Month: April 2026

Fresh off ‘Dhurandhar: The Revenge’ mega success, actor Ranveer Singh on Friday evening was spotted at third anniversary celebrations of Nita Mukesh Ambani Cultural Centre (NMACC) in Mumbai.

He looked dapper in what apeared to be a bandhgala suit. A light-colored pocket square added a subtle touch of sophistication to his outfit.

Due to Dhurandhar, Ranveer had been seen sporting long locks for quite some time, but today he appeared with a noticeably shorter hairstyle.

The stud earring and subtly tinted glasses elevated his overall look, adding a refined and stylish edge.’

Dhurandhar’, a sequel to last year’s ‘Dhurandhar’, has shown remarkable performance at the box office.

According to trade analyst Taran Adarsh, the film crossed Rs 800 crore by the end of its second weekend.

‘Dhurandhar’ franchise marks Aditya Dhar’s second directorial venture after his National Award-winning debut ‘Uri: The Surgical Strike’, which starred Vicky Kaushal.

The seond features a powerful lineup including Arjun Rampal, R Madhavan, and Sanjay Dutt, with a cameo appearance by Yami Gautam. In the first part, Akshaye Khanna played a key role as gangster Rehman Dakait.

The film’s music, including the track ‘Aari Aari’ composed by Shashwat Sachdev in collaboration with Bombay Rockers, has also contributed to its popularity among audiences. (ANI)

After AAP MP Raghav Chadha was removed as the party’s deputy speaker in Rajya Sabha, Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann on Friday said that those who “break party lines” should be subjected to action.

However, CM Mann clarified that the removal of Chadha from the post in Parliament’s Upper House is a regular part of the party’s functioning.

“This is regular party functioning… It is his call on what statement he wants to make. Those who break party lines should be subjected to action,” said Bhagwant Mann.

Earlier in the day, Aam Aadmi Party leader Anurag Dhanda hit back at AAP MP Raghav Chadha, following his remarks on removal as the party’s deputy leader in Rajya Sabha.

In an ‘X’ post, Dhanda stressed that Chadha has been “scared” from past few years and has hesitated to speak against PM Narendra Modi.

The AAP leader stated that the party get little time to speak in Parliament, under which it can either save the nation or call out for “making samosas cheap at the airport.”

Dhanda further alleged that Raghav Chadha refused to sign AAP’s proposal against the Chief Election Commissioner in the parliament, whereas he didn’t say anything when AAP workers were being arrested by Gujarat police.

Earlier today, in a direct attack on the Aam Aadmi Party following his removal as the party’s Deputy leader in the Rajya Sabha, AAP MP Raghav Chadha said his silence in Parliament should not be mistaken for defeat.

In a post on X, Chadha questioned the reasons behind being prevented from speaking in Parliament.

He said he consistently raises issues affecting the common people and asked whether doing so amounts to any wrongdoing.

“Whenever I get a chance to speak in the Parliament, I raise public issues. And perhaps I raise topics that are not usually raised in the Parliament. But is raising public issues a crime? Have I committed a crime? Have I made a mistake? Have I done something wrong?” he said.

“AAP has told the Rajya Sabha Secretariat that Raghav Chadha should be stopped from speaking in the Parliament. Yes, the AAP has informed the Parliament that Raghav Chadda should not be given a chance to speak in the Parliament,” Chadha added.

Highlighting that he always raised issues of the public in Parliament, AAP MP said that his rights are being taken away, but they should not consider his silence as a defeat.

“And the people who took away my right to speak in the Parliament today, silenced me. I want to say something to them, too. Do not consider my silence as my defeat. Do not consider my silence as my defeat. I am that river which becomes a flood when the time comes,” Chadha said.

AAP MP emphasised that his interventions in Parliament focus on everyday concerns such as high airport food prices, challenges faced by delivery workers, food adulteration, toll and banking charges, taxation issues impacting content creators, and telecom practices like frequent recharges and lack of data rollover.

“I talk about the problem of Zomato Blinkit delivery riders. I raise the issue of adulteration in food. I talk about the loot of toll plazas and bank charges. I even talk about the strike on content creators due to the burden of taxes on the middle class. I talk about how telecom companies make us recharge 13 times in 12 months. They do not give data rollover. They stop the incoming after the recharge is over,” he said.

He argued that these issues benefit the public and questioned how raising them could harm the party.

On Thursday, the Aam Aadmi Party sent an official letter to the Rajya Sabha Secretariat informing that Ashok Kumar Mittal will be the new Deputy Leader of AAP in the Upper House, the party stated. Mittal has replaced Raghav Chadha as the Deputy Leader of AAP in the House.

Raghav Chadha has also been an MP since April 2022. He has made headlines on several occasions for raising public issues in Parliament.

Last month, Raghav Chadha raised concerns over the practice of “sarpanch pati” or “panchayat pati,” where women elected to reserved Panchayat seats often serve as figureheads while real power is exercised by their male relatives.

He urged the government to ensure that women representatives in local bodies can exercise genuine authority as intended under the 73rd Constitutional Amendment. (ANI)

The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has started probe by registering a “preliminary enquiry” into Malda violence case in which thousands of people on Wednesday blocked the two gates of the Kaliachowk-2 Block Development Office (BDO), holding staff including seven judicial officers “hostage” for hours before they were rescued after midnight.

The anti-terror agency initiated the preliminary enquiry late on Thursday after the Election Commission of India (ECI) formally referred the matter, sending a letter to its Director General.

The ECI’s direction to the NIA came following the Supreme Court’s order issued on Thursday, asking the poll panel that “a central agency, either CBI or NIA” probe the incident, pointing out the attack “deliberate and calculated” attempt to demoralise the judicial officers and obstruct them from discharging their duty.

The apex court had also mentioned specifically that it cannot be tolerated, and also directed the ECI to seek deployment of central forces for the protection of the officers and their families in the state.

An NIA team is expected to reach Malda at any time today. While the agency has remained tight-lipped, sources indicated that an NIA team had already departed early Thursday from its Kolkata office for the spot. Upon arrival, the team is likely to first visit the jurisdictional police station to gather all available details related to the incident from the police, which is currently handling the case and has arrested 20 people linked to the incident so far, including Mothabari Indian Secular Front (ISF) candidate Maulana Shahjahan Ali and alleged mastermind Advocate Mofakkarul Islam.

All the accused were arrested on charges of violence, arson and an eight-hour gherao of seven judicial officials, comprising three women among them, at the Kaliachak-II block office. Of the 19 accused, the police had arrested 18, including Shahjahan Ali, on Thursday, and a court remanded them to 10-day police custody. Mofakkarul Islam is the 19th accused to be arrested by the West Bengal CID. He was arrested at Bagdogra Airport while trying to flee.

According to sources, the investigation will be carried out by a dedicated team headed by a Deputy Inspector General (DIG)-rank officer, under the supervision of an Inspector General-rank officer.

Officials said the situation remained tense for several hours on Wednesday as the mob continued its blockade, raising slogans and refusing to disperse. The siege continued late into the night, and the stranded personnel were finally rescued after midnight on Wednesday following the intervention of law enforcement agencies.

Taking serious note of the incident, the NIA has been entrusted with the responsibility to initiate an enquiry to ascertain whether there was any larger conspiracy or organised element behind the violence. The central agency’s involvement comes amid concerns over law and order and the possible implications of such large-scale mobilisation.

Local police have already begun their own investigation into the matter, and additional forces were deployed in the area to prevent any further escalation.

Authorities are also reviewing video footage and eyewitness accounts to identify those involved in the blockade and subsequent violence.

The Malda district, located in north Bengal, has witnessed sporadic incidents of unrest in the past, often linked to local grievances and administrative issues. However, the scale of Wednesday’s protest and the alleged confinement of judicial officers have raised alarm among authorities.

Political reactions have also started pouring in, with opposition parties criticising the state government over the breakdown of law and order, while the ruling dispensation has called for restraint and a thorough probe into the circumstances that led to the incident.

Officials said further action will be taken based on the findings of the NIA’s preliminary enquiry. Meanwhile, security has been tightened in and around the Kaliachak area to ensure normalcy and prevent any recurrence of such incidents. (ANI)

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Friday commissioned the advanced stealth frigate INS Taragiri in Visakhapatnam. The warship is an advanced stealth frigate under Project 17A of the Indian Navy.

Indian Navy chief Admiral Dinesh Kumar Tripathi and Chief of Defence Staff Anil Chauhan were among the attendees, along with other senior Indian Navy officials.

The induction of Taragiri comes at a time when the strategic and maritime importance of India’s eastern seaboard continues to grow, driven by evolving regional security dynamics and India’s deepening engagement in the Indo-Pacific.

The commissioning of Taragiri highlights the Navy’s sustained focus on strengthening its combat readiness and operational might through its ambitious fleet augmentation programme

As the fourth potent platform of the Project 17A class, Taragiri is not merely a ship; it is a 6,670-tonne embodiment of the ‘Make in India’ spirit and the sophisticated engineering capabilities of our indigenous shipyards.

Built by Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited (MDL), Mumbai, this Frigate represents a generational leap over earlier designs, offering a sleeker form and a significantly reduced Radar Cross-Section that allows it to operate with lethal stealth. With indigenous content exceeding 75 per cent, the ship highlights the maturity of a domestic industrial ecosystem that now spans over 200 Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs), contributing to the GoI’s Aatmanirbharta initiatives supports thousands of Indian jobs.

Driven by a Combined Diesel or Gas (CODOG) propulsion plant, Taragiri is designed for ‘High-Speed – High Endurance’ versatility and multi-dimensional maritime operations. The ship’s weapon suite is world-class, featuring supersonic Surface-to-Surface Missiles, Medium Range Surface-to-Air Missiles, and a specialised Anti-Submarine Warfare suite. These systems are seamlessly integrated through a state-of-the-art Combat Management System, ensuring that the crew can respond to threats with split-second precision.

Beyond its role as a premier hunter of the seas, Taragiri is built for the complexities of modern diplomacy and humanitarian crises. Its flexible mission profile makes it ideal for everything from high-intensity combat to Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR).

The Indian Navy continues to grow as a combat-ready, cohesive, credible, Aatmanirbhar force, safeguarding the seas for a Viksit, Samriddha Bharat guarded by ships designed by Indians, built by Indians and operated by Indians. Taragiri stands ready for a promising future as a beacon of rising maritime power and an ironclad guardian of the country’s blue frontiers. (ANI)

Actor Shriya Saran visited the Tirumala temple in Andhra Pradesh on Friday, offering prayers to Lord Sri Venkateswara Swamy in a traditional and spiritual appearance.

The actor was seen dressed in an elegant Kalamkari silk saree, reflecting a classic Indian aesthetic as she participated in the temple rituals.

The visit took place at the revered Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanam in Tirupati district, one of the most prominent pilgrimage sites in the country.

Shriya Saran kept her appearance simple and graceful during the darshan.

On the same day, Indian actor and producer Jeetendra Madnani also offered prayers at the temple.

He was spotted in a white kurta set paired with sunglasses, maintaining a composed and understated look during his visit.

Located atop the seventh peak of the Seshachalam Hills, the Tirumala Venkateswara Temple is one of the most revered Hindu shrines in the country.

Dedicated to Lord Venkateswara, also widely known as Balaji, the centuries-old temple draws millions of devotees from across India and around the world every year.The shrine has also seen several celebrity visits in recent days. (ANI)

Actor Ananya Panday had been in Thailand for quite some time filming the second season of the popular show ‘Call Me Bae’, and on Thursday, the team finally wrapped up the shoot.

Taking to Instagram Story, Ananya shared a picture from the final day of the shoot. She posted a photo of a cake on which “CMB 2 Season Wrap” was written.

“See you very soon guys,” Ananya captioned the post.

The upcoming season will focus on Bae’s (Ananya) journey as her own news show finally goes on air. While this brings her fame and attention, it also brings new challenges in both her personal and work life. In the second season, Bae’s life becomes more complicated when her ex-husband returns. At the same time, she also finds herself getting distracted by her charming boss.

This leaves her confused as she struggles to balance her feelings and her growing career. Her close group of friends will also face problems in the new season. The arrival of a “Nayi Behen” in their circle will start creating tension among the group.

The show is produced by Karan Johar, Adar Poonawalla and Apoorva Mehta. The series will be directed by Collin D’Cunha and written by Ishita Moitra, Samina Motlekar and Rohit Nair. Apart from Ananya, several actors from the first season will return.

The cast includes Vir Das, Shruti Haasan, Gurfateh Pirzada, Varun Sood, Vihaan Samat, Muskkaan Jaferi, Niharika Lyra Dutt and Lisa Mishra. Actor Mini Mathur will also join the cast in the new season.

The first season of the show was released in September 2024. (ANI)

At least eight civilians have been reported killed, and 95 others sustained injuries following US-Israeli strikes, Iranian state media Press TV reported. The military action specifically targeted the “B1 bridge in Karaj,” resulting in a high number of casualties in the surrounding area.

The victims of the strike reportedly include “Iranian travellers” and “residents of the local village” who were near the infrastructure at the time of the attack. According to Press TV, the toll also included “families who were in the area for Nature Day,” a time when many people were outdoors.

In the wake of such strikes, President Masoud Pezeshkian has stated that Iran remains “resolute in defending itself against American and Israeli aggressors using all of its capacities,” state broadcaster Press TV reported. This comes over a month after the commencement of a military conflict that Tehran describes as an unprovoked war of aggression against the Islamic Republic.

The Iranian President made these observations during a telephonic conversation with his Azerbaijani counterpart, Ilham Aliyev, on Thursday. During the exchange, Pezeshkian highlighted that Tehran was engaged in “indirect negotiations with the United States” at the moment Washington initiated its “strikes and bombing campaign.”

Detailing the impact of the ongoing hostilities, Pezeshkian briefed Aliyev on the destruction of “vital and industrial infrastructures,” as well as strikes targeting “schools” and “hospitals.” According to Press TV, the Iranian leader expressed his gratitude to the people and government of Azerbaijan for their “sympathy and support” during the crisis.

In response, President Aliyev noted the adverse effects of the conflict on regional “security and stability,” voicing his hope for a swift restoration of peace. Beyond the security situation, the two leaders also explored avenues to “boost Tehran-Baku cooperation in various fields.”

Parallel to the presidential dialogue, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi held talks with his Filipino counterpart, Maria Teresa Lazaro. Araghchi asserted that Iran’s actions to “prevent the passage of vessels associated with the aggressors through the Strait of Hormuz” are “in accordance with international law,” Press TV reported.

The Foreign Minister maintained that such measures are “aimed at safeguarding security in the strategic waterway” and are intended to “prevent further military attacks.” Despite the current tensions, Araghchi noted that Tehran has maintained a “responsible approach by facilitating safe passage for non-hostile vessels and tankers” through “coordination with relevant Iranian authorities.”

According to Press TV, the top diplomat identified the “illegal aggression by the United States and the Israeli regime” as the primary driver of “insecurity in the region and the Strait of Hormuz.”

During the discussion, Lazaro offered condolences following the death of several Iranian citizens and officials, as well as the former Leader of the Islamic Revolution, Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei, who was killed during the current conflict. The Filipino official echoed calls for an “immediate end to the conflict” and the establishment of “lasting peace and stability.”

As the war enters its second month, Press TV cited Iranian health officials reporting that the violence has resulted in the deaths of “more than 2,000 people across the country,” including women and children. (ANI)

Indian artist Raja Ravi Varma’s oil painting of ‘Yashodha and Krishna’ has set the new world record for the highest price for an Indian painting sold at the auction. The art was sold for Rs 167.20 crore inclusive of the buyer’s premium.

The bidding took place at the Saffronart auction house on April 1. Taking to their Instagram handle, they shared a snap of the Indian artwork.

“RAJA RAVI VARMA’S Yashoda and Krishna, circa 1890s, sold for Rs 167.20 crores ($17.97 million), surpassing its higher estimate, setting a record for the highest value achieved by the artist in an auction worldwide. It is also the highest value work by an Indian artist sold at auction globally,” wrote Saffronart. The painting has beaten the previous record set by MF Husain’s Untitled (Benares) which fetched Rs 15.60 crore last year.

“Saffronart’s Spring Live Auction concluded as a remarkable white glove success, with 100% of the lots sold. At the heart of the evening was Raja Ravi Varma’s phenomenal ‘Yashoda and Krishna’ which achieved an extraordinary Rs 167.20 crores ($17.97 million), setting a new benchmark as the highest value ever achieved for Indian art at auction globally,” captioned the auction house.

According to the website of Saffronart, Ravi Varma was at the height of his career when he painted the famous ‘Yashodha and Krishna’ in 1890. Yashoda and Krishna ranks as one of the artist’s most accomplished works.

“In this painting, he interprets the universally resonant theme of maternal love through the mythological figures of the infant Lord Krishna and his foster mother Yashoda, a subject strongly embedded in Indian culture and devotional sentiment,” read the description of the painting on the website. (ANI)

United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has issued a dire alert regarding the worsening crisis in the Middle East, demanding an immediate conclusion to the “spiral of death and destruction” currently engulfing the region.

Speaking to reporters in New York on Thursday, the UN chief emphasised that the persistence of the conflict is leading to an expansion of “human suffering and devastation,” as well as a rise in “indiscriminate attacks” that threaten global stability.

Guterres warned that the world is currently “on the edge of a wider war” that could potentially “engulf the Middle East,” with far-reaching and “dramatic impacts around the globe.”

He noted that the consequences of the hostilities have moved beyond regional borders, asserting that the “conflict is being felt everywhere” and that the “perils to our world grow” with each passing day.

A significant portion of the Secretary-General’s concern focused on the “international consequences” stemming from the “disruption to maritime routes.”

He specifically highlighted the economic toll on the global population, noting that “rising energy and food prices” are already affecting those from the “Philippines…to Sri Lanka…to Mozambique.”

Guterres pointed out that the blockade of the Strait of Hormuz has a suffocating effect on the global economy, stating, “When the Strait of Hormuz is strangled, the world’s poorest and most vulnerable cannot breathe.”

The UN chief’s remarks come amidst a “rapidly deteriorating situation” as military actions continue, with the US and Israel bombing Iran, while Tehran targets “neighbouring Gulf States” and issues threats against ships it considers “hostile” in the “crucial Strait of Hormuz.”

In a direct appeal for de-escalation, Guterres called on all sides to resolve their disputes “peacefully” and in accordance with “international law and the UN Charter.”

“My message is clear: to the United States and Israel, it is high time to stop the war that is inflicting immense human suffering and already triggering devastating economic consequences. To Iran, to stop attacking their neighbours,” Guterres said.

To facilitate these efforts, the Secretary-General announced the deployment of his “personal envoy,” Jean Arnault, to the region to support “ongoing peace initiatives.”

The call for peace was mirrored by the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), whose Secretary-General, Jassim Albudaiwi, reported that Iran has been targeting “vital civilian infrastructure.”

This includes “airports, oil facilities, residential and commercial areas, fuel depots, service facilities, and diplomatic missions.”

Albudaiwi condemned these “blatant Iranian attacks” as a “flagrant violation of the sovereignty of GCC states” and the principle of “good-neighbourly relations.”

Stressing that “GCC states do not seek war,” Albudaiwi affirmed that they instead pursue the “peace, security, and stability” that all nations deserve.

Guterres also reminded the international community that the “power to end the crisis” remains with global leadership.

“Conflicts do not end on their own. They end when leaders choose dialogue over destruction. That choice still exists. And it must be made–now,” he urged. (ANI)

The crew of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) Artemis II mission on Friday successfully cleared Earth’s orbit and is now on course toward the Moon, marking a historic step in humanity’s return to deep space exploration.

According to NASA, the Orion spacecraft executed a critical translunar injection burn, igniting its main engine for approximately six minutes to propel the crew beyond Earth’s gravitational influence and set them on a trajectory for a lunar flyby.

The manoeuvre generated about 6,000 pounds of thrust, placing the spacecraft on a precise path toward Earth’s nearest celestial neighbour.

NASA confirmed that the Artemis II mission management team gave a unanimous “Go” for the burn, which lasted five minutes and 49 seconds.

The successful execution of this manoeuvre officially puts the astronauts on course to travel around the Moon for the first time since the historic Apollo 17 mission in 1972.

In a statement shared on X, NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman said, “Nominal translunar injection burn complete. The Artemis II crew is officially on the way to the Moon.”

Isaacman further described the milestone as a defining moment for the space agency, stating, “America is back in the business of sending astronauts to the Moon. This time, farther than ever before.”

The Artemis II crew comprises NASA astronauts Reid Wiseman, Victor Glover, and Christina Koch, along with Canadian Space Agency astronaut Jeremy Hansen. The four astronauts began their first full day in space with routine mission activities, including preparations for the engine burn and onboard exercise sessions designed to maintain physical fitness in microgravity.

Mission control marked the start of the crew’s day by playing the song Green Light, setting the tone for a day of critical operations aboard the spacecraft.

The Orion spacecraft’s service module engine, capable of delivering significant thrust, ensured the precise acceleration required to send the crew toward the Moon. The upcoming lunar flyby will test critical systems needed for future missions, including those aimed at landing astronauts on the lunar surface under NASA’s Artemis program.

Earlier on Thursday, NASA’s Artemis II mission was successfully launched, sending astronauts on a historic journey around the Moon for the first crewed lunar flyby in more than 50 years.

The agency’s Artemis II mission lifted off aboard the Space Launch System rocket from Launch Pad 39B at Kennedy Space Center in Florida.

Upon completion of the lunar flyby, an approximately 10-day mission, the crew is expected to return to Earth, concluding the mission with a splashdown in the Pacific Ocean. (ANI)