Hollywood actor Charlize Theron has opened up about a traumatic incident from her teenage years, recalling the night her mother fatally shot her father in self-defence, while asserting that she is “not haunted” by the tragedy anymore, according to People.
In a recent interview, Theron revisited the 1991 incident in South Africa, when she was 15, sharing details of the violent episode that unfolded at her home.
Assembly Elections 2026 Live Updates: PM Modi said unemployment in West Bengal has reached “alarming levels” during TMC’s 15-year rule.
State of Tamil Nadu And west bengal Voting is scheduled to take place on April 23. Voting will be held in two phases in West Bengal – the first phase on April 23 and the second phase on April 29. Counting of votes for all poll-bound states and union territories will take place on May 4, 2026 (Monday).
Election campaigning is going on across West Bengal and the war of words between political parties has intensified. West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee alleged that Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s unscheduled stop to buy Bengal’s favorite snack ‘Jhalmuri’ during the election campaign in Jhargram was just a “drama”.
“How were cameras present when he stopped unscheduled? The entire incident was scripted,” he alleged.
The Prime Minister posted a video on his official
Mamata Banerjee also alleged that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) had deliberately deployed its “selected” officials at the airport to delay her flight.
His flight was made to wait on the runway for 30 minutes, the Chief Minister said, adding that a similar delay happened with Hemant Soren’s chopper also.
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Monday criticized the Congress, DMK, Trinamool Congress and Samajwadi Party over their stand on the Women’s Reservation Amendment Bill and alleged that they have no agenda for the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes.
Also, speaking at a press conference, Congress’s KC Venugopal said the election is a contest between Tamil culture and secularism versus Prime Minister Modi’s “dictatorial rule”.
Addressing an election rally, he said that people will answer the opposition parties on their stand on the Women’s Reservation Amendment Bill.
He said, “The Congress, TMC and INDI alliance ruled India for more than 60 years, but they had no agenda for the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes. These people insulted Baba Saheb Dr. Bhimrao Ambedkar. They violated protocol and insulted the President during his visit to Bengal. The people of India will not accept this.”
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin on Tuesday hit out at the Center over the proposed delimitation process, calling it an attempt to “punish” progressive states like Tamil Nadu.
In a video message posted on Twitter, Stalin described the issue as a threat to the state’s development model and linked it to population control and industrial success.
The comments come days after the Constitution (131st Amendment) Bill failed to garner the required two-thirds majority in Parliament, effectively stalling the delimitation reforms.
Read this also TN Elections 2026 – Is it a fight between Tamil Nadu and New Delhi?
Taking a direct aim at the Centre, Stalin said, “Last week, the Delimitation Bill introduced by the BJP-led Central government appeared to be an attempt to punish us – a state that has controlled population growth and is one of the best performers in industrial development. As soon as this Bill was introduced, I was the first to oppose it and led the protests, including burning copies of the Bill. The fire we lit has reduced that Bill to ashes.”
“This election is really between Tamil culture and the ideology of secularism on the one hand and PM Modi’s divisive and dictatorial rule on the other. BJP wants to take over the entire election and they have chosen AIADMK as their weapon,” he said.
Union Minister Piyush Goyal on Monday said people in both West Bengal and Tamil Nadu are fed up with their respective governments, alleging a “complete breakdown” of law and order in the two states.
Speaking to reporters, Goyal called TMC, Congress and DMK “family-run private limited companies”.
The Commerce Minister said, “We are three days away from the elections in Tamil Nadu and the first phase of voting in West Bengal. Very clearly, the wind has changed in both these states. There is tremendous anger among the people because of the deteriorating law and order situation along with the rampant corruption of the DMK government and the Mamata Banerjee government.”
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Election campaigning is going on across West Bengal and the war of words between political parties has intensified. West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee alleged that Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s unscheduled stop to buy Bengal’s favorite snack ‘Jhalmuri’ during the election campaign in Jhargram was just a “drama”.
“How were cameras present when he stopped unscheduled? The entire incident was scripted,” he alleged.
The Prime Minister posted a video on his official
Mamata Banerjee also alleged that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) had deliberately deployed its “selected” officials at the airport to delay her flight.
His flight was made to wait on the runway for 30 minutes, the Chief Minister said, adding that a similar delay happened with Hemant Soren’s chopper also.
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Monday criticized the Congress, DMK, Trinamool Congress and Samajwadi Party over their stand on the Women’s Reservation Amendment Bill and alleged that they have no agenda for the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes.
Also, speaking at a press conference, Congress’s KC Venugopal said the election is a contest between Tamil culture and secularism versus Prime Minister Modi’s “dictatorial rule”.
Addressing an election rally, he said that people will answer the opposition parties on their stand on the Women’s Reservation Amendment Bill.
He said, “The Congress, TMC and INDI alliance ruled India for more than 60 years, but they had no agenda for the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes. These people insulted Baba Saheb Dr. Bhimrao Ambedkar. They violated protocol and insulted the President during his visit to Bengal. The people of India will not accept this.”
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin on Tuesday hit out at the Center over the proposed delimitation process, calling it an attempt to “punish” progressive states like Tamil Nadu.
In a video message posted on Twitter, Stalin described the issue as a threat to the state’s development model and linked it to population control and industrial success.
The comments come days after the Constitution (131st Amendment) Bill failed to garner the required two-thirds majority in Parliament, effectively stalling the delimitation reforms.
Read this also TN Elections 2026 – Is it a fight between Tamil Nadu and New Delhi?
Taking a direct aim at the Centre, Stalin said, “Last week, the Delimitation Bill introduced by the BJP-led Central government appeared to be an attempt to punish us – a state that has controlled population growth and is one of the best performers in industrial development. As soon as this Bill was introduced, I was the first to oppose it and led the protests, including burning copies of the Bill. The fire we lit has reduced that Bill to ashes.”
“This election is really between Tamil culture and the ideology of secularism on the one hand and PM Modi’s divisive and dictatorial rule on the other. BJP wants to take over the entire election and they have chosen AIADMK as their weapon,” he said.
Union Minister Piyush Goyal on Monday said people in both West Bengal and Tamil Nadu are fed up with their respective governments, alleging a “complete breakdown” of law and order in the two states.
Speaking to reporters, Goyal called TMC, Congress and DMK “family-run private limited companies”.
The Commerce Minister said, “We are three days away from the elections in Tamil Nadu and the first phase of voting in West Bengal. Very clearly, the wind has changed in both these states. There is tremendous anger among the people because of the deteriorating law and order situation along with the rampant corruption of the DMK government and the Mamata Banerjee government.”
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April 21, 2026 9:36:51 am First
Assembly Elections 2026 Live Updates: DMK MP Kanimozhi on Tuesday said the party has successfully overcome the Centre’s attempts to “create confusion” through issues like special intensive revision (SIR) of voter lists and “intimidation” ahead of the Tamil Nadu Assembly elections.
He is confident that DMK will win the elections and Chief Minister MK Stalin will return to power.
He said, “Unnecessary threats such as raids are being made against many people in Tamil Nadu. Additionally, attempts have been made to create confusion on various matters, including issues like SIR. However, the DMK has worked proactively and successfully countered these attempts.” (ANI)
April 21, 2026 9:20:51 am First
Tamil Nadu and West Bengal Elections 2026 Live Updates: Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar said the Election Commission will “leave no stone unturned” to ensure free and fair elections in West Bengal, outline a detailed plan to curb malpractices and boost voter confidence.
In a message to officials monitoring the elections, he stressed that the Election Commission is committed to conducting elections “free of fear, violence, intimidation and inducement”, and stressed a zero-tolerance stance on electoral violations.
April 21, 2026 9:06:50 am First
Assembly Elections 2026 Live Updates: In a fresh attack on the BJP, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee alleged that the BJP deliberately “cherry-picked” officials at the airport to delay her flight, according to an ANI report.
The Bengal CM said her plane was stopped on the runway for 30 minutes, adding that a similar delay happened with Hemant Soren’s chopper.
Parents Ajay Devgn and Kajol penned a heartwarming birthday wish for their beloved daughter Nysa Devgan on Monday.
Taking to her Instagram handle, Kajol shared a series of candid pictures of herself and Nysa from what appears to be a festive celebration. With Kajol in a saree and Nysa in a vibrant ethnic ensemble, the mother-daughter duo looked elegant in the pictures.
Alongside the images, Kajol shared a deeply emotional message that reflected her bond with her daughter. She wrote, “I am so blessed. She was born, and the world changed. I thank God every day for You my darling. U are perfect and all mine always. Happy happy birthday to u and me.”
View this post on Instagram
Ajay Devgn shared a throwback childhood picture of Nysa on her birthday to express his emotional and warm feelings towards his daughter. While extending his birthday wish, the actor highlighted the innocent smile of his daughter, saying that it`s just not an expression but a memory etched deeply into his heart, as a symbol of her innocence, joy, and the light she brings into his life.
“That smile is the one I always remember when I look at you and that`s the version of you that always stays with me. May you forever smile with this much happiness Happy birthday my lil girl,” said Ajay Devgn.
View this post on Instagram
Nysa is the daughter of actors Ajay and Kajol, who got married in 1999. The star couple welcomed daughter Nysa on April 20, 2003. Seven years later, their son Yug was born on September 13, 2010.
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File photo (Picture credit: AP)
Asian markets traded mixed on Tuesday as investors weighed fresh hopes of possible US-Iran peace talks against lingering geopolitical risks and elevated oil prices, while technology shares lent support to key regional indices.Tokyo’s Nikkei 225 rose 1.1 per cent to 59,485.54, driven by strong gains in technology counters. As per news agency AP, chip-related heavyweight Tokyo Electron climbed 4.4 per cent, while SoftBank Group advanced 5.5 per cent. South Korea’s Kospi jumped 1.8 per cent to 6,327.73, while Taiwan’s Taiex gained 1.7 per cent.In contrast, markets in Greater China remained subdued. Hong Kong’s Hang Seng edged 0.1 per cent lower to 26,382.30, while China’s Shanghai Composite slipped 0.3 per cent to 4,068.28. Australia’s S&P/ASX 200 was down 0.1 per cent at 8,942.80.
Investor sentiment remained tied to developments in the US-Iran conflict, with uncertainty over whether talks to end the war will proceed this week.MSCI’s broadest index of Asia-Pacific shares outside Japan rose 0.9 per cent, as optimism grew that Iran may still attend negotiations in Pakistan. However, markets remained cautious after the US Navy’s seizure of an Iranian cargo ship raised tensions further.Oil prices, though slightly off recent highs, continued to hover at elevated levels. Brent crude slipped 0.4 per cent to around $95.10 a barrel, while US benchmark crude eased 0.9 per cent to $86.66 per barrel. The market continues to watch disruptions around the Strait of Hormuz, a critical route for nearly one-fifth of global oil supply.Overnight, US markets ended slightly lower. The S&P 500 fell 0.2 per cent, the Dow Jones was marginally lower, and the Nasdaq Composite declined 0.3 per cent, snapping a 13-day winning streak.Analysts said the next key trigger for Asian equities will be whether diplomacy prevails before the ceasefire deadline expires, with markets likely to remain volatile until there is greater clarity.
(Picture Courtesy: Facebook)
Tovino Thomas starrer ‘Pallichattambi’ continues its theatrical run with decent collections on its first Monday.The Malayalam period action drama starring Tovino Thomas registered a noticeable drop even after a promising opening weekend. The film which is directed by Dijo Jose Antony also has a special cameo by Prithviraj Sukumaran.
As reported by Sacnilk, on day 6, ‘Pallichattambi’ collected Rs 59 lakhs net across 792 shows. This figure shows a 63.1 percent decline from day 5’s Rs 1.60 crore. The total India net now stands at Rs 9.22 crore while the India gross has reached Rs 10.61 crore.Day 5, the first Sunday, saw strong earnings of Rs 1.60 crore from 979 shows at 38.1 percent occupancy. Day 6, the first Monday dropped to Rs 59 lakhs with 792 shows at 21.0 percent occupancy.
The story unfolds in the 1950s against the backdrop of social and political changes in Kerala. Tovino Thomas plays a strongman brought in to protect community interests and Kayadu Lohar portrays Rebecca, a determined and principled woman deeply involved in the unfolding events.
Kayadu Lohar took to Instagram to express her feelings about working on the project. She wrote, “Pallichattambi is a film where i got to learn more about myself. It was an absolute joy to work with the team. Rebecca will always be one of the characters that will be close to my heart.”She further wrote,”The journey through out the process of filming was such a wholesome experience filled with beautiful memories and teamwork. I had so much fun on the set felt like home.”“@tovinothomas @dijojoseantony @noufalahammed Thank you so much for the beautiful experience and for all the effort that you put for our film you have done an amazing job ( also just a small pat on myself too). Thank you so much to the audience for all the love you’ve shown our film,” the ‘Dragon’ actress added.
Early feedback praises the grand visuals and Tovino Thomas’s commanding screen presence. Many viewers appreciate the period recreation and action choreography. Kayadu Lohar’s sincere performance as Rebecca has also received positive mentions.DISCLAIMER: The box office numbers and the data in this article are compiled from public and industry sources. All figures are approximate unless explicitly mentioned, offering a fair representation of the movie’s box office performance. These totals may change as official studio data is updated or as additional international market reports are finalized. This data is provided by us for informational and entertainment purposes only.
Chavez-DeRemer is the third high-profile female official to leave the Trump administration after recent departures of Kristi Noem and Pam Bondi.
Published On 21 Apr 2026
US Secretary of Labour Lori Chavez-DeRemer will be leaving her post in the administration of President Donald Trump, the White House has said.
Chavez-DeRemer is the third woman to leave the Trump administration since March, when the president fired Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem in the wake of federal immigration raids in Minnesota that led to the deaths of two protesters. Trump also ousted Attorney General Pam Bondi earlier this month.
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Chavez-DeRemer has done a “phenomenal job” protecting American workers and is set to “take a position in the private sector”, White House Director of Communications Steven Cheung said in a post on X late on Monday, announcing the labour secretary’s departure.
“Keith Sonderling will take on the role of Acting Secretary of Labor,” Cheung added, referring to the current deputy labour secretary.
While Cheung did not give a reason for Chavez-DeRemer’s departure, the New York Post reported in January that she was under investigation for “pursuing an ‘inappropriate’ relationship with a subordinate” and drinking in her office during the work day.
Al Jazeera was unable to independently verify the allegations.
From the beginning of her tenure, Chavez-DeRemer had some notable differences with other members of Trump’s inner circle.
She had voiced support for the pro-union Protecting the Right to Organize Act (PRO Act), earning support for her nomination from some Democrats.
Her appointment was also seen as favoured by Sean O’Brien, the president of the International Brotherhood of Teamsters, who notably spoke in support of Trump’s re-election campaign at the Republican National Convention in July 2024.
However, as the labour secretary, Chavez-DeRemer’s positions have more closely aligned with the Trump administration’s overall anti-regulatory policies, according to US media outlets. During her tenure as secretary, the Labor Department stalled on responding to calls for limits on silica exposure from Appalachian coal miners suffering from the occupational black lung disease.
Chavez-DeRemer is not the first top official to leave the Labor Department during Trump’s second term.
In August 2025, Trump fired the director of the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), Erika McEntarfer, who was appointed by previous President Joe Biden, after a report showed that hiring had slowed in July and was worse in May and June than had previously been reported.
Chavez-DeRemer had supported the president’s move at the time.
“I support the President’s decision to replace Biden’s Commissioner and ensure the American People can trust the important and influential data coming from BLS,” Chavez-DeRemer said in a post on X following McEntarfer’s removal.
Stories rooted in personal history often feel more intimate. For filmmaker Soumik Sen, creating the Bengali series, Jazz City, began with family memories of migration, passed down by his mother about her parents’ journey to India.
“My grandparents left almost everything when they came to Kolkata. This is not a unique story. There are so many people who migrated during the Partition, 1947-48. There is one particular scene where a child is picking up empty bullet cartridges after his entire family has been massacred; [it was] something that a musician on the show told me,” recalls Sen.
Soumik Sen
He also turned to Susan Brownmiller’s Against Our Will: Men, Women and Rape, which documents the atrocities of Operation Searchlight (March 1971). “There are extremely sordid and gory details [during] Operation Searchlight, which is largely underreported and has gone unpunished,” he adds.
When shaping fiction from history, Sen insists on precision. “To map the true stories first, you have to map the correct cultural incidents. And then you create characters into the story. If you notice that February 21 in 1970 is a Saturday. So you have to keep those things in mind and be accurate.” He also acknowledges that truth is often a version of someone’s perspective. “We will never know the complete truth about any incident, it is always [somebody’s version] of truth. So, you set the parameters given the information and perspective, which is what I have tried. I have told the story from the point of view of a man, Jimmy Roy [played by Arifin Shuvoo], who doesn’t know anything.” For authenticity, Sen cast a Bangladeshi actor in the lead. “We did think of [casting] a prominent face, but I also needed somebody who’s Bangla, and speaks English and Hindi equally well, and has a swag.”
Music shapes the series’ texture, with about 25 tracks composed by Sen, Diptarka Bose, and Arka Mukherjee. “The songs are an album in themselves. In a jazz club, when people are talking, there’s always someone singing in the background, which may or may not take the story forward. Most of the time it is an ambient sound. So that’s how jazz is. Of course, there are some songs to put you in that zone and the mood.”
25
Number of songs in ‘Jazz City’
Despite being a major star in Bangladesh, Arifin Shuvoo’s audition process reportedly lasted nearly two years
Sanjay Leela Bhansali. Pic/Shadab Khan
Industry chatter suggests Sanjay Leela Bhansali is reviving ‘Inshallah’, with Shah Rukh Khan reportedly stepping in after ‘King’. The project, first announced with Salman Khan and Alia Bhatt, is said to be reworked into a mature romance, with Alia likely retained opposite SRK. We have learnt that the film now explores a more layered love story. The casting has sparked online debate, with some questioning the age gap and anticipating limited chemistry, while others remain curious about SLB’s reimagined take.
As the Centre sets up a committee and high-level ministerial body to shape India’s artificial intelligence (AI) policy, an official from the ministry of electronics and information technology (MeitY) said the government has not ruled out the possibility of a separate legal framework for the technology in future.
For now, the government’s view is that dedicated legislation is unnecessary, given that AI remains in an early, innovation-driven phase in the country, but it has kept the door open for a future law, the official said, requesting anonymity.
The MeitY has recently announced the creation of two committees to advise the government on AI governance policy development and coordination. A standing expert advisory body—Technology and Policy Expert Committee (TPEC)—was announced on April 18 to offer guidance to a high-level inter-ministerial body—AI Governance and Economic Group (AIGEG)—on policy, regulation and engagements across international forums. The ministry announced AIGEG’s formation on April 16. “Their role is only to advise the government. They don’t have independent statutory authority. They are not regulatory bodies,” the official quoted above said, pointing out that their recommendations will not be legally binding.
To be sure, India does not yet have a dedicated AI law, unlike some jurisdictions such as the EU AI Act. For now, some aspects of AI, particularly AI-generated content, are addressed in a limited way under the existing IT rules.
The constitution of the two committees gives a formal effect to recommendations made in India’s AI Governance Guidelines released last November and the Economic Survey that came out in January this year.
Director Rathna Kumar, known for films like ‘Meyaadha Maan,’ ‘Aadai,’ and ‘Gulu Gulu,’ is back with his next project titled ’29 The Film’. Vidhu and Preethi Asrani play the leading roles in the film. The story revolves around the life of a 29-year-old man: his trials, tribulations, experiences, and feelings. The makers have officially announced that ’29’ will hit theatres on May 8, creating fresh buzz among cinema lovers. The announcement video, which is creating hype and going viral, features the trio of Rathna Kumar, Lokesh Kanagaraj, and Karthikeya.
’29’ is designed as a relatable story that connects with today’s youth. The film’s songs, composed by Sean Roldan, have already received a positive response from listeners. Cinematography is by Mathesh Manickam, and editing is by R. S. Satheesh Kumar, indicating good production. It’s obvious that both cinematography and the musical score must provide an emotional effect for the film. The movie will be a multilingual venture, releasing in Telugu as well, which is an added advantage for attracting audiences from various Telugu states.
The movie has a production team made up of heavyweights who have worked on many popular films, including Karthik Subbaraj and Lokesh Kanagaraj. Notable writer-director Rathna Kumar, who also works as a dialogue writer in major films like ‘Vikram’ and ‘Master,’ brings his experience to this project. Blending new actors and directors with the prolific generation, ’29’ will be an impactful movie to witness. The combination of their talents has surely made fans and industry critics more expectant right from the start.
’29’ is ready for its May 8 release, with all preparations complete. The film’s promotional activities have already begun, and nobody knows about the secret that the film is being promoted through the best-kept secret. ’29’ is the kind of movie that can get everyone interested because it is a coming-of-age story involving adolescence, emotions, and everything that surrounds it. ’29’ is predicted to do reasonably well at the box office and later emerge as a success since early reviews of the idea and already released songs are positive.
