Iran’s deputy foreign minister says the US must choose between ‘war and ceasefire’.
Israeli strikes in Lebanon 'grave violation' of ceasefire, Iran minister tells BBC
Vinicius Junior’s sweet birthday wish for Virginia Fonseca!
Real Madrid’s Brazilian forward Vinicius Junior wrote a loving note to appreciate his girlfriend Virginia Fonseca as she turned 27 on April 6.
Vinicius, 25, Instagrammed a series of pictures with Fonseca, a Brazilian influencer and entrepreneur, to his 60 million followers. He captioned the post: “You deserve the best things in this world… Keep being that unique person: a wonderful mother, a top-notch businessman, and a woman who makes no effort to make everyone around her happy.”
Vinicius and Fonseca have been dating since October 2025. She is mother to two daughters and a son from Brazilian musician Ze Filipe.
Udne Ki Aasha actor Radhika Vidyasagar talks relatability and career choices
Radhika Vidyasagar, who essays Renuka Deshmukh in Udne Ki Aasha, has opened up about her journey on the show, the evolving television industry, and balancing work across Marathi and Hindi platforms.
Speaking about her experience, the actress shared that being part of the show has been deeply meaningful. “Being a part of Udne Ki Aasha has been extremely fulfilling for me as an actor. When a show connects with the audience so strongly, it becomes more than just work it becomes a shared journey. The love and appreciation we receive from viewers is overwhelming and very motivating.” She added that the role has allowed her to explore multiple dimensions. “Personally, I have enjoyed exploring the emotional layers of my character and working with such a talented cast and crew. Every day on set feels like we are building something meaningful together.”
Radhika Vidyasagar on Udne Ki Aasha
Reflecting on the industry, Radhika noted a gradual shift in how senior actors are perceived. “I believe the industry has changed a lot over the years. There are definitely conversations happening around fair compensation and recognition for senior actors. Experience and longevity bring a certain depth to performances, and that deserves respect.” She, however, emphasized that respect should remain constant. “However, I also feel things are slowly evolving, and many platforms today are acknowledging the value that senior actors bring to storytelling. Respect, ultimately, should be constant regardless of age or generation.”
On working across languages, the actress expressed a deep-rooted connection to Marathi. “Everyone has a deep connection with their mother tongue, and for me, that language is Marathi. It is the language I am most comfortable in. I think in Marathi and even dream in it, so there is no question about where my roots lie.” She clarified that she has never left regional work. “That said, the idea of me ‘going back’ to Marathi screens is not accurate. I have always worked in both Marathi and Hindi simultaneously.”
Discussing how she chooses projects, Radhika explained the realities of being a freelance actor. “As an actor, I choose projects based on what comes my way first and what feels right at that moment. There are several factors involved in making that decision, and when everything aligns, I take up the project. That is simply the nature of being a freelance actor.”
Gets candid about sustaining shows amid quick ends
Currently focused on her ongoing show, she revealed how it shapes her schedule. “At present, I am working on the show Udne Ki Aasha, which takes up most of my time, so my schedule is fully committed. However, that does not mean I have stepped away from Marathi work. I continue to take up smaller projects, short stories, and advertisements alongside.” She also highlighted the financial aspect of the profession. “Financial considerations also play an important role, as any project needs to be commercially viable. It is not always a matter of choice for actors to pick one industry over another; we take up the work that comes to us.”
She considers her base in Maharashtra a major advantage. “In fact, being based in Mumbai and Maharashtra is an advantage. We have the opportunity to work in both regional and Hindi industries, which gives us a wider scope. I consider myself fortunate to have that balance.”
Talking about her character, Radhika said the evolving emotional graph keeps her engaged. “The most exciting part for me has been the emotional journey of the character. She has gone through different phases strength, vulnerability, resilience and that gives an actor a lot to explore. I enjoy playing characters that evolve with the story because it keeps the performance dynamic and interesting. Every new arc is like rediscovering the character again.”
Finally, she credited the show’s success to its relatability. “I think the biggest strength of Udne Ki Aasha is its relatability. The story reflects real emotions, real struggles and real relationships that audiences see around them. When people see a part of their own lives in a show, they stay connected to it.” She concluded by acknowledging the team’s effort. “Apart from that, the dedication of the entire team from writers and directors to actors and technicians has played a huge role in keeping the show consistent and engaging.”
Shreyas Iyer’s sister faces online abuse after KKR vs PBKS match, deletes video
Punjab Kings captain Shreyas Iyer’s sister, Shresta Iyer, was subjected to online abuse after a video she posted following the IPL match between Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) and Punjab Kings (PBKS) went viral on social media.
In the viral video, Shresta spoke in Punjabi, saying, “Saade Punjabiyan da dil vadda hunda hai, lo de ditta ek point,” which translates to “Punjabis have a big heart. We have given you one point.” The clip was widely shared online, with many KKR fans taking issue with the sarcasting tone of the message.
As the reactions intensified, Shresta faced a wave of negative comments, including some threatening messages, prompting her to delete the video from her Instagram story.
“I’ve decided to take down my recent video as it seems it was misunderstood by some. It was meant to be light-hearted banter, but I respect that not everyone saw it that way,” she wrote.
“However, it’s been quite upsetting to receive not just negativity, but also a few threat messages over it. That’s something I didn’t expect, especially for something that was never intended to harm anyone.”
Shresta further clarified that her decision to remove the video was not an admission of wrongdoing, but a conscious choice to prevent further negativity.
“I’m not removing the video because I believe I did something wrong, but because I respect my brother and his team, and I don’t want this space to turn into one filled with negativity. Let’s try to be a little kinder and more understanding with each other,” she added.
The match between KKR and PBKS at Eden Gardens was abandoned due to rain, with both teams sharing a point. The result came as a setback for both sides in a tightly contested season, adding to the charged reactions around the game.
The episode once again highlights how quickly light-hearted fan banter can spiral in the IPL’s high-intensity environment, where even those on the fringes of the game often find themselves at the receiving end of disproportionate scrutiny.
IPL 2026 | IPL Schedule | IPL Points Table | IPL Player Stats | Purple Cap | Orange Cap | IPL Videos | Cricket News | Live Score
– Ends
Tom Holland calls The Odyssey an `absolute masterpiece`
Actor Tom Holland has opened up about his experience working with Matt Damon on filmmaker Christopher Nolan`s upcoming film The Odyssey, revealing that he received valuable advice from his co-star but will keep it private, according to People.
Damon, 55, and Holland portray the mythological Greek heroes Odysseus and his son, Telemachus, in Christopher Nolan`s new movie, an adaptation of Homer`s ancient Greek epic poem.
In an interview, Holland shared that working alongside Damon was a memorable experience, describing the veteran actor as a leader on set.
“He was a leader. This was a very tough movie and no one worked harder than Matt did,” Holland said, when asked if Damon gave him any “fatherly advice” while working together. “And he always came to set with a smile on his face and he was gracious and he was so kind to the crew. And I think he really set the tone for everyone as to how we were going to collectively make this film,” according to People.
“So there are words of wisdom that he`s given me that I`ll keep to myself, but there`s a lot that I learned from him from just being a spectator on set and watching the legend that is Matt Damon work,” Holland added.
Holland and Damon were first reported to be costarring in Nolan`s follow-up to 2023`s Oppenheimer in November 2024. Nolan and Universal Pictures revealed that he was adapting The Odyssey for the big screen in December of that year. The movie also features an all-star cast that includes Anne Hathaway, Zendaya, Lupita Nyong`o, Elliot Page, Mia Goth, Charlize Theron, Benny Safdie, John Leguizamo and Robert Pattinson, among others, according to People.
Reflecting on their time together, Holland noted that Damon`s work ethic stood out during the demanding shoot.
“He was a leader. This was a very tough movie, and no one worked harder than Matt did. He always came to set with a smile on his face and was gracious and kind to the crew,” Holland said, adding that Damon helped set the tone for the entire production.
While Holland chose not to reveal the specific advice he received, he acknowledged its importance. “There are words of wisdom that he`s given me that I`ll keep to myself, but there`s a lot that I learned from him just by watching,” he said, according to People.
“I can tell you that it is an absolute masterpiece, and I`m taking myself out of that equation,” Holland said when asked to detail his experience filming The Odyssey. “Chris Nolan`s movie is fantastic. It`s unlike anything that I`ve ever seen before. I think when I saw the movie, I found myself asking a question that I haven`t asked about a movie for a long time, which is, `How did you do that?` “
Praising Nolan`s vision, Holland described the film as “an absolute masterpiece,” adding that it offers a cinematic experience unlike anything he has seen before, according to People.
The Odyssey marks Holland`s first appearance on the big screen since 2022`s Uncharted. The movie debuts in theatres July 17, just two weeks before Holland`s fourth Spider-Man entry, Brand New Day, releases on July 31.
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
Tesla is working on a compact SUV, signalling revival of ‘affordable EV’ plans| Business News
Tesla Inc. is said to be working on an all-new smaller and cheaper electric car—a compact SUV—as the company led by the world’s richest person looks to regain the bragging rights of being the world’s No.1 EV maker.
The Austin, Texas-based company has contacted suppliers in recent weeks to discuss details of the plan for the Compact SUV, which would be a new vehicle and not a variant of Tesla’s current Model 3 or Y, four people aware of the development told Reuters. The conversations involved the manufacturing process and specifications for various components, they said.
Three of the people said the Compact SUV would be produced in China, and one said Tesla also aims to expand production to the United States and Europe. The car would be 4.28 metres in length, at least two people said. That’s significantly shorter than Tesla’s top-selling Model Y SUV, which is about 4.8 metres long.
The effort follows a decision by Chief Executive Officer Elon Musk to scrap a highly anticipated low-cost EV project in 2024 and pivot the company to focus on robotaxis and humanoid robots. A key question is whether this latest effort to develop a smaller SUV signals a strategy shift back to mass-market, human-driven EVs or whether the new model would align more with Tesla’s vision for fully autonomous vehicles.
Such a model could potentially serve both purposes, according to one of the people familiar with the new project and a Tesla employee with knowledge of its current product philosophy. The Tesla employee declined to confirm or deny details of any specific vehicle but said, in general, the automaker now aims to build models that would be driverless but offer a human-driven option.
While aiming for full autonomy across its lineup, the person said, Tesla realises many global markets won’t see meaningful adoption—nor regulatory acceptance—of driverless vehicles for years. Preserving the option to build a model with or without driving controls could enable more sales and help ensure Tesla can keep its car factories running near capacity, the person said.
As Tesla chases a driverless future, some analysts predict a third-straight year of declining sales for the traditional EVs that provide the vast majority of revenue. So far, Tesla operates a small number of robotaxis only in Austin many with human safety monitors in the passenger seat.
Tesla didn’t respond to requests for comment about plans for a new vehicle. The four people familiar with the project said it remained in an early development stage. Reuters could not determine whether Tesla has given the green light for the car’s production.
The automaker has a history of starting development on products that end up long delayed or canceled. Tesla showed off concept vehicles for a Roadster supercar and a freight truck in 2017, for instance, but still hasn’t produced the sports car or mass-produced the Semi.
Two of the sources said Tesla aims to offer the new vehicle at a substantially lower price than its entry-level Model 3 sedan, which starts at $34,000 in China and about $37,000 in the United States. They said Tesla planned to save costs in part by using a smaller battery, which would mean a shorter driving range compared with 306 to 327 miles for the Model Y.
One of the people added that the automaker would also offer a single electric motor instead of two, a performance option on current Tesla models. Tesla also wants to make the car much lighter, this person said, at about 1.5 metric tons compared with about two tons for the Model Y.
Three of the people said the new model would be produced at Tesla’s Shanghai factory. While the timing remained unclear, the car’s production is unlikely to begin this year, the people said.
Tesla’s start-stop history on affordable EVs
For years after Tesla started in 2008 producing luxury electric cars, Musk said the company’s real mission was to produce affordable, mass-market electric vehicles that would be critical to fighting the climate crisis. But start-and-stop efforts to deliver on that goal have so far fallen short.
Beginning in 2020, Musk said Tesla aimed to sell 20 million vehicles annually by the end of the decade, nearly double that of Toyota, the current global sales leader. A project Musk touted to produce a $25,000 EV, often called the “Model 2” by Tesla fans and investors, was expected to drive explosive vehicle-sales growth.
Then in 2024, Reuters reported that Tesla had abandoned plans for the Model 2, although it still planned a driverless robotaxi on the same platform. Tesla’s biggest EV rivals in China had already started producing much cheaper EVs. Later that year, Musk said it would be “pointless” and “silly” for Tesla to make a $25,000 EV for human drivers because the company would soon offer driverless vehicles.
A former Tesla manager said an all-new cheaper traditional car would represent a significant departure from the company’s philosophy through mid-2025. Until then, the manager said, Tesla had dropped the effort to mass-produce an entry-level car in favour of robotaxis as the key to lowering costs per mile for riders and the car owners charging them for trips.
After scrapping the Model 2, Musk and other Tesla executives described different plans for new, “more affordable” EVs in vague terms. When the vehicles arrived last fall, however, they were stripped-down versions of the current Model 3 and Y offered in new “standard” trim levels at only a modest discount.
US prices of $36,990 for the Model 3 Standard and $39,990 for the Model Y struck some investors as too high to attract a new class of buyers and haven’t yet made a significant difference in Tesla’s overall sales.
Is the driverless Cybercab on track?
Publicly, Musk and Tesla have continued to emphasise plans for robotaxis and humanoid robots, which has been effective in sustaining Tesla’s eye-popping stock-market value.
Tesla’s market capitalisation is about $1.3 trillion—far outpacing its financial fundamentals, even when compared with high-flying tech peers. Investors last year approved a compensation package granting Musk up to $1 trillion in Tesla stock tied to a series of product and financial goals.
The automaker now says it plans to start production this month of a two-door Cybercab robotaxi, first unveiled as a concept vehicle in 2024, with no pedals or steering wheel. But it remains unclear when the car will go on sale or see use in a Tesla-operated robotaxi fleet. The automaker hasn’t sought a federal exemption required to sell a vehicle with no steering wheel or pedals, a spokesperson for the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration said.
Asian Boxing Championships 2026: Indian women top medal charts
In the Asian Boxing Championships 2026, the Indian women`s contingent delivered a stupendous performance as they finished on top of the medal charts with a total of 10 medals.
The medal tally includes four gold, two silver, and four bronze medals, which highlights their dominance in the competition.
According to a release, under the guidance of head coach Santiago Nieva, each member of the women`s team has clinched a medal. This has stamped their authority in the continental tournament.
The Boxing Federation of India President, Ajay Singh, was present during the event. In his presence, Minakshi Hooda (48 kg) managed to clinch the first gold of the day with a dominating victory by 5-0 against Mongolia`s Nomundari Enkh-Amgalan.
On the other hand, Preeti Pawar (54kg) continued to ride on her exceptional run and defeated Chinese Taipei`s Huang Hsiao-wen, who is a three-time world champion and Tokyo 2020 Olympic bronze medallist. The Indian secured a scintillating victory by 5-0 and finished at the top of the event.
Priya (60kg) added to India`s gold tally with a clinical 3-0 win over North Korea`s Won Un-gyong in the final. Arundhati (70kg) also impressed, registering a 4-1 victory against Kazakhstan`s Bakyt Seidish to clinch gold in her category.
Later, India added two silver medals to the tally. Jaismine Lamboria (57 kg) ended the tournament as runner-up. Additionally, Alfiyan Pathan (80+ kg) also won a silver medal in her final bout.
Having confirmed 16 medals, the most of any nation involved in this edition, India will be looking to finish the tournament strongly on Friday, with two men`s boxers in finals action.
Asian Boxing Championships 2026: Men`s division`s previous match results
Earlier in the men`s division, Vishvanath Suresh (50 kg) delivered a strong show and secured a 5-0 win over Jordan`s Huthaifa Eshish to seal the final berth. Sachin Siwach (60 kg) also registered a 4-1 win against Thailand`s Sakda Ruamtham in the semi-final match.
In the other matches, Akash lost 1-4 to Uzbekistan`s Javokhir Abdurakhimov. Lokesh went down 0:5 against Jasurbek Yuldoshev of Uzbekistan. Narender suffered a 1-4 defeat to China`s Bayikewuzi Danabieke, with the bout being stopped in the first round due to a cut
(With ANI Inputs)
Arjun Kapoor`s cryptic post about ending leaves the internet worried
Bollywood actor Arjun Kapoor has been in the news after he was heavily trolled on the internet. The comments section on his social media had been flooded with negativity sometime back. Amid this, he recently shared an emotional post on his mother’s birth anniversary, where he spoke about how life has been “cruel” to him lately. And now, the actor has posted a cryptic message which has left fans worried about him.
Arjun Kapoor shares cryptic note
Arjun Kapoor took to his Instagram stories on Thursday to once again share a cryptic note about “accepting endings.” His vague post has left fans concerned about him.
Arjun shared a note on his Instagram stories that read, “Accept the ending, even if it didn’t end how you wanted it to.”
Netizens react
A Redditor later shared a screenshot of the post on the platform, where fans voiced their concern. One of the users wrote, “I just hope Arjun leaves this toxic showbiz as it’s been nothing but hate-filled for him, and focuses on something more off the limelight on his own.” Another fan commented, “There is a limit to trolling someone. A certain group of people take pride in trolling others while comfortably hiding behind their computer screens! You don’t like his acting, then don’t watch his movies. It’s as simple as that. He has experienced one of the most painful situations in his life.”
Another user came to his support, saying, “I sincerely hope he disables comments on his Insta or just deletes the account for good. It can’t be healthy to go through the incessant bullying every day.” Another comment read, “He is definitely not okay and the trolling is just adding insult to injury, but not being successful may be the main factor here.”
One user even wrote, “People on the internet really need to stop trolling him in the comments. God forbid he does something to himself. The same people will then be commenting on mental health.”
Meanwhile, soon after Arjun shared his earlier post about how life had been cruel to him lately, the comment section of the post was flooded with positive and supportive messages from fans.
Global energy crisis is ‘the mother of all crises’: Turkish energy minister | US-Israel war on Iran News
Turkiye’s energy minister says the crisis in the Strait of Hormuz, due to the United States and Israel’s war on Iran, indicates the importance of diversifying energy routes and will force the world to move towards forming a new energy structure.
Turkish Energy and Natural Resources Minister Alparslan Bayraktar, in an exclusive interview with Al Jazeera Arabic, discussed the effects of the crisis caused by Iran’s retaliatory blocking of the strait, calling the current global energy crisis “the mother of all crises”.
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Bayraktar argued that thanks to Turkiye’s extensive investments in energy and infrastructure, its geographical location between Asia and Europe, and the presence of oil and natural gas reserves in its region, it has become a pivotal country in the region in the field of energy, especially as it harbours two key pipelines, the “Blue Stream” and the “TurkStream”.
The minister also suggested Ankara is well-suited to weather the crisis, as it has sufficient strategic energy reserves, with gas storage facilities that are 72 percent full, compared with Europe’s at just 28 percent.
But Bayraktar said that the rising cost of oil and gas still burdens the state budget, as an increase in the price of a barrel of oil by $1 costs Ankara about $400m.
The following is a transcript of Al Jazeera’s interview with the Turkish minister discussing the global energy crisis. It has been edited for length and clarity:
Al Jazeera: The entire world has been suffering as a result of the tensions in the Gulf region and the Strait of Hormuz since February 28. How do you see the current situation with regard to energy supplies and security?
Bayraktar: We are going through what we might call the “mother of all crises”. The world has witnessed many oil crises in the past 50 years, such as the post-COVID-19 crisis and following the Ukrainian-Russian war, but this crisis seems to be the biggest of them all. Despite this, I would argue that the world has become immune to such crises. Looking back at the past 20 years, it seems that crises have become the new normal.
The current situation is as follows: the world needs 103 million barrels of oil per day, but supply is currently limited due to the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, the world’s most important oil transit route. There is a deficit of approximately 20 million barrels, and the world is searching for a solution.
With the ceasefire beginning today [Wednesday], our hope for an improvement in the situation has increased, as oil prices have begun to fall, and the situation is expected to improve further with the resumption of navigation in the strait. Our hope is to reach a lasting peace.
AJ: How might this crisis bring about a change in the energy supply map?
Bayraktar: The epicentre of the crisis is the Strait of Hormuz, and there are two things I would like to draw attention to in this area.
The first is the extremely important pipeline in Saudi Arabia that transports its oil from east to west. Thanks to it, the kingdom can transport a large part of its oil to the Red Sea and from there to global markets.
The second is the pipeline in the United Arab Emirates, which transports 1.8 million barrels of oil to the port of Fujairah.
Imagine what the situation would be like if these pipelines didn’t exist? I say this because diversification is more important than ever – without it, the world would have faced an even more devastating crisis. The important lesson we learn is that the crisis is forcing us to move towards a new energy architecture.
AJ: How do you see the current shock spreading, its speed, and its impact? Will it get worse?
Bayraktar: I hope the crisis does not get worse, and at the moment, everyone expects it to stop at some point, and the ceasefire has also reinforced this expectation.
The crisis is also reflected differently in the East and the West. In the West, an impact on prices is currently observed, while in the East, there are also problems with supply, meaning that there are problems with both supplies and prices.
The world is now beginning to feel the economic impact of the crisis. While there doesn’t seem to be a supply problem in the West at the moment, rising prices have affected everyone.
If you wanted to buy a shipment for physical delivery today, you would have to pay $140 per barrel, and this price could rise even further to $200. This is, of course, the worst-case scenario.
In such a scenario, the global economy could enter another recession, with national economies contracting and inflation soaring. Unfortunately, the end of this situation could be devastating for the entire world. Therefore, everyone desires an end to this situation as quickly as possible, and we hope that the ceasefire will lead to lasting peace.
AJ: Can it be said that Turkiye is rapidly progressing towards becoming an alternative energy corridor? And do you think it is strengthening its goal of becoming an energy hub?
Bayraktar: I would like to begin by pointing out that energy security encompasses three aspects: security of supply, security of demand, and security of transport. What do I mean by this? In a country like Turkiye, which, like Europe, relies on external energy sources, security of supply is a fundamental issue. For countries like Saudi Arabia, Qatar and the UAE, the priority is security of demand.
For example, this issue came to the fore during the coronavirus pandemic, when some countries announced that they would not buy oil, and the security of demand became vital to them.
Now, a very important issue arises concerning energy security. There is demand and there is supply, but is there security in transportation? The Strait of Hormuz is closed, and therefore, there is no transportation.
Countries like Saudi Arabia, Qatar and the UAE say, “We produce and supplies are ready,” while buyers in Asia wait, saying, “Send the gas,” but the supplies cannot leave the Strait of Hormuz. My point is that all dimensions of energy security are critically important.
In Turkiye, we have been making massive infrastructure investments for many years, including pipelines, storage facilities and diversification strategies. Our primary goal is to ensure energy security in our country, which has a population of 86 million and 34 million vehicles, all of which need electricity. Therefore, our investments are primarily directed towards meeting these needs.
Furthermore, thanks to these investments, our geographic location and the presence of world-class oil and natural gas reserves in our region, we have become a pivotal country in the region. We have two major pipelines, Blue Stream and TurkStream, coming from Russia, through which we receive natural gas. We also have two gas entry points into Turkiye, one from Azerbaijan and the other from Iran.
We have also established natural gas storage facilities in numerous locations, increased the capacity of our pipelines connecting to Europe, and recently begun supplying Syria with gas through the Kilis region. Thanks to our integrated partnerships, we have invested heavily with our neighbours in electricity, natural gas, and oil infrastructure.
Thanks to this infrastructure, around 80 billion cubic metres of natural gas can now be transported to Turkiye by sea or via pipelines.
We have an absorption capacity that exceeds our domestic consumption, and this surplus gives us the opportunity to sell it to our neighbours, and then to the whole of Europe via Bulgaria and Greece. Since this region is in dire need of gas, this situation automatically puts us in a central position in the energy system.
AJ: In light of this crisis, what are your proposals for the region?
Bayraktar: In light of this crisis, we emphasise to the region the need to formulate a new structure for the energy system. There must be new supply lines that are technically and commercially viable.
We have three proposals.
One, transporting Turkmen gas [from Turkmenistan] across the Caspian Sea to Turkiye and Europe is a proposal we have been discussing for years and an indispensable project.
Two, extending the [Iraq-Turkiye] oil pipeline to reach Basra, which is of vital importance to Turkiye, Iraq and global markets as well.
And third, the construction of a natural gas pipeline from Qatar to Turkiye, passing through Saudi Arabia, Jordan and Syria, is a huge, extremely necessary and technically and commercially viable project.
The most important thing the world and the region must do is diversify their energy infrastructure, and we need to implement various infrastructure projects. These are proposals for important projects that will alleviate the energy crisis we are currently experiencing globally.
AJ: How has Turkiye’s economy been affected by the recent energy crisis?
Bayraktar: An increase in the price of a barrel of oil by $1 costs us about $400m, and this means that the financial burden is very large, as we are a large country with huge consumption.
Financially speaking, if oil prices stabilise this year at an average of around $100, the additional cost of oil and fuel to us will likely be at least between $13bn and $14bn.
As for natural gas, the cost could reach between $7bn and $10bn. We are talking about an issue that will place an additional burden on Turkiye.
Currently, we do not see any risks in the short and medium term based on the current situation, but we do not know how long this situation will last or whether there will be different developments or further reductions in supply.
We believe that if the current ceasefire turns into a lasting peace and prices return to reasonable levels, the impact will be limited.
AJ: Do you have sufficient strategic reserves? And what is your emergency plan?
Bayraktar: For natural gas, our storage facilities are 72 percent full, compared with only 28 percent in Europe. We are continuing to fill them, taking into account both the security of supply and the cost and economic impact of pricing.
As for crude oil storage facilities, more than 50 percent are currently full. Only about 10 percent of our oil needs pass through the Strait of Hormuz, a manageable percentage.
Rashid Khan prioritises white-ball cricket amid concerns over Test workload
Rashid Khan started his professional career at just 17 and has since become one of the finest spinners in modern cricket. However, the demanding schedule of the game, especially with the rise of franchise cricket, has forced him to rethink his priorities to sustain a longer career. His concern around fitness comes after the lower back injury he picked up during the 2023 ODI World Cup.
Since then, Rashid has reduced his appearances in red-ball cricket to prolong his career for Afghanistan. Having made his Test debut in 2018 against India, his only Test appearance in 2025 came in Bulawayo against Zimbabwe, where he guided his team to a historic win with career-best figure of 11 wickets.
“I bowled 67 [55] overs, which was crazy. The doctor told me like, ‘if you don’t want to play cricket, you keep playing the red-ball cricket’ because it’s not going to support you. You won’t be [there] for longer to play for Afghanistan and I still went and I still played and when he knew I bowled 67 [55] overs in one innings, in two innings, he was shocked. He was ‘no, you can’t do that to yourself’. I will think about that,” added Rashid, who played in Bulawayo against the doctor’s advice.
At just 27, Rashid has already played a significant amount of cricket despite the 2023 setback, featuring in over 230 matches for his country since his debut in white-ball formats. He also led Afghanistan in the T20 World Cup 2026 held in India & Sri Lanka, where they faced an early group-stage exit.
World Cups and tournaments for Afghanistan Rashid’s focus
Currently representing Gujarat Titans in the ongoing Indian Premier League, he is unlike to feature for Afghanistan in a one-off test against India in June 2026, as he shifts focus towards the 2027 ODI World Cup.
“I’ve already played one before. So I will just take it easy. Get myself ready for the [2027 ODI] World Cup. Imagine something happens to my back in that Test match. I can’t play 100 Test matches. If you’re playing one Test in a year, I can’t play for 100 years. And there is no target in Test cricket,” said Rashid.
“ODIs, yes, I enjoy. And I’m in a good shape to play ODI for a longer period of time for Afghanistan, but just to be careful with how many I play and not to put too much load on myself, to be careful if I want to play for a longer period of time. But especially, red-ball is something which looks a bit difficult for me to keep it. Yes, one Test in a year, I will take that. But I don’t think so more than that I can play. I will try. I can play but [only] if I bowl a spell of 20-25 overs. But then I have to bowl the whole day if I’m in a team. Last two Test matches if you take, I bowled 167 [154.2] overs which is I think too much,”
Rashid currently ranks No.1 in Men’s ODI Bowling. He boasts 210 wickets, having played just 117 matches since his debut against Zimbabwe in 2015, with best figures of 7/18 against West Indies. With his experience in global tournaments and a clear shift towards white-ball cricket, his presence could prove crucial for Afghanistan as they aim to make a much stronger impact in the upcoming World Cup edition.
