Philippine President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr fought rumours of his ill-health with a set of impromptu star jumps on 13 April.
He challenged naysayers to “come and exercise with me” if they doubted his fitness.
The president was diagnosed with diverticulitis, an abdominal ailment, in late January and briefly put on a strict soup-based diet, causing significant weight-loss at that time.
Lahore, Pakistan’s media watchdog has issued a show-cause notice to a leading news channel for running “Indian content” while broadcasting the news about the death of legendary singer Asha Bhosle.
A ban on Indian content in Pakistan has been in place since 2018.
The Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority issued the show-cause notice to GeoNews on Monday seeking an explanation as to why it aired Indian content along with the news of Bhosle’s death.
The leading news channel is considered close to the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz government and the military establishment.
Bhosle passed away on Sunday due to multi-organ failure. She was 92.
“It has always been customary to revisit and celebrate the work of iconic artists when reporting on them. In fact, for an artist of Asha Bhosle’s stature, we should have shared even more of her timeless and memorable songs than we did. Yet, Pakistan’s electronic media regulator, PEMRA, has chosen to restrict this,” Azhar Abbas, the Managing Director of GeoNews, said in a post on X.
Abbas said that art, like knowledge, is a shared heritage of humanity, and it should not be confined by borders.
“Asha Bhosle herself admired Pakistan’s legendary singer Noor Jahan, whom she fondly called her “elder sister.” She collaborated with Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan and brought to life the poetry of great Urdu poets like Nasir Kazmi.
“In times of war and conflict, art and artists should not become casualties. Intellectuals, musicians, and creators are often the very voices that stand against hatred and division, and the ones who bring people closer together,” he added.
The PEMRA said GeoNews broadcast of Indian songs and visuals from Indian films while airing news of Bhosle’s death is a wilful defiance of the judgment of the Supreme Court of Pakistan that banned the airing of Indian content.
In the notice, it said that GeoNews violated Rule 15 of the PEMRA Rules, 2009, Regulation 18 1 of the PEMRA Regulations 2012, and Clause 4, 5, 17, 20 and 24 of the Electronic Media Code of Conduct 2015.
The CEO of M/s Independent Media Corporation has been summoned on April 27 and directed to explain in writing within 14 days as to why legal action, including inter alia imposition of fine, suspension and revocation of licence under Section 26, Section 29A and other enabling provisions of PEMRA Ordinance, 2002 as amended by PEMRA Act, 2023 should not be initiated.
Pakistan People’s Party Senator Sherry Rehman lambasted PEMRA, saying, “Please, let’s not lose all perspective here, PEMRA and start policing cultural transitions.”
This article was generated from an automated news agency feed without modifications to text.
She doesn’t have a godfather in the industry, but she has weathered its ups and downs through sheer grit and perseverance. Harshita Gaur confesses that “there was a time when I was depressed, but back then, in 2017, mental health was not openly discussed”. It took time to come to terms with it, but the actor has now found her footing and is on a high. Her next project is Mirzapur: The Movie, starring Pankaj Tripathi, Ali Fazal, Divyenndu, Jitendra Kumar, Shriya Pilgaonkar, and Rasika Dugal. It marks the first Indian series to be adapted into a film. In conversation with mid-day, Gaur reflects on how her character Dimpy Pandit has evolved, the anticipation of watching herself on the big screen, and shooting in Mirzapur.
Excerpts from the interview:
What do you feel when you look back at your career?
That can encapsulate a lot of things. I’m very grateful for whatever steps that I have taken till now. To be an actor, I left my city without knowing anyone or anything. I see this journey as something that evolved for me as a better human being. I feel regrets get you nothing. I don’t regret doing anything that came my way. I’ve only had learning on this journey.
Shweta Tripathi Sharma, Harshita Gaur, and Shriya Pilgaonkar on the set; (right) The team of ‘Mirzapur: The Movie’
You’ve played Dimpy Pandit for nine years. What does taking her story to the big screen feel like? Did you imagine the series would ever become this big?
No, this was not on anyone’s mind when we started at all. We just wanted to make a good project. And by God’s grace we reached here. Now, scaling up to 70mm, of course, it’s going to be big in terms of experience because from your mobile and TV screens, it’s suddenly gone to the cinemas. I feel with this you could actually experience it [more closely]. We’ve not had any show converting into a film in the middle of the series, so, I am more excited to watch Mirzapur on the 70mm as the audience.
The film was also shot in Mirzapur. Did that help you understand and perform the role better?
A lot of these places where we shot offer that small-town feel. The moment you move to Varanasi or Mirzapur, that helps way more than maybe shooting in Mumbai for something like this. But, for an actor, it’s ultimately about the imagery in your mind.
There is speculation that the film is a prequel to the series. Is that true?
This is something very interesting, though I probably shouldn’t say anything. You will know about it in a month or so. [But] it’s not a prequel.
How has Dimpy evolved in the film?
I have done something different, which when I started out as Dimpy [in 2018], she would have not thought of doing. But obviously, I can’t share more details on it. Let the trailer come, all your questions will be answered.
You’ve also ventured into production this year with your first short film, Rang De, based on Holi. What sparked that inspiration?
I’ve grown up on stories. I didn’t know the starting steps. I am taking it slow. Because Rang De got a lot of love, it motivated me to do more. I know the kind of stories I want to bring to audience. I want to create a space where my stories don’t force you to feel. [It should be a] place where the audience can breathe with the story. That’s what is in my head right now. Let’s see where it goes.
13
Number of years in the industry
Harshita Gaur says that “direction requires a different skill set.” For now, the actor has written a few stories. “My next step is to try and make those. I am still building my thoughts towards it. I want to travel with my stories,” she says.
Planning a bank visit this week? You might want to check your city’s bank holiday list first! Bank holidays in India often vary from state to state, depending on the event, occasion and regional festivals. With no single uniform calendar followed across the country, your bank trip might be wasted in case the day turns out to be a holiday.Today, on April 14, 2026, banks will remain closed across most parts of the country for on the occasion of Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar Jayanti, Maha Vishuva Sankranti, Biju, Buisu Festival, Tamil New Year’s Day, Bohag Bihu, Cheiraoba, and Baisakhi.
Though banks in most states will remain shut, branches in Nagaland, Chhattisgarh, Meghalaya will remain open.
April 15, 2026: Banks in Tripura, Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, Kerala, West Bengal, Himachal Pradesh will remain closed due to occasions including Bengali New Year’s Day (Nababarsha), Bohag Bihu, Vishu, and Himachal Day. April 16, 2026: Banks in the state of Assam will remain closed due to Bohag Bihu.April 20, 2026: Karnataka will observe a bank holiday on April 20 for Basava Jayanti and Akshaya TritiyaApril 21, 2026: Tripura will see bank closures due to Garia Puja.In addition to these scheduled holidays, banks across the country remain shut on all Sundays and on the second and fourth Saturdays of each month as part of standard practice.With multiple closures lined up, customers planning branch visits may need to adjust their schedules. Services that require in-person processing, such as large cash deposits and cheque-related work will not be available on these days.Despite this, digital banking channels will continue to operate as usual. Customers can carry out transactions, including fund transfers and bill payments, through online banking services, mobile apps, ATMs, and UPI. However, services dependent on branch processing, such as cheque clearances, demand draft issuance, and high-value cash transactions, will not be available during the holiday period.
Rapper Kanye West may be perpetually surrounded with controversies but his value continues to soar. The rapper has seen the value of his early artwork surge to an estimated USD 3.1 million.
The 48-year-old rapper created the drawings and paintings as a teenager while studying at Polaris School in Chicago, and they were first brought to wider attention when they were made public in 2021, reports ‘Female First UK’.
At the time, the works were valued between USD 16,000 and USD 23,000. They were later acquired by Washington DC-based entrepreneur and collector Vinoda Basnayake, whose purchase price remains undisclosed due to a non-disclosure agreement. Vinoda has now claimed the works are worth USD 3.1 million after having them reappraised under the Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal Practice in late 2025.
As per ‘Female First UK’, the collection includes five works, among them a circa 1995 drawing of Kanye’s mother, Donda West, who died aged 58, now valued at USD 335,000. Vinoda has now said the original television valuation underestimated the significance of the works.
He told Page Six it “materially missed the bigger picture” because “they approached the work as typical celebrity art, which on its own doesn’t usually command major value”.
He added “the pieces should instead be contextualised as the opening chapter in the creative journey of Kanye West”, who he hailed as “someone who went on to become one of the best-selling producers, musical artists, and fashion designers of an entire generation”.
Interest in the collection has grown following coverage online and on social media, including by rap-focused outlet Bars, prompting Vinoda to speak publicly about the valuation. Kanye’s broader public profile has remained contentious after his series of antisemitic outbursts online led to his brand deals collapsing and the rapper being “cancelled”.
Huge events linked to Kanye have also faced disruption. Most recently, the Wireless Festival in London was cancelled after brands withdrew over his involvement as a headliner, and he was refused permission to enter England by the government.
This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever
In the lead-up to every match the Chennai Super Kings play, whether they have just lost again or bucked the trend, one question dominates: Is Thala fully fit and will he play? Mahendra Singh Dhoni, the wicketkeeper-batsman, is not missed, because it has been a while since the 44-year-old has been the kind of force that makes him an automatic selection.
And yet, the question with no answer is asked because most CSK fans cannot imagine their team without Dhoni. When the IPL came into being, the unlikeliest of adoptions happened.
In 2008, Dhoni was the best thing going in Indian cricket, and he had the rest of his playing career ahead of him to grow from strength to strength. The long hair, the motorbikes, and the legend of milk-guzzling made him 100 per cent marketable.
But what were the odds that a loyal son of Jharkhand would become the icon of cricket in Tamil Nadu, a conservative state steeped in tradition? It happened at once and slowly: Dhoni was welcomed and then made their own by CSK fans.
CSK assembling strong teams, sticking with the core and consistently making it to the Playoffs, on top of five titles — joint-highest with Mumbai Indians — ensured that even a two-year suspension (2016 and 2017) from the league did not dampen fans’ enthusiasm. Even the fact that Tamil Nadu’s cricketers never quite formed the backbone of the Chennai-based team, who take on Kolkata Knight Riders in Chepauk today, was overlooked.
But, in the last few years, something has changed. When Dhoni announced his retirement from international cricket via an Instagram post in 2020, there was shock and uncertainty. And the firm conviction that he would still turn out for CSK as long as it was viable.
Dhoni’s case is unique in that he brings enough to the table as a tactician and senior pro to warrant a place in the XI despite diminishing personal returns, and his value to the franchise is immense beyond results on the field. To that end, it’s difficult to see a serious push from any quarter for him to be removed or step down.
This was partly because the team’s identity was so closely tied to Dhoni. It was not that fans did not realise that all good things had to come to an end. It was that they were not given a glimpse into an acceptable future.
That changed when Sanju Samson announced his arrival with a crisp 115. Sanju is another salt-of-the-earth cricketer, a pre-approved outsider with the mannerisms and blessings of Rajinikanth. Chennai fans will breathe easier now, and so will Dhoni, knowing that the future of the franchise is in safe hands.
100
No. of times MS Dhoni has stayed unbeaten in the IPL — the most by any player
243.22
MS Dhoni’s strike-rate in the final over of the IPL; the wicketkeeper-batter has amassed 844 off 347 balls
72
No. of sixes smashed by MS Dhoni in the final over of the IPL — the most by any player
201
No. of dismissals effected by MS Dhoni behind the stumps in the IPL (154 catches & 47 stumpings) — the most by a wicketkeeper
5439
No. of runs scored by MS Dhoni in 278 IPL games — the most by a ’keeper-batter
Asha Bhosle passed away on April 12 following multi-organ failure. As soon as the news of the legendary singer’s demise broke, many Bollywood personalities paid tribute to her legacy. The funeral procession, which took place on April 13, saw Bollywood personalities like Aamir Khan, Tabu, Jackie Shroff, Vicky Kaushal, and others pay their last respects. Overwhelmed by the love and respect the singer received, her granddaughter Zanai Bhosle penned an emotional note.
Legendary singer Asha Bhosle’s granddaughter, Zanai Bhosle, took to her social media account to express gratitude for the love and respect shown to her late grandmother. Zanai wrote, “So overwhelmed with emotions. I’ll write something when I can, but I have to say that there were so many people who respected her, honoured her today and beyond, and showed her so much love.”
She added, “I thank you from the bottom of my heart. She deserved every bit of it. I realise that she lives on in every one of us, in our hearts forever, and she has seen it all from above. RIP, legend. #asha tai.”
Alongside the caption, Zanai shared a picture from the funeral procession of Asha Bhosle. In the picture, Asha Bhosle’s mortal remains can be seen draped in the Indian tricolour and placed on a bier decorated with flowers.
The legend was admitted to the hospital on April 11 due to severe exhaustion and a chest infection. Later, her family confirmed that she had passed away. The legendary singer, who was 92 years old at the time of her passing, had been a part of the entertainment industry for 83 years. She was cremated with full state honours on Monday at the Shivaji Park Crematorium in Mumbai.
Asha Bhosle is widely regarded as one of the most versatile voices in Indian music. Her songs covered many styles, including classical, ghazals, cabaret numbers, and pop music. She also holds a Guinness World Record for the most studio recordings.
Bhosle carved a distinct identity for herself in the music industry. Her demise marks the end of an era in Indian music, leaving behind an unparalleled legacy that will continue to inspire generations.
HYDERABAD: It was a tale of two debutants and how they consigned Rajasthan Royals to their first defeat in IPL-2026 on Monday.Praful Hinge (4/34) from Vidarbha and Sakib Hussain (4/24) of Bihar, the former 24 and the latter 21, couldn’t have asked for a better start to their IPL careers. Steaming in and hitting the hard lengths was all they did as Rajasthan Royals committed hara-kiri. The poise with which they overhauled RCB’s 201/8 a few days ago was clearly missing and poor shot selection added to their woes in the 57-run defeat.Hinge, one of the two changes SRH made, struck with the second, fourth and sixth deliveries of the first over to break the back of the visiting side. It seemed the Royals lacked the stomach to fight after Vaibhav Sooryavanshi top-edged an intended pull into the hands of wicketkeeper Salil Arora off the first ball he faced. Dhruv Jurel lasted one delivery and so did debutant Lhuan-dre Pretorius.Yashasvi Jaiswal steered ‘Impact Player’ Hussain — who came in for Travis Head — straight to Nitish Reddy at third man and when skipper Riyan Parag succumbed to Hinge, the Royals had lost half their side for a paltry nine runs in the third over.Despite a spirited attempt by Donovan Ferreira (69; 44b, 7×4, 3×6) and Ravindra Jadeja (45; 32b, 5×4) and their 118-run (72b) partnership for the sixth wicket, the Royals, who finished at 159, needed 146 from the last 10 and 89 from the last five.Sunrisers Hyderabad’s total of 216/6, thanks in the main to Ishan Kishan, proved beyond them on a shirtfront used for the first time at the Rajiv Gandhi International stadium. Kishan (91; 44b, 8×4, 6×6) may have lost his fifth successive toss but the diminutive SRH skipper hardly put a foot wrong on the day.The Royals’ joy of Jofra Archer dismissing Abhishek Sharma for his seventh duck with the first delivery of the match was shortlived as Kishan stepped up to undo the early damage.
Latest attack brings death toll from US strikes on vessels in the Pacific and Caribbean to at least 170 since September.
Published On 14 Apr 2026
The United States military has carried out another attack on a vessel in the eastern Pacific, killing two people, in the latest deadly strike by US forces on boats that Washington alleges have links to Latin American drug trafficking cartels.
US Southern Command (SOUTHCOM), which is responsible for Washington’s military operations in Latin America and the Caribbean, confirmed the attack in a post on social media late on Monday, claiming to have killed two “male narco-terrorists”, without providing any evidence.
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SOUTHCOM claimed that, based on intelligence reports, the boat was “transiting along known narco-trafficking routes in the Eastern Pacific” and was targeted with “a lethal kinetic strike” on the orders of US Commander General Francis L Donovan.
A grainy video clip released with the statement shows a stationary boat with outboard engines and what appear to be floats from fishing nets nearby. The boat comes under attack from the air and explodes into flames.
The attack marked the second day in a row that SOUTHCOM announced a deadly strike on boats in the Pacific. On Sunday, the US military said it blew up two boats in the eastern Pacific a day earlier, killing five people and leaving one survivor. It was not immediately clear what happened to the person who survived the attack, though SOUTHCOM said the US coastguard was notified.
With the attack on Monday, the US military has now killed at least 170 people in dozens of strikes on vessels in the eastern Pacific and Caribbean Ocean since September.
International law experts, human rights groups and regional governments have accused the administration of US President Donald Trump of carrying out extrajudicial killings in international waters, which have likely targeted civilians, often fishing crews, who do not pose an immediate threat to the US.
The Trump administration claims that such attacks are part of its war on drug trafficking cartels in Latin America, but has provided no solid evidence that any of the vessels targeted since last year have been involved in drug trafficking.
The musical icon and legendary playback singer Asha Bhosle passed away at the age of 92. Her last rites were performed with state honours on Monday at Shivaji Park, Mumbai. Celebrities from across the globe have been paying tribute to her through social media. John Cena, a former WWE star and now a Hollywood actor, also took to his social media handle to pay final respects. His tribute touched hearts and earned praise from netizens. Hollywood and Bollywood icon Priyanka Chopra also commented on John Cena’s post dedicated to Asha Bhosle.
John Cena didn’t use any caption; perhaps he was so overwhelmed after hearing the news that he felt words wouldn’t do justice. He simply shared a very beautiful picture of the late artist Asha Bhosle singing at an event. In the pictures, she was seen dressed in a surreal white saree, with her iconic gajra in her hair, a red bindi on her forehead, and a million-dollar smile. The post went viral in no time, attracting comments left and right. Priyanka Chopra also reacted to the post. She posted a fire and heart emoticon, followed by the term ‘Queen’ to describe the late legendary singer.
Asha Bhosle took Indian music to a global scale. Her fame was not restricted to any boundaries, and John Cena’s post is proof of the same. Yet the internet was happily shocked to see John’s tribute. “Thank you @johncena for acknowledging this legend,” wrote a netizen. “It feels great when a legend notices another legend,” commented another. “This is the reason why we call him a 🐐 goat,” penned another internet user, appreciating John Cena’s tribute post for Asha Bhosle.John’s post is yet another proof of how Asha Bhosle, through her craft, touched millions of hearts and lives across the globe.
