The satellite, known as TEE-01B, was developed and launched by the Chinese firm Earth Eye Company before being taken over by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps' Aerospace Force.

Earth Eye Company operates under a relatively obscure export model known as "in-orbit delivery," whereby spacecraft launched in China are transferred to overseas buyers only after they have successfully reached orbit.

According to the report, Iranian commanders tasked it with keeping watch on key American military installations in the region.

As part of the arrangement, the IRGC was also granted access to a network of commercial ground stations run by Emposat, a Beijing-based satellite services provider with operations spanning Asia, Latin America and beyond.

US Bases The Spy Satellite Tracked

The satellite is said to have captured imagery of Saudi Arabia's Prince Sultan Air Base on March 13, 14 and 15. A day later, on March 14, US President Donald Trump acknowledged that American aircraft stationed there had been damaged.

The report adds that TEE-01B also tracked activity around Jordan's Muwaffaq Salti Air Base, sites near the US Fifth Fleet headquarters in Manama, Bahrain, and Erbil Airport in Iraq around the same period that the IRGC claimed strikes in those areas.

Its surveillance footprint extended further, covering US-linked facilities such as Camp Buehring and Ali Al Salem Air Base in Kuwait, Camp Lemonnier in Djibouti, and Duqm International Airport in Oman. It also monitored civilian infrastructure across the Gulf, including the Khor Fakkan container port and the Qidfa power and desalination complex in the United Arab Emirates, as well as Bahrain's Alba aluminium plant, one of the largest in the world.

"There is no way that any Chinese company could do something like launch a satellite without somebody in the administration giving it the go-ahead," said one former senior Western intelligence official to the publication. "I think it's been very clear for some time that China has been helping the Iranians with intelligence, but trying to keep the hand of government hidden."

The reported use of a Chinese-origin satellite by the IRGC, particularly during a conflict in which Iran has repeatedly launched missiles and drones at neighbouring countries, is likely to raise concerns across the Gulf. The sensitivities are heightened by China's deep economic ties in the region, where it is both the leading trading partner and the biggest buyer of oil.

Separately, earlier reports have suggested that Iran also gained access to Russian satellite intelligence on US and Israeli targets after the US-Israeli bombing campaign in Iran began on February 28.

China's Foreign Ministry has repeatedly denied in recent days that the country is providing any form of military support to Iran.

China has long supported Iran's ballistic missile programme and backed it with dual-use industrial components that can be used for missile production, according to the US government.

The woman, who has worked at TCS for six years, spoke on a video call to NDTV. She said she was transferred to the Nashik office and then made to work alone on a terrace separate from the main building.

"I was made to work alone on the rooftop, and my phone and bag were confiscated," she told NDTV. "Whenever I came downstairs to use the washroom or for other purposes, my mobile phone, bag, and all personal belongings were confiscated under the pretext of security or other excuses."

"We have seen that many of the young employees who work in the company were being exploited. They were being brainwashed," she added. 

The employee said that young women aged 20 to 25 were being approached as soft targets. "They thought that it would be easy to trap them. If you have any complaints, then you go to your HR. But here, even the HR was scared," she added. "Thank God I survived otherwise, the same thing would have happened to me today." 

Her family is now in deep shock and fear for her safety after the matter became public. The employee also appealed to all working women to unite and speak out against what she called the "dark culture" prevalent in offices. She confirmed that amid the controversy and investigation, all employees at the Nashik office have now been assigned to work from home.

A separate contractual employee at the Nashik office told NDTV: "They used to say, 'Go make Hindu girls your girlfriends and marry them'. They used to say 'convert your religion' and used to talk about their religion. They were also given money. It was ongoing since 2021. The HR madam was also funded."

Police in Nashik are investigating nine complaints of mental and sexual harassment linked to the TCS branch. The complaints were filed by eight women employees and cover the period from February 2022 to March 2026. 

A special investigation team was formed last week. Seven employees have been arrested: Danish Sheikh, Tausif Attar, Raza Memon, Shahrukh Qureshi, Shafi Sheikh, Asif Aftab Ansari, and HR manager Nida Khan. 

Another woman employee connected to the ones mentioned above is currently missing. 

All arrested staff have been suspended by TCS.

One accused repeatedly engaged in a physical relationship with an employee on the false promise of marriage. Police said the accused also touched one of the employees inappropriately and made shameful remarks regarding her personal and marital life. They made obscene remarks regarding her physical appearance.

"When the complainant repeatedly lodged verbal complaints regarding these incidents with the company's head officer, he failed to take cognisance of her complaints regarding the molestation; instead, he effectively abetted their actions," the police said in a statement.

The accused also forced one male employee to perform Namaz and insulted his religion. When women approached the HR manager with complaints, they were threatened with termination. 

Nida Khan has been described as the "lady captain". She allegedly befriended the women, made them comfortable and gradually trained them to offer namaz and wear the hijab, police said. 

The parents of arrested employee Raza Memon rejected the allegations. "He is innocent and is being framed. He is not like this," his mother told NDTV.

"TCS has a long-standing zero-tolerance policy towards harassment and coercion of any form. We have always ensured the highest standards of safety and well-being of our employees at the workplace. As soon as we were made aware of the matter in Nashik, we took swift action," TCS said in a statement. 

The company said the employees under investigation have been suspended pending enquiry. It is cooperating fully with local law enforcement and any further action will follow the conclusion of the investigation.

On Monday, Tata Sons chairman N Chandrasekaran called the allegations "gravely concerning and anguishing". He said a thorough investigation is underway under TCS Chief Operating Officer Arathi Subramanian. 

"This incident is being treated with utmost seriousness. Action has already been initiated against the accused employees, and the company is extending its full cooperation to the ongoing investigations," he said. 

"My first reaction was one of shock. TCS is a great company and I would presume they have good systems to prevent this kind of harassment. It is a breakdown of systems and processes and capture of human resources by communal elements. I read that this person used to grab a woman in front of everybody and the people kept quiet. There's an element of fear. It is something that you cannot believe can happen in any corporate organisation - much, much more than a great company like TCS," Mohandas Pai, chairman of Aarin Capital, told NDTV on Tuesday.

US President Donald Trump announced the blockade on Sunday after weekend peace talks in Islamabad between the US and Iran failed to reach a deal.

"During the first 24 hours, no ships made it past the US blockade," the US Central Command said on X, adding that six vessels complied with direction from U.S. forces to turn around to re-enter an Iranian port.

The Chinese-owned tanker was among at least eight ships crossing the waterway on Tuesday, the first day of the US blockade.

A US destroyer stopped two oil tankers attempting to leave the Iranian port of Chabahar on the Gulf of Oman on Tuesday, a US official said.

The Rich Starry and its owner, Shanghai Xuanrun Shipping Co, were placed under US sanctions for dealing with Iran. The company could not be reached for immediate comment.

The Rich Starry is a medium-range tanker carrying about 250,000 barrels of methanol that was loaded at the port of Hamriyah in the United Arab Emirates, Kpler data showed.

Another U.S.-sanctioned vessel, the Very Large Crude Carrier Alicia, is entering the Gulf via the strait on Wednesday, LSEG data showed. The empty tanker, capable of carrying 2 million barrels of oil, is heading to Iraq to load a cargo on Thursday, Kpler data showed.

The blockade has created even further uncertainty for shippers, oil companies and war risk insurers. Traffic remains at only a fraction of the 130-plus daily crossings before the U.S. and Israel's war on Iran began on February 28, industry sources said on Tuesday.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

Punjab Police officers and personnel deployed for the 37-year-old Chadha's security have been asked to report to headquarters immediately, the sources added.

The move is the latest amid AAP's growing and bitter rift with its Punjab MP.

Shortly after AAP's move, the Ministry of Home Affairs stepped in, offering security cover to the AAP MP.

According to sources, the Home Ministry will provide 'Z' category security to the AAP MP in Delhi and Punjab, while he will have a 'Y' category security in the rest of the country.

Accusing Chadha of shying away from raising his voice against Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the Centre in Parliament and instead engaging in "soft PR", the AAP removed him as its deputy leader in the Rajya Sabha on April 2.

A combative Chadha dismissed the party's allegations as "lies" and said that he went to Parliament to raise people's issues and not to create ruckus.

Raghav Chadha is the second Rajya Sabha MP of AAP, after Swati Maliwal, to have fallen out with the party leadership.

Once considered a close confidant of Arvind Kejriwal and among the youngest MPs in the country, Chadha played a key role in party affairs, particularly in Punjab and during the AAP's tenure in Delhi.

In the past few months, Raghav Chadha has been vociferous in raising issues of public interest and those pertaining to their sufferings.

Earlier, in a video message, Raghav Chadha said he has "been silenced, not defeated".
 

January 2026 - the US moved its knight to Venezuela, captures its rook. Fighter jets - F-22 and F-35 - and elite troops, including the storied Delta Force, infiltrated and kidnapped now ex-president Nicolas Maduro and his wife.

Venezuela has the world's largest proven oil reserves - around 303 billion barrels, according to the US' Energy Information Administration.

February 2026 - the US moved its queen to Iran to capture a second rook. The USS Gerald R Ford delivered F-35 stealth fighters and F/A-18 Super Hornets for precision air strikes. Tomahawks pounded Iranian military and energy infrastructure.

The Strait of Hormuz - shipping 20-25 per cent of global seaborne crude - effectively shut down.

March 2026 - the US moved its bishop to Indonesia to pin the queen. Under a new deal, US military aircraft get increased operational access to Indonesian airspace, potentially enhancing surveillance and control over the Strait of Malacca.

Less than three kilometres wide at its narrowest, the strait funnels between 25 and 30 per cent of all commercial shipping past Singapore, Malaysia, and Indonesia. It is also the world's busiest oil route, handling 22 to 29 per cent of seaborne crude.

Image generated by AI

'Chokepoint calculus'

Experts have said this suggests US President Donald Trump has a plan, though most critics might disagree. The plan is likely to achieve strategic superiority over China by squeezing oil supply lines, rather than a direct, possibly military, face-off.

The idea - to choke sanctioned crude oil shipping lines to Beijing via an escalating ladder of energy denial. Venezuela was the test, Iran amplified the calculus, and Malacca, potentially, seals it.

Tactical execution in Venezuela was clean. The US now controls 300+ billion barrels.

How Iran Sucker-Punched Trump Into 'Escalation Trap' 'Hellhole'

But Iran was not Venezuela and launched counter-strikes - asymmetric warfare kept US forces off-balance and the 'mosaic doctrine' maintained resistance despite early decapitation strikes that included Supreme Leader Ali Ayatollah Khamenei.

Image generated by AI

From one perspective, the Hormuz blockade actually worked in the US' favour; Trump has repeatedly said the US, as the world's largest oil producer and backed by his 'drill, baby, drill' policy, doesn't need the oil coming through the strait.

China, he has pointed out, does, though he vastly overestimated that reliance.

'Five Straits' Trap: How Hormuz Blockade Exposes Global Oil Flow Risk Issue

But most of Asia and Europe does rely on Hormuz-shipped crude, and a blockade put pressure on Trump to find a clean off-ramp and restore global energy supply. Trump projected a swift end to the fighting to placate runaway Brent crude prices but that has not happened so far.

And Tehran's blockade has remained intact while China continued to pick up sanctioned crude.

But the US' blockade now adds a double-bluff layer that increases regional uncertainty and threat of spiralling conflict if China-flagged tankers are attacked.

China Defence Minister Admiral Jong Jun has already warned the US to "not interfere in our affairs", possibly setting up the military confrontation Trump hoped to avoid.

Any end to the fighting now will likely include, as US negotiators made it clear last week, the control over the Hormuz that Iran has demanded, i.e., the right to impose 'tolls' that would offer any collector the de facto ability to prevent passage to certain tankers or ships.

The Malacca move has just begun, but it is what underscores the idea that the United States is trying to build a crude oil supply-based coercive architecture around China.

The passage is jointly managed by Singapore, Indonesia, and Malaysia, and the deal with Jakarta gives Washington access to airspace over the strait - critical to establish a chokepoint.

Image generated by AI

The Strait of Malacca handles nearly a third of the world's seaborne crude oil trade and is even more important to China than the Hormuz because it ships around 80 per cent of its crude.

Beijing knows this, hence the 'Malacca dilemma' red flag raised by Hu Jintao in 2003.

The answer included Venezuela, Iran, and Russia as diversified sources, and the building of overland pipelines - through central Asia, Russia, and Pakistan, to offset marine interference.

China's counters

Before the early-January Caracas raid, China was the largest buyer of sanctioned Venezuelan crude, picking up 50 to 80 per cent of its estimated 921,000 barrels a day output.

A majority went to 'teapot refineries', i.e., small-scale units in the Shandong region that act as geopolitical cushions, refining the cheaply bought crude to generate vital buffer stocks.

After the US raids, China twitched.

Shadow fleets - tankers with sanctioned oil that bypass checks by masking final destination or by disabling AIS tracking aids to run dark - scrambled to find new routes after the US launched 'Operation Southern Spear' to identify and seize them.

But Beijing recovered. It had stocked up on Venezuelan crude in end-2025 and millions of barrels more had already left; markets analyst Kpler said around 43 million were in transit.

And Beijing learned. Russian crude imports shot up over Jan-Feb 2026 to 40.9 per cent year-on-year, while Iran-origin crude fell by roughly 13 per cent over the same time.

Pre-Iran war, China shipped 45-50 per cent - around 5.4 million barrels daily Q1 2025 - via the Hormuz, almost as much as the next three - India, South Korea, and Japan - buyers combined.

The blockade forced smaller Asian nations to act as Brent crude skyrocketed past the US$110 a barrel red line and fuel prices soared; Myanmar regulated sale of new cars, Thailand told people to work from home, and the Philippines announced a full emergency.

But vast buffer stocks and years of policy measures that have reduced China's vulnerability to energy shocks, such as the administration's push on electric vehicles, kicked in.

In 2025 EVs consumed roughly the same amount of oil China imports from Saudi Arabia, the Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air said. And the country's coal-powered electricity grid remained insulated, and has even been switching to renewable or clean energy sources.

Malacca a checkmate move?

No, though it will further churn global shipping.

China has three levers it can pull if the US tries to weaponise Malacca.

The first is, of course, to re-route crude supply overland. The infrastructure is either already in place or is being built. It will be some time, certainly, before it can deliver enough to offset loss from seaborne supply line. But a prescient Beijing has been working this for several years.

It also has, experts suggest, the world's largest emergency oil reserves at over 1.3 billion barrels, which gives it plenty of room to play a wait-and-see game or absorb the US' squeeze for now.

US President Donald Trump and his Chinese counterpart, Xi Jinping. Photo: AFP (File Photo)

The second is to expand an already significant hold over the world's shadow tanker fleet, which will, in the case of Malacca, potentially drop the region into a zone of legal ambiguity has linked maritime security risks, particularly in an area where piracy is already a major concern.

Finally, and most importantly, Beijing could exert pressure on any one, or all, of Jakarta, Kuala Lumpur, and Singapore to drive a wedge, either between the three or between them and the US. The tried-and-tested infrastructure financing method - which yielded Beijing critical access to ports in Sri Lanka, that allow it to keep an eye on India, for example, will be used.

Beijing could also amp up maritime security rhetoric in the region, which will unsettle smaller nations and force Trump into a balancing act - pressure Malacca or soothe allies.

So what's the end game?

This is chess at the highest level of global geopolitics and security.

But there is no definite end game. China can, has, and will, redefine trade and oil flows - using 'dark' tankers or pipelines or diplomacy - to counter any American move.

What this probably is a game of 'who blinks first'. If the aim is to squeeze Chinese oil seaborne oil supply lines dry, the question is - how far is Washington prepared to go to achieve that aim.

For India

The evolving dynamics around Malacca place India in a position of relevance.

Located close to its western side, the Andaman and Nicobar Islands provide Delhi with a natural vantage point over maritime traffic in the region and military infrastructure, including an air base at Campbell Bay, allows it to monitor key shipping lanes.

US Eyeing Malacca After Hormuz? Why It Matters To India

And regional infrastructure initiatives further bolster maritime capabilities, strengthening India's presence and offering the US a trusted military and diplomatic ally that can continue to balance China's influence in the region.

"There is a lot of, of course, mistrust between Iran and the United States of America. You are not going to solve that problem overnight," Vance said during a Turning Point USA event.

Iranian negotiators wanted to make a deal, he said. "I feel very good about where we are," Vance added.

Talks to end the Iran war could resume in Pakistan over the next two days, President Donald Trump said on Tuesday, after the collapse of weekend negotiations prompted Washington to impose a blockade on Iranian ports.

A fragile two-week ceasefire between the US and Iran still has a week to run. Vance was involved in the talks last weekend in Pakistan.

Here Are The LIVE Updates of US-Israel Iran War, Ceasefire, Peace Talks

Three Rajya Sabha seats from Madhya Pradesh have become vacant this month after Congress veteran Digvijaya Singh and BJP leaders Dr Sumer Singh Solanki and George Kurian completed their terms. Now, if Murugan is elected in the Tamil Nadu polls and joins the state Assembly, one more Rajya Sabha seat from Madhya Pradesh will be vacated. This will set off an intense scramble, opening doors to political realignment and new power equations within the BJP and Congress alike.

How The Numbers Stack Up

Election to the Rajya Sabha is based on a complex formula: (Total MLAs divided by (No. of vacant seats + 1) + 1). Madhya Pradesh has 230 MLAs, so if three seats are vacated. Then the formula would be (230 MLAs divided by (3 + 1) + 1). So the quota, or the number of votes required to win a Rajya seat, would be 58.

The BJP, with over 160 MLAs, can comfortably win two seats. The Congress has 65 MLAs and can easily win one. But there is a twist. The Congress's Rajendra Bhati has been disqualified from the Assembly after conviction in a cheating case. The election of another Congress MLA, Mukesh Malhotra, was declared null and void after he was found to have suppressed information about pending criminal cases against him. And MLA Nirmala Sapre, who switched from Congress to the BJP, cannot vote either. The Congress then effectively has 62 votes, just four more than the cut-off. This means that crossvoting by just four MLAs can effectively rob Congress of an assured seat. And the recent signals are unsettling. From MLAs sharing stages at RSS-linked events to open ideological clashes, the faultlines are visible. As for the BJP, it has 47 surplus votes, 11 short of the quota of 58. And it may try to spring a surprise by reaching out to a section of Congress MLAs to cash in on the infighting.

Now, if Murugan's seat also falls vacant, the quota drops to 47, making the contest all the more intense.

There are other implications, too. If Murugan and Kurian transition to state politics, vacancies would open up in the Union Cabinet. Leaders from Madhya Pradesh are already eyeing a spot in 'Team Modi'.

Names like Harsh Chouhan and Ranjana Baghel are doing the rounds. Meanwhile, discussions are on within the Congress too. With Digvijaya Singh ruling out a third term in the Rajya Sabha, intense lobbying has started within the state Congress ranks. Dalit, Brahmin, and now Sindhi representation demands have emerged, turning the selection of the candidate into a delicate balancing act.

Adding to the unpredictability is the lone MLA of the Bharat Adivasi Party, Kamleshwar Dodiyar, who has signalled intent to field a candidate. In such a tight race, even a single vote could alter the outcome.

According to police sources, the complainants have spoken of a well-oiled network involving senior staff members and an HR manager. The probe has revealed that the accused were part of a training team and had detailed information about new joinees. They would choose 'targets' who were financially weak, had family issues, and needed money, the investigation has found.

During the training, derogatory remarks would be made about Hindu gods and goddesses. When the 'target' would be upset, HR manager Nida Khan, also among the accused, would reach out to them and gradually win their trust. Over time, the investigators say, the 'target' would be pushed to change his/her lifestyle and dressing habits. One of the 'targets', they added, was influenced so much that she quarrelled with her family and removed all photos of Hindu gods from her home. Seven people have been taken into custody in this case. These include Asif Ansari, Shafi Shaikh, Shahrukh Qureshi, Raza Memon and Tausif Attar.

How Cops Cracked Case

According to police sources, an undercover operation was executed to unravel the conspiracy. Women constables disguised as housekeeping staff entered the office premises. Housekeeping services are outsourced, and an external agency hires staff. So sending in women cops in disguise was a safe move that did not alert the accused, the sources said. Some male cops were also on the premises in disguise. The undercover operation was carried out to confirm the shocking allegations, police sources said.

A WhatsApp Planning Group

The investigators have also found a WhatsApp group that the accused used to discuss the 'targets', the sources said. The accused discussed radical religious subjects and the company's internal politics. The Special Investigation Team probing the matter is also looking at the chilling allegations of sexual harassment and assault that have come to the fore.

Farhan has now opened up about his duel with Bumrah. "Speaking about Bumrah, I don't think there was only Bumrah in that (Indian) team. All of them were some of the best bowlers, like Axar Patel and Kuldeep Yadav. So it's not that there was only Bumrah. But I started with Bumrah. You get confidence as a player when you hit a good player for a six," Farhan said on ESPNCricinfo.

"If you look at him, he gave me a tough time in the beginning. He was bowling slower ones, yorkers and bouncers. He swings the ball, bowls outswing and inswing. It's natural that it's very difficult to play him. So you have to find your way. And when you cross that phase, the rest of the bowlers seem easy to you, I think."

Farhan had made a controversial gesture after a half-century against Indisn. The batter mimicked firing an AK-47 rifle with his bat.

This bizarre celebration from the Pakistan batter fumed the Indian fans as they took to X (formerly Twitter) and slammed Farhan. He was reprimanded by the match referee for the gesture.

US Central Command has released audio recordings of its naval forces enforcing the blockade. 

"Do not attempt to breach the blockade. Vessels will be boarded for interdiction and seizure transiting to or from an Iranian port. Turn around and prepare to be boarded. If you do not comply with this blockade, we will use force. The whole of the United States Navy is ready to force compliance. Out," the CENTCOM audio said.

U.S. naval vessels are on patrol in the Gulf of Oman as CENTCOM continues to execute a U.S. blockade on ships entering and departing Iranian ports. U.S. forces are present, vigilant, and ready to ensure compliance. pic.twitter.com/dnHR2oz0ZN

— U.S. Central Command (@CENTCOM) April 15, 2026

In a separate post, CENTCOM said around 5,000 "Sailors and Marines" from the USS Strike Carrier Group Abraham Lincoln are executing operations to block ships.

"Thousands of US service members, including 5,000 Sailors and Marines from the Abraham Lincoln Carrier Strike Group, are executing the mission to blockade ships entering and departing Iranian ports.  of USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72) conducting flight operations in the Arabian Sea," the post read. 

Thousands of U.S. service members, including 5,000 Sailors and Marines from the Abraham Lincoln Carrier Strike Group, are executing the mission to blockade ships entering and departing Iranian ports. 📽 of USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72) conducting flight operations in the Arabian… pic.twitter.com/Q07nAosJyq

— U.S. Central Command (@CENTCOM) April 15, 2026

Iran has rejected the US move outright, with its Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmail Baghaei saying the country is "not 'blockadable'" and warned that the blockade violates a fragile ceasefire and could trigger a proportional response from Iranian armed forces.

"Firstly, Iran is not 'blockadable'," he said. "Secondly, if you fail to reach a result through a diplomatic process, resorting to other means of pressure will certainly not lead to any result and you will not succeed. The Islamic Republic of Iran and its armed forces are carefully monitoring developments and will respond proportionally wherever necessary."

Baghaei also addressed European proposals for an international coalition, possibly under UN auspices, to secure navigation in the Strait of Hormuz, including mine-sweeping operations.

"The security of the Strait of Hormuz has been ensured by Iran for decades. Iran has been the guardian of this waterway's security," he said. "The only reason security and safety in this waterway were disrupted during the past 40 days was the US-Zionist-imposed war."

He rejected any foreign intervention, saying any move or interference in regional affairs would only complicate the situation further. Baghaei stressed that Iran, as a coastal state and with the help of regional countries, was fully capable of providing security for the strait, provided that American aggression and interference in the region came to an end. 

Maritime tracking data show that shipping through the Strait of Hormuz has been sharply reduced as the US blockade takes effect. The waterway normally carries about a fifth of global crude oil and liquefied natural gas, but traffic has been almost halted since US and Israeli strikes on Iran sparked the war on February 28.

"I am also someone's father and brother. Your safety is important to me. Sit down without any worries," read the note pasted, which appeared to be driver's way of offering comfort and safety to women who might board his vehicle, especially at night.

Overcome by the gesture of the driver, Devalia wrote, "POV: when you realise not every man is a threat, some are just someone's safe place". She added that the "bare minimum feels like luxury these days".

Check The Viral Clip Here:

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A post shared by 𝐔𝐧𝐧𝐚𝐭𝐢 𝐃𝐞𝐯𝐚𝐥𝐢𝐲𝐚🪭 (@_star._.belt_)

Also Read | Woman Fired By Company Asked To Come Back And Train Her Replacements: 'Feels Humiliating'

Social Media Reactions

As of the last update, the video had garnered over 2.7 million views and hundreds of comments as social media users lauded the auto driver for his message, adding that more individuals, especially those in public-facing roles, could adopt similar approaches to make others feel comfortable.

"This made my day actually. Imagine if everyone was like him," said one user, while another added: "I want to be a permanent passenger of this uncle's auto. Please give me membership. Big respect to him."

A third commented: "Wise words from a wise man. I wish every man were this generous. Props to him."

In videos from the ground, a JCB is seen demolishing an iron staircase constructed outside the house to access the first floor. A team from the Achalpur Municipal Council carried out the operation against the illegal structure at the accused's residence.

BJP MLA Pravin Tayade was present to oversee the administration's action.

The municipal corporation had reportedly already issued a notice to Ayaz's family regarding the encroachment. A heavy police force has been deployed outside the premises.

All About Maharashtra Sexual Assault Case

The police on Saturday (April 11) arrested 19-year-old Mohammad Ayaz for allegedly luring girls into a "love trap," taking them to Mumbai and Pune, and filming 350 obscene videos.

The videos were then allegedly used to blackmail the girls and force them into prostitution. Some pictures and videos featuring Ayaz went viral on social media, leading to his arrest, according to a report by the news agency PTI. A complaint by a BJP MP also prompted police action.

The minors were systematically targeted through WhatsApp and Snapchat groups, according to a memorandum submitted by Rajya Sabha MP Anil Bonde to the Superintendent of Police (Rural) Vishal Anand.

Ayaz Is An Ex-Associate Of AIMIM

Mohammad Ayaz had allegedly served as an office-bearer of the AIMIM earlier. In videos and photographs shared by him on his social media, he appears to be receiving a letter from the MIM's Amravati president, Haji Irfan Khan, and recording social media reels at the party's rallies. Several such videos were deleted from his account after the case came to the fore.

AIMIM has distanced itself from the accused. Sayyed Mujeeb, District President of AIMIM in Amravati categorically said that "Mohammed Ayaz has no affiliation with the party."

"During the Achalpur Gram Panchayat elections, he was entrusted with the responsibility of managing the party's social media accounts. However, as he failed to perform his duties effectively, we issued a formal letter and expelled him from the party immediately after the elections concluded. The accused is neither a party worker nor an office-bearer of the AIMIM," Mujeeb said.

Police Action So Far

Police on Tuesday (April 14) arrested Ayaz and produced him before a court. He was remanded to seven days of police custody.

Police have arrested three more suspects, including one Uzer Khan. Ayaz and Uzer have confessed to their crimes.

The police have also seized Ayaz's mobile phone and are examining it for evidence. The investigators are also probing whether the accused shared those videos within his circle. 

(With inputs from Sanjay Tiwari)

"On the evening of Saturday, April 11th, the IWDG Live Stranding hotline received a report of a two-metre dead basking shark. Photos confirmed however, that this was not a basking shark and indeed a very rare and interesting stranding," read the statement by IWDG.

The Greenland shark can have a lifespan of more than 500 years, the longest of any known vertebrate. They typically reach a length of four to six metres.

"Little is known about the elusive Greenland Shark in Ireland, native to deep and remote waters of the Arctic and North Atlantic, however they are known to reach sexual maturity around 150 years of age and give birth their pups live after a gestation period of 8 to 18 years," IWDG said, adding that the male individual in Sligo had very developed claspers, suggesting that it may have been on the brink of maturity.

Also Read | Auto Driver's Safety Message For Female Passengers Wins Hearts Online: 'Sit Without Worries'

Scientists To Study The Shark

The shark carcass is now in the possession of the Natural History Museum of Ireland (NHMI), where it will be dissected and studied by the researchers.

"Tissue samples and selected anatomical components are being preserved as part of the NHMI's scientific collections," a NHMI spokesperson told BBC.

"Subject to the condition of the skin and its suitability for preservation, the National Museum hopes to display the specimen in the future, which would allow visitors to learn more about one of the world's most mysterious shark species."

In the video, his father is seen reading the offer letter, a moment viewers described as "dignified" and "deeply felt". While the clip is still gaining traction, it highlights the fact that success isn't always about loud reactions. 

"People will see this moment. They won't see the years behind it," the text on the video read. 

Watch the video here:

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A post shared by Shailendra Yadav | Tech | Fitness | Lifestyle | Mindset (@thessyadav_)

Social Media Reaction

"This is my only dream, too. Fathers are the face of God. Congratulations to you," one user wrote in the comment section. 

"Very proud moment for dads when their kids reach a great height," another user wrote. 

"Congratulations Puttar Inke liye jo bola jaye kam hai," a third user wrote.  

The internet has been celebrating similar moments recently. In one widely shared post, IIT BHU graduate Shivanshu Ranjan texted his father, "Job lag gaya, Amazon me" after securing a pre-placement SDE-1 offer. His father responded with one word - "ok". 

In a separate incident, a Reddit user shared how his father cried on hearing his job offer, saying, "Beta, itna toh hamara life saving hai (Son, this is as much as our life savings)".

Another moment was shared on social media by a techie whose parents reacted to his first salary with awe: "Ye bahut sare paise hain (That is a lot of money)". 

Khaleel felt discomfort in his leg during the game against the Knight Riders, which saw him halt mid-run-up a couple of times. The left-arm pacer decided against pushing through and left the field for treatment, with Gurjapneet Singh finishing his over.

Shastri, closely analysing the match, was pleased to see Khaleel and CSK decide against wasting time, unlike RCB during their recent game against the Mumbai Indians (MI), which lasted four and a half hours.

"Rather than calling the physio and wasting ten minutes only to do the same thing, he has decided to walk off," Shastri said on air as Khaleel left the pitch, allowing the game to progress. During the RCB vs MI match, RCB's Rasikh Dar received treatment on the field three different times over the course of a single over, as the management decided against opting for a solution similar to the Khaleel-Gurjapneet swap.

Indian legend Sunil Gavaskar, who was commentating on the RCB vs MI match, was also left furious by the time-wasting.

"Just go off the field, get treatment, and then come back... This is the third time the physio has come in. Are we going to see the same thing over and over again?" a frustrated Gavaskar said on air during that match. Shastri echoed Gavaskar's sentiments on Tuesday as Khaleel and CSK showed IPL how such injury issues should be managed. 

Marandi, a professor at Tehran University, has accompanied the Iranian delegation to Islamabad. He told the Lebanese news outlet that the Iranian delegation felt seriously threatened during their return from negotiations in Pakistan. 

He noted that the Iranian delegation faced direct security threats while heading for negotiations with the United States in Islamabad, stating, "We received direct threats while en route to Islamabad that our plane might be attacked," prompting heightened caution during and after the visit.

"On our way back, we did not fly to Tehran. It's a very long story, but we all believed that there was a significant chance that they would down our plane, that they would shoot down our plane, that they would fire a missile at our plane," Marandi said.

In an interview to @MayadeenEnglish, professor @s_m_marandi states the Iranian delegation felt seriously threatened during their return from negotiations in Pakistan. The talks ended abruptly after US Vice President Vance's intervention, coinciding exactly with the publication of… pic.twitter.com/S7pgND3Uoq

— Javed Hassan (@javedhassan) April 13, 2026

He explained that on the way back from the talks, the Iranian delegation "secretly got into a different plane, and that plane on the way to Tehran suddenly diverted and landed very swiftly in Mashhad. And then we all came to Tehran by train, by car, and by bus.

"We don't trust the United States," Marandi told Al-Mayadeen on Tuesday, "and we are also being very busy preparing ourselves for the next round of war."

Iran "always knew the United States was deceitful", he continued, adding that the regime is bolstering its military capabilities "while we are at the negotiating table".

Photo Credit: AFP

US and Iran May Return To Islamabad 

Negotiating teams from the US and Iran could return to Pakistan later this week to resume negotiations to end the war in the Middle East, days after the first peace talks ended without a breakthrough, Reuters reported, quoting Pakistani and Iranian officials.

There was no immediate confirmation from US officials about the plans, which the Iranian and Pakistani officials discussed on condition of anonymity.

A source who has been involved in the talks said a proposal had been sent to Washington and Tehran for the delegations to return to Islamabad to resume discussions. No date had yet been decided, but both countries could return as early as the end of this week.

An official at the Iranian embassy in Islamabad said, "The coming rounds of talks can come sometime later this week or earlier next week. But nothing is finalised as of now."

Earlier, a senior Iranian source told Reuters, "No firm date has been set, with the delegations keeping Friday through Sunday open."

A senior Pakistani official said Islamabad had reached out to Iran, "and we got a positive response that they will be open to a second round of talks."

The official and a second Pakistani source said Islamabad was communicating with both sides about the timing of the next round, and the meeting would be likely to take place over the coming weekend.

Last weekend's meeting in Pakistan's capital to resolve the conflict between the US and Iran, held four days after the announcement of a ceasefire, reached no breakthrough. It was the first direct encounter between the US and Iranian officials in more than a decade and the most senior engagement since Iran's 1979 Islamic Revolution.
 

According to a report by The Washington Post, 6,000 troops aboard the aircraft carrier USS George H.W. Bush with warships and about 4,200 Navy and Marine personnel aboard the Boxer Amphibious Ready Group, along with its embarked Marine task force, the 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit, are expected to arrive in the region by the end of the month.

With the current two-week ceasefire between the US and Iran scheduled to expire on April 22, the new troops will join the estimated 50,000 personnel that the Pentagon has said are involved in operations countering Iran.

Trump Says Iran War Could End "Very Soon"

US President Donald Trump on Wednesday told Fox Business that the war in Iran could end soon and that gas prices will "go down tremendously" once the conflict is settled.

"I think it can be over very soon. If they're smart, it will end soon," he said in an interview on "Mornings With Maria Bartiromo."

US' Blockade Of Iranian Ports

Trump announced a naval blockade of Iranian ports on Sunday after the collapse of 21-hour high-level peace talks in Islamabad between the US and Iran.

Meanwhile, the Iranian military has stated that the current US naval blockade of Iranian ports constitutes a "prelude" to a ceasefire violation. 

In a statement carried by Iranian state television, the head of Iran's military central command centre said that if the US continues with its blockade, it will create "insecurity for Iran's commercial vessels and oil tankers", which will constitute "a prelude" to violating the ceasefire. 

"The powerful armed forces of the Islamic republic will not allow any exports or imports to continue in the Persian Gulf, the Sea of Oman, and the Red Sea," said Ali Abdollahi.

Since the war in Iran started, Tehran has been shipping its oil and goods freely through the narrow waterway, while sharply curbing seaborne traffic from other nations, especially those deemed unfriendly by the Islamic Republic.

The US military is now planning to track down any Iranian ship crossing the Strait and physically board it, if necessary.

The US Central Command, in a statement, said a blockade of Iranian ports has been fully implemented as US forces maintain maritime superiority in the Middle East. 

"An estimated 90 per cent of Iran's economy is fuelled by international trade by sea. In less than 36 hours since the blockade was implemented, US forces have completely halted economic trade going into and out of Iran by sea."
 

Israel's top general, however, has approved plans for continuing strikes in Lebanon.

Eyal Zamir, Israeli military chief, said that the US and Israeli strikes have crippled Iranian defensive capabilities.

"Now we must not allow them any achievements on the nuclear issue, in Hormuz and in the other matters on the table. We know how to scramble them for an immediate, powerful strike," he said.

"We are capturing and clearing key areas and removing threats from the northern settlements," he said on Israel's Lebanon campaign.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu last week agreed to hold direct talks with Lebanon but rejected the possibility of a ceasefire.

Iran-US Conflict 

Two days after the US and Israel launched strikes on Iran, the Tehran-backed militant group, Hezbollah, fired missiles across the border. The Israeli military responded with an intense bombing campaign and ground invasion. Per authorities in Lebanon, over 2,000 people have been killed in Israel's strikes.

Since the US attack, Iran has been controlling the Strait of Hormuz, a maritime chokepoint vital for the world's energy supplies from the Middle East. Tehran has announced that it will exact a toll for allowing safe passage to merchant ships. The US, which has effected a blockade at the Strait, has warned that it will interdict in international waters any vessel that pays a toll to Iran.

Iran, the US and Israel held peace talks in Pakistan last week. It was inconclusive.

US President Donald Trump later said that the peace talks in Islamabad failed because of Tehran's insistence on holding on to its nuclear ambitions. He claimed Iran told the US negotiators that it had laid mines in the waters of the Strait of Hormuz, making it impossible for merchant vessels to cross the chokepoint.

Lebanon-Israel talks

Lebanon's President Joseph Aoun offered direct negotiations with Israel - the first in decades - in exchange for a cessation of hostilities.

Last week, Netanyahu accepted the invitation to direct talks following the announcement of an interim truce between Iran and the United States.

At the peace meeting, Iran reportedly demanded that the ceasefire include the cessation of hostilities in Lebanon. Israel, however, dismissed the demand.

The direct talks between Lebanon and Israel kicked off on Tuesday, as the nations' ambassadors to the United States met in Washington.

Lebanon wants the withdrawal of Israeli forces from southern Lebanon, the release of Lebanese prisoners held in Israel, the return of the displaced, and reconstruction.

Israel has structured the engagement as peace talks, focusing on disarming Hezbollah.

What's Happening

• Sonali Raut recalled how she was experienced when it came to doing such bold shoots, while Ranveer Singh, being relatively new, was shy.
• Sonali told Filmibeat, "I know Ranveer very differently. I did a pose with him, and after a few years, he did the same pose with Vaani Kapoor. Ranveer, at that time, was very sweet, very friendly and very nice. He was not like (imitates him) 'Yeah', full of energy, no. Actually, he was very shy because again, it was a bikini shoot."
• She continued, "It was very bold. It was glamorous. He said, 'This is my first shoot like that, like very glamorous, and with a girl who's wearing a bikini.' Yeah, he was so cautious. He was chewing gum, he was wearing perfume... I was chill, and even the photographer was like, 'Sonali, don't make him conscious because you are okay, but he's a little nervous. Please make him comfortable.'"

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A post shared by Sonali Raut (@isonaliraut)

• Sonali Raut reiterated how she remembers him as a very sweet and nervous person on set compared to his vivacious energy now. Furthermore, she added, "You know, Sonali, it's my first shoot. You know, I'm wearing clothes." She mentioned, "I said, 'Yeah, you are wearing clothes, what are you nervous about?' Then he repeated this pose (with Vaani Kapoor)."

Dhurandhar 2 Storm

Aditya Dhar's Dhurandhar: The Revenge, led by Ranveer Singh, has rewritten box office history. Ranveer Singh's latest film has become a blockbuster for the ages.

After 26 days, India gross collections stand at Rs 1,311.68 crore, with net collections at Rs 1,095.67 crore. Overseas, the film collected Rs 1.00 crore on Day 27, taking its total overseas gross to Rs 416.25 crore. This pushes the worldwide gross to Rs 1,727.93 crore.

Dhurandhar minted Rs 1,307.35 crore, and the worldwide collections of Dhurandhar 2 stand at Rs 1,712 crore as of now. Combined, the franchise totals Rs 3,019.35 crore, cementing its position as the first Indian franchise to cross the Rs 3,000 crore mark.

About Dhurandhar 2

The sequel to Dhurandhar follows the rise of Ranveer Singh's Hamza Ali Mazari as Sher-e-Baloch and the undisputed king of Lyari. It also traces his journey from becoming Jaskirat Singh Rangi to Hamza, the man who intrudes into Pakistan as a spy to avenge the terrorist attacks in the nation.

The spy-action thriller also brings back the talented supporting cast, including Arjun Rampal, R Madhavan, Sanjay Dutt, Rakesh Bedi, Danish Pandor, and Sara Arjun.

ALSO READ | Ranveer Singh Chanted 'Om', Listened To Punjabi Hip Hop While Playing Hamza In Dhurandhar 2

India great Virender Sehwag felt that the KKR team management must not shy away from accepting that Green is having a poor run and should drop him if it is for the team's benefit.

"If you had that much money and still bought these players, spending Rs 25-27 crore on Cameron Green, then now he has become a liability. If you play him, he isn't performing," Sehwag said on Cricbuzz.

"If you don't play him, people will question why you spent so much money and then benched him. But there is no shame in accepting a mistake. Just admit that you made a mistake by spending so much on Cameron Green. His bowling is not contributing much either, and it's not like his presence is making the team combination look great because of both his batting and bowling."

Sehwag suggested that Tim Seifert can be tried at the top of the batting order by dropping Green.

"So I feel you should bench him and play Tim Seifert instead. Recently, you saw him perform well for New Zealand. Those same two openers played aggressive innings," Sehwag said.

"Bring both of them in and let them open. Then bring Ajinkya Rahane at number three, Powell at four, and push Raghavanshi further down. That way, if Rahane gets out, Raghavanshi can come in, and if someone else gets out, then Powell or Rinku can come in.