More than 1.2 million people are estimated to have been displaced across Lebanon, including 820,000 from the south, according to figures by the UN Office for the Co-ordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA). It said the war in Lebanon has forced many to flee to areas further north or cross into Syria.
The much-anticipated film Ramayana, starring Ranbir Kapoor and Yash, is gearing up for a grand theatrical release, with new details about its timeline creating buzz among fans. The mythological epic, directed by Nitesh Tiwari, is one of the most ambitious projects in Indian cinema and is planned as a two-part saga.
During a recent interaction at CinemaCon 2026, Yash, who plays Ravana in the film, confirmed that Ramayana: Part 1 is expected to release in the last week of October 2026. This update aligns closely with earlier reports suggesting a festive release around Diwali, a period often reserved for major Bollywood blockbusters.
Yash mentioned, “Ramayana has a certain substance that stays with you for a long time.” He also got candid about the what intrigued him, “The very reason this story has endured for so long, and gone beyond boundaries, almost transcending cultures, where people truly own it, suggests there’s something deeply universal about it. And I feel that experiencing it on the big screen, with today’s technology, could make it feel even more immersive and unique for audiences, something they can truly take in and enjoy the way it’s meant to be seen.”
The film has been generating massive excitement due to its scale, star cast, and cutting-edge visual effects. Apart from Ranbir Kapoor as Lord Ram and Yash as Ravana, the film also stars Sai Pallavi as Sita. The project is backed by producer Namit Malhotra and is being mounted on an unprecedented budget, making it one of the most expensive Indian films ever made.
At CinemaCon, the makers showcased glimpses and promotional material, highlighting the film’s international appeal and high production value. Yash also hinted that while the film is on track for its planned release, the visual effects work is still ongoing, underscoring the effort being put into delivering a visually immersive experience.
The two-part adaptation is based on the ancient Indian epic Ramayana and aims to present the story on a global scale, combining traditional storytelling with modern cinematic techniques. The first part will set the stage for the larger narrative, with the sequel expected to follow in the subsequent year.
With its star-studded cast, massive budget, and global ambitions, Ramayana is already being positioned as a landmark film in Indian cinema. The confirmation of its late October release has only heightened anticipation, as audiences await what could be one of the biggest cinematic spectacles of 2026.
In another setback for Chennai Super Kings, fast bowler Khaleel Ahmed has been ruled out of the remainder of the IPL 2026 season owing to a quadriceps injury, which he incurred during the game against the Kolkata Knight Riders on Tuesday at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai.
The incident occurred in his final over of the match when Khaleel abruptly pulled out of his run-up before delivering the last ball, clutching his right leg in visible pain. He was soon forced to walk off the field.
“Khaleel Ahmed has been ruled out of IPL 2026 after sustaining a right quadricep injury in the game against KKR,” CSK confirmed on Thursday, wishing him a speedy recovery.
The left-arm pacer had been among CSK’s more consistent performers early in the season, featuring in all five matches and picking up two wickets at an economy rate of 8.67.
While the franchise did not disclose the severity of the injury, a report by PTI stated that Khaleel is likely to be sidelined for close to three months. “It is a grade 2 tear and the rehab will take at least 10–12 weeks,” an IPL source said.
Khaleel, who has played 11 ODIs and 18 T20Is for India, last featured for the national team in July 2024.
The setback comes just as CSK began to regain momentum in IPL 2026. After losing their first three matches to languish at the bottom of the table, the five-time champions bounced back with consecutive wins at Chepauk to climb to eighth place.
Injuries have been a recurring concern for CSK this season. Ahead of the campaign, both MS Dhoni and Dewald Brevis were sidelined with calf and side strain injuries respectively. While Brevis has since returned, Dhoni remains out with no confirmed timeline for his comeback.
CSK are also awaiting the arrival of Spencer Johnson, who was signed as a replacement for the injured Nathan Ellis. The Australian quick is recovering from a back injury and is expected to join the squad next week, having resumed bowling.
“I mean to have someone like him with his pace and great skills is important, but we’re not sure how much of a role he’ll play this year,” CSK bowling coach Eric Simons said. “But that’s fine, he’s a fantastic acquisition. He’s got some tremendous attributes.”
Over the last few years, one of the common complaints of viewers – when it comes to Hindi films and shows – is the lack of originality. Where are the writers creating new stories, original content? That is the question people ask when reading about the umpteenth remake or adaptation. The answer is: ‘in development’. As the industry grows more insular and corporate with each passing year, the writers have taken it upon themselves to seek out fresh talent to bring new voices to the table. And through a pitch fest, they are now allowing the best young writers in the country to get a foot inside the door in a guarded Bollywood.
The Screenwriters’ Association of India (SWA) began a Script Lab in 2021, which eventually developed into a Pitch Fest, allowing new writers to pitch their ideas and scripts to everyone from Karan Johar and Aditya Chopra’s production houses to streaming giants like Zee5 and SonyLIV.
The initiative began in August 2021 with the aim of doing a script lab and finding six mentors for the top six entries. This involved multiple rounds of reading scripts in a transparent process. But the sheer number of entries forced the SWA to go bigger. The SWA had anticipated 45-50 scripts, but the final number was over 600. Overwhelmed by the entries, 80 readers had to be hired. In 2025, the fifth year of the script lab and pitch fest, 1,479 entries were received.
Mitesh Shah, EC member and Chairperson, SWA Education Sub-Committee, informs, “We try to cull out the top 10%. Every entry goes through two readers in the first round, who don’t know who the writer is, using registration numbers to ensure no bias. Readers go through an orientation to know what to look for, and we average their grades.” Entries consist of a four-to-five-page story and the first ten pages of a screenplay. The idea is simple: in India, everybody has a story, but to be a writer, you must tell it well on paper.
Shah emphasises that they judge scripts purely on craft. “It doesn’t have to be commercial or esoteric; it just has to be a good story,” he adds.
Writers get about 45 to 50 days to send their initial entry. Once selected for the next round (the top 10-12%), they are asked for the entire screenplay, giving them another 40 to 50 days to write it. The organisers say that since this creates a deadline, even if the writers don’t make the final six, they end up with a finished script. A new set of readers then read the scripts from the shortlisted writers.
The top six writers get mentorship from four industry experts each—people like Vikramaditya Motwane, Shakun Batra, Alankrita Shrivastava, Smita Singh, and Sudeep Sharma. These mentors read the scripts and give two to three hours of feedback.
But the real deal is the Pitch Fest. The top 25 scripts from the lab undergo a month-long training program to learn how to pitch to producers. Writers learn how to pitch scripts, which is an art and science in itself. Shah describes it as a ‘speed dating-like’ event involving writers, producers, and streaming platforms. Experienced writers and filmmakers coach these finalists in how to pitch a script in 8-10 minutes. And then, at the pitch fest, 25 writers pitch to around 40 producers.
“Every 15 minutes, a bell rings, and they move to the next producer. This results in 1,000 meetings in two days. We get legacy houses like Dharma Productions and Yash Raj Films, talent agents, and broadcasters like Sony LIV and Zee5. Producers get to see curated talent that has been sifted through hundreds of entries, saving them months of work,” explains Shah. “The writers get to meet 40 top producers in two days, which even established writers don’t often do.”
Over the years, many winners and finalists from the pitch fest have found work in the entertainment industry. Many writers have landed entry-level jobs at production houses; others are working in writers’ rooms across OTT platforms like Netflix and Amazon Prime Video; and one is even directing her own film, backed by Shakun Batra. Writer-producer Biswapati Sarkar, who has hired four writers from the pitch fest, tells us, “It’s honestly the best platform to meet young writers. We’ve worked with at least four or five writers from the pitch fest; while a couple of projects didn’t reach production, we loved working with them, and most are still working with us today on different shows and films.” Biswapati has hired writers from the fest on hit shows like Maamla Legal Hai, as well as new projects.
Actor-writer Sindhu Sreenivasa Murthy went one step ahead. A former finalist, she has not only had her script picked up by a production house but is directing it herself. “I happened to come across this script lab that was happening remotely because of COVID. I thought, ‘What’s the harm in applying?’ I was new and hadn’t even made one film yet; I was just fresh out of a writing workshop with Satyanshu Singh. I had two scripts, and I didn’t know where to take them, so I applied to see what would happen. It ended up being one of the top six in the lab,” she recalls.
Her film, 13 Days, is ready for release later this year. “My producers are actually from Mumbai—Suitable Pictures. They just won a BAFTA for a film, and Shakun Batra is my executive producer. They are non-Kannadigas producing a Kannada film because they saw a good story. Language goes away once you see the story,” gushes Sindhu.
The SWA does not want to slow down, let alone stop. Their goal is to increase the scale while retaining the quality of writing pitched there. Biswapati Sarkar says, “I am very sure it will grow. I see this as India’s version of the Blacklist. In a few years, we will see a project picked up from the pitch fest become a very popular film or show,” he adds.
Experts say the surge in electronics exports represents an unexpected boost from the smartphone production-linked incentive scheme. (AI image)
In a big achievement for the government’s electronics component manufacturing scheme (ECMS), Apple’s India vendors have already exported a record $2.5 billion components to China. The development also signals a shift from the earlier pattern, where Chinese firms supplied parts to India for mobile phones and other electronic products.Industry estimates suggest India could reach $3.5 billion in electronics exports to China in FY26, with $2.8 billion already achieved by January. This marks a sharp rise from about $920 million in FY25, with exports being negligible in earlier years. Several Apple suppliers in India contributed to shipments to China, including Foxconn, Tata Electronics, Tata-owned Pegatron Technology India, Motherson, Salcomp, TRIL Bangalore and Yuzhan Technology,Several Apple suppliers in India contributed to shipments to China, including Foxconn, Tata Electronics, Tata-owned Pegatron Technology India, Motherson, Salcomp, TRIL Bangalore and Yuzhan Technology, according to an industry executive tracking the data.As data from other sectors becomes available, India’s overall exports to China are expected to exceed $18 billion, up from $14.25 billion in FY25. One person familiar with the matter told ET that this growth is largely driven by Apple-related shipments.Experts say the surge in electronics exports represents an unexpected boost from the smartphone production-linked incentive scheme and the electronics component manufacturing scheme, which have encouraged Apple to develop a strong domestic supply chain. This ecosystem has now reached a level of competitiveness that allows India to export parts and sub-assemblies back to China.An industry executive said this outcome was not anticipated when Apple first began shifting iPhone production from China to India in 2021.Under the smartphone production-linked incentive scheme over a five-year period, Apple manufactured iPhones worth $70 billion in India, with exports accounting for $51 billion, or nearly 73 percent of the total, largely destined for the United States. This has made iPhones the country’s top export item in the last fiscal year.The exported components span a wide range, including printed circuit board assemblies, mechanical parts, casings, flexible PCBAs and conductive graphite buttons used for functions such as volume and power. These shipments fall under three harmonised system of nomenclature codes and have picked up momentum since April 2025, the executive said.While the smartphone PLI scheme has already delivered strong results, largely driven by Apple’s local iPhone production, the electronics component manufacturing scheme is expected to achieve similar success in the components segment.Following its success in smartphone manufacturing, the government is now shifting its focus toward boosting domestic value addition, expanding component production and increasing exports under the electronics component manufacturing scheme. With the original smartphone production-linked incentive programme concluding in March, industry players have called for a second phase, or PLI 2.0, to maintain growth momentum.Together with a potential PLI 2.0 and the ongoing scheme for components, Indian firms could capture 30 to 35 percent of global mobile phone production and play a larger role in international electronics supply chains. China, which currently accounts for a significant share of India’s electronics imports, may also emerge as a key export market for Indian component makers.“India can eventually become a large exporter to China, whose cumulative imports of electronics exceeded $600 billion during CY25,” said an industry executive who tracks China’s trade data.
Actor Yash broke his silence about the criticism for Ramayana’s VFX after the teaser for Ranbir Kapoor’s Rama was dropped a few weeks ago. The teaser received love, but it also drew such criticism for its visuals that even Hrithik Roshan chimed in on. Yash has now opened up about it.
Yash was asked on Muse TV YouTube channel about what it’s like to shoot for a film like Ramayana, which requires a lot of VFX. The interviewer also mentioned that, to them, the VFX in the teaser looked photorealistic.
Yash seemed to address the criticism around it when he responded: “See, that’s where I think DNEG comes in. (laughs) Namit, who is my producing partner, comes in with that expertise. So, the photorealistic visuals what you’re talking…and it’s still a work in progress. I’m sure it will be even more better with the finished product. We’re really aiming at a product which is topnotch.”
For the unversed, DNEG is an Academy Award-winning British visual effects studio that has worked on films such as Inception, Interstellar, Ex Machina, Blade Runner 2049, First Man, Tenet, Dune, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 2 and Dune: Part Two.
After the teaser of Ramayana was released and received criticism, Hrithik chimed in with a note on how bad VFX exists. A portion of his note read: “Bad vfx is if the movie promises say ‘photorealism’ but is unable to inhabit it fully. Even a small lapse in physics/gravity can then destroy the entire illusion,” adding, “AND you can’t criticize the maker just cause he has chosen one style while you prefer another style. Thats not fair.”
Yash was also asked if he had seen a completed cut for Ramayana yet, and he said that he had seen a ‘decent version’ of it that they’re trying to improve. “We’re on it, but till the last minute we’ll try to better it. So, we’ve seen quite a decent version, we can say. But we’re on it. It’s exciting to put it together, believe in something and watch it on the big screen. At the end of the day, all producers and actors do it for themselves also,” said the actor.
Ramayana is produced by Namit Malhotra and Yash under Prime Focus Studios and Monster Mind Creations. It is directed by Nitesh and stars Ranbir Kapoor as Rama, Sai Pallavi as Sita and Yash as Ravana. Part 1 will be released in theatres for Diwali 2026 and Part 2 for Diwali 2027.
Chennai Super Kings pacer Khaleel Ahmed has been ruled out of IPL 2026 due to a quadriceps injury, dealing a blow to the franchise’s bowling attack. The left-arm seamer, who featured in all five matches for CSK this season, reported discomfort in his right hip during their clash against Kolkata Knight Riders on April 14. “It is a grade 2 tear and the rehab will take at least 10-12 weeks,” said an IPL source.Khaleel had been one of CSK’s more reliable performers in the early phase of IPL 2026. He picked up 2 wickets in 5 matches, with best figures of 1/24 and maintained an economy rate of 8.67, often operating with the new ball.Khaleel Ahmed has had a decade-long IPL journey, evolving from a raw Under-19 prospect into a seasoned left-arm pace specialist. Over 76 matches, he has taken 91 wickets at an average of 27.19, representing three major franchises – Delhi Capitals, Sunrisers Hyderabad and Chennai Super Kings. In 2023, he became the fastest Indian bowler to reach 50 IPL wickets and inn 2024, he was one of the most effective bowlers in the first six overs, taking 8 wickets at an economy of 8.87. Despite modest wicket returns, his role in providing early breakthroughs and control in the powerplay made him a key part of CSK’s bowling plans. The 27-year-old has represented India in 11 ODIs and 18 T20Is, with his last international appearance coming in July 2024.
In the loving memories of the late Asha Bhosle, her granddaughter, Zanai Bhosle, has been sharing emotional social media posts. Today, she dropped another post, expressing her gratitude towards everyone who has reached out to her online. She even remembered her grandmother’s words about life.
Zanai Bhosle took to her Instagram Story to share an image of a sunset and added an emotional caption to it. She wrote, “The sun rises & sets every day, and as my grandmother said, life must go on…” It further read, “Thank you, everyone, who has been reaching out online. It gives me solace to see the love for her, and my heart is with you all… take care.”Take a look at the post here.
Earlier, Zanai had shared a video with the late legend on her Instagram. In the clip, the music icon can be seen crooning ‘Dil Cheez Kya Hai’ while looking at Zanai, who is draped in a beautiful saree. Along with the post, she added a long note dedicated to Asha Bhosle. She wrote, “As I wake up this morning, I realise I have lost my partner in crime, my best friend, a person who completed my entire world and the first person to hold me when I was born. What do I do now? Who am I supposed to wake up and give a hug to in the morning and have chai with? Who’s going to be waiting for me every day when I come home, or who am I supposed to crack lame jokes with?”Her caption concluded with, “I have lost the love of my life, and there is no bigger grief in the world, so I urge you guys to live life to your fullest and celebrate her that way and celebrate her life!! I love you, Ashaai, and goodbye for now, my love. I know you are always going to be with me, no matter what; just waiting for you to come back to me and hug me once again. PS: This video is about a personal joke between us at every event we went to.“
Asha Bhosle took her last breath on April 12, 2026, at Mumbai’s Breach Candy Hospital. She passed away due to multiple organ failure. The legendary music icon was cremated at Mumbai’s Shivaji Park with full state honors.Several Bollywood celebrities and political personalities had attended the funeral, which took place on April 13, 2026.
In the IPL 2026 match against Lucknow Super Kings (LSG), Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) emerged victorious by five wickets at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru.
During the match, RCB`s stalwart Virat Kohli came in as an impact player. Facing 34 deliveries, the right-handed batsman scored 49 runs, with the help of six boundaries and a maximum.
Later, providing an update on his fitness, the right-handed batsman said he has still not gained 100 per cent. Kohli also said that he would have liked to continue batting and finish the game for his side.
“Much better than the last game. I`m still not 100 per cent. My knee was a bit sore in the last game. Even health-wise, I`ve been under the weather for four or five days now. So, just getting back up to my best. I started well today, so I was happy with my intensity. Again, would have liked to carry on and finish the game off. Sometimes you have to take the conditions into account as well. The pitch slowed down considerably, and I just wanted to keep going in the same manner. But yeah, in the end, should have probably finished that one off as well,” he said after the match.
Batting first, Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) were bowled out for 146 runs in 20 overs. Opening batsman Mitchell Marsh was the top scorer for the side. Facing 32 balls, the right-handed batsman scored 40 runs, including three boundaries and two maximums.
Wicketkeeper-batsman Mukul Choudhary scored 39 runs in 28 balls, with the help of three boundaries and two maximums. Ayush Badoni also garnered 38 runs off 24 balls, laced with four boundaries and a maximum.
RCB`s Rasikh Salam returned with the figures of four wickets for 24 runs in four overs. Bhuvneshwar Kumar claimed three wickets by conceding 27 runs in four overs. Krunal Pandya and Josh Hazlewood also bagged two and one wicket, respectively.
In the second essay of the game, Bengaluru chased the target by scoring 149 runs for the loss of five wickets in 15.1 overs. Kohli scored 49 runs, which provided a strong start to the side.
Skipper Rajat Patidar managed to register 27 runs in 13 balls, including a boundary and three maximums, whereas wicketkeeper-batsman Jitesh Sharma scored 23 runs in just nine balls, with the help of two boundaries and the same number of maximums.
LSG`s Prince Yadav claimed three wickets by giving away 32 runs in his spell of three overs. Avesh Khan bagged two wickets by leaking 23 runs in four overs.
(With ANI Inputs)
The attack is the latest in a string of killings by the United States that rights groups say are ‘unlawful’.
Published On 16 Apr 2026
The United States military says it has attacked a new vessel in the Eastern Pacific, killing three people it accuses of “narco-trafficking”.
The attack announced on Wednesday is the latest in dozens of such strikes carried out by the US military in recent months, a pattern rights groups have slammed as “extrajudicial killings”.
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US Southern Command said the latest vessel targeted was operated by unnamed “Designated Terrorist Organizations” who were “transiting along known narco-trafficking routes” in the region.
It shared a video of an air strike appearing to tear into the vessel, which burst into flames.
The US military said none of its forces was harmed in the operation.
The attack comes a day after the US military said another of its strikes in the eastern Pacific killed four people, while a separate strike on Monday in the region had killed two.
In total, US attacks on vessels accused of narco-trafficking have killed at least 178 people since September, when US President Donald Trump ordered the attacks to stop what the White House claims are Latin American cartels transporting drugs to the US.
Experts and human rights advocates, both in the US and globally, have questioned the legality of the strikes, some of which they say have targeted civilian fishing boats.
Human Rights Watch has said the strikes amount to “unlawful extrajudicial killings”, while the American Civil Liberties Union has cast the assertions by the Trump administration against those it targets as “unsubstantiated, fear-mongering claims”.
Legal experts have said that if some vessels were involved in drug trafficking, those on board should face the law, rather than deadly attacks.
“US officials cannot summarily kill people they accuse of smuggling drugs,” said Sarah Yager, Washington director at Human Rights Watch.
“The problem of narcotics entering the United States is not an armed conflict, and US officials cannot circumvent their human rights obligations by pretending otherwise.”
Critics have also questioned the effectiveness of the US military operation in part because the fentanyl behind many fatal overdoses in the US, which Trump has used to justify his campaign, is typically trafficked to the US over land from Mexico, where it is produced with chemicals imported from China and India.
