This Afghani Chicken Kofta Curry Will Impress Guests At Your Next Dinner Party

If you are looking for a comforting and flavourful dish to make at home, Afghani Chicken Kofta Curry is a great choice. This rich and creamy recipe combines soft chicken meatballs with a mildly spiced gravy that is both satisfying and easy to prepare. Unlike very spicy curries, this dish has a balanced taste with aromatic herbs, yoghurt and a smooth texture that suits all age groups. The tender chicken koftas soak up the delicious flavours of the curry, making every bite enjoyable. Whether you are cooking for your family or planning a special dinner, this recipe brings a restaurant-style experience to your table without needing complicated ingredients. With a few simple steps, you can create a hearty meal that pairs perfectly with naan, roti or steamed rice.

Why This Is Perfect for Any Occasion

Afghani Chicken Kofta Curry is a dish that suits almost every celebration and family gathering. Its creamy and mildly spiced flavour makes it ideal for both children and adults, even those who prefer less spicy food. The soft chicken koftas give the dish a rich texture, while the flavourful gravy adds warmth and comfort to the meal. It can be served for weekend lunches, festive dinners or even casual get-togethers with friends. Since it looks appealing and tastes special without being difficult to cook, it is a perfect recipe when you want to impress your guests with homemade food.

Also Read: This Maharashtrian Batata Bhaat Recipe Is The Ultimate Comfort Dish

Photo Credit: Unsplash

How to Make Afghani Chicken Kofta Curry at Home

Ingredients

For the koftas:

• 500 grams minced chicken
• 1 small onion, finely chopped
• 2 green chillies, finely chopped
• 2 tablespoons fresh coriander leaves
• 1 teaspoon ginger-garlic paste
• 1 tablespoon gram flour
• Salt to taste
• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper powder

For the curry:

• 2 tablespoons oil or butter
• 1 large onion, sliced
• 1 tablespoon ginger-garlic paste
• 1/2 cup fresh yoghurt
• 1/4 cup fresh cream
• 8–10 soaked cashews, blended into a paste
• 1 teaspoon coriander powder
• 1/2 teaspoon cumin powder
• Salt to taste
• Fresh coriander for garnish

Also Read: Common Cooking Mistakes That Make Paneer Hard And How To Fix Them

Step-by-Step Recipe of Afghani Chicken Kofta Curry

Step 1:
In a mixing bowl, combine minced chicken, chopped onion, green chillies, coriander leaves, ginger-garlic paste, gram flour, salt and black pepper. Mix well and shape the mixture into small round koftas.

Step 2:
Heat a little oil in a pan and lightly cook the koftas for a few minutes until they turn firm and lightly golden. Remove and keep them aside.

Step 3:
In the same pan, add oil or butter and sauté the sliced onions until soft. Stir in the ginger-garlic paste and cook for another minute.

Step 4: Add the cashew paste, coriander powder, cumin powder and salt. Cook gently, then mix in the yoghurt and stir continuously to form a smooth gravy.

Step 5:
Pour in the fresh cream and a little warm water to adjust the consistency. Let the curry simmer on low heat for a few minutes.

Step 6:
Carefully add the prepared chicken koftas to the gravy and cook for another 6–8 minutes so they absorb all the flavours. Garnish with fresh coriander and serve hot with naan, roti or steamed rice.

Afghani Chicken Kofta Curry is a simple yet rich recipe that turns an everyday meal into something special, making it a great addition to your home menu.

Mumbai Police Responds To Priyanka Chaturvedi's 'Disgraceful' Remark

A viral social media post by the Mumbai Police addressing consent via the ongoing Pranit More biryani controversy has drawn sharp political backlash. Shiv Sena (UBT) lawmaker Priyanka Chaturvedi slammed the law enforcement department's official social media handle, calling its attempt to address the matter "disgraceful."

The Mumbai Police joined the conversation on X, using the trend to emphasise that consent cannot be bought. The police warned, “Rs 370 gets you one plate of biryani. Our lock-up serves free meals with a longer stay.” The post ended with the hashtag “#BiryaniIsNotConsent”.

????It's your choice

????निवड तुमची आहे!#BiryaniIsNotConsent pic.twitter.com/VtxXw7ehQt

— मुंबई पोलीस Mumbai Police (@MumbaiPolice) June 10, 2026

Responding to an official campaign touting the city's commitment to "Safeguarding Women", Chaturvedi criticised the force, replying, "Do better, Mumbai Police, this is so disgraceful."

Do better @MumbaiPolice , this is so disgraceful pic.twitter.com/kx1uwPSuu1

— Priyanka Chaturvedi???????? (@priyankac19) June 10, 2026

This gained the attention of users as well as police authorities, who responded further to her post, "Ma'am, with due respect to your interpretation, isn't it the most rightful thing to stand with women and for women?"

ALSO READ: Pranit More Show Row: Audience Member Loses Job Over Viral 'Rs 370 Biryani' Comment

While clarifying that the language was used only to grab attention and was intended for good purposes, the police added, "We condemn their dignity being breached even in words and are willing to put the word across in a language understood best. Safeguarding women and their dignity is never out of trend!"

This was dismissed by Chaturvedi, who said, "No. But they are selling cheap thrills on the basis of what is trending. Shameless."

What is the biryani controversy?

The "Rs 370 Biryani" controversy erupted after a clip from comedian Pranit More's crowd-work show went viral. In the video, an audience member named Himanshu Jangra stated that he spent Rs 370 on a chicken biryani date, implying that the financial expense entitled him to physical intimacy with the woman.

The comment sparked massive online outrage for reducing consent to a commercial transaction. Amid mounting backlash, comedian Pranit More issued an apology on Instagram before subsequently deactivating his account.

SIPs Are Like Marilyn Monroe: "If You Can't Handle Them At Their Worst...''

Back in 2012, I interviewed the late Parag Parikh when he was about to launch PPFAS Mutual Fund. Besides his contrarian investing style, the one thing that stood out about him was his refreshingly candid take on things. This was when mutual funds were witnessing outflows for years and assets under management stood at a little over Rs 5 lakh crore - largely debt-oriented.

When I asked him how he planned to garner investments at a time when mutual funds weren't in favour, he said: "By being on the side of the investor". He then pointed to a note he had gotten stamped on the physical prospectus of the AMC's inaugural equity fund that said: "Please do not invest in this fund if you can't remain invested for at least five years".

I can't draw a straight line from the note to PPFAS' outperformance over the past decade, and the swelling of its assets. But surely, sobering investors' expectations when the temptation is to oversell helps attract the right set of investors who won't leave when the going gets tough.

ALSO READ: Equity Fund Inflows Slump 40% To Rs 22,908 Crore In May, Lowest In 2026

Don't Blame Your SIPs

Which brings me to the chatter over SIPs of late, as returns have remained muted for years amidst a sideways market.

Veteran investor Shankar Sharma seemingly mocked SIPs, saying they were a great product - but only for institutions that used it to sell expensive stocks to retail investors.

I have a different take. SIPs are a great product for retail investors, so long as expectations are rightly set.

For years, the industry has sold SIPs with the market squarely focused on returns but not risk. (That financial theory and practice equate risk with volatility is itself an awfully incorrect way of looking at things but that's a piece for another day.)

But all of investing boils down to a few basic truths - even first principles, if you will -- which the industry, and I dare say, financial media, overcomplicate.

Let's look at them from the Indian context:

1. Indian economy grows at an average 6%. Add another 4-6% by way of inflation, and we look at 10-12% nominal growth.
2. Consequently, companies, on average, will grow their earnings at a similar 12% rate - Sensex EPS data from 30 years bears out this correlation nearly one-to-one.
3. Assuming the market is fairly-valued (say an index price-to-earnings multiple of 16), you can expect 12% returns over the long term. Money doubles every six years. Pretty decent, though not spectacular.

The problem arises when the market goes from fairly valued to over valued, and investors are shown the recent 20-25% CAGR picture, without a warning that periods of underperformance likely follow periods of outperformance.

The standard disclaimer - "past performance is not an indicator of future results" - doesn't amount to much if the risk of negative or low long-term returns isn't specifically communicated in the context of the current valuation picture.

So, if, as an investor, you're unhappy with your SIP returns, you've been sold the right product with the wrong expectations.

ALSO READ: Gold ETFs Break 13-Month Win Streak As Investors Pull Out Rs 725 Crore In May

What You Should Expect Now

SIPs aren't a magic bullet that will always give good returns. Over a period of three-five years, their returns very much resemble a spring. If the market has fallen sharply recently, they will likely do well. If you start when a lot of the money has already been made recently, you will likely have to endure pain.

We're in the pain phase now, meaning that sooner or later, things will turn for the better. So, if you're an investor, this is the time to stay the course and not to throw in the towel.

The question is how much better.

After all, the market has only gone from expensive to less expensive.

Plus, the market is not fully pricing in changing global dynamics. Should equities be valued in the same way in a deglobalising world order, as they were in a globalising world where flow of capital was entirely driven by merit rather than also nationalistic considerations?

And it's not an overstatement to state that AI is the most powerful disinflationary force the world has, and will likely, ever see. Meaning the 6 + 6 math I outlined earlier could likely become 5 + 4 or thereabouts in the future.

So, if you continue to invest without worrying about returns, your SIP returns will likely go from poor to decent to maybe even amazing in due course.

Put simply, if the SIP could speak, it would liken itself to Marilyn Monroe who famously said: "if you can't handle me at my worst, you don't deserve me at my best."

I only wonder if you factored this in when you began your SIPs.

Amy Adams Shares The Hilarious Reason She'll Never Enter The Love Island Villa

Millions of viewers are following the latest season of Love Island USA, and it turns out Amy Adams is one of them. The actress revealed that she is a big fan of the dating reality show, but made it clear that viewers should not expect to see her walking into the villa as a contestant anytime soon.

During an appearance on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, Adams spoke about her love for the series and shared why taking part in it will be extremely difficult for her. While she enjoys watching the drama, relationships and surprises, she joked that many parts of the experience sound like her worst nightmare.

Adams pointed to several things that will make life in the villa challenging, including constantly being around strangers, socialising all day, spending time in the sun and wearing swimwear. She also shared a funny observation about the show that many fans may have overlooked. According to her, there's very little shade around the villa.

Amy Adams said, “I'm a little behind on this season. A little behind. That show's really fun to watch, but it gives me a lot of anxiety. It's like my personal nightmare, like strangers, socialising, bikinis. Sun. There's just no shade. Does anyone notice there's no shade on the show? I would just be, like, running around with zinc oxide, being like, ‘You're looking a little crispy.' That's totally hot.”

When Jimmy Fallon asked, “Are you into reality TV in general?”

“I think I'm a little bit more of a true crime gal, I love Dateline. Why is it relaxing? I think there are psychological studies behind it, but I can't quote them, but we love it,” she said.

Amy Adams' appearance on The Tonight Show came days after the release of her new series, Cape Fear. The psychological thriller follows a happy couple whose lives are turned upside down when Max Cady, a notorious killer from their past, played by Javier Bardem, is released from prison and decides to take revenge.

Hexagon Nutrition IPO Day 2: Issue Booked 4.5x; GMP Remains Constant At Rs 6

The initial public offering (IPO) of nutrition company Hexagon Nutrition Ltd. continued to witness strong investor interest on the second day of subscription on June 8.

The public issue, which was fully subscribed within hours on Day 1, was subscribed 4.59 times on Day 2, receiving bids for 9,91,40,760 shares against the 2,16,02,008 shares on offer. The Qualified Institutional Buyers segment  was booked 0.17 times. The IPO was subscribed 6.21 times in the retail category and 6.70 times in the Non Institutional Investors category.

The IPO will conclude its subscription tomorrow, June 9.

Amid strong investor interest, market participants have been closely watching the grey market premium (GMP) to assess overall sentiment. The GMP continued to remain positive on Monday, ending the day at Rs 6. Based on the upper price band cap of Rs 45 per share, the estimated listing price is around Rs 51 (issue price plus GMP). This suggests a potential listing gain of 13.33% for investors.

Note: GMP does not represent official data and is based on speculation.

Hexagon Nutrition IPO Details:

The Hexagon Nutrition IPO is a book build issue worth Rs 138.87 crores. It is entirely an offer-for-sale (OFS) of 3.09 crore shares. Its price band is set at Rs 42 to Rs 45 per share.

To participate, retail investors need to apply for at least a single lot size of 333 shares, which amounts to Rs 14,985 based on the upper price. Cumulative Capital Pvt. Ltd. is the book running lead manager and Kfin Technologies Ltd. is the registrar of the issue.

Hexagon Nutrition IPO Important Dates:

The allotment status for the Hexagon Nutrition IPO is expected to be finalised on June 10. Shares are expected to debut on the NSE and BSE on June 12.

ALSO READ: CMR Green Technologies IPO Allotment Status: Check Latest GMP And Step-By-Step Guide To Verify Status

Hexagon Nutrition Business

Founded in 1993, Hexagon Nutrition Ltd. is a research-driven nutrition company focused on micronutrient premixes, clinical nutrition, and wellness products.

The company's total income in fiscal ended March 2025 increased to Rs 331.29 crore from Rs 304.62 crore in FY24. Profit after tax nearly doubled to Rs 24.38 crore from Rs 12.21 crore. EBITA also rose significantly to Rs 40.07 crore compared with Rs 24.88 crore a year earlier.

The IPO proceeds will be utilised toward various issue-related expenses, including fees and commissions, regulatory and listing fees, advertising and marketing, among other things.

ALSO READ: Listing To Leave: Mega MNC IPOs Are Stripping Cash Instead of Funding Indian Expansion, Data Shows

Disclaimer: Investments in initial public offerings are subject to market risks. Please consult with financial advisors and read the red herring prospectus thoroughly before placing bids.

Dividend Stocks To Watch This Week: Infosys, ACC, Adani Ports, Tata Steel, Tata Motors

In the present week, 39 companies including Infosys Ltd., ACC Ltd., and Adani Ports and Special Economic Zone Ltd. have upcoming record dates for dividend payments.

To be eligible for dividends, investors should take note of the record date, which determines shareholder eligibility.

Under India's T+1 settlement cycle, shares purchased on the record date itself will not qualify for the dividend payment. The ex-dividend date, which falls before the record date, marks when the share price adjusts to reflect the upcoming payout.

For instance, if the record date of a dividend stock is June 9, then investors must purchase shares by June 8, 2026, to be eligible. The ex-dividend date, which comes before the record date, reflects when the share price adjusts to account for the upcoming payout.

The most significant interim dividend announced this week comes from Oseaspre Consultants Ltd. and Technojet Consultants, which is offering a substantial payout of Rs 87 per share with an ex-date of June 12. 

Following closely is Tata Elxsi Ltd., which is distributing an interim dividend of Rs 75 per share with an ex-date of June 10.

Several other companies are offering notable payouts. Infosys Ltd. is offering Rs 25 per share, while Indian Bank is paying out Rs 18.25 per share. Other significant disbursements include:

Dividend This Week

Name	Record Date/ Ex-Date	Purpose
Unified Data Tech Solutions Ltd	June 8	Interim Dividend - Rs. - 5.5000
INOX India Ltd	June 9	Final Dividend - Rs. - 2.0000
Nelco Ltd	June 9	Final Dividend - Rs. - 1.0000
Indian Bank	June 10	Final Dividend - Rs. - 18.2500
Infosys Ltd	June 10	Final Dividend - Rs. - 25.0000
Seshasayee Paper and Boards Ltd	June 10	Final Dividend - Rs. - 2.0000
Tata Chemicals Ltd	June 10	Final Dividend - Rs. - 11.0000
Tata Elxsi Ltd	June 10	Final Dividend - Rs. - 75.0000
Tata Investment Corporation Ltd	June 10	Final Dividend - Rs. - 3.4000
Sunshield Chemicals Ltd	June 11	Final Dividend - Rs. - 3.0000
ACC Ltd	June 12	Final Dividend - Rs. - 7.5000
Adani Enterprises Ltd	June 12	Final Dividend - Rs. - 1.3000
Adani Ports and Special Economic Zone Ltd	June 12	Final Dividend - Rs. - 7.5000
Ambuja Cements Ltd	June 12	Final Dividend - Rs. - 2.0000
Apcotex Industries Ltd	June 12	Final Dividend - Rs. - 5.5000
Adani Total Gas Ltd	June 12	Dividend - Rs. - 0.2500
Avantel Ltd	June 12	Final Dividend - Rs. - 0.2000
Canara Bank	June 12	Final Dividend - Rs. - 4.2000
Cemindia Projects Ltd	June 12	Final Dividend - Rs. - 3.0000
Eimco Elecon (India) Ltd	June 12	Final Dividend - Rs. - 4.0000
Elecon Engineering Company Ltd	June 12	Final Dividend - Rs. - 1.5000
High Energy Batteries India Ltd	June 12	Final Dividend - Rs. - 3.0000
ICICI Prudential Asset Management Company Ltd	June 12	Final Dividend - Rs. - 12.4000
JM Financial Ltd	June 12	Final Dividend - Rs. - 1.7500
Lloyds Metals and Energy Ltd	June 12	Final Dividend - Rs. - 1.0000
MM Forgings Ltd	June 12	Interim Dividend - Rs. - 4.0000
Navin Fluorine International Ltd	June 12	Final Dividend - Rs. - 8.6000
Orient Cement Ltd	June 12	Final Dividend - Rs. - 0.5000
Oseaspre Consultants Ltd	June 12	Final Dividend - Rs. - 87.0000
Panchsheel Organics Ltd	June 12	Final Dividend - Rs. - 0.8000
Petronet LNG Ltd	June 12	Final Dividend - Rs. - 3.0000
Piramal Finance Ltd	June 12	Final Dividend - Rs. - 11.0000
Punjab National Bank	June 12	Final Dividend - Rs. - 3.0000
Reliance Industrial Infrastructure Ltd	June 12	Final Dividend - Rs. - 3.5000
Tata Steel Ltd	June 12	Final Dividend - Rs. - 4.0000
Technojet Consultants Ltd	June 12	Final Dividend - Rs. - 87.0000
Tata Motors Ltd	June 12	Final Dividend - Rs. - 4.0000
Trent Ltd	June 12	Final Dividend - Rs. - 6.0000
Voltas Ltd	June 12	Final Dividend - Rs. - 4.0000

Dividends are a way for companies to reward shareholders. It is the portion of profits that a company distributes to its shareholders and is essentially a return on the investment shareholders make in the company's equity. 

Such payments are made through final, interim, and special dividends. Dividends are taxable in the hands of the shareholders, and companies are no longer required to pay the dividend distribution tax. The TDS on dividend income for resident individuals is 10% if the dividend amount exceeds Rs 5,000 in a financial year.

PM Modi Meets EAC Members, Discusses Measures To Boost Economic Growth Amid Global Turmoil

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday chaired a meeting with the members of the Economic Advisory Council (EAC) to the prime minister and discussed a plethora of ideas and measures to bolster India's economic growth amid global turmoil.

The prime minister and the EAC-PM members discussed various ideas and measures to further boost India's economic growth in times of global turmoil, they said.

The members also gave their assessment of the impact of the West Asia conflict on India and the world.

West Asia Conflict's Potential Impact

Ever since the war in West Asia began, economies around the world have felt adverse impacts in various aspects; be it energy prices spiralling out of control, restriction to air spaces, or security threats. 

Additionally, conflict and military escalation threatens to push 2.5 million people in India into poverty and the country is projected to experience some loss in its human development progress, according to estimates and projections by the United Nations.

ALSO READ: 'Iran Situation Seems To Be Going Quite Well': Trump Claims Amid Fresh Round Of Fire

The United Nations Development Programme, in a report titled 'Military Escalation In The Middle East: Human Development Impacts Across Asia And The Pacific' noted that the conflict is "widening human development pressures across Asia and the Pacific.

Through higher fuel, freight, and input costs, the shock is diminishing household purchasing power, raising food insecurity, straining public budgets, and weakening livelihoods."

The preliminary assessment, issued Tuesday, estimates that globally 8.8 million people are at risk of falling into poverty and the West Asia military escalation could cost Asia-Pacific up to $299 billion.

Tecno Pova 8 to Launch in India With 8,000mAh Battery on This Day

Tecno has confirmed the launch date of its upcoming Pova 8 smartphone in India. The handset is set to arrive next week and has already been teased in official promotional material. The company has also revealed part of the phone's design, including a redesigned rear camera module and confirmation of a large battery. Recent certification listings and benchmark appearances have additionally hinted at several hardware specifications, including the chipset, charging capabilities, software version, and storage configurations expected on the smartphone.

Tecno Pova 8 India Launch: All We Know

According to an X post shared by Pova Mobile India, the Tecno Pova 8 will launch in India on June 11 at 12pm IST. A banner of the upcoming model on the Flipkart app suggests it will be available for purchase in the country via the e-commerce site. The teaser also offers an early look at the smartphone's design and confirms that it will pack an 8,000mAh battery.

The promotional material suggests that the Tecno Pova 8 handset, teased in green and silver finishes, retains a rear camera layout similar to the Tecno Pova 7. However, the newer model appears to feature a matrix-style dotted lighting element integrated into the camera module.

It appears to be similar to the Glyph Matrix system on the Nothing Phone 3 and Phone 4a Pro, which uses a grid of micro-LEDs to display notifications and key information, allowing users to check updates without turning on the screen.

A Tecno handset, speculated to be the Pova 8, was recently reportedly spotted on Geekbench with a MediaTek Dimensity 7100 chipset paired with 6GB of RAM and Android 16.

The Tecno Pova 8 with support for 45W wired fast charging is also said to have appeared on the FCC certification database. The phone is expected to come with 3G, 4G, and 5G network support, alongside Bluetooth, NFC, Wi-Fi, and GPS connectivity. NFC availability is likely to vary by market. Other leaks claim that the upcoming phone could be available in 6GB + 128GB, 8GB + 128GB, and 8GB + 256GB variants.

Kohli "Doesn't Want The Life He Lives In India": Ex-Teammate Explains Why

The camera is always on Virat Kohli. From a small gesture towards his teammate to an aggressive celebration when a rival batter gets out, Kohli's every act is always under the gaze of the lens. It does not stop there - at airports, in hotel lobbies, on the streets, inside restaurants - there is rarely a time when Kohli is not followed. The celebrity status that superstars like Kohli have comes with its share of burden. Kohli's ex-teammate at Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB), Liam Livingstone, who currently plays for Sunrisers Hyderabad in the IPL, shared his opinion on Kohli's tryst with fame.

"What's he like in the dressing room?" Michael Vaughan asked England star Liam Livingstone in a podcast.

"He was amazing. I'd always played against Virat, and he's always laughing," Livingstone said.

"If you want to have a go at someone, he'll have a go back at you. But on the field, he's ultra-competitive. As soon as he steps over that line, he's a different person. Away from cricket, he is a really nice, chilled-out, lovely guy who loves spending time with his family. A very chilled-out guy," Livingstone added, reflecting on Kohli's natural disposition.

"And almost kind of doesn't want the life that he lives in India. He doesn't really want the eyes on him all the time. He is a genuinely nice guy. When he gets out onto the pitch, he is the most competitive player I have seen."

Kohli, in recent years, has divided his time between India and England. Before the IPL, Kohli was staying in England. Several reports claimed that it was an attempt by Kohli to escape the constant attention and frenzy that he generates.

Livingstone went on to praise the role of RCB's Director of Cricket Mo Bobat and coach Andy Flower in the evolution of Kohli.

"Mo [Bobat] and Andy [Flower] went in and changed the way he played. They were brave enough to do that," Livingstone said.

"They asked him to be a bit more aggressive, hit more sixes, and keep going with that aggression in the powerplay. You see the way he plays now in the powerplay, and he's way more aggressive than he used to be. Even against spin, he's playing more shots than he ever did.

Nifty, Sensex Down 1%, All Sectors In Red: Three Reasons Why Market Is Falling

Domestic equities are trading lower on Wednesday, tracking weak global cues, and lingering geopolitical tensions. Benchmark indices are in the negative territory, with selling pressure visible across sectors. 

Nifty fell as much as 1.41% to 23,151, whereas Sensex fell 1.55% to 73,492.6 intraday. At 1:38 pm, Nifty is down 0.59% at 23,344.4, and Sensex is down 0.67% at 74,150.22..

The pressure comes on the back of gaining crude prices, and volatile IT stocks. 

All sectors were trading in the red, with losses led by IT, which remained 3.61% down during early trade, followed by Realty, Media, and PSU Bank.

The broader market is also facing pressure with the Nifty Smallcap 250 falling almost 0.54%, and the Nifty Midcap 150 dropping about 0.74%.

Here's three reasons why markets are crashing on Wednesday:

US-Iran War Uncertainty

On June 3, US Central Command said U.S. forces defeated multiple Iranian ballistic missiles and drones amid attempted attacks across the Middle East. Iran launched several missiles toward regional neighbours, but none hit their targets: two fired at Kuwait fell short or broke apart, and three aimed at Bahrain were intercepted by US and Bahraini air defenses.

Earlier, CENTCOM shot down three Iranian one-way attack drones launched toward civilian mariners in regional waters. In response, US forces conducted self-defense strikes on an Iranian military ground control station on Qeshm Island. No U.S. personnel were harmed, and CENTCOM said forces remain vigilant during the ongoing ceasefire.

US President Donald Trump called reports of a cessation in talks 'false and erroneous.'

"The conversations between us have been going on continuously, including four days ago, three days ago, two days ago, one day ago and today,” Trump said in a social media post. "Where they lead, one never knows, but as I told Iran, It's time, one way or another, for you to make a Deal."

Gaining Crude Prices

Oil prices extended gains for a third straight session on Wednesday as hopes of a near-term peace agreement between the US and Iran faded, while renewed fighting in the Middle East added to concerns over global crude supplies.

Brent crude climbed towards $97 a barrel, while US benchmark West Texas Intermediate traded near $95. The latest advance comes after oil prices gained more than 7% over the first two trading sessions of the week.

The uncertainty has complicated expectations for the resumption of oil flows from the region. Traders had previously bet that a deal could lead to a quicker reopening of supply routes and help ease pressure on global inventories. Instead, delays are increasing concerns that countries may need to rely more heavily on existing crude stockpiles while waiting for exports from the Persian Gulf to normalise.

Volatile IT Stocks

IT stocks have turned volatile after a strong run-up, with investors increasingly booking profits amid stretched valuations. Technical indicators suggest a reversal in momentum, prompting traders to reduce exposure. Sentiment has also been hit by cautious commentary from foreign brokerages, some of which have flagged concerns around earnings growth and demand visibility.

At the same time, the broader structural setup remains challenging, with uncertainty around discretionary technology spending and the pace of recovery in key overseas markets. Adding to the pressure, global software stocks have witnessed a technical pullback, dragging down sentiment toward Indian IT names as well.

Add image caption here

Sooryavanshi Not Greatest Ever MVP In A Season, IPL Experts Explain Why

IPL experts Ambati Rayudu, Aaron Finch, and Tom Moody thoroughly enjoyed Vaibhav Sooryavanshi's blitz in the 2026 season but still refused to give his performance the status of the MVP (Most Valuable Player). The 15-year-old batter left everyone spell-bound with his powerful performance, amassing 776 runs in 16 matches for Rajasthan Royals. Apart from being the leading run-scorer of the tournament, Sooryavanshi also bagged sveral awards, including the most number of sixes (72). While the Bihar-born batters continues to receives heartfelt praises from all over the world, IPL experts still rated Sunil Narine's performance Kolkata Knight Riders in 2024 as the greatest. 

The former West Indies all-rounder was at his absolute best in the 2024 season, scoring 488 runs at a strike rate of 181 and also scalped 17 wickets, playing a pivotal in KKR's third title win.

Speaking on ESPNCricinfo, the experts trio acknowledged Sooryavanshi's extraordinary talent but still considered Narine to be ahead of him in the list of individual performers. 

"Sunil Narine, for me, beats everyone in terms of the best individual IPL season because he's not a well-accomplished batsman like Shane Watson. He had to do a makeshift job opening against quality fast bowling. That season surpasses many great seasons, including Warner's. It was unbelievable. For me, these two seasons are right at the top and difficult to separate," Rayudu said.

Agreeing to Rayudu's statement, Finch added, "I have Narine clearly at the top as the greatest individual IPL season. He was a brilliant bowler, took crucial wickets, scored important runs, struck at 181 and maintained an economy rate of 6.7. To open the batting, bowl in all phases of the innings and then win the title — that's the icing on the cake. That's the greatest season of all time."

Hearing this, Moody joined in and pinpointed the fact that Narine's economy in 2024 was below seven, and he himself was scoring almost 11 runs per over.

"One thing that stands out is that he conceded fewer than seven runs per over in a season where he was scoring at almost 11 runs per over. He's the champion. The runs he scored, we've never seen before. The way he played while still taking 17 wickets at 6.7 makes that season extraordinary."

Speaking about Sooryavanshi, Rayudu and Moody stated that the teenager needs to prove himself on different surfaces, in order to be considered the MVP.

"The only point I would make is that whenever the wicket was slow, he got out early. So he still has to prove himself consistently on slightly more difficult surfaces," said Rayudu. 

"One thing to consider is that this is the era of the Impact Player, where surfaces are much easier to bat on than historically," Moody said.

"Back then, bowlers like Narine, Amit Mishra and Rashid Khan dominated the tournament. Today, that influence has reduced considerably. That's a serious factor when comparing players across different IPL eras," he added. 

Shoaib Ibrahim's Father Taken Off Ventilator After Brain Surgery

TV actor Shoaib Ibrahim has shared a fresh update on his father's health, a week after he was hospitalised following a brain haemorrhage. In a recent vlog, Shoaib said that his father's condition has improved. He revealed that doctors had earlier placed him on ventilator support due to several medical concerns, but it has now been removed. He also added that his father is conscious and has started responding to him, indicating a positive recovery.

Details

Shoaib said in his vlog, "I brought my father to the hospital last Sunday. After that, his surgery was delayed for 3-4 days because he was on blood thinners. Finally, he underwent surgery on Wednesday, and it went well. Since then, he has started responding. Earlier, he wasn't reacting at all." 

"Over the past few days, my father's heart rate had increased and his blood pressure was also fluctuating. He was unable to swallow properly, so he was placed on a ventilator as a precautionary measure. However, he has now been taken off the ventilator. The support was removed on Sunday after 3-4 days," he added.

Talking about the current condition, Shoaib said, "His heart rate is now under control. Since he had been under anaesthesia for several days, it caused some gas build-up in his intestines, but that has also improved today."

He added, "Speech abhi nahi hai. Dheere dheere unki speech therapy shuru hogi. Aj papa se milke aaya. Achchhe se smile kar raha hai, respond kar rahe hain, bolne ki koshish kar rahe. Inshaallah woh dheere dheere hoga." 

(His speech hasn't returned yet. Gradually, his speech therapy will begin. I met him today. He is smiling well, responding, and trying to speak. InshaAllah, it will improve slowly.)

Background

In a previous video, Shoaib Ibrahim spoke about how serious his father's medical emergency was.

Shoaib Ibrahim said, "As you all know, my father has been hospitalized. We initially thought it was a stroke, but this time it turned out to be a brain haemorrhage. He is not doing well. The last time he had a stroke, there was a blood clot in his brain, which paralyzed the left side of his body. But he was speaking, and he recovered quickly; however, this time there was a lot of bleeding, and it had spread, causing speech problems for him."

"Papa is not reacting at all. The swelling has reduced, and they will perform a procedure on his brain. They will make a hole in his skull and remove the blood clots so that they do not spread. They are waiting for the swelling to subside. They don't want to rush things; they are closely monitoring him for two days," Shoaib added. 

Also Read: Why Dipika Kakar Is Drinking Ground Black Coffee, Husband Shoaib Ibrahim Explains

Bengal Ministry Expansion: আগামিকাল রাজ্য মন্ত্রিসভার সম্প্রসারণে থাকছে চমক? মন্ত্রী হওয়ার দৌড়ে এগিয়ে কারা?

Bengal Ministry Expansion: এবার ভোটে জিতে বিধায়ক হয়েছেন স্বপন দাসগুপ্ত, সারদ্বত মুখোপাধ্যায়, রত্ন দেবনাথের মতো প্রার্থীরা।  গুঞ্জন রয়েছে....

Bengal Weather Update: প্রাক বর্ষার এন্ট্রি! তীব্র ঝড়-বৃষ্টির হাই-অ্যালার্ট এই এই জেলায়, কলকাতার আপডেট কী?

West Bengal Weather Update: দক্ষিণবঙ্গে ঝড় বৃষ্টির সম্ভাবনা ক্রমশ কমবে। গত দু-তিন দিনের ঝড় বৃষ্টিতে তাপমাত্রার স্বাভাবিকের নিচে রয়েছে। এই তাপমাত্রা আজ সোমবার থেকে আগামী বুধবারের মধ্যে ৩ থেকে ৪ ডিগ্রি পর্যন্ত বাড়বে। ৫ জুন পর্যন্ত ঝড় বৃষ্টির সম্ভাবনা কম। উল্টে গরম ও অস্বস্তি অনেকটা বাড়বে।   

TMC leader arrest: পার্টি অফিসে ডেকে মহিলার উপর লালসার নখদাঁত, নারকীয় অত্যাচার! গ্রেফতার তৃণমূলের হেভিওয়েট নেতা

Paschim Medinipur: পার্টি অফিসে ডেকে এক মহিলাকে ধর্ষণের অভিযোগে গ্রেফতার হলেন তৃণমূল অঞ্চল সভাপতির বিরুদ্ধে। গত বছর এই গুরুতর অভিযোগ উঠলেও এতদিন তিনি অধরা ছিলেন। রাজ্যে রাজনৈতিক পরিবর্তনের পর পুলিসি তৎপরতায় শুক্রবার রাতে তাঁকে গ্রেফতার করা হয়।