are making a fortune. U.K., which is better situated on the North Sea for purposes of energy than Norway, should, DRILL, BABY, DRILL!!! It is absolutely crazy that they don’t… AND, NO MORE WINDMILLS! President DJT”

The President lamented that Aberdeen, once the undisputed oil capital of Europe, should be experiencing an economic golden age rather than the current stagnation caused by environmental regulations.

The President’s comments come as the International Monetary Fund (IMF) warned that the UK could be among the hardest-hit advanced economies if the Strait of Hormuz standoff continues to drive up global energy prices.

While the UK government has faced internal pressure to approve fields like Rosebank and Jackdaw to bolster domestic security, the current administration has remained hesitant, citing climate commitments.

The White House has not yet clarified if these remarks signal a formal shift in how the US will pressure its NATO allies regarding energy independence, but the post has already ignited a fierce debate in Westminster over the future of the North Sea and the viability of the UK’s “Net Zero” roadmap in a wartime economy. (ANI)

The week-long celebration of Rongali Bihu , the biggest festival of of Assam, has began across the state on Tuesday, starting with traditional Goru Bihu (Cattle Bihu).

Assam is celebrating the first of Rongali Bihu as the Goru Bihu (Cattle Bihu).

Goru Bihu has observed on the first day of Rongali Bihu, is dedicated to the worship of cow.

Bulls and cows are bathed with a paste made of fresh turmeric, black lentils, other ingredients and fed with gourds and brinjals and provided with new attaching ropes.

People also sing traditional songs to the cattle, “Lao kha, bengena kha, bosore bosore barhi ja, maar xoru, baper xoru, toi hobi bor bor goru” (means “Eat gourd, eat brinjal, grow year by year, your mother is small, your father is small, but you will become a large, strong cow”).

Worship of cattle on this occasion means showing respect and gratitude to the cattle, bulls, that are important parts in farming and daily life.

Along with other parts of the state in Guwahati also, people on Tuesday have observed traditional Goru Bihu on the first day of Rongali Bihu. (ANI)

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday inaugurated the six-lane Delhi-Dehradun Economic Corridor in the capital city of Uttarakhand.

Union Minister Nitin Gadkari and Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami were also present at the inauguration ceremony.

The 213 km long six-lane access-controlled Delhi-Dehradun Economic Corridor has been developed at a cost of over Rs 12,000 crore. The corridor traverses through the states of Delhi, Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand, and will reduce travel time between Delhi and Dehradun from over six hours at present to around two-and-a-half hours.

Implementation of the project also includes the construction of 10 interchanges, three Railway Over Bridges (ROBs), four major bridges and 12 wayside amenities to enable seamless high-speed connectivity. The corridor is equipped with an Advanced Traffic Management System (ATMS) to provide a safer and more efficient travel experience for commuters, a press release from the PMO stated.

Keeping in view the ecological sensitivity, rich biodiversity and wildlife in the region, the corridor has been designed with several features aimed at significantly reducing man-animal conflict. To ensure the free movement of wild animals, the project incorporates several dedicated wildlife protection features. These include a 12 km-long wildlife elevated corridor, which is one of the longest in Asia. The corridor also includes eight animal passes, two elephant underpasses of 200 metres each, and a 370-metre-long tunnel near the Daat Kali temple.

According to the PMO, the Delhi-Dehradun Economic Corridor will play a pivotal role in strengthening regional economic growth by enhancing connectivity between major tourism and economic centres as well as opening new avenues for trade and development across the region.

Earlier today, PM Modi reviewed the 12-km-long Wildlife Corridor in Uttar Pradesh’s Saharanpur, one of the longest in Asia, constructed by Uttarkhand on the elevated section of the Delhi-Dehradun Expressway.

He also performed Darshan and Pooja at Jai Maa Daat Kali Temple near Dehradun. Children sang an aarti, with the Prime Minister seen clapping and joining in. (ANI)

Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim expressed deep sorrow over the passing of legendary singer Asha Bhosle, describing it as a “profound loss” to the world of music and culture.

Asha Bhosle passed away on Sunday at the age of 92.

In a post on his social media X, Malaysian PM Anwar Ibrahim said Bhosle’s contribution to music spanned generations, with her voice weaving “emotions, traditions, and narratives” through thousands of songs that resonated globally.

“The passing of the Indian legend, Asha Bhosle, represents a profound loss to the world of music and culture. As a singer, she has woven together emotions, traditions, and narratives through thousands of works spanning generations. Her unique voice, brimming with soul and energy, has brought to life the silver screen and dramas that have filled the hearts of millions around the world,” he wrote.

Highlighting her legacy, he noted that as the younger sister of Lata Mangeshkar, Bhosle carried forward a rich musical heritage while carving her own distinct identity.

“As the younger sister of Lata Mangeshkar, she has elevated a family legacy of immense stature within the treasury of South Asian arts, while steadfastly forging her own path of artistic leadership with a distinctive style–boldly experimenting to rise above the ordinary, never settling for the “mediocre,” and remaining ever relevant amid the relentless currents and eddies of an era that constantly promises change and fresh images,” he added.

The Malaysian Prime Minister also praised her ability to remain relevant through changing times, calling her an enduring inspiration for artists across generations.

Extending condolences, Anwar Ibrahim said, “Malaysia extends its deepest condolences to her family and all art lovers who share in this sense of loss.”

He further expressed hope that her legacy would continue to inspire future generations and enrich the global music landscape, “May her legacy continue to flourish, serving as inspiration and injecting vitality into future generations as they enrich the world of music and culture,” Malaysian PM concluded the post.

The legendary singer was cremated with full state honours on Monday at the Shivaji Park Crematorium in Mumbai. Family members, friends, members of the film industry and admirers gathered there to pay their last respects to the iconic singer whose voice ruled hearts for more than eight decades.Widely regarded as one of the most versatile singers in Indian music, Asha Bhosle’s repertoire spanned classical compositions, ghazals, cabaret songs, and contemporary pop. She holds a Guinness World Record for the most studio recordings and, along with her sister Lata Mangeshkar, helped define the golden era of Hindi film music.

Born to classical singer and theatre actor Pandit Deenanath Mangeshkar, she began her musical journey at a young age and went on to build an unparalleled legacy.

Following her demise, several celebrities, politicians and sports personalities paid tribute to the iconic singer. (ANI)

District Magistrate of Gautam Buddha Nagar Medha Roopam on Tuesday announced a series of worker welfare measures following recent protests in Noida that turned violent, urging labourers to maintain peace and stating that “violence is not the answer.”

Speaking to reporters here, Roopam said, “I thank the Chief Minister and the high-powered committee for accepting the workers’ primary demand of wage increase. Furthermore, other directives have been issued, including ensuring that workers’ wages are credited to their accounts before the 10th of every month.”

She added that additional benefits have been introduced to safeguard workers’ rights. “Bonuses will also be paid before November of each year. Double pay will be paid for overtime work. Double pay will also be paid for working on weekly holidays. Sexual harassment committees will be formed everywhere. Women will chair these committees. Complaint boxes will also be available,” she said.

Appealing for calm, the District Magistrate emphasised, “My appeal to everyone is that violence is not the answer. I urge everyone to maintain peace and order in Gautam Buddha Nagar. The call centre and control room numbers have also been released. Workers can raise their complaints there as well. We will monitor it, and we will take prompt action.”

Meanwhile, Shanmuga Sundaram MK, Principal Secretary, Labour and Employment Department, said that the government engaged with all stakeholders before finalising the measures. “We spoke with both workers and entrepreneurs… We brainstormed for about two hours and tried to strike a balance. Because the government is always inclusive, taking every section of society into account. The Chief Minister has also directed that the committee should carry out its work keeping all sections of society in mind,” he said.

Earlier, Infrastructure and Industrial Development Commissioner Deepak Kumar had stated that workers demanded wage hikes due to inflation and alleged that the violence was carried out by “outsiders.”

The unrest erupted in the Hosiery Complex in Phase 2 of Noida, where workers protesting for higher wages clashed with police, leading to stone pelting and arson. According to police, more than 300 people have been arrested, and multiple FIRs have been registered.

The Uttar Pradesh government has announced an interim wage hike of around 21 per cent for workers in Gautam Buddha Nagar and Ghaziabad, effective from April 1, as efforts continue to restore normalcy and address labour concerns. (ANI)

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday held a roadshow in Dehradun ahead of inaugurating the Delhi-Dehradun Expressway Corridor today.

The roadshow witnessed a huge crowd with people welcoming the Prime Minsiter by waving the flags of the Bhartiya Janata Party.

Earlier today, he also held a roadshow in Uttar Pradesh’s Saharanpur.

The 213 km long six-lane access-controlled Delhi-Dehradun Economic Corridor has been developed at a cost of over Rs 12,000 crore. The corridor traverses through the states of Delhi, Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand. It has been designed with several features aimed at significantly reducing man-animal conflict.

According to the Prime Minister’s Office, the Prime Minister will review the 12-km-long Wildlife Corridor, one of the longest in Asia, constructed by Uttarkhand on the elevated section of the Delhi-Dehradun Expressway.

He will perform Darshan and Pooja at Jai Maa Daat Kali Temple near Dehradun. Thereafter, the Prime Minister will inaugurate the Delhi-Dehradun Economic Corridor at a public function in Dehradun and will also address the gathering on the occasion.

Implementation of the project also includes the construction of 10 interchanges, three Railway Over Bridges (ROBs), four major bridges and 12 wayside amenities to enable seamless high-speed connectivity. The corridor is equipped with an Advanced Traffic Management System (ATMS) to provide a safer and more efficient travel experience for commuters.

Keeping in view the ecological sensitivity, rich biodiversity and wildlife in the region, the corridor has been designed with several features aimed at significantly reducing man-animal conflict. To ensure the free movement of wild animals, the project incorporates several dedicated wildlife protection features.

The corridor also includes eight animal passes, two elephant underpasses of 200 metres each, and a 370 metre long tunnel near the Daat Kali temple.

The Delhi-Dehradun Economic Corridor will play a pivotal role in strengthening regional economic growth by enhancing connectivity between major tourism and economic centres as well as opening new avenues for trade and development across the region.

The project reflects the vision of the Prime Minister to develop next-generation infrastructure that combines high-speed connectivity with environmental sustainability and improved quality of life for citizens. (ANI)

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin on Tuesday issued a strong warning to the Central government over the proposed delimitation exercise, alleging that the Union government intends to “bulldoze” a Constitutional amendment without proper consultation with states.

He said Tamil Nadu would launch a massive agitation if the state’s interests are harmed or if southern states are disproportionately affected.

His remark comes as the Parliament is set to meet on April 16,17,18 in a special sitting of the budget session to discuss amendments to Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam, 2023 and a proposed Delimitation Bill to implement the one-third reservation for women in Parliament.

In a video, CM Stalin said, “This video serves two purposes: to speak about the grave danger that has now reached the very doorstep of Tamil Nadu, and to issue a clear warning to the Union BJP government. Even amidst the relentless pace of election campaigning, this duty cannot be set aside. The day after tomorrow, on April 16, a special session of Parliament is being convened. More accurately, it is being forcibly convened in the midst of elections in Tamil Nadu and West Bengal. In this session, the Union government intends to bulldoze through a Constitutional amendment on delimitation.”

The chief minister further said Tamil Nadu and other southern states had earlier followed population control and family planning measures as advised by the Centre, but were now facing potential consequences for it.

Stalin said Tamil Nadu would not remain silent if the state’s interests were harmed or if southern states were disproportionately affected by delimitation.

“From the very beginning, we have consistently cautioned against this. We have created awareness among the people. Not only in Tamil Nadu, but across India, we brought together Chief Ministers of states that stand to be affected, as well as leaders of major political parties, and convened a Joint Action Committee meeting in Chennai,” he said.

Adding that they have called for more time to present their concerns to the Centre, Stalin said, “we sought time for Members of Parliament from various parties to meet the Prime Minister in person and present our concerns. Even that was denied. This hurried attempt to push through delimitation is a blatant assault on democracy by the BJP government. More than that, it is a direct assault on the rights of states. We do not even know how this delimitation exercise is going to be carried out.”

“India will once again witness the spirit of the DMK of the 1950s and 1960s. Do not mistake this for a threat. This is a warning. Even if you choose to interpret it as a threat, it does not concern us. Yes, this is a warning issued from Tamil Nadu. Elections and the exercise of power are secondary to us. We are a people of self-respect. For us, principles matter. The rights of states matter. These are the living ideals bequeathed to us by Perarignar Anna and Muthamizharignar Kalaignar. If you imagine that you can wrong Tamil Nadu and move on as usual, you are mistaken.”

Invoking Dr BR Ambedkar on his 135th birth anniversary, Stalin said, “On the birth anniversary of the Father of the Constitution, Babasaheb Dr. B. R. Ambedkar, I say this with utmost solemnity: If Tamil Nadu is affected, we will make the entire nation take notice. Hon’ble Prime Minister Modi, I repeat, this is the final warning issued to you from Tamil Nadu. Tamil Nadu will fight, Tamil Nadu will win. Tamil Nadu will fight, Tamil Nadu will win.”

The Centre has planned two major amendments. Originally, it was proposed that Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam would implement women’s reservation using the new census and delimitation data. However, due to census delays, the plan is to proceed with the 2011 census data.

The Lok Sabha seats may increase from 543 to 816 post-amendment. A separate Delimitation Bill will be introduced. Both bills need to be passed as Constitutional amendments for women’s reservation. Keeping up with the status quo, there is no provision for OBC reservation, and SC/ST reservation will continue. (ANI)

The prices of seven essential medicines, including insulin, have risen sharply, raising fresh concerns among patients and healthcare professionals in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, according to a report by The Express Tribune (TET).

The most significant increase has been seen in insulin, a vital drug used to manage diabetes. The cost of an insulin injection device has more than doubled, increasing from Pakistani Rs 2,200 to Rs 4,720. This steep hike is likely to heavily affect thousands of diabetic patients who depend on regular insulin doses to control blood sugar levels and avoid serious health complications.

Prices of other commonly used medicines have also gone up. A pack of medicine used for indigestion and acidity has increased from Pakistani Rs 530 to Rs 620. Similarly, a pack of vitamins and nutritional supplements, often prescribed to patients recovering from illness or dealing with deficiencies, now costs Pakistani Rs 510 compared to its earlier price of Rs 480, as cited in the TET report.

The price of medicine used to treat Vitamin B deficiency has gone up from Pakistani Rs 500 to Rs 600. Patients with thyroid disorders will now have to pay Pakistani Rs 290 for a drug that previously cost Pakistani Rs 85, marking an increase of over 240 per cent. In the same way, the price of medicine used for treating typhoid has risen from Pakistani Rs 805 to Rs 930.

The revised prices were approved by the concerned regulatory authorities and have already come into effect at local pharmacies in Peshawar. Several other life-saving medicines have also seen price hikes, although exact details of those increases were not immediately available. Patients and pharmacists in Peshawar have expressed serious concern over the latest rise.

“Many diabetic patients, especially the elderly and those from low-income families, are already finding it difficult to afford insulin,” a local pharmacist said on condition of anonymity. “This doubling in price may force many to skip doses or turn to cheaper, and sometimes substandard, alternatives, which can be extremely risky,” the TET report highlighted.

Doctors have cautioned that such frequent and steep increases in medicine prices could result in reduced adherence to treatment, leading to a rise in complications and hospital admissions. The spike in drug prices comes at a time when the cost of living is already high due to inflation and ongoing economic challenges. Families with chronic patients are particularly at risk, as monthly spending on medicines may now take up a large share of their income, TET reported.

Health experts have urged the government to reconsider the recent price hikes and explore options such as subsidies or financial relief for patients who depend on these essential medicines. They have also called for stricter oversight to ensure that no substandard drugs enter the market amid the growing demand for cheaper alternatives, as noted in the TET report. (ANI)