Month: December 2020

Amid the self-isolation period, Kriti Sanon penned a scribble to channel her inspirational thoughts on Saturday.

Kriti, who has tested positive for COVID-19, is currently at home recuperating. To channel her inner poetic skills, she hopped on to social media to shared a glamorous photo of her with a scribble on discovering herself.

The capture features the 30-year-old star effortlessly posing for the camera while sporting a backless top with subtle makeup and open hair.

With the post, the actor noted, “I wanna open every knot Of who I ”should’ be, So I can elongate the rope, Fly up higher, And discover who I ‘could’ be. –Kriti #SanonScribbles #PoetryWithKriti,” with butterfly emoticons.

Celebrity followers including more than eight lakh fans liked the ‘Raabta’ star’s post. Actor Jacqueline Fernandez and Hrithik Roshan also appreciated the star in the comments section.

Superstar Hrithik wrote, “Wah,” (wow) with 100 sign emoticon; whereas, Jacqueline left red heart emoticons for the star.

Kriti recently confirmed that she tested positive for Covid-19 and on the work front, she is gearing up for the release of her next Hindi-language drama film Mimi, which also features Pankaj Tripathi in a pivotal role. (ANI)

Bollywood actor Kangana Ranaut penned a heartfelt note for the entire crew of her upcoming multilingual biographical film ‘Thalaivi’ while sharing a still of her striking victory pose from the movie.

Expressing her love for the movie and the character she played in her most-anticipated film, Kangana, on Saturday shared that she has finished shooting for her upcoming movie ‘Thalaivi’.

The ‘Queen’ star posted two pictures- first features a still of her character from the film, and second of the young political leader Jayalalitha which captures both of them striking the victory pose.

In the pictures, posted on Twitter, fans can catch a glimpse of the 33-year-old donning the same pure white saree with red and black coloured borders as the late Tamil Nadu Chief Minister used to wear.

Kangana tweeted, “And it’s a wrap, today we successfully completed the filming of our most ambitious project Thalaivi- the revolutionary leader, rarely an actor finds a character that comes alive in flesh and blood and I fall in love so hard but now suddenly it’s time to say bye, mixed feelings,” with a red heart emoticon.

“Opportunity of a lifetime thank you team @vishinduri @ShaaileshRSingh @BrindaPrasad1 @neeta_lulla @rajatsaroraa, Vijendra Parsad Ji @ballusaluja @gvprakash @thearvindswami and director A. L. Vijay sir, each and every member of my wonderful crew, thank you thank you thank you,” she wrote using folding hands emoticon while thanking the whole crew of the flick.

‘Thalaivi’ is written by ‘Baahubali’ and ‘Manikarnika’ writer KV Vijayendra Prasad and ‘The Dirty Picture’ and ‘Once Upon a Time in Mumbai’ writer Rajat Arora.The release date of the film has not yet been decided after it was postponed due to the coronavirus pandemic. (ANI)

Bhutan and Israel on Saturday established formal diplomatic relations to strengthen ties between the two countries.

According to an official statement, the notes verbale on the establishment of diplomatic relations were exchanged between major General Vetsop Namgyel, Ambassador of Bhutan to India, and Dr Ron Malka, Ambassador of Israel to India, at the Embassy of the State of Israel in New Delhi.

During the exchange of notes verbale ceremony, the two Ambassadors recognised the growing engagements between Bhutan and Israel and welcomed the establishment of diplomatic relations. They reiterated the shared desire of the two countries to further strengthen bilateral cooperation to the benefit of both peoples. In addition to deepening cooperation in areas including economic, technological and agriculture development, the two Ambassadors highlighted that the ties between the peoples through cultural exchanges and tourism would also be further enhanced, the statement said.

Even in the absence of diplomatic relations, Israel and Bhutan have enjoyed cordial relations marked by friendship and cooperation. Israel has supported Bhutan’s human resource development since 1982, especially in the area of agriculture development that has benefited hundreds of Bhutanese youth.

The establishment of diplomatic relations would create new avenues for cooperation between the two countries in water management, technology, human resource development, agricultural sciences and other areas of mutual benefit, the statement said. (ANI)

Bollywood actor Sonam Kapoor Ahuja joined hands with the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) to make people aware about the hunger programmes across the globe.

“Congratulations to the UN World Food Programme on being awarded the 2020 #NobelPeacePrize. This is a powerful reminder that peace and Zero Hunger go hand-in-hand. Join me and @worldfoodprogramme in our mission to end hunger. Follow WFP to find out how you can help make a difference!,” Sonam tweeted.

“Ending hunger is the greatest challenge of our time, but together we can make an impact on the 690 million people who go to bed hungry every night, and we’ve attached a one-pager here with more information about the link between hunger and conflict. Please let us know if you have any questions about WFP’s work to end global hunger, and looking forward to hearing from you!” reads an official release.

Nearly 700 million people around the world are facing hunger with many affected by violence and conflict. Meanwhile, to make people aware of this global emergency, the ‘Khubsoorat’ actor has come forward to support the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP).

According to the release, the actor’s earlier support to the WFP has helped the organisation in providing over 15 billion meals to 100 million people in more than 80 countries each year.

Recently, the Programme has been presented with the 2020 Nobel Peace Prize for their work in food security and its impact on peace and stability.

On the work front, Sonam Kapoor Ahuja was last seen in the 2019 release ‘The Zoya Factor’ opposite Dulquer Salmaan. According to reports, the actress has been reading various scripts currently, during her stay in London and might soon announce her next. (ANI)

Clashes between the Afghan National Security Forces and the Taliban in the southern province of Kandahar have left 90 terrorists killed, the Afghan Defense Ministry said in a press release on Saturday.

“During the clashes, 90 Taliban terrorists were killed and nine others wounded,” the ministry said.

According to the press release, the army repelled Taliban attacks in the Panjwai, Zhari, Arghandab and Maiwand districts of Kandahar.

The ministry said Afghan servicemen had found and defused 15 anti-vehicle mines and destroyed a batch of Taliban weapons, which the radical group was expected to use in terrorist activities.

Responding to the press release, the Taliban denied any clashes had happened in Kandahar at all, adding that it endured no casualties and that the Kabul-declared toll of killed militia was anyway too high to be true.

According to the radical group, the Afghan military issued the press release as part of propaganda to give false assurances to its demoralized soldiers. (ANI/Sputnik)

Amid a series of opposition rallies in Pakistan, the Islamabad administration on Friday extended a ban on all kinds of gatherings of five or more people, processions, and demonstrations at any public place in Islamabad, including the Red Zone, where important government buildings are located, for a period of two months.

Islamabad Deputy Commissioner Mohammad Hamza Shafqaat on Friday issued separate notifications in this regard, Dawn reported.

According to a notification, the ban over the gatherings was extended after knowing that certain segments of society are planning to organise unlawful assemblies, including majlis and processions which can disrupt public peace and tranquillity and keeping in view the current law and order and security environment.

The sale, purchase and use of firecrackers and fireworks, distribution of handbills, pamphlets, carrying out wall calking, writing slogans and affixing posters on the walls were also prohibited for a period of two months.

According to another notification, the ban on carrying, displaying and exhibiting firearms was also extended.

A two-month ban was also placed on the publication of housing schemes or sale of plots. The notification regarding the ban claimed that speculative transactions also emerge out of the situation which jeopardizes the interest of the people and deprive them of their hard-earned money, thus creating panic and anxiety in the society.

Likewise, the ban also extended over the use of cassette players sound, system, CD/DVD and other mediums for making objectionable/sectarian-related speeches, Dawn reported.

This comes as Pakistan opposition’s 11-party alliance – Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM) is set to hold its sixth power show in Lahore on Sunday, despite efforts by Prime Minister Imran Khan’s to block the rally proceedings.

The Pakistan government also flooded the Minar-e-Pakistan lawns in a “failed effort” to stop PDM from holding their rally on December 13.

The PDM has held five similar rallies in Peshawar, Gujranwala, Karachi, Quetta and Multan since October 16. (ANI)

Sourya Music international upcoming film “VEBBI” Mahabaleshwar schedule completed. The star cast ‘Mugdha Godse’ and ‘Man Singh’ along with supporting cast Shadiq were also present on the set. “VEBBI film” is based on home in vision concept, in which the dark thriller of different ways will be seen.

Fashion fame and Bollywood star actress Mugdha Godse will be seen in a very interesting look, for which audience is very excited. Actor Man Singh’s film “Intezaar Koi Aane ko Hain” is also completely ready for which social media has got a lot of stir from now on.

The promotional song of the long-awaited “Intezaar Koi Aane Ko Hai” was completed in Film City, which is going viral in the audience in the coming time. Back to back in 2021 of Sourya Music International & karan singh many big projects are coming in which big studios are in joint ventures.

Web series is also coming with “Platinum” and “UP 72”.

In a bid to allay farmers’ fears over the farm laws as they continue with their protests, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday said that the farm reforms will help bring down barriers between agricultural and associated sectors, creating new markets for farmers which will benefit agricultural sector.

“In a vibrant economy, when a sector grows, it has a direct influence of other sectors as well. Reforms that we are doing are removing needless frameworks. The agriculture sector is one such example,” PM Modi said while addressing the 93rd Annual Convention of Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI).

Stressing on the theme of barriers in various industries, Prime Minister Modi said, “what is required in India’s economy is not walls but more and more bridges so that they help support each other”.

He also emphasised that farmers will gain from technological advances and investments as when one sector grows, its effect is seen on several other sectors.

“We had seen walls between the agriculture sector and other areas associated with it – be it agriculture infrastructure, food processing, storage or cold chain. All walls and obstacles are being removed now. After reforms, farmers will get new markets, options and more benefits of technology. The country’s cold storage infrastructure will be modern. By doing this, there will more investments in agriculture that will benefit farmers,” PM Modi said.

The Prime Minister said that the government has taken several initiatives to increase the farmers’ income.

“Today farmers have options to sell their crops in mandis as well as to outside parties. Mandis are being modernised, farmers have now the option to sell their produce on digital platforms. We have taken all these initiatives to increase the farmers’ income and make them more prosperous,” he said.

Farmers have been protesting in and around the national capital since November 26 against the Farmers’ Produce Trade and Commerce (Promotion and Facilitation) Act, 2020; the Farmers (Empowerment and Protection) Agreement on Price Assurance and Farm Services Act, 2020; and the Essential Commodities (Amendment) Act, 2020.

Farmers’ unions have so far held six rounds of talks with the government.

After rejecting the Centre’s proposal to amend the recently enacted farm laws, the agitating leaders said that they would intensify their agitation by blocking railway tracks to put pressure on the government to repeal the three Acts.

PM Modi said that rural India is undergoing a massive change today and the active internet users in rural India is higher than urban India. More than half of India’s start-ups are in Tier-II and Tier-III cities, he said.

The Prime Minister said that digital payments are being made possible even on small vendors in rural parts of the country. (ANI)