Month: April 2026

The US Department of State revoked the lawful permanent resident (LPR) status of certain foreign nationals accused of supporting Iran’s regime, following which they were taken into custody by US Immigration and Customs Enforcement following the termination of their green card status.

According to a statement issued by the State Department on Saturday, the LPR status for these individuals was revoked following an order by the US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, after which they were arrested by ICE agents on Friday.

The Department of State said that Hamideh Soleimani Afshar, identified as the niece of former Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) Major General Qasem Soleimani, and her daughter were taken into custody by ICE agents following the termination of their green card status.

According to US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Afshar was an “outspoken supporter” of the Iranian regime and allegedly promoted its propaganda while residing in the United States. Authorities accused her of celebrating attacks on American military personnel and expressing support for the IRGC, which is designated as a terrorist organisation by Washington.

“Hamideh Soleimani Afshar and her daughter are now in the custody of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. As identified by both press reporting and her own social media commentary, Soleimani Afshar is an outspoken supporter of the totalitarian, terrorist regime in Iran. While living in the United States, she promoted Iranian regime propaganda, celebrated attacks against American soldiers and military facilities in the Middle East, praised the new Iranian Supreme Leader, denounced America as the “Great Satan”, and voiced her unflinching support for the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps, a designated terror organisation,” the statement read.

The State Department further alleged that Afshar maintained an affluent lifestyle in Los Angeles while disseminating pro-Iranian regime content on social media. Her husband has also been barred from entering the United States.

“In addition to the termination of Hamideh Soleimani Afshar and her daughter’s LPR status, Afshar’s husband has also been barred from entering the United States,” the statement added.

Qasem Soleimani was killed in a US drone strike at Baghdad International Airport in January 2020 along with five others, including Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis, the deputy head of the Iran-backed Iraqi Popular Mobilisation Forces (PMF).

In a separate action earlier this month, Rubio terminated the legal status of Fatemeh Ardeshir-Larijani, daughter of former Secretary of the Supreme National Security Council of Iran, Ali Larijani, along with her husband, Seyed Kalantar Motamedi. Both individuals are no longer in the United States and have been barred from future entry.

Ali Larijani was killed in an Israeli airstrike in Tehran last month.

The State Department expressed appreciation to the US Department of Homeland Security and ICE for their coordination in the matter, stating that the move reflects ongoing efforts to safeguard national security.

“The Trump Administration will not allow our country to become a home for foreign nationals who support anti-American terrorist regimes,” Rubio stated in a post on X, announcing the termination of their LPR status.

The development comes amid heightened tensions between Washington and Tehran, with the administration taking a stricter approach toward individuals linked to Iran’s political and military establishment amid the conflict in West Asia. (ANI)

US President Donald Trump on Saturday issued a stark ultimatum to Tehran, saying Iran has 48 hours to strike a deal or reopen the strategic Strait of Hormuz “before all hell will rain down on them”.

Trump’s message, posted on his Truth Social platform, is a reminder of his 10-day ultimatum given to the Islamic Republic earlier to make progress toward a deal or reopen the vital shipping lane.

“Remember when I gave Iran ten days to MAKE A DEAL or OPEN UP THE HORMUZ STRAIT. Time is running out-48 hours before all Hell will rain down on them. Glory be to GOD! President DONALD J. TRUMP,” his post read.

Trump, on March 26, stated that he is extending the pause on strikes targeting Iran’s energy infrastructure for an additional 10 days, until Monday, April 6, 2026, as part of the ongoing diplomatic talks between the two sides.

In a post on Truth Social, the US President claimed that the announcement comes as per a “request” from the Iranian Government and further stated that the negotiations with Tehran were “going very well”.

“As per Iranian Government request, please let this statement serve to represent that I am pausing the period of Energy Plant destruction by 10 Days to Monday, April 6, 2026, at 8 P.M., Eastern Time. Talks are ongoing and, despite erroneous statements to the contrary by the Fake News Media, and others, they are going very well,” the post read.

This was a continuation of Trump’s warning to Iran to open the Strait of Hormuz.

He earlier instructed the US Department of War to delay any military action against Iranian power plants and energy sites for five days, citing ongoing diplomatic engagements with Tehran amid escalating tensions in West Asia, prior to which he issued a warning to Tehran, giving it 48 hours to open the strategically significant Strait of Hormuz or face potential strikes on its energy facilities.

His latest 48-hour ultimatum is a reminder of his 10-day deadline given to Tehran last month. (ANI)

Two persons have been arrested after Congress MP Shashi Tharoor was allegedly obstructed and verbally abused by a group of youths in the Wandoor area of Keralam, Election Commission officials said.

According to election authorities, strict action has been initiated in connection with the incident, and an FIR has been registered. Police said the arrests were made following a complaint lodged by Tharoor’s gunman.

The incident took place in Chellithodu, Vandoor, where a group of around five individuals allegedly blocked the MP’s movement while he was on his way to the Manalimel bus stand. Tharoor was campaigning for United Democratic Front (UDF) candidate AP Anil Kumar at the time.

Officials stated that the group not only obstructed his convoy but also verbally abused him, prompting immediate police intervention. Authorities have assured that further investigation is underway and additional action will be taken if required.

Earlier, Tharoor termed the incident “untoward” but maintained that it would not affect his campaign. “It was an untoward incident that should have never happened, but I have been travelling for 15-16 days, and this is a single incident. We have put it behind and we are moving on,” he said.

The Congress leader also confirmed that his gunman sustained minor injuries during the episode, adding that the police are handling the matter. “We are not going to change anything, we will travel everywhere we are supposed to and spread our message to the public,” he said.

Meanwhile, ahead of the Kerala Assembly elections, Tharoor expressed confidence in a Congress-led UDF victory, alleging corruption and financial mismanagement under the ruling Left Democratic Front (LDF). “They made the Kerala model a debt model,” he said, citing concerns over fiscal performance.

The polling for the 2026 Keralam Legislative Assembly elections will be held on April 9, with the counting of votes on May 4. The tenure of the current assembly is set to conclude on May 23. (ANI)

Lights, camera, and action! The shooting for the popular web series ‘Panchayat 5’ has commenced.

On Friday, the streaming giant shared BTS pictures from the sets of the fifth season. Check out.

“6 years of being in Phulera and never wanting to leave #PanchayatOnPrime, New Season, Now Filming,” the streamer captioned the post.

Since its debut in 2020, Panchayat has steadily grown into one of India’s most beloved series, winning hearts across seasons.

The new season will continue the story of Abhishek and the people of Phulera.

According to the makers, the upcoming season will show Abhishek facing a difficult work environment under a new and vengeful leadership. While he prepares to move ahead with his dream of pursuing an MBA, he must first settle some unfinished matters in the village of Phulera.

Panchayat is produced by The Viral Fever and is directed by Deepak Kumar Mishra. The story is written by Chandan Kumar.

The series stars Jitendra Kumar in the lead role. The show also features actors like Raghubir Yadav, Neena Gupta, Faisal Malik, Chandan Roy, Saanvika, Durgesh Kumar, Ashok Pathak and Sunita Rajwar in important roles. (ANI)

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Saturday expressed gratitude towards Armenian counterpart Ararat Mirzoyan for facilitating the evacuation of Indian fishermen from Iran amid the conflict in West Asia.

“Thank FM Ararat Mirzoyan and the Government of Armenia for facilitating the evacuation of Indian fishermen today from Iran, through Armenia to India,” Jaishankar wrote on X.

Armenia has been facilitating the evacuation of Indian nationals in Iran.

On Thursday, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said that more than 1,200 Indian nationals have been safely evacuated from Iran, out of which 996 moved to Armenia.

Addressing an inter-ministerial briefing in the national capital, MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said the evacuation is being carried out through Armenia and Azerbaijan with the Centre closely coordinating efforts on the ground.

According to Jaiswal, “Some 1200 Indian nationals have been evacuated, of which 845 are students.”

He added, “996 moved to Armenia and 204 to Azerbaijan, from where they are being helped by the MEA.”

The spokesperson said the Ministry has been working closely with Indian missions and local authorities in both Armenia and Azerbaijan to ensure the safe return of citizens. He noted that arrangements are in place to assist evacuees in transit before they are brought back to India.

Over 6 lakh passengers have returned to India amid the developing security situation in West Asia.

Aseem R Mahajan, Additional Secretary (Gulf) at the Ministry of External Affairs, said, “Since February 28th, around 6,24,000 passengers have travelled from the region to India. Airlines continue to operate limited non-scheduled flights based on operational and safety considerations between the UAE and India. Around 90 flights are expected to operate from the UAE to various destinations in India today.”

The West Asia crisis began on February 28 with US-Israel strikes on Iran, and subsequent Iranian retaliation engulfed the region in the conflict, affecting the airspace in the Gulf region. (ANI)

New Zealand clinched a series win after defeating South Africa in the third and final ODI, which also gave it crucial ICC Women’s Championship 2025-2029 points.

After securing a 66-run victory in Wellington, the White Ferns now sit atop the ICC Women’s Championship points table with 10 points from their six matches, whereas South Africa are in third place with six points to their name, according to the ICC website.

South Africa won the toss and elected to field first. And soon enough, Ayanda Hlubi and Tumi Sekhukhune had the Kiwis on the mat, with the hosts at 3/3 within a space of 19 balls. This included the wicket of skipper Melie Kerr, the protagonist of White Ferns’ record win from the last ODI, who fell for a golden duck.

Maddy Green and Brooke Halliday then combined to rebuild the innings and boost New Zealand past 200 before the 40th over mark. Their 211-run stand is the highest fourth-wicket stand for New Zealand in Women’s ODIs, overtaking the 172-run partnership between Amy Satterthwaite and Melie.

Halliday fell agonisingly short of her hundred, being dismissed two short by Nadine de Klerk. But Maddy Green continued going for her shots, eventually returning to the pavilion undismissed at 141 off 128 balls with 15 fours to her name. This was her highest-individual score in ODIs.

The Proteas chase was right on mark with skipper Laura Wolvaardt (69) and Annerie Dercksen (47) giving them a fabulous start. But the fall of Wolvaardt to Kayley Knight and Dercksen to Rosemary Mair in the middle overs rattled the tourist innings.

The chase was never able to recover, even as Mair finished with a career-best haul of 5/50. This was also her maiden five-for in the format.

With this win, New Zealand took the ODI series 2-1. They had also secured a 4-1 T20I series win against the Proteas earlier last month. (ANI)

The phenomenal success of ‘Dhurandhar 2: The Revenge’ has been nothing short of historic, with the film recently shattering records to become the first Bollywood release to cross the 900 crore milestone in India and over 1,400 crore gross worldwide.

Watching this massive 3-hour and 49-minute spy thriller at PVR, I realised how much the right ambience, from the immersive sound to the premium seating, can truly elevate such a grand cinematic experience.

It was this very realisation of how a theatre’s environment sets the tone for a blockbuster that sparked my curiosity and led me to interact with Sanjeev Kumar Bijli, Executive Director, PVR INOX Limited, to understand the strategy behind PVR’s evolving excellence.

It was fascinating to interact with Sanjeev and dive into the strategic machinery behind the PVR INOX merger. One of my initial observations was the apparent shift away from the massive ‘Megaplex’ obsession toward something more surgical, which Sanjeev described as ‘right-sizing.’

He pointed out that while they still value large formats, they are finding immense success in boutique setups, like their new three-screen format in Moti Nagar or four-screen multiplex in Agra, which is already seeing great occupancy. This isn’t just about shrinking the footprint; it’s about identifying untapped catchments within metros where a smaller, premium environment actually yields better results than a massive, sprawling complex.

(Image courtesy: PVR INOX)

Our conversation naturally turned to the financial health of the entity, especially considering the debt-heavy reputation the industry carried post-pandemic. I was curious how they managed such a quick turnaround, as their balance sheet is now the cleanest it has been since the merger.

Further, Sanjeev added that they have aggressively brought down net debt to just 365 crore, largely by leveraging 300-400 crore in synergies across manpower and utilities. Perhaps most impressive was his insight that the business is now profitable at a mere 28 per cent to 29 per cent occupancy. They are no longer waiting for a miracle blockbuster to stay in the green, though they are setting their sights on a 32 per cent to 33 per cent benchmark for the coming year.

One of the highlights of our conversation was the impact of Dhurandhar, and I shared with Sanjeev that I’ve actually watched it three times now, noting how it seems to be pushing occupancies toward the 40% mark. Sanjeev’s perspective was that both films have effectively ‘defied all myths’ of the modern box office. He pointed out that despite the conventional wisdom that long films or overly violent content might struggle, Dhurandhar, with a first part running three and a half hours and a second reaching nearly four hours, has been a massive success. Beyond just the numbers, he noted that its blend of intense violence and patriotic themes has not only resonated with audiences but has also been vital for the entire industry’s ‘value chain,’ proving that there is a hunger for bold, boundary-pushing storytelling.

(Image courtesy: PVR INOX)

I’ve always been struck by the sheer volume of cinema consumption in the South, and Sanjeev confirmed that this remains one of their primary engines for growth. They are planning to scale their South Indian portfolio from 34 per cent to nearly 45 per cent. He explained that the strategy there is twofold: rolling out high-end luxury formats like IMAX and LUX (complete with recliners and blankets), while simultaneously pushing into smaller towns with low-cost entries priced between 100 and 150 INR. It’s a sophisticated asset-light approach that balances premium experiences with mass-market accessibility.

Finally, we touched on the evolution of the movie-going experience itself, which Sanjeev sees as a broader leisure destination. A standout insight for me was their strategy around Food and Beverage, which now accounts for 25 per cent of their revenue. They’ve incubated their own brand, The Dogfather, and are now insulating themselves from the volatility of film content by delivering snacks via Swiggy and Zomato. By making their F&B ‘content-immune,’ they’ve ensured that even if a weekend lacks a major release, the PVR brand remains a fixture in the customer’s life through home delivery. It is clear that the goal for this year is to move beyond the traditional theatre model into a comprehensive social and leisure ecosystem.

I always say that in the world of cinema, the credits are just the beginning of something new, and for PVR INOX, I think the script is clear: the show doesn’t just go on- it gets bigger, bolder, and better.

(Disclaimer: The author is an expert in the fields of lifestyle, auto and consumer technology. Views shared here are personal) (ANI)

Veteran actor Rajinikanth on Saturday confirmed that the shooting of his much-anticipated sequel ‘Jailer 2’ has been completed and the film is now in its final stages of post-production.

The superstar added that the production team will soon officially announce the release date, heightening expectations among fans.

Speaking to the media at the Chennai airport, Rajinikanth said, “The shooting of the upcoming film Jailer 2 has been completed and is currently in its final stages. The production team will soon officially announce the release date.”

The sequel follows the success of the original ‘Jailer,’ which performed strongly at the box office.

Beyond ‘Jailer 2’, Rajinikanth also gave a major update on the new collaboration with fellow industry icon Kamal Haasan.

The project, tentatively referred to as KH x RK, is expected to bring together two of Tamil cinema’s most influential figures on screen. According to Rajinikanth, shooting for the film is scheduled to begin in August 2026.

The collaboration has already generated considerable buzz, especially after a promo video released earlier in February showcased the distinct style of director Nelson Dilipkumar and music composer Anirudh Ravichander. The clip featured a lively exchange between Rajinikanth and Kamal Haasan, ending with a signature moment of Rajinikanth’s screen presence.

The project is being backed by Red Giant Movies, further adding to its scale and anticipation.

Meanwhile, he is also set to appear in ‘Thalaivar 173’, directed by Cibi Chakravarti and backed by Kamal Haasan.

Kamal Haasan, on his part, was last seen in ‘Thug Life’, directed by Mani Ratnam. (ANI)

Chennai Super Kings (CSK) suffered their second defeat of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 when they failed to defend a big total of 209 runs against Punjab Kings (PBKS) at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chepauk on Friday, but youngster Ayush Mhatre’s big knock was a positive for them.

The 18-year-old batter played a knock of 73 runs off just 43 balls, which helped CSK post a 200-plus total while batting first. He hit six fours and five sixes while hitting his first half-century of the season. Coming to bat in the power play, Mhatre played some beautiful shots, and the former India captain Sunil Gavaskar believes the batting position at number three is best suited for the youngster.

Speaking on Star Sports, Sunil Gavaskar talked about Mhatre’s best-suited batting position and the mindset of the fearless prodigies.

“I believe number 3 is a good position for Ayush Mhatre. He has batted lower down the order in the Under-19 setup, but three could suit him well. He was dismissed first ball in the previous game, but showed no signs of being affected by it. That’s the beauty of the ‘Gen Next’ mindset; they don’t dwell too much on the past and focus on the present. It’s a fantastic attitude,” said Gavaskar.

Asked to bat first, CSK set a 210-run target for the last year’s finalists thanks to Mhatre’s 73-run knock and crucial contributions from Shivam Dube (45 not out) and Sarfaraz Khan (32 off 12 balls).

Punjab Kings chased down the target with eight balls and five wickets to spare, thanks to valuable contributions from the top-order and captain Shreyas Iyer.

Gavaskar also reflected on CSK’s struggles in the bowling department. The legend said, “From what we’ve seen so far, CSK’s biggest concern for the rest of the tournament will be their bowling. It means they may have to consistently score around 225-230 to give their bowlers a chance.”

“Most teams now have significant batting depth, like we saw with Punjab Kings, where Marcus Stoinis came in at No. 7 and struck the ball cleanly with proper cricketing shots. With many sides batting deep, Chennai will need to get their bowling in order,” he concluded. (ANI)

The Petroleum Ministry on Saturday refuted the reports alleging that an Iranian crude cargo heading to India was diverted to China due to ‘payment issues’.

In an X post, the Petroleum Ministry stated that India has faced no payment hurdle in securing crude oil imports. Rubbishing the media reports, the ministry said that the Bills of Lading often carry indicative discharge ports and destinations, and on-sea cargoes can change destinations mid-voyage based on trade optimisation and operational flexibility.

The ministry said, “The news reports and social media posts of an Iranian crude cargo being diverted from Vadinar, India, to China due to ‘payment issues’ is factually incorrect. India imports crude oil from 40+ countries, with companies having full flexibility to source oil from different sources & geographies based on commercial considerations. Amid Middle East supply disruptions, Indian refiners have secured their crude oil requirements, including from Iran, and there is no payment hurdle for Iranian crude imports as per some rumours being circulated.”

“Claims on vessel diversion ignore how oil trade works. Bills of Lading often carry indicative discharge ports, destinations and on-sea cargoes can change destinations mid-voyage based on trade optimisation and operational flexibility,” the post stated.

Addressing the rumours around LPG supply, the ministry clarified that the LPG vessel Sea Bird, carrying around 44 TMT Iranian LPG, berthed at Mangalore on Thursday and is currently discharging.

“It is reiterated that India’s crude oil requirements remain fully secured for the coming months. On LPG too, some claims being made are incorrect as LPG vessel Sea Bird carrying around 44 TMT Iranian LPG berthed at Mangalore, India on April 2 and is currently discharging,” the X post read.

This comes after media reports, citing a commodity market analysis firm, claimed that a crude oil vessel heading to India diverted to China due to payment issues.

Earlier today, India-flagged large gas carrier Green Sanvi safely transited the Strait of Hormuz on Friday night, carrying approximately 46,650 metric tonnes of Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) cargo, official sources said.

The Centre has been in talks with Iranian authorities to allow Indian vessels to pass through the Strait of Hormuz amid a maritime blockade due to the ongoing West Asia conflict.

The West Asia crisis began on February 28 with US-Israel strikes on Iran, and subsequent Iranian retaliation engulfed the region in the conflict, affecting global fuel supplies. (ANI)