Month: April 2026

The Foreign Ministry of Oman on Sunday stated that the Sultanate and the Islamic Republic of Iran have initiated discussions on ensuring the smooth flow of maritime transit through the strategically significant Strait of Hormuz amid prevailing regional conflict, which is currently in its second month.

According to a statement issued by the ministry on X, the two sides held a meeting on Saturday, April 4, at the level of deputy foreign ministers, with participation from specialists representing both countries.

The statement noted that the discussions focused on “possible options for ensuring the smooth flow of transit” through the Strait of Hormuz, a critical global energy corridor that handles a significant share of the world’s energy shipments.

“The Sultanate of Oman and the Islamic Republic of Iran held a meeting on April 4, 2026 CE, at the level of deputy ministers in the foreign ministries of the two countries, attended by specialists from both sides. The meeting discussed possible options for ensuring the smooth flow of transit through the Strait of Hormuz amid the circumstances currently prevailing in the region,” the statement read.

During the meeting, experts from both sides presented a range of proposals and perspectives aimed at maintaining stability and uninterrupted maritime movement in the region. These proposals will be further studied, the statement added.

Earlier, Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi, during an interview with Sputnik, stated that the Islamic Republic was in the final stages of preparing a draft protocol aimed at establishing a new navigation regime in the Strait of Hormuz and plans to initiate discussions with Oman for a joint framework.

During the interview, Gharibabadi stated, “The draft of this protocol is currently in the final stages of preparation. Once we have it ready, we will begin negotiations with Oman so that we can draft a joint protocol.”

He indicated that the proposed protocol is intended to regulate navigation in the strategically significant Strait of Hormuz, with Tehran seeking cooperation from Oman to develop a mutually agreed mechanism, as reported by Sputnik.

Meanwhile, the United Nations Security Council is scheduled to vote on a draft resolution proposed by Bahrain that seeks to authorise member states to use “all defensive means necessary” to ensure safe transit through the Strait of Hormuz next week, amid the conflict in West Asia.

The proposal comes amid rising tensions over maritime security amid the conflict in West Asia, which has seen severe disruption in energy trade due to the virtual blockage of the Strait of Hormuz, a critical chokepoint for global energy trade.

Bahrain, which currently holds the rotating presidency of the Security Council and has been under fire from Iran amid the conflict, urged an international response to threats against global navigation routes.

The draft resolution has undergone several revisions after Russia and China opposed language that explicitly called for the use of force to reopen the strategic waterway. (ANI)

Journalist Rajat Sharma’s daughter, Disha, tied the knot with Sudarshan MJ in a traditional South Indian wedding ceremony held in Mumbai on April 4.

The wedding was attended by several prominent figures from the film industry and the political world, all there to bless the newlyweds on their special day.

Among the guests, Bollywood superstars Shah Rukh Khan and Salman Khan added glamour to the celebrations. Salman arrived with his sister Arpita Khan and her husband, actor Ayush Sharma. The ‘Bhajrangi Bhaijaan’ actor opted for a black formal suit, exuding a stylish yet understated look suitable for the traditional occasion.

Shah Rukh Khan, popularly known as King Khan, attended the ceremony accompanied by his manager, Pooja Dadlani. The ‘Pathaan’ actor looked elegant in a black bandhgala. In videos that are now going viral, the actor can also be seen posing alongside the couple.

Rajat Sharma, the veteran journalist and chairman of India TV, shared glimpses of the wedding on his Instagram page on Saturday night. The photos highlighted the traditional South Indian customs and rituals followed during the ceremony, emphasising the couple’s choice to embrace cultural heritage in their nuptials.

On the work front, Shah Rukh Khan will next be seen in the action film ‘King.’ Directed by Siddharth Anand, the film also stars Suhana Khan, Deepika Padukone, and Abhishek Bachchan. It is set to release in theatres on December 24, 2026.

Salman Khan is currently awaiting the release of his upcoming war drama ‘Maatrubhumi,’ directed by Apoorva Lakhia, though the release date is yet to be announced. He has also confirmed another project with producer Dil Raju, to be directed by Vamshi Paidipally, which is expected to go on floors in April 2026. (ANI)

Director-General of the World Health Organization Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus on Sunday raised alarm over the safety of nuclear facilities in Iran.

Ghebreyesus said that a strike could trigger a nuclear accident, with health impacts that would devastate generations.

In a post on X, he said, “I join the IAEA in raising the alarm again over the safety of nuclear facilities in Iran. The latest incident involving the Bushehr nuclear power plant is a stark reminder: a strike could trigger a nuclear accident, with health impacts that would devastate generations. With every passing day of this escalating conflict, the stakes and threats are raised higher and higher. We must de-escalate now. Peace is the best medicine.”

The IAEA said that the site’s physical protection staff members was killed by a projectile fragment and that a building on site was affected by shockwaves and fragments.

In a post on X, it said, “The IAEA has been informed by Iran that a projectile struck close to the premises of the Bushehr NPP this morning, the fourth such incident in recent weeks. Iran also informed the IAEA that one of the site’s physical protection staff members was killed by a projectile fragment and that a building on site was affected by shockwaves and fragments. No increase in radiation levels was reported.”

Rafael Mariano Grossi, Director General of the IAEA expressed deep concern about the reported incident.

In a post on X, the IAEA further said, “IAEA DG Rafael Mariano Grossi expresses deep concern about the reported incident and says NPP sites or nearby areas must never be attacked, noting that auxiliary site buildings may contain vital safety equipment. Reiterating call for maximum military restraint to avoid risk of a nuclear accident, DG Grossi again stresses the paramount importance of adhering to the 7 pillars for ensuring nuclear safety and security during a conflict.”

This comes after a projectile struck near the perimeter of the Bushehr Nuclear Power Plant on Saturday morning, leading to the death of one security personnel member, according to the Iranian News Agency, Tasnim.

According to the Tasnim news agency, the incident did not damage the main parts of the plant, but it did damage an auxiliary building. The production is reported to be unaffected, as claimed by the news agency. (ANI)

Former Indian Ambassador to the UAE, Sunjay Sudhir, delivered a blunt assessment of Islamabad’s standing in West Asian diplomacy, asserting that Pakistan was never a “mediator” in the Iran-US conflict, but merely a “messenger at best.”

Speaking to ANI, highlighted a growing “trust deficit” and financial pressure that appear to be isolating Islamabad on the global stage. He noted that true mediation requires both conflicting parties to sit at the table with the intermediary–a scenario that never materialised for Pakistan.

“I think the two things which you have spoken about speak of the credibility of Pakistan. Because Pakistan, till yesterday, was tom-tomming the fact that it is a mediator. It was actually far from being a mediator; it was more of a messenger at best. Mediation means that both parties are sitting with you–that never happened. So the thing is that the bluff has been called off by Iran, as you say,” he said.

Despite Pakistan’s claims of playing a pivotal role in de-escalating tensions, Iran reportedly refused to meet any US-led delegation on Pakistani soil. The Wall Street Journal reported that Tehran has characterised US demands as “unacceptable,” effectively stalling any early resolution and sidelining Islamabad’s diplomatic efforts.

Sudhir said that Iran’s refusal to engage through Islamabad has effectively exposed Pakistan’s exaggerated claims of diplomatic influence. The diplomatic setback comes at a time of severe economic vulnerability for Pakistan. Reports suggest the UAE has requested Pakistan to settle its outstanding sovereign debts within a month.

“On the other part about repayment of loans, I’ve spent four years in the UAE, and I could see that the UAE has always been very considerate to Pakistan in terms of debt repayment. But of course, there is a limit. There is a limit, and how long can they just keep postponing those dates? And a time comes when loans have to be repaid by any sovereign. I think that time has come. And maybe this would perhaps have something to say about Pakistan’s role in all that’s going on there,” he said.

Notably, Pakistan has decided to return USD 3.5 billion in debt to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) before the end of the month, a senior Pakistani official said, as reported by the Dawn.

The official described the move as a step taken to uphold “national dignity”, despite the expected impact on the country’s foreign exchange reserves. “The amount will be returned as soon as possible,” the official said, adding that “national dignity could not be compromised for financial considerations.”

The news report said that Abu Dhabi had sought the immediate return of the funds, which were part of external financial support extended in 2019 through the Abu Dhabi Fund for Development to stabilise Pakistan’s balance of payments.

As reported by Dawn, Pakistan is currently under an International Monetary Fund programme that requires it to secure about USD 12.5 billion in rollovers from key partners, including China, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE, to maintain reserve levels and meet external financing needs.

The latest data, as reported by Dawn, places Pakistan’s central bank reserves at approximately USD 16.3 billion. A repayment of around USD 3 billion could reduce reserves by nearly 18 per cent, significantly weakening the country’s external buffer and import cover.

Economic analysts warned that the move could increase pressure on Pakistan’s currency and complicate its position under the IMF programme if not offset by fresh inflows. However, no immediate replacement financing arrangements were indicated.

The intersection of these two developments–diplomatic rejection by Iran and financial pressure from the UAE–suggests a shrinking space for Pakistan to manoeuvre within the complex geopolitics of West Asia. (ANI)

Tamil Nadu CM and DMK Chief MK Stalin on Sunday highlighted key welfare measures promised in the party’s 2026 election manifesto, asserting that it has been designed to benefit every section of society.

The leader announced that insurance facilities would be provided to palm oil workers registered with the Tamil Nadu Palm Oil Workers Welfare Board. In addition, financial assistance would be extended to their families for education and medical needs.

Describing the manifesto as inclusive, the leader said it caters to people “from six to sixty,” covering women, men, youth, and senior citizens. Calling it the “superstar of the 2026 election arena,” the leader claimed that the DMK’s promises enjoy widespread public trust.

Anyone can make promises, but people believe only in the assurances given by the DMK. The value of a promise depends on who makes it.

Criticising the National Democratic Alliance (NDA), the leader accused the alliance of acting against the interests of Tamil Nadu while projecting concern for Tamil culture during elections. The speech also referenced historical incidents involving leaders such as K Kamaraj and cited Periyar EV Ramasamy to underline allegations of longstanding hostility towards Tamil leaders and identity.

The leader further criticised Edappadi K. Palaniswami for aligning with the BJP, alleging that such alliances could hinder Tamil Nadu’s development.

Framing the election as a larger ideological contest, the leader said the DMK-led alliance is fighting not just for political victory but for the future of Tamil Nadu. Voters were urged to support the secular progressive alliance in what was described as a “democratic battle between Tamil Nadu and Delhi.”

The leader appealed to voters in Virudhunagar district to support alliance candidates, including Ministers K.K.S.S.R. Ramachandran (Aruppukottai) and Thangam Thennarasu (Tiruchuzhi), along with other candidates across constituencies such as Sattur, Rajapalayam, Sivakasi, and Thiruvilliputhur.

Reaffirming the party’s vision, the leader said the upcoming “Dravidian Model 2.0” governance would surpass previous achievements and ensure continued welfare and development in Tamil Nadu. (ANI)

Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) have put Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) to bat first in match 10 of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 being played at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium in Hyderabad on Sunday.

The LSG made one change in the team by bringing in Manimaran Siddharth in place of Anrich Nortje. SRH, led by the stand-in captain Ishan Kishan, has made a couple of changes, bringing in Harshal Patel and Liam Livingstone.

SRH started their IPL 2026 campaign with a defeat against the defending champions Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) in the season opener and then went on to beat the Kolkata Knight Riders by 65 runs.

The LSG are looking for their first win of the season after suffering a six-wicket defeat in the last match against the Delhi Capitals.

The SRH are playing their first home game of the season. Reacting to that during the toss, SRH captain Ishan Kishan said, “It’s always good to get your home support, and the crowd loves the SRH team. So yeah, very happy to be here.”

Speaking about the changes in the team, he said, “There are just two changes. Livingstone comes in, and Harshal Patel comes in. Harshal Patel has done well whenever he’s bowled here. And Livi, giving him an opportunity to use his off-spin as well against the left-handers.”

Lucknow Super Giants (Playing XI): Mitchell Marsh, Rishabh Pant (w/c), Aiden Markram, Nicholas Pooran, Abdul Samad, Mukul Choudhary, Manimaran Siddharth, Avesh Khan, Mohammed Shami, Digvesh Singh Rathi, Prince Yadav

Sunrisers Hyderabad (Playing XI): Travis Head, Abhishek Sharma, Ishan Kishan (w/c), Heinrich Klaasen, Liam Livingstone, Aniket Verma, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Harsh Dubey, Shivang Kumar, Harshal Patel, Jaydev Unadkat

Sunrisers Hyderabad Impact subs: Eshan Malinga, Salil Arora, David Payne, Shivam Mavi, Zeeshan Ansari

Lucknow Super Giants Impact subs: Ayush Badoni, Matthew Breetzke, Shahbaz Ahmed, Anrich Nortje, Himmat Singh. (ANI)

The Supreme Court on Saturday notified the setting up of a nine-judge bench to review (re-examine) the long-pending Sabarimala temple entry matter, along with a batch of connected cases that raise larger constitutional questions on the scope and ambit of religious freedom practised by multiple faiths across the country.

The bench, headed by Chief Justice of India (CJI) Surya Kant and comprising Justices Joymalya Bagchi, B V Nagarathna, R Mahadevan, M M Sundresh, Ahsanuddin Amanullah, Aravind Kumar, A G Masih, and Prasanna B Varale, is scheduled to commence hearings from April 7.

In 2018, a Constitution Bench of the apex court permitted the entry of women of all ages into the Sabarimala Sree Dharma Sastha Temple dedicated to Lord Ayyappa, striking down the centuries-old practice that barred women between the ages of 10 and 50.

On November 14, 2019, a five-judge Constitution Bench led by then CJI Ranjan Gogoi, by a 3:2 majority, held that the issues arising in the review petitions against the Sabarimala judgment were not confined to the temple alone, but raised broader and recurring questions of constitutional interpretation concerning the interplay between the right to equality and the right to freedom of religion.

The Court identified a set of overlapping constitutional issues that also arose in other pending matters. These included: (i) the permissibility of restricting the entry of Muslim women into mosques, particularly the challenge to practices that bar women from offering prayers in certain Islamic places of worship; (ii) the validity of the practice of Female Genital Mutilation among the Dawoodi Bohra community, examined in light of dignity and essential religious practices and (iii) the rights of Parsi women who marry outside the community to enter Parsi Fire Temples.

The majority observed that these cases raised common constitutional questions, such as: the scope and ambit of the “essential religious practices” doctrine; the extent to which courts can judicially review religious customs claimed to be integral to a faith; the balance between individual fundamental rights, particularly equality, dignity, and non-discrimination under Articles 14 and 15, and the collective rights of religious denominations under Articles 25 and 26; and the permissible limits of exclusionary practices in religious spaces.

Subsequently, a nine-judge Constitution Bench on February 10, 2020, upheld the decision of the Sabarimala Review Bench to refer to a larger Bench broad questions concerning the interplay between essential religious practices, equality, and constitutional morality across faiths.

In February 2026, the top court had, while fixing a schedule for the hearings, noted,

“A nine-judge bench shall commence hearing in these matters on April 7, 2026 (Tuesday) at 10:30 AM. The review petitioners or the parties supporting them shall be heard from April 7-9, April 2026. The original writ petitioners opposing the review petitioners shall be heard on April 14-16, 2026. The rejoinder submissions, if any, will be heard on April 21, 2026, followed by the final and concluding submissions by the learned amicus, which is expected to be over by April 22. The parties shall adhere to the above time schedule. The nodal counsels in consultation with arguing counsel of the parties shall prepare the internal arrangement so that oral submissions from both sides can be heard within the stipulated timeline.”

The Union of India (Centre), along with other parties are supporting the review petitions, effectively challenging the 2018 ruling that allowed the entry of women of all ages into the Sabarimala temple.

The original writ petitioners (now respondents) in the review proceedings are opposing the review pleas and seeking to uphold the 2018 judgment. (ANI)

The Israel Defence Forces (IDF) have conducted a massive military operation targeting more than 200 infrastructure sites within Iran and an additional 140 Hezbollah assets across Lebanon.

In a detailed update shared in a post on X, the military announced that they had “STRUCK: 200+ Iranian regime infrastructure targets across Iran, and 140+ Hezbollah terrorist infrastructure throughout Lebanon”.

The precision strikes were aimed at dismantling long-range strike capabilities and defensive networks belonging to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC).

Expanding on the specifics of the operation within Iran, the military identified several high-value locations that were neutralised.

“Among the targets struck” in Iran were “a central Islamic IRGC site where a variety of weapons were stored”, as well as “IRGC air defence systems”.

Furthermore, the IDF confirmed hits on “sites for the production, storage, and development of ballistic missiles intended to target aircraft”.

The aerial campaign extended significantly into Lebanese territory to degrade the operational capacity of Hezbollah.

The military stated that the targets in Lebanon included a “Hezbollah terrorist training site” and several “Hezbollah weapons storage facilities and launch sites”.

The operation also specifically focused on the group’s elite military leadership and specialised units.

According to the official statement, the strikes successfully hit “Hezbollah’s Radwan Force HQs”, marking a significant blow to the organisation’s command structure amidst the ongoing regional escalation.

This wider offensive follows a specific surge on Friday, where the Israel Defence Forces (IDF) announced that it had carried out over 70 strikes across western and central Iran.

These operations targeted ballistic missile launch sites and unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) belonging to the Iranian Revolutionary Guards.

According to the IDF, these targeted strikes were part of a continuous effort to degrade Iran’s military capabilities and reduce threats to Israeli civilians.

The military further clarified in a post on X that they have completed more than 70 strikes targeting dozens of objectives, including “launch sites where ballistic missile launchers threatening the State of Israel are stored” and sites for the air defence array.

The IDF emphasised the relentless nature of the campaign, stating, “The IDF continues to strike nonstop at the fire and defence arrays of the Iranian terror regime across Iran.”

Adding political and economic weight to these military updates, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu confirmed on Friday that the strikes have dealt a severe blow to Iran’s industrial base.

He informed that 70 per cent of Iran’s steel production capacity has been destroyed, a move intended to deprive the IRGC of “both funding sources and the ability to produce large quantities of weapons”.

In a video message shared by the Office of the Prime Minister of Israel, Netanyahu described the degradation of the steel sector as a “tremendous achievement”.

He also highlighted the international cooperation backing these moves, stating, “Together with our American friends, we are continuing to crush the terrorist regime in Iran. We are eliminating commanders and bombing bridges and infrastructure.”

Netanyahu further noted that in full coordination between himself, President Trump, the IDF and the US military, they would continue to “crush Iran”.

He asserted that while the Iranian regime is currently weaker than ever, Israel stands “stronger than ever”.

Shifting focus back to the northern front, the Prime Minister shared operational updates from Lebanon, noting that the IDF is “continuing to forcefully strike at Hezbollah” to protect northern communities.

He also lauded the citizens of Israel for their steadfastness and for following the instructions of the Home Front Command even during the Passover Seder night. (ANI)

Days after netizens reacted with mixed opinions to the first teaser of Ranbir Kapoor-starrer ‘Ramayana,’ actor Hrithik Roshan addressed the debate surrounding the film’s VFX and visual style.

The teaser of the Ranbir Kapoor-starrer received praise for its scale and music; however, it also drew criticism from some viewers over its visual effects. As the debate continued on social media, Hrithik addressed the conversation through a detailed note.

Reflecting on his own journey with visual storytelling and how “bad VFX” can feel, Hrithik shared how deeply cinema has influenced him since childhood and how even imperfect visuals can shape creativity.

“Yes bad VFX exists. It’s sometimes so bad it’s painful to watch. Especially for me… and especially when it’s a film I’m part of. As an 11 year old kid I saw Back to the Future on a trip to London and it changed me forever. I became obsessed. I would sit with my dad’s VHS player studying the frames pause -play pause-play until I broke the player.”

Talking about the effort and “intention” behind large-scale films, Hrithik praised filmmakers who take risks to create something new for movie buffs. “Today some special humans among us, like the makers of films like Kalki 2898 AD, Baahubali, Ramayana, (also my dad for Koi Mil Gaya and Krrish of course) are my heroes, they have the guts and vision to do what’s never been done – all for the love of cinema so that we – the audience – get to experience something never watched before. From my point of view, they risked all that money, and years and years of effort just so another 11 year old kid could feel what I felt. To me, that’s noble.”

“The intention by itself deserves applause! I am proud of my fellow Indians. What I would give to be a part of such dreams even as an assistant. But this post is not about me, it’s about us, the audience. The thing is, it takes thousands of our artistes working round the clock for multiple years to bring VFX-heavy films to life, so the least we can do is bash them with some better awareness!,” he added.

He went on to share how “different VFX styles” work, adding that every visual choice is about realism, and audiences should also consider what suits the story.

“In my little understanding from the little that I have learnt is that there are different VFX styles adopted by makers to bring their vision to life. It’s like in comics or animation – some prefer ANIME style but that’s not as realistic as Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse. You can like one style over the other but neither is wrong.”

Concluding his note, Hrithik said, “you can’t criticize the maker just cause he has chosen one style while you prefer another style. Thats not fair. So sometimes when you say “bad VFX.” Maybe it’s just a style you didn’t expect? So next time don’t just ask, “Is it real?” First ask, “Is it right for the story?” “Is it making me feel what the maker intended?” Debate it. But debate it with awareness.”

Soon after he shared the post on Instagram, netizens chimed in to share their reactions. A fan asked him in the comments, “Loved this perspective sir. As an audience, how can we train our eye to understand the intent behind VFX instead of just judging realism? Any simple way you’d suggest for beginners like us?” Hrithik replied, “I guess – wait till you watch the entire movie before you judge. Till then hold your opinion.”

Directed by Nitesh Tiwari, Ramayana also stars Yash, Sai Pallavi, and Sunny Deol. The film is set to release in October 2026, ahead of Diwali. (ANI)