Month: May 2023

Following the overnight “drone attacks” on the Kremlin residence of President Vladimir Putin, the office of President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy said that Russia is preparing for a “large-scale terrorist attack.”

Advisor to the Head of the Office of President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Mykhailo Podolyak, in a tweet, has said that the drone attacks on the Kremlin were not from Ukraine.
Russia on Wednesday alleged that there were attempts by Ukraine to assassinate President Putin and also called it a “terrorist attack.” Russia also said that it has the “right to retaliate” in a manner, place and time of its choosing.

Russian President Vladimir Putin did not get injured in the overnight drone attacks, President’s press service announced on Wednesday, Russia Today reported.

Mykhailo Podolyak, in a tweet, said, “As for the drones over the Kremlin, it’s all predictable….Russia is clearly preparing a large-scale terrorist attack. That’s why it first detains a large allegedly subversive group in Crimea. And then it demonstrates “drones over the Kremlin”. First of all, Ukraine wages an exclusively defensive war and does not attack targets on the territory of the Russian Federation. What for? This does not solve any military issue. But it gives RF grounds to justify its attacks on civilians…”

Podolak also noted that Ukraine was monitoring the mishaps and incidents that were taking place in different parts of Russian Federation and also clarified that even though something was happening in RF but the drones did not belong to Ukraine.

He also tweeted, “Secondly, we are watching with interest the growing number of mishaps and incidents that are taking place in different parts of RF. The emergence of unidentified unmanned aerial vehicles at energy facilities or on Kremlin’s territory can only indicate the guerilla activities of local resistance forces. As you know, drones can be bought at any military store… The loss of power control over the country by Putin’s clan is obvious. But on the other hand, Russia has repeatedly talked about its total control over the air. In a word, something is happening in RF, but definitely without Ukraine’s drones over the Kremlin…”

On social media, several viral videos purportedly show a plummet of smoke rising against the night cityscape from the territory of the former Russian capital on Wednesday.

The Kremlin press service also said, “Two unmanned aerial vehicles were aimed at the Kremlin. As a result of timely actions taken by the military and special services using radar warfare systems, the devices were disabled.”

According to Putin’s staff, Ukraine launched two drone attacks overnight with the intention of hitting his apartment in the Kremlin.

“The head of State was not in the Kremlin at the time of ‘Ukrainian UAV attack’ on Tuesday night,” Kremlin’s Spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said.

He also said that President Putin is currently working from his residence near Moscow and that his schedule remains unchanged.

The drones were destroyed using electronic warfare measures and caused no casualties or damage, the press service added.

According to a report in Russia Today, the message said, “As a result of this terrorist act, the President of the Russian Federation was not injured. His work schedule has not changed, it continues as usual.”

The Kremlin also noted that the Russian side reserves the right to take retaliatory measures as it sees fit, reported Russia Today.

Peskov added that the incident won’t interfere with the Victory Day parade that is scheduled to take place on May 9 on Red Square. (ANI)

Actor Varun Dhawan who is gearing up for the Indian adaptation of ‘Citadel’ on Wednesday treated fans with a glimpse of his workout session.

Taking to Instagram story, Varun dropped a video of himself doing exercise with a dumbbell.

Sharing the video, he wrote, “The grind don’t stop was on pause mode now go mode.”

The actor is working hard for the action sequence in ‘Citadel’

On Monday, Varun shared a video from his ice bath recovery for his upcoming series.

Varun shared a video on his Insta Story where he is showing a bathtub full of ice cubes.

Ice bath recovery is used to recover faster and reduce muscle pain and soreness after intense training sessions or competitions.

‘Citadel’ is created by the ace filmmakers Raj and DK, the upcoming local spy series will be launched exclusively on Prime Video.

Originally, ‘Citadel’ is a big-budget sci-fi series helmed by the Russo Brothers. Bollywood’s desi girl Priyanka Chopra was seen opposite Richard Madden in the American version.

Excited about his OTT debut and that too with the Indian instalment of Citadel, Varun said, “Prime Video is like home to me, and I am thrilled to begin this journey in the streaming space with them.

‘Citadel’ is an exceptionally ambitious and exciting franchise, and to be part of this magnificent universe, conceptualised by the Russo Brothers’ AGBO and Jennifer Salke, is a landmark moment in my career”

He added, “I have been a big fan of their work and I am beyond thrilled to be a part of this project, and can’t wait to start shooting it. The storyline of the Indian Citadel chapter is fantastic, and when you have creators like Raj and DK on board, one can be certain that a spectacle is in the making.”

Apart from this, Varun will be seen in an upcoming social drama film ‘Bawaal’ opposite Janhvi Kapoor. He will also be seen in ‘Bhediya 2’. (ANI)

Actor Rakul Preet Singh looked gorgeous in a red-fuchsia pink saree. On Tuesday, the ‘Chhatriwali’ actor shared a series of stunning pictures on social media.

Rakul Preet dropped a series of pictures on her Instagram handle where she looked resplendent in a red-pink saree.

The first picture gave a close-up look at the actor’s on-fleek make-up.

The photo gave a full glimpse of the actor’s look. She wore a red sequined blouse wrapped up with a fuchsia pink saree. The saree not only has red and fuchsia pink but an orange hue too.

She accessorized her attire with golden earrings, beaded golden potli and jootis, which unleashed her desi avatar. Rakul Preet kept her hair tied in a ponytail, which accentuated her look further.

Sharing the pictures, she wrote, “When comfort meets desi.’

Meanwhile, on the work front, Rakul was recently seen in ‘Chhatriwali’.

Produced by Ronnie Screwvala and directed by Tejas Prabha Vijay Deoskar’, ‘Chhatriwali’ aims to drive home a strong social message on the importance of male contraceptives and safe sex.

In a slice-of-life film set in Haryana, in ‘Chhatriwali’ Rakul is initially seen as shy and embarrassed about her job. She soon realises the importance of safe sex and then takes it upon herself to destigmatise the conversation around sex education.

Without being too preachy, the film sets the tone and delivers the message with humour and sensitivity while ensuring the narrative is entertaining and family-friendly.

The film also stars Sumeet Vyas, Satish Kaushik and Rajesh Tailang in the lead roles and is streaming on the OTT platform Zee5 from January 20. (ANI)

Home is where the heart is and bidding adieu to a home of 19 years is not an easy task even if you happen to be a movie star. Neha Dhupia shared her plethora of emotions as she bade goodbye to the place she called home for two decades.

Taking to Instagram, Neha shared a string of pictures. In one frame she is joined by her parents, in another, she is exercising with her kids. She shared all the lovey-dovey moments spent with friends, family and kids on her Insta-post.
Neha began her post, “05.04.2004 – 30.04.2023 – Title – “Home” Yes it’s a true story … a place I called home for almost 19 years of my life … saying good bye was just the hardest …

I still remember as a 23 year old as soon as I walked into this little house I knew I would call it mine forever.. and we did stick to that promise. All I’m doing now is going away for a little bit just so that we both get a little breathing space. It’s been just a day and gosh I miss it so much already … Every room , every side , Every wall , every nook , every corner has a story to tell … this place I called home saw me grow , laugh , cry , scream from rooftops literally n figuratively.”

She continued, “From my first piece of slightest success to my heart breaks to those crazy games nights and those gorgeous Diwali lights and my obsession with multiple things that I would hoard it just embraced everyone and everything with love and positivity and a view to write “home” about. My crazy casting calls to my endless fittings to my evenings with friends and my midnight munchies and those occasional lovers tiffs to many unreasonable conversations with my team I never ever wanted to be anywhere else but home.”

Sitting at new home, Neha wrote, “No complaints as I sit and write this in a brand new home with a promise of brand new beginnings but I feel there will be no bigger and more adventurous story to tell in my life than my time spent there. These walls welcomed me home after a long day and sometimes kept me home endlessly with the hope of having long days … this home welcomed our love and our babies and I would have wanted any other corner to keep our cot than by the view of the famous mango tree … I would not want any room to be occupied by my parents and family and friends each time They visited than they did and I could nt have asked for a better set of neighbours and friends in the building ( very little chatter but we always knew we were there for each other ) I miss , I miss , I miss it all …

For the ones who know , it’s a life stage crossed and onto the next one… ( also our little love nest had way more memories than just these wonderful photos .. wish I could share all … ) …Going to set up our gorgeous new home..Bye.” Karan Johar wrote, “To new beginnings with the best baggage of memories.” Bhavna Panday wrote, “All the best Neha !! Lots of love.”

Meanwhile, on the work front, Angad and Neha were recently seen as a couple in an comedy-drama ‘Social Distancing’ penned by author Chetan Bhagat. (ANI)

Actor Shah Rukh Khan was spotted at the Mumbai airport recently refusing to pose for a selfie with a person and a video shared by a paparazzo account shows the actor pushing away the hand of the fan.

In the video, Shah Rukh was seen exiting the airport with his manager Pooja Dadlani. As he came outside the airport, the actor blew kisses at the waiting paps. Then when a fan attempted to capture a selfie with him, the actor shoved him away his phone. Shah Rukh also turned back to looked at him.
Security guards cordoned off the actor and helped him to get into the car. Shah Rukh was seen attired in a black leather jacket over a black vest. He also sported black shades.

SRK jetted off to Kashmir last week and several videos of the actor have gone viral.

In the videos, King Khan could be seen receiving a grand welcome in a hotel in Kashmir. He donned an all-black outfit with a white shawl around his neck. The major reason behind fans’ speculations was the ‘Paheli’ actor’s look.

Reportedly, Shah Rukh shot for director Rajkumar Hirani’s upcoming film ‘Dunki’ in the beautiful valley of Kashmir.

In another set of viral pictures, SRK posed with fans while shooting in Kashmir.

‘Dunki’ marks the first collaboration of the ‘Chak De India’ actor with director Rajkumar Hirani and actor Taapsee Pannu. Vicky Kaushal is also an important part of the movie.

As big names Shah Rukh and Taapsee Pannu were shooting in Kashmir, people in the valley were hopeful that it will boost their economy and tourism.

According to Iliyas Ahmad, CEO of the Sonamarg Development Authority, “the arrival of Bollywood stars like Shahrukh Khan and Taapsee Pannu will not only bring economic benefits to the region but also put Kashmir on the global map of tourism.” (ANI)

Around 15,000 doctors across Madhya Pradesh have launched an indefinite strike from Wednesday demanding the implementation of the DACP (Dynamic Assured Career Progression) scheme.

The protesting doctors claimed that they put their demands before the state government several times, but the government was not accepting their demands.
As a result of which they went on strike.

The doctors have also stopped the emergency health services in the state.

General Secretary of Madhya Pradesh Medical Officer Association Dr Ritesh Tawar said, “We had called off our earlier agitation after Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan’s assurance. After this, a high-level committee was formed through which some points were agreed upon to which the administrative officers and office bearers of our union agreed. Instead of issuing orders on those points, we are being cheated by making changes in those points. So, we request the Chief Minister to intervene in the matter and issue orders on those agreed points immediately.”

When asked about the government claiming that 95% of their demands have been fulfilled, Dr Tawar said, “It is not so. During our earlier conversation, the administrative officials agreed on some points and we showed our consent on some points. We all agreed on a common agenda. If we talk about DACP (promotion scheme) then, the time interval is not according to the Government of India, it has been increased. It is not acceptable to the medical community.”

Implementation of DACP is the main issue for the strike. The government is talking about not giving the benefit of DACP to those doctors who are posted in the village. They do not have proper facilities, they are staying away from their families and work throughout the month. Even after this, if they are being deprived of a promotion policy, then it is totally wrong and that is why they are standing here, Dr Tawar said.

He added that about 15000 doctors across the state were on strike, in which apart from the Health Department, Medical Education Department, Junior Doctor Association, Contractual Doctor Association and Madhya Pradesh Medical Doctor Association were involved in it. The emergency facilities were also stopped from Wednesday.

When asked about the government saying doctors should understand the pain of patients, he said, ‘We understand the pain of the patients. The doctors have always been sensitive and the doctors never want anything bad to happen to their patients. But the government should think more than us because we have not announced any sudden movement. They were informed in advance, the government should have already taken a decision on it so that such a situation should not take place.”

Responding to the question asked about the government saying that the strike is unethical and action might be taken, he said, “It is wrong, where will we go to address our demands, we will speak to the government. If the government ignores us and shows a dictatorial attitude, then the administration should think something. We are ready for whatever action the government would take.”

On the other hand, medical education minister, Vishwas Sarang said, “We are continuously communicating to the doctors. Earlier also, we accepted all their demands. During the previous agitation, we formed a committee and all their demands have been accepted by the committee. There is no such demand which has not been accepted and especially demand related to medical education has been fully accepted.”

“The demand of the Health Department has also been accepted, there is a slight problem in only one demand. In DACP also there is demand for giving 4th grade, but with 3rd-grade pay, arrangements have been made so that the doctor can get the full benefit of it. There is no problem, I think the government has done everything from its side, we request the doctor not to go on strike. Apart from this, if there is any issue, we are ready to communicate with them,” Sarang added.

Nonetheless, the government has made alternative arrangements to attend to the patients. Collaboration with the private hospital has been done. AYUSH doctors and contractual doctors are giving their services to patients. But he wants the doctor to not strike and get back to work, the minister added. (ANI)

Congress General Secretary Priyanka Gandhi on Wednesday alleged that Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) looted Rs 1.5 lakh crore from Karnataka in the last three and a half years.

While addressing a public meeting at Indi, Vijayapura, the Congress leader said, “In the last three and a half years, they (BJP) have looted Rs 1.5 lakh crore from Karnataka.”
She added, “With the amount of money they looted, you could have built 100 AIIMS hospitals, 30,000 smart classrooms and houses for 30 lakh poor people. Today they cannot talk about your issues in front of you, so every day they raise some new issue which has no meaning for your development.”

Earlier on Tuesday, Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra took a jibe at BJP saying that the saffron party is stealing democracy and urged the people to cast their votes in favour of the grand old party.

Addressing a public rally in poll-bound Karnataka, Priyanka Gandhi said, “Nowadays, there are various types of thieves in the country, some steal from houses…now, some thieves ‘who steal the governments’ have also come, they are stealing the democracy…stop them….”

On Sunday, Priyanka Gandhi held a roadshow in Jamakhandi Kudachi, Belagavi to campaign for the Congress party ahead of the Karnataka Assembly Polls.

On May 2, Congress released its manifesto for the Karnataka Assembly elections.

The Karnataka assembly elections will be held in a single phase on May 10, with the counting of votes scheduled on May 13. (ANI)

Ace wrestler Bajrang Punia on Tuesday said that Indian Olympic Association (IOA) president PT Usha has assured the grapplers of her solidarity with their protest against Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) Chief and said that she will help them to “get justice.”

The IOA president arrived at Jantar Mantar earlier today where the wrestlers have been staging a protest for the last 11 days demanding that action be taken against the WFI chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, who is facing allegations of sexual harassment.
“She (Usha) said that I am with you and I will help you get justice,” Punia told media persons after the meeting.

The Olympic 2021 Bronze medalist further added that the wrestlers will continue their protest till the time the WFI Chief is put behind bars.

“We will stay here until he goes to jail,” Punia said.

Previously, Usha had ruffled feathers with her remarks that the wrestlers should have approached the IOA instead of going out in the streets against the WFI and its president, whom the wrestlers accused of sexual harassment and mismanagement of athletes.

“Indian Olympic Association (IOA) is having a committee for sexual harassment, instead of going to the streets they (protesting wrestlers) could have come to us earlier but they did not come to IOA. It is not good for sports not only for wrestlers, they should also have some discipline,” the IOA president had told mediapersons.

Wrestlers had expressed their disappointment at her April 27 remarks.

“Being a woman athlete, she (PT Usha) is not listening to other women athletes. We have followed her since childhood and got inspired by her. Where is indiscipline here, we are sitting here peacefully,” Sakshee Malikkh told mediapersons.

Vinesh Phogat, a CWG and World Championships medalist also termed Usha’s comments as “insensitive”.

“We live as per the constitution and are independent citizens. We can go anywhere. If we are sitting out in the streets, there must be some reason, a reason that nobody listened to us, be it IOA or Sports Ministry. Her saying this is insensitive. I even called her, but she did not pick up my phone,” said Vinesh.

Three months ago prominent wrestlers came forward to lead a protest against the WFI Chief, the Union Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports announced the formation of an ‘oversight committee’ to probe allegations levelled against the WFI and its chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh and other coaches.

The committee was tasked with submitting a report on the issue to the ministry. The wrestlers launched a fresh protest in April. On April 30, Delhi Police registered two FIRs against WFI president Singh over allegations of sexual harassment and exploitation of female wrestlers by him. Top Indian grapplers such as Vinesh Phogat, Sakshi Malik, Bajrang Punia, and many other wrestlers are involved in the protest against the WFI chief. (ANI)

An UN-proscribed global terrorist group Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM), openly sought funds for jihad in Peshawar and other cities during the Eid celebrations. By letting this happen, Pakistan has violated a key redline set by the global anti-terrorist financing watchdog, FATF, in letting the country off the greylist last year, European Times reported.

According to local residents, members of JeM were reportedly seeking funds for carrying out jihad in Kashmir and Palestine in Bagh-e-Naran, a suburb on the outskirts of Peshawar in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa in April this year.
Several Pakistani Twitter users have since pointed out that similar fundraising activities by extremist groups were happening in other areas as well. Many of them said these fund-raisings had been a regular feature at many mosques, sometimes under the protection of security personnel. There were other Twitter statements showing terrorist groups openly seeking funds in mosques in Karachi, European Times reported.

The Eid fundraising by JeM clearly proves that Pakistan has failed to keep its promise to FATF to curtail terrorist funding.

According to European Times, in June 2021, FATF declined to let off Pakistan from the greylist citing laxity in taking action against proscribed terrorist groups like Lashkar-e-Tayyeba (LeT), JeM and similar entities.

The FATF said that despite completing 26 of the 27 tasks it had been handed, Pakistan’s failure to complete the last task on convicting terrorists and terror entities meant it would not be delisted for now. The same group is now freely seeking funds for terrorist activities.

In fact, JeM had been active even as Pakistan was freed of sanctions by FATF last year. European Times reported that the JeM carried out large-scale construction at its sprawling Jama-e-Masjid Subhanallah headquarters in Bahawalpur.

Pakistan had claimed in its testimonies before FATF that JeM had been banned since 2002, within months of the group’s attack on the Parliament House in New Delhi in 2001.

The group, with the aid of the Pakistan Army, had moved to Afghanistan to supplement the Afghan Taliban fighting the US-led forces. The United Nations Security Council (UNSC) monitors reporting in May 2022 stated that JeM operated eight training camps in Nangarhar, three under Taliban control.

The JeM has a long tie-up with the Afghan Taliban. When JeM leader, Masood Azhar, was freed after the Indian Airlines hijacking incident in December 1999, he was welcomed and given shelter by the Afghan Taliban leadership in Kandahar, European Times reported.

Fundraising by jihadi groups during Eid was a common practice in the recent past. Since greater scrutiny came to bear on such terrorist fundraising, Pakistan had restricted such events but never stopped. Terrorist groups have been using devious methods to carry out such activities recently, European Times reported. (ANI)