Brent crude sinks by a tenth after Iran says the key waterway is open for commercial ships for the rest of the ceasefire.
Oil prices plunge as Iran says Strait 'open'
IPL 2026: `Gill batted really well` Ajinkya Rahane after KKR`s defeat against GT
The Gujarat Titans defeated the Kolkata Knight Riders by 5 wickets to enter the top 4 of the IPL table. GT`s run-chase was led by captain Shubman Gill, who put on a show in Ahmedabad.
Gill scored 86 runs in 50 balls, including 8 fours and 4 sixes and looked back to his best. The Indian Test and ODI skipper attacked the KKR bowlers from the off and dominated against spin in his brilliant innings.
For KKR, it was yet another defeat as they remain at the bottom of the IPL table. The Kolkata-based franchise is yet to win a game this season and has struggled for any kind of form.
Speaking after the defeat, KKR captain Ajinkya Rahane said that his team needs to find a way to win matches before it`s too late.
“It`s never easy to talk about the game after losing. I want to talk about the positives. Green`s innings was amazing. Gill batted really well. We needed wickets in the powerplay. But Gill and Sudharsan batted well. Green was struggling with cramps, that`s the reason he didn`t bowl. It`s all about in the moment. Just need to enjoy our game and back ourselves. That`s what we wanted to do today.” Rahane said
Cameron Green`s 79 in vain as KKR lose again
Earlier, the Kolkata Knight Riders managed to score 180 runs at the end of their 20 overs against the Gujarat Titans. KKR started off poorly but finished well, largely due to the brilliant innings from Cameron Green.
Ajinkya Rahane departed for zero in the first over, and his dismissal was followed by Angkrish Raghuvanshi, who was dismissed for 8 runs in 4 balls. Tim Seifert soon joined the list as he departed for 19 runs in 14 balls.
With GT struggling, Green controlled the innings and scored 79 runs in just 55 balls to take the visitors to a competitive total. However, it was not enough to give KKR their first win of the season.
For GT, Kagiso Rabada was the star bowler as he finished his four overs with 3/29. Meanwhile Siraj too chipped in with two wickets.
Ram Gopal Varma explains why gangsters targeted Rakesh Roshan, Gulshan Kumar in 90s: ‘Kill one, extort money from ten’
Filmmaker Ram Gopal Varma recently revisited one of Hindi cinema‘s most turbulent periods, the 1990s, when Mumbai’s underworld exerted deep influence on the industry. He spoke about how threats, overseas funding, and pressure around casting were often driven by crime syndicates led by figures like Dawood Ibrahim, and explained why prominent names such as Rakesh Roshan and Gulshan Kumar became targets. (Also read: In 1st criticism of Aditya Dhar’s Dhurandhar 2, Ram Gopal Varma disagrees with portrayal of this character)
How did underworld operate in Bollywood
In a conversation with crime writer Hussain Zaidi, RGV said the underworld’s actions were not random but calculated. According to him, gangsters used fear as a tool to assert dominance by targeting influential figures. “When the underworld wants to show its power, it targets big names like Rakesh Roshan, Salman Khan and Shah Rukh Khan,” he explained, adding that many of these figures saw themselves as larger-than-life personalities.
He stressed that the motive went beyond money; it was about control and power. By intimidating major stars, they aimed to establish authority. Referring to actors like Hrithik Roshan, RGV noted that access to such stars wasn’t easy, so fear became a tactic. “If someone refused, the idea was to create an example, ‘Look what happened to him; it can happen to you too,’” he said, citing the underworld saying: “Kill one, extort money from ten.”
What led to the attack on Rakesh Roshan
RGV connected this climate of fear to the shooting of Rakesh Roshan in January 2000, soon after the success of Kaho Naa… Pyaar Hai. He claimed that gangsters wanted control over Hrithik Roshan’s dates for a film project, allegedly backed by Chhota Shakeel. When Rakesh resisted, violence followed.
On January 21, 2000, gunmen attacked him outside his office in what was widely believed to be an act of retaliation. He survived the incident. In a later interview, Rakesh recalled refusing to allocate Hrithik’s dates despite repeated pressure, describing that time as one filled with fear.
Reasons behind Gulshan Kumar’s murder
Speaking about the 1997 killing of Gulshan Kumar, RGV pointed to a mix of jealousy, power struggles, and defiance. He said Gulshan’s growing success and influence may have made him a target, while rival narratives and external influences also played a role.
RGV suggested that figures like Abu Salem may have seen the act as a way to build their own reputation within the underworld. He also noted that Gulshan had reportedly resisted extortion demands and was not easily intimidated.
Recalling the day of the murder, RGV said he was at producer Jhamu Sugandh’s house when news of the incident broke, leaving those around him shaken.
Bollywood’s ties with the underworld
RGV highlighted how, during the 1990s, the film industry was entangled with the underworld at multiple levels, from financing and casting to coercion. Former Mumbai Joint Commissioner of Police (Crime) D Sivanandhan has also noted that several films depicting gangland life were allegedly funded by such networks.
The era was marked by an unspoken atmosphere of fear, with occasional images surfacing of film personalities alongside underworld figures, particularly in the Middle East. RGV, who has explored these themes in films like Satya, Company, and D, said many of his stories draw directly from these real-life experiences.
Foreign exchange reserves touch $700 billion mark again; kitty rises $3.83 billion
India’s foreign exchange reserves rose by $3.825 billion to $700.946 billion in the week ended April 10, according to Reserve Bank of India (RBI) data.The reserves had increased by $9.063 billion to $697.121 billion in the previous week ended April 3. They touched an all-time high of $728.494 billion in the week ended February 27, before easing in the following weeks amid pressure on the rupee after the Middle East conflict, which also led to RBI intervention through dollar sales.For the week ended April 10, foreign currency assets, the largest component of the reserves, rose by $3.127 billion to $555.983 billion. Expressed in dollar terms, foreign currency assets include the effect of appreciation or depreciation of non-US units such as the euro, pound, and yen held in the reserves.Gold reserves increased by $601 million to $121.343 billion during the week. Special Drawing Rights (SDRs) rose by $56 million to $18.763 billion, while India’s reserve position with the International Monetary Fund went up by $41 million to $4.857 billion, the RBI said.
IPL 2026: Shubman Gill shines as GT complete clinical chase, KKR remain winless | Cricket News
Gujarat Titans’ captain Shubman Gill (AP Photo/Ajit Solanki)
Shubman Gill’s classy 86 anchored Gujarat Titans to a convincing five-wicket win over Kolkata Knight Riders in the IPL 2026 on Friday, after Kagiso Rabada and Mohammed Siraj had earlier set up the victory with a disciplined and incisive new-ball spell. Rabada (3/29) and Siraj (2/23) ripped through the KKR top order, making full use of movement and early assistance from the pitch. Their early breakthroughs left KKR struggling at 37 for 3 in the powerplay, a collapse from which they never fully recovered. Despite the early damage, KKR found resistance through Cameron Green, who played a lone but determined hand with 79 off 55 balls. It was his most impactful innings of the season, featuring controlled aggression and strong partnerships with Rovman Powell and Anukul Roy. However, regular wickets at the other end prevented him from building a match-defining stand. Green also enjoyed a few moments of fortune, surviving an early LBW shout, seeing an edge run away for four, and being dropped on 62 by Washington Sundar. Even so, he continued to keep KKR afloat before eventually falling in the final over to Rashid Khan. In reply, Gujarat Titans seized control early, with Gill dictating terms in the powerplay. He struck three boundaries and a six inside the first three overs, including a crisp straight drive, setting the tone for the chase. Gill paced his innings beautifully thereafter, combining fluency with control. His knock of 86 included eight fours and four sixes, as he ensured GT remained ahead throughout the chase despite occasional wickets. Sai Sudharsan provided early support before Jos Buttler added quick impetus with an aggressive cameo, striking a boundary and a six soon after arriving at the crease. Although KKR managed to pick up wickets in the middle overs, they were unable to build sustained pressure. GT’s batting depth ensured there were no major hiccups as they cruised towards the target. Earlier, KKR’s innings had begun poorly, with Ajinkya Rahane falling for a golden duck to Siraj in the opening over. Rabada then struck twice more, including a sharp outswinger that induced an edge from Angkrish Raghuvanshi and a short-of-a-length dismissal of Tim Seifert, who was caught at point by Glenn Phillips. KKR’s innings never fully recovered from that early blow, setting up Gujarat Titans’ comfortable win.With this win, Gujarat Titans climb to fourth place on the IPL 2026 points table, while Kolkata Knight Riders remain bottom after another defeat.
Amitabh Bachchan shares father’s wisdom on staying motivated
Megastar Amitabh Bachchan, who is known for a prolific career spanning over five decades, continues to inspire not just through his performances but also through his words. The megastar, who meets fans every week outside his Mumbai residence Jalsa, recently reflected on staying motivated and active in his latest blog post.
Megastar Amitabh Bachchan, who is known for a prolific career spanning over five decades, continues to inspire not just through his performances but also through his words. The megastar, who meets fans every week outside his Mumbai residence Jalsa, recently reflected on staying motivated and active in his latest blog post.Drawing from the works of his father, Harivansh Rai Bachchan, Amitabh spoke about the fleeting nature of time and the importance of staying active—both physically and mentally.“A few thoughts from Babuji’s works and the days pass by… it was the previous month just now and the next is upon us… coercing us to be reminded how time passes away so soon. Mobility is the key. Keep the body mobile, keep the mind mobile and the strength of mobility shall be evident, suddenly, rather than sitting around without any reason,” he wrote.
On patience and life’s battles
The actor also delved into the idea of patience, calling it a constant test that ultimately pays off—not materially, but philosophically.“Patience, be the crossword that needs solution each moment… even a moment is a test on patience. But it pays and pays well. Not monetarily speaking, but philosophically.”
He further reflected on the importance of learning, likening knowledge to weapons in life’s battles. “A study on any topic would have been several arrows to pull out through the bow in terms of battle… the bow and arrow… such importance given to it… and its presence in our lives both within and without.”Using the metaphor of evolving warfare—from bow and arrow to missiles—Amitabh pointed out how the essence of conflict remains unchanged, even as methods evolve.
Work front
On the work front, Amitabh Bachchan was last seen in Kalki 2898 AD, directed by Nag Ashwin. The film also starred Prabhas, Deepika Padukone, and Kamal Haasan in key roles.Big B’s portrayal of Ashwatthama in the sci-fi drama was widely appreciated, with the film emerging as a massive success, reportedly grossing over Rs 1,000 crore worldwide. He is currently shooting for the sequel.
IPL 2026, GT vs KKR: Shubman Gill 86 headlines Gujarat Titans’ nervy win as Kolkata Knight Riders remain winless
Brief Scores: Gujarat Titans (181/5 in 19.4 ovs) beat Kolkata Knight Riders (180-all out in 20 ovs) by five wickets at Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad.
GT vs KKR: HIGHLIGHTS | SCORECARD
So near, yet so far for Kolkata Knight Riders. After winning the toss, they failed to make it count and slipped to another defeat, remaining winless after six matches this season. Gujarat Titans, meanwhile, continued their revival, riding on Shubman Gill’s assured 86 to seal a hard-fought win.
Kolkata needed Cameron Green to anchor the innings and he delivered with a composed 79, but the lack of support from the other end proved costly. Regular wickets stalled their progress, leaving them with a total that felt competitive but not quite enough.
KKR, however, refused to go away. They responded with discipline, slowing Gujarat through the middle overs and taking the game deep. For a while, it looked like the pressure might tell.
But Gill’s work at the top had already given Gujarat the cushion they needed. Fluent and in control, he set up the chase before falling short of a hundred. His dismissal opened the door briefly, and KKR pushed hard, picking up wickets and forcing a nervy finish.
In the end, Rahul Tewatia and Shahrukh Khan held their composure to take Gujarat home in the final over, sealing a five-wicket win and a third straight victory.
GILL LEADS GT CHASE
Chasing 181 for their third straight win, Gujarat Titans set the tone early through Shubman Gill and Sai Sudharsan. There was no slow start. Gill looked in control straight away, finding the gaps along the off side and then stepping out to loft one cleanly over cover. He moved to 22 of 9, and it did not feel rushed. It was clean hitting, good placement, and very little risk.
Sudharsan matched that intent. When Anukul Roy came into the attack, he went after him immediately. A pick-up over square leg was followed by a firm strike over midwicket, two shots that kept the pressure on KKR and took Gujarat to 40 without loss in three overs. The difference in conditions was clear by then. The ball was coming on better under lights, and with dew around, batting looked much easier than it had earlier.
KKR found a way to break the opening stand through Sunil Narine, who read Sudharsan’s approach well. He bowled one quicker from over the wicket, got extra bounce, and forced the mistake. Sudharsan went for the sweep again but could only manage a top edge to short fine leg. It gave KKR a wicket, but Gujarat were still well ahead at 57 for 1 in 5.1 overs.
Jos Buttler kept the momentum going. He used his feet to drive Narine through the off side and then cleared the same region for six. Even when Narine beat him with a quicker ball, Buttler got enough on it for a boundary to fine leg. Gujarat Titans closed the powerplay at 71 for 1, with the chase firmly under control and no pressure on the batters.
KKR managed to pull things back slightly when Varun Chakravarthy dismissed Buttler. With 86 needed off 66 balls, Buttler tried to go straight but did not get under the wrong’un and was caught at long-on. Gujarat were 95 for 2 in 9.1 overs, and for a brief moment, KKR had a chance to build some pressure.
That window stayed small because Gill never let the game drift. After his quick start, he shifted gears, focused on strike rotation, and kept the scoreboard moving. He did not force shots, but he did not allow the bowlers to settle either. His fifty came off 27 balls, and more importantly, it kept Gujarat comfortably ahead of the asking rate.
Chakravarthy struck again when Washington Sundar mistimed a pull and was caught at the square leg boundary for 13 off 13. Even then, the situation did not change much. The third-wicket stand had added 46 in 32 balls, and Gujarat were still in control of the chase.
Glenn Phillips came in with 40 needed off 33 balls. With Gill set and the required rate under control, Gujarat Titans had the game in their hands and only needed a steady finish.
Gill fell for 86 after a sharp, low catch at deep third by Cameron Green. Running in and diving forward, he completed the catch just inches above the ground. Gill, looking to go through the off side, sliced a full delivery from Vaibhav Arora and picked out the fielder. He walked off visibly frustrated, knowing he had missed out on a hundred.
Even when Gill fell, the result never felt in doubt. Gujarat Titans had done enough early to take the game deep on their terms, and they finished it off without drama. Three wins in three now for GT, while KKR remain stuck, still looking for their first breakthrough this season.
GREEN FIRM BUT KKR LOSE CONTROL
Earlier, Cameron Green played a key role in holding Kolkata Knight Riders’ innings together, but they could not build enough around him and were bowled out for 180.
KKR lost early wickets and never fully recovered from that start. Mohammed Siraj removed Ajinkya Rahane for a golden duck, and Kagiso Rabada followed it up by dismissing Angkrish Raghuvanshi with a good outswinger. That left KKR under pressure inside the powerplay and forced them to rebuild.
Tim Seifert tried to counterattack with a couple of boundaries and a six, but Rabada used the short ball well to dismiss him, with Phillips taking the catch. At that stage, KKR needed stability, and Green provided it.
He started carefully, focused on staying at the crease, and then began to open up once he settled. He found the boundary regularly and helped KKR recover through partnerships with Rovman Powell and Anukul Roy. Those stands brought KKR back into the game and gave them a chance to push towards a stronger total.
Green also handled Rashid Khan well during that phase, picking his variations and scoring against him. He had some luck along the way, surviving an lbw appeal, getting a boundary off an edge, and being dropped on 62 by Sundar. He made those moments count and carried the innings forward.
However, KKR lost control at the end. They lost five wickets in 22 balls, and during that phase, Green was left without enough strike. Prasidh Krishna kept things tight in the death overs, hitting his lengths and not allowing easy scoring.
The final over summed it up. Rashid came back and found his rhythm. Green missed a couple of big shots, then took a single that exposed Vaibhav Arora. There was some confusion after that, including a missed stumping and four byes, but KKR never got the finish they needed.
Off the last ball, Green went for another big shot, edged it, and was caught behind as KKR were bowled out for 180.
His 79 off 55 balls held the innings together, but with little support and a poor finish, the total always felt slightly short on a pitch that had become easier to bat on.
IPL 2026 | IPL Schedule | IPL Points Table | IPL Player Stats | Purple Cap | Orange Cap | IPL Videos | Cricket News | Live Score
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Haryana Women's Commission summons Masoom Sharma over event row in Dehradun, singer expresses regret
The Haryana State Commission for Women has summoned Haryanvi folk singer Masoom Sharma. As per the latest update from news agency ANI, the summon was sent to the singer over alleged verbal abuse during a college event held in Dehradun earlier this month. Earlier, a police case was also registered in connection with the incident. According to official documents, the event took place on April 10 at the college.
Masoom Sharma’s response
Meanwhile, Masoom Sharma has responded to the controversy. The singer stated that his family had been facing harassment from some people who claim to be criminals. He said the pressure and threats affected his mental state, leading to the outburst on stage.
“The matter is that some people who call themselves criminals, they have harassed me several times, and they are harassing my family. My uncle’s son called me and said that they would kill me…,” he said. “When that mind becomes a puzzle, the irritation increases so much… then, under stress, I spoke in aggression, and I have apologised for what I felt was wrong. I also responded to the notice sent by the Women’s Commission,” he added.
According to the complainant, Pranchal Nauni, alleged that Sharma’s remarks from the stage deeply hurt the sentiments of both students and members of the public attending the event.
The police have registered the case under FIR No. 63/2026, invoking multiple sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), including Section 296 (obscene acts and songs), Section 352 (intentional insult with intent to provoke breach of peace), Section 79 (words, gestures, or acts intended to insult the modesty of a woman), and Section 351(3) (criminal intimidation).
The Dehradun Police confirmed the FIR and said that statutory legal proceedings will be carried out following a detailed investigation in accordance with the law.
No comments have been issued by Masoom Sharma or his representatives at this time.
Masoom Sharma is a leading Haryanvi singer and composer known for blending traditional folk with modern desi pop. He rose to fame with hits like 2 Numbari and Madam Ji.
(via inputs from ANI)
Fifteen South American people deported from the US arrive in DR Congo | Migration News
The deportees from South America are the first to be sent to the DRC in a deal agreed between Washington and Kinshasa
Published On 17 Apr 2026
Fifteen people who were deported from the United States have arrived in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
The deportees landed in the capital, Kinshasa, overnight Thursday to Friday as part of an agreement between the US and the DRC.
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“The first group, that includes seven women, is made up of nationals from Peru and Ecuador,” a diplomatic source told the Anadolu news agency.
An official at the DRC migration agency confirmed the arrivals but did not provide details, The Associated Press news agency reported.
US lawyer Alma David, who represents one of the deportees, said the deportees are all from Latin America, and the Congolese government plans to keep them in the country for a short period.
All the deportees are believed to have legal protection from US judges shielding them against being returned to their home countries, David told The AP.
The DRC Ministry of Communications announced earlier this month that it would temporarily accept migrants deported from the US.
It said that Washington would cover the costs involved, and that facilities had been prepared near Kinshasa to accommodate them.
The news agency Reuters has reported that the DRC was set to receive more than 30 deportees this week. Other migrants are expected to arrive in groups of about 50 a month, the AFP news agency has reported, citing sources, with the total number to be taken unknown.
The International Organization for Migration (IOM) said that the DRC asked the UN agency for humanitarian assistance with the migrants.
“In addition to offering assistance based on needs and specific assessments, IOM may also offer assisted voluntary return to those migrants who request it, in line with its mandate and applicable legal frameworks,” it told AFP.
Deportation deals
Other countries in Africa, including Ghana, Rwanda, South Sudan and Uganda, have also accepted migrants deported from the US.
The US policy has drawn criticism from rights groups over the legality of sending deportees to countries where they are not from and could face human rights violations.
In some cases, the deportees have been later sent back to their home countries despite receiving legal protection from US courts to prevent that from happening.
The Trump administration is thought to have spent at least $40m to deport about 300 migrants to third countries up to the end of January, according to a report compiled by Democrats on the US Senate Foreign Relations Committee. Countries have received lump sums ranging from $4.7m to $7.5m to receive deportees.
The AP has reported that 47 other third-country agreements are currently being negotiated with other nations.
Pravin Thipsay optimistic about D Gukesh`s domination over Javokhir Sindarov
Indian GM Pravin Thipsay believes D Gukesh can “crush” Uzbekistan’s Javokhir Sindarov when the two face off in the World Championship clash later this year, but only if he can recapture the form that catapulted him to the world title in 2024.
“Gukesh is a very strong player and he is almost unparalleled, compared to Sindarov. However, in 2025, we didn’t really see the best of Gukesh. It was disappointing to see such a perfect player in 2022, 2023, and 2024 make so many mistakes last year. But if he’s able to discover his form from earlier years, he will just crush Sindarov, who has a lot of weaknesses,” Thipsay told mid-day.
However, the 66-year-old advised Gukesh to be wary of Sindarov’s opening moves. “Sindarov’s opening preparation is very good, he tends to win a lot of his games in the opening phase whereas it is not in Gukesh’s nature to prepare well and win in the opening phase. So, it will be an interesting clash,” opined Thipsay, before adding that the Uzbek’s early advantage could be neutralised by Gukesh because “like [Russian GM Anatoly] Karpov, he [Gukesh] is one of the best players when it comes to defence.”
