Tourists and locals have been gathered on the Reunion Island to see lava flowing from a volcano that has been erupting for over a month.
On Sunday, lava from the Piton de la Fournaise volcano reached the Indian ocean for the first time in 19 years.
The volcano began erupting 13 February, for the second time this year. Two lava flows from the volcano have since caused disruption after cutting the national highway linking the south and east of the island.
The government on Monday said India’s fuel supply situation remains stable, with adequate crude oil availability and refineries operating at peak capacity even as geopolitical tensions in Middle East continue to disrupt regional energy flows.
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What is your primary source of information regarding fuel supply news?
Addressing concerns over possible shortages, Sujata Sharma, Joint Secretary (Marketing & Oil Refinery) in the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas, said the domestic petroleum supply chain is functioning smoothly and retail fuel outlets are operating without disruption.
“Crude is available in sufficient quantity. All refineries are operating at the highest capacity. Our petrol pumps are operating normally. No dry out has been reported anywhere,” Sharma said, ANI quoted.Officials noted that oil marketing companies are closely monitoring stock levels and logistics to ensure uninterrupted distribution of petrol and diesel across the country.The assurance comes as Indian-flagged vessels carrying energy cargo continue to transit the conflict-affected Strait of Hormuz. Shipping Ministry Special Secretary Rajesh Kumar Sinha said an LPG carrier is set to dock at Mundra port shortly, with priority arrangements made to facilitate swift unloading.“Shivalik LPG carrier, which sailed from the Persian Gulf, crossed the Strait of Hormuz and headed towards India, will be reaching today around 5 pm, maybe after an hour or so. And before its arrival, documentation, priority berthing, and everything have been arranged at the port so that there is no delay in the discharge of cargo by this vessel. All Indian seafarers in the Persian Gulf area are safe.” He said. “No incident has been reported in the last 24 hours, and we are keeping a continuous watch on the situation. We are in touch with each vessel and its crew. 22 vessels, as was reported on Saturday, also. 22 Indian flag vessels with 611 Indian seafarers remain in the west of the Strait of Hormuz in the Persian Gulf…” Sinha added.He added that another Indian vessel carrying crude oil from the UAE is also safely headed to India.“Indian-flag vessel ‘Jag Laadki’, which sailed from the UAE on 14th of March, is carrying about 81,000 tonnes of Murban crude oil, is safely en route to India. The vessel and all Indian seafarers on board are safe. They’ll be reaching tomorrow at Mundra Port,” Sinha said.External affairs minister S Jaishankar earlier indicated that India is engaging with Iran to facilitate the reopening of the key maritime route. In an interview with the Financial Times, he said diplomatic coordination was beginning to yield results.“Certainly, from India’s perspective, it is better that we reason and we coordinate and we get a solution than we don’t. While this is a welcome development, there is continuing conversation because there is continued work on that,” Jaishankar said.He noted that while recent vessel movements demonstrate progress, passage for Indian ships is currently being managed on a “case-by-case basis.”
Indian chess star Koneru Humpy is considering withdrawing from the upcoming FIDE Women’s Candidates Tournament, which will be held in Cyprus. Her concern is mainly about safety because of the ongoing conflict involving the United States, Israel, and Iran in the Middle East.The tournament location was decided in November last year, but the situation has changed after military strikes by the United States and Israel on Iran starting February 28. The conflict has increased tensions across the region and even affected oil supply routes.
A drone strike on a British air base in Cyprus on March 1 also raised worries about security. With European warships and Turkish fighter jets now guarding the island, questions have been raised about whether Cyprus is the right place to host such an important chess event.
Poll
Should FIDE consider relocating the tournament to a safer location?
Humpy, one of three Indian players expected to compete in the Women’s Candidates event, along with Divya Deshmukh and R Vaishali, has voiced her concerns over the Candidates participation. In an interview with the Hindustan Times, she said, “It just does not make any sense. It is dangerous to travel anywhere near West Asia at this point when there is so much tension and uncertainty. The war started around a fortnight ago, it is still ongoing, and the tournament is less than two weeks away.”She also questioned the organisers’ decision, adding, “From an organisational point of view, it is just not the right call. It is one of the most crucial tournaments and you have just 16 top players (combining Open and Women) to think of, why not look at alternatives and different dates?”Despite the concerns, the international chess governing body FIDE says preparations are continuing. FIDE CEO Emil Sutovsky explained that organisers are closely watching the situation but believe the country is still safe. “Our plans haven’t changed. We are in the final stages of preparing the Candidates’ Tournament. Of course, we are monitoring the situation. Cyprus isn’t too far from, let us say, the war zone or conflict zone, but at the same time, it’s not involved in any way and isn’t in a state of war,” he told ChessBase India.He added, “There is no emergency or anything like that. Of course, about 10 days ago, there was some worrying news, but since then, the situation has appeared quite calm.”
The first official teaser of Vishwanath and Sons is here! On Monday, the makers shared the two-minute-long teaser of Suriya‘s upcoming film, which gave fans a sneak peek of what to expect from the Venky Atluri directorial. Paired opposite Suriya is Premalu actor Mamitha Baiju, and it is the easy chemistry between the two that intrigued many fans about the age-gap romance.
The teaser opens with Suriya, who is introduced as the titular Sanjay Vishwanath. He is a pistol-shooting champion in his 40s, now planning a proper comeback. When a free-spirited and young woman in her 20s named Maddy (Mamitha) enters his life, Sanjay becomes a mentor figure to her.
However, things change when Maddy falls in love with Sanjay, to his dismay. She says their 20-year age gap does not bother her, but he says it does. He tells her, “At the snap of your fingers, many boys in your age group will come running after you.” In response, Maddy snaps her fingers twice and says, “I can snap many more times; why don’t you fall for me? That’s what I want.” The teaser then ends with Sanjay carrying a toddler. Is he a parent? Will he finally accept Maddy in his life? The teaser ends on a cliffhanger.
Reacting to the teaser, a fan commented, “The teaser beautifully presents a unique story with a good background score. Suriya appears in all his glory, Mamitha adds value to the cast.” A second fan said, “The romantic side of Suriya that we all adore is back. Mamitha Baiju looks adorable, and I really liked how Venky Atluri handles the age difference with such sensitivity.” A comment read, “This #Suriya is what all we wanted post Ayan! While Top League heroes need to flex their muscles, this man’s EYES can do wonders as Mass and Class.”
Vishwanath and Sons
The film is produced by Suryadevara Naga Vamsi and Sai Soujanya under the banners of Sithara Entertainments and Fortune Four Cinemas and presented by Srikara Studios. The film features music composed by G. V. Prakash Kumar, cinematography by Nimish Ravi, editing by Navin Nooli and production design by Banglan. It is set to release in theatres on July, however, a date has not yet been announced.
Actress Tejaswini Kolhapure has opened up about the pressures of coming from a well-known film family and constantly being compared to her sister, veteran actor Padmini Kolhapure.Speaking about the expectations that come with such a background, Tejaswini said the visibility may open doors but it also brings immense scrutiny.“People are curious to see what someone from a film family is doing. The media builds them up as well. So yes, it opens doors, but there is a lot of hard work involved,” she told Free Press Journal.She further added that actors from film families often feel the pressure to prove themselves repeatedly.“Eventually, someone who comes from a film family has to prove themselves 100 times more than someone who is just entering the industry. The kind of pressure that one goes through is crazy.”
Recalling some of her early auditions, Tejaswini said certain experiences left her deeply disheartened when casting teams asked her to imitate her sister’s acting style.“When I went for certain auditions, it was so disheartening because a lot of people said, ‘Achha, aap Padmini jaisa acting karo.’ I am me—how can I act like her?” she shared.She admitted that such comparisons made her question why she was being judged against her sister in the first place.“A few auditions went like this and I was so dejected. Why are you comparing me with my sister?”Tejaswini also reflected on how difficult it must be for siblings closer in age to deal with such comparisons.“Thank God she is much older than me. Imagine if siblings have just a two-three year age gap—what they must go through. It is so unfair.”
The actress also revealed that the constant comparisons affected her confidence and often made her reconsider her journey in acting.“So many times I felt like giving up. That’s why sometimes you see me and sometimes you don’t—I go back into my little shell, wondering whether I should move ahead or not.”Describing the emotional side of the profession, she added, “Actors are very sensitive people.” However, Tejaswini said that over time she has learned not to let comparisons define her.“Over the years, with a lot of self-growth and realisations, I’ve understood that it shouldn’t matter. Nobody should pay attention to the comparisons. I only wish someone had told me this earlier.”
-1773653032845_d.png?w=696&resize=696,0&ssl=1 "Virat Kohli picks his star-studded his all-time RCB XI")
-1773653032845_d.png "Virat Kohli picks his star-studded his all-time RCB XI")
Former Indian skipper Virat Kohli has picked his all-time RCB XI. RCB, the defending champions, uploaded a video in which Virat Kohli listed his all-time RCB XI. The video, though, was recorded ahead of the IPL 2025 season, when the Rajat Patidar-led side clinched their maiden title.
Kohli chose himself to open the innings alongside the dangerous Chris Gayle. Kohli is currently the all-time highest run-getter, with 8661 runs from 259 innings at a strike-rate of 132.85. The Gayle-Kohli duo have historically done well for the Bengaluru-based franchise.
Virat Kohli went with the South African great AB De Villiers at No. 3. While Virat has scored 9,085 runs for the franchise, De Villiers and Gayle are regarded as IPL greats and have managed to score 4,522 and 3,429 runs, respectively.
Kohli selected KL Rahul for the No.4 position, followed by current skipper Rajat Patidar. Rahul represented RCB in 19 matches and scored his runs at an average of 37.90. For the wicket-keeping position, Kohli went with Dinesh Karthik, with Harshal Patel slotted in at No 7.
For the bowling line-up, Kohli had to choose between some of the all-time great bowlers. The former RCB skipper selected former purple cap winner, Harshal Patel at 7 and the legendary spinner Anil Kumble at 8. Kumble was RCB`s captain in their maiden season and played in the IPL during the twilight of his career.
In the fast bowling department, Kohli went with Mitchell Starc and Dale Steyn. Starc took 34 wickets for the Bengaluru-based franchise compared to Steyn`s 38. Kohli completed the playing XI with yet another spinner in Yuzvendra Chahal. Chahal is the leading wicket-taker for RCB in IPL history, claiming 139 wickets in 112 matches between 2014 and 2021.
While the video was shot in 2025, before RCB`s maiden IPL title win, Rajat Patidar`s captaincy skills will make him the captain of the team. With a batting powerhouse and skilful bowlers in the XI, this team has covered all corners.
Virat Kohli`s all-time RCB XI: Chris Gayle, Virat Kohli, AB de Villiers, KL Rahul, Rajat Patidar, Dinesh Karthik, Harshal Patel, Anil Kumble, Mitchell Starc, Dale Steyn and Yuzvendra Chahal
Filmmakers Alexandre Singh and Natalie Musteata won the Oscars for their film Two People Exchanging Saliva in the Live-Action Short Film category. The Oscars ceremony saw a rare moment this year as there was a tie. The award was also given to The Singers by directors Sam A Davis and Jack Piatt.
Alexandre, speaking at an event recently, said that his father shifted from Punjab, India, to the United Kingdom in the 1960s. He married a French woman and had a son– Alexandre. He was born in 1980 in Bordeaux, France. The filmmaker studied fine arts at the University of Oxford.
He shared, “In the 1960s, my father left Punjab to come to the United Kingdom with a beard and a turban. Can you imagine what the reception was like back then in the 1960s? It was very difficult for him. Over that time, he got a BA, MSc, PhD. He worked his way up. He lost the beard and the turban.”
Talking about his father further, he added, “He loved the Beatles. He loved France, French wine, a certain French woman which is why I’m here. Through that time, he had the immigrant experience. He was so proud to be an Indian. I lost my father when I was 21, and it pains me that in some ways I lost my connection to my heritage, that true connection.”
But one of the most difficult periods of my life was the week I got into art school to study fine arts at the University of Oxford, which, on one hand, was such a wonderful thing, but for my father, as an Indian immigrant, it was an abomination that I would study arts.
Two People Exchanging Saliva (Deux personnes échangeant de la salive in French) is a 2024 French-language short drama film written and directed by Natalie Musteata and Alexandre Singh. The United States and France co-production film premiered in the Telluride Film Festival at the 51st Telluride Film Festival in August 2024.
During his speech, Alexandre spoke about the power of art and creativity. “We believe art can change people’s souls. Maybe it takes 10 years’ time, but we can change society through art, through creativity, through theatre and ballet, and cinema,” he said. Ties at the Oscars are usually very rare. The last time it happened was in 2013, when Zero Dark Thirty and Skyfall shared the award for sound editing. Over the years, there have been a few other ties as well.
Before his Oscar-winning project, Alexandre directed several short films. It included The Appointment (2019) and Plan Large (2016).
The Indian Premier League 2026 matches will go ahead at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium after the Karnataka State Cricket Association (KSCA) and Royal Challengers Bengaluru received formal approval from the Karnataka government on Monday.The decision brings an end to months of uncertainty surrounding the venue following the tragic stampede that occurred during celebrations after RCB’s maiden IPL title victory earlier this year.
The approval came after a meeting chaired by Karnataka Home Minister G. Parameshwar with an expert committee appointed by the state government. Representatives from KSCA, RCB and event management company DNA also attended the meeting. During the discussions, the committee presented a detailed report on the preparedness and safety measures implemented at the stadium ahead of the upcoming IPL season.
According to KSCA spokesperson Vinay Mruthyunjaya, the committee’s recommendations and the government’s review of the arrangements paved the way for the official clearance.“The Expert Committee presented its report outlining the preparedness and compliance measures at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium. After reviewing the arrangements in detail, the Hon’ble Home Minister formally approved the conduct of IPL matches at the venue,” the statement said.
The 19th edition of the IPL will begin on March 28, with defending champions RCB taking on Sunrisers Hyderabad in the opening match at the Bengaluru venue. Apart from the opening fixture, the stadium is also scheduled to host the tournament’s opening ceremony and the popular RCB Unboxing event, which traditionally marks the franchise’s start to the new season.
RCB will play five of their seven home matches at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium during the IPL 2026 season. The franchise has planned to stage the remaining two home fixtures at the Shaheed Veer Narayan Singh International Cricket Stadium in Raipur. This arrangement ensures that Bengaluru remains the primary home base for the team while allowing flexibility for a couple of matches at an alternate venue.
The Karnataka State Cricket Association expressed gratitude to the state government and the expert committee for facilitating the approval process.“Our special thanks are also due to Shri Sreemant Kumar Singh, Member Secretary of the Expert Committee and Commissioner of Police, Bengaluru, for his proactive coordination and for ensuring that all safety, security and operational aspects were comprehensively evaluated,” the release said.“KSCA further expresses its sincere appreciation to all the distinguished members of the Expert Committee and the officials associated with the Expert Committee and its sub-committees, whose careful assessment and constructive recommendations have been instrumental in enabling this important decision.”
Cuba has not received oil shipments since early January amid US pressure, worsening the humanitarian crisis on the island.
Published On 16 Mar 2026
Cuba’s national power grid has collapsed amid an ongoing United States-imposed oil blockade on the island nation.
The collapse on Monday left the entire country of about 10 million without power, according to the Union Nacional Electrica de Cuba (UNE). The state-owned company said it was working to restore electricity flows.
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It added that it was investigating what caused the “complete shutdown of the national grid”.
No oil has been imported to Cuba since January 9 amid the US pressure campaign.
Following the US military abduction of Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro, the government of Venezuela’s interim leader Delcy Rodriguez agreed to stifle oil shipments to Cuba.
US President Donald Trump subsequently threatened other countries, notably Mexico, with sanctions if they delivered fuel to the island, which relies almost solely on oil imports.
His administration has openly said it sought regime change in Communist-led Cuba, which had been under a decades-long US trade embargo prior to the most recent actions.
Reuters news agency reported that Cuba has received only two small vessels carrying oil imports this year, citing SEG ship-tracking data it reviewed.
Earlier this month, a blackout hit two-thirds of the country, mainly in the centre and west, for over a day after a breakdown at the Antonio Guiteras power plant, the island’s largest.
The US actions have further strained Cuba’s years-long economic woes, causing a humanitarian crisis amid widespread shortages of fuel, food and medicine.
The conditions have fomented rare public unrest on the island, with protesters torching a Communist Party office over the weekend. Rights groups have warned against any US attempts to rally dissent by worsening the living conditions for residents.
President Miguel Diaz-Canel confirmed last week that his government had held talks with the Trump administration.
Trump, who has previously suggested a “friendly takeover” of Cuba, said on Sunday that Cuba “wants to make a deal”.
His top officials, meanwhile, have vowed the US will continue to take a militaristic approach to Latin America, even as the US fights a war against Iran alongside Israel.
“I think we will pretty soon either make a deal or do whatever we have to do,” Trump said.
Benchmark equity indices rebounded strongly on Monday, rising over 1 per cent each after three consecutive sessions of steep losses, as investors returned to blue-chip banking and domestic-focused stocks amid bargain buying.The 30-share BSE Sensex surged 938.93 points, or 1.26 per cent, to close at 75,502.85. During the session, it touched an intra-day high of 75,805.27 and a low of 73,949.76.The broader NSE Nifty also advanced 257.70 points, or 1.11 per cent, to settle at 23,408.80.
“The equity market staged a late-session rebound, supported by value buying in domestically oriented sectors such as auto, banking, and FMCG, a relief rally following the recent sell-off.“In the near term, investor sentiment will hinge on developments in the Strait of Hormuz, where any easing of supply chain disruptions could provide further support,” Vinod Nair, Head of Research, Geojit Investments Limited, said, PTI quoted.In Asia, Japan’s Nikkei 225 and Shanghai’s SSE Composite index ended lower, while South Korea’s Kospi and Hong Kong’s Hang Seng closed in positive territory. European markets were trading mostly lower during afternoon deals.The US market had ended in the red on Friday.Meanwhile, Brent crude — the global oil benchmark–rose 1.41 per cent to USD 104.4 per barrel in futures trade.Foreign Institutional Investors (FIIs) sold equities worth Rs 10,716.64 crore on Friday, according to exchange data, while Domestic Institutional Investors (DIIs) purchased shares worth Rs 9,977.42 crore.On Friday, the Sensex had ended at 74,563.92, down 1,470.50 points, or 1.93 per cent. The Nifty had fallen 488.05 points, or 2.06 per cent, to close at 23,151.10.
