Month: December 2024

Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) national president and Union Minister JP Nadda on Monday paid homage to former Haryana Chief Minister Om Prakash Chautala and said that the entire state and the country were saddened by his demise.

“This is the end of an era in politics,” Nadda said while addressing the gathering in a condolence program for the late Chautala.

Nadda further said that Chautala always raised his voice for the people including the middle class, labour class, farmers or any other section of society. As the Chief Minister of Haryana, he contributed a lot to the state’s development, he added.

“His demise is heartbreaking for all of us. First of all, I want to pray his soul gets peace. May the god give strength to the family to get through this difficult time. His demise doesn’t only affect his family or the community, but the entire Haryana and the country is saddened by his demise. This is the end of an era in politics. I got the opportunity to work with him. He was a cheerful person and a senior leader. He was always ready to raise his voice for the people – be it for the middle class, labour class, farmers or any other section of the society,” Nadda said.

“He gave everything for Haryana’s development as the Chief Minister. He contributed a lot towards making Haryana a Viksit state…He fearlessly raised the voice and issues of the people…” he added.

Nadda was accompanied by Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini who also paid tributes to former Haryana CM Chautala.

OP Chautala passed away on December 20 at Medanta Hospital in Gurugram. He was accorded state honour at the Tejakhera farmhouse on December 21. People also paid their last respects to former Haryana CM at the Tejakhera farmhouse. The Haryana government had declared a holiday for all schools in the state today following the demise of the Indian National Lok Dal (INLD) supremo.

Earlier, the Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini described INLD leader Prakash Chautala as a visionary leader and stated that he will always be remembered for his contribution to the politics of the state.

Paying his tribute, CM Saini said, “I express my deep condolences on the demise of senior leader Chaudhary Om Prakash Chautala ji. With his demise, a chapter of Haryana politics has come to an end. His contribution to Haryana politics will always be remembered. Chautala ji’s personality was a symbol of simplicity and struggle.” (ANI)

Launching a blistering attack against former Delhi Chief Minister and Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) chief Arvind Kejriwal over Pujari, Granthi Samman Yojana, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Gaurav Bhatia called Kejriwal “anti-Hindu” and “anti-development.”.

“Anti-Hindu Kejriwal is now making new promises ahead of the upcoming Delhi assembly elections. Why is it happening? It is because Kejriwal knows that the false promises he has made have not been fulfilled and his career is going to get over that he is coming up with more fake promises. Today, when he promises to give Rs 18000 to Pujaris and Granthis, a question arises in my mind that it has not been long since AAP was in love with liquor mafias and was giving them contracts to open shops outside temples and gurudwaras. Kejriwal made liquor shops outside all the places that we consider auspicious,” said Bhatia.

“Kejriwal is anti-development. He must learn from the BJP. We give our report card to people in the state that is to hold assembly elections. He cannot even answer journalists,” the BJP leader added.

Meanwhile, Kejriwal responded to the BJP’s criticism over the announcement of the Pujari Granthi Samman Yojana, and wrote on X, “BJP people have been abusing me since yesterday, ever since the Pujari Granthi Samman Yojana was announced. My question to them is, will the country benefit from abusing me? You have governments in 20 states. You have been in power in Gujarat for 30 years. Why haven’t you respected the priests and granthis there till now? Come on, do it now. I have shown the way to everyone. Instead of abusing me, why don’t you implement it in your 20 states? Then everyone will benefit. Why do you abuse me?”

Notably, on Monday, Kejriwal announced the Pujari Granthi Samman Yojana, which would be implemented once the AAP forms the government by winning in the upcoming polls in the national capital. (ANI)

The German government has accused Tesla CEO and entrepreneur Elon Musk of interfering in the country’s upcoming election after he endorsed the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD), according to a report by Euro News.

Officials, including government spokesperson Christiane Hoffmann, Social Democratic Party (SPD) co-leader Lars Klingbeil, and Friedrich Merz, leader of Germany’s largest opposition party Christian Democratic Union (CDU) condemned Musk’s comments on Germany.

“It is indeed the case that Elon Musk is trying to influence the federal election through his statements,” Hoffmann said.

She added that although Musk was “free to express his opinion” it was worth noting Musk was recommending voting for a party that is “being monitored by the Office for the Protection of the Constitution on suspicion of being right-wing extremist and that has already been recognized as being right-wing extremist in parts.”

SPD co-leader Lars Klingbeil also criticised Musk, comparing him to Russian President Vladimir Putin and accusing him of election interference.

Klingbeil alleged that Musk’s public endorsement of the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) ahead of the country’s snap elections is a deliberate attempt to weaken Germany’s democracy and called for stricter regulation of major internet platforms like Musk’s X.

In an interview with Funke Mediengruppe on Monday, Klingbeil likened Musk to Putin, saying that “both want to influence our elections and are deliberately supporting the AfD, the enemies of democracy. They want Germany to be weakened and plunge into chaos.”

“We need to be much more proactive and effectively limit the power of the large internet platforms like Musk’s short message service, X. Here, a tech billionaire is trying to use his influence to influence the course of world politics,” Euro News reported.

CDU leader Friedrich Merz called Musk’s endorsement of the far-right AfD an unprecedented example of meddling between allied nations and highlighted the potential economic harm of AfD policies, such as their push for Germany to exit the European Union.

Merz said Musk had overlooked several of the AfD’s policies when drafting his op-ed, including its stated desire for Germany to leave the European Union, something Merz and many others argue would be extremely damaging to Germany’s economy, according to a report by Euro News.

Last week, Musk sparked controversy in Germany by openly endorsing the AfD.

In a post on X, Musk wrote, “The portrayal of the AfD as rightwing extremist is clearly false, considering that Alice Weidel, the party’s leader, has a same-sex partner from Sri Lanka! Does that sound like Hitler to you.”

Earlier, Musk had called Chancellor Scholz a “fool” after the collapse of his three-party coalition. Musk posted in German on X: “Olaf ist ein Narr.” The sentence translates to — “Olaf is a fool.”

In a major turn of events, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz had lost a confidence vote in their parliament forcing the country into snap elections seven months ahead of schedule.

The vote on December 16 came after Scholz’s fragile coalition collapsed, sparking a political crisis in the largest economy of the European Union.

Only 207 lawmakers voted in Scholz’s support in the 733-member lower house, or Bundestag, while 394 members voted against him and 116 abstained. That left him far short of the majority of 367 needed to sustain in power. Following this, the snap elections for a new parliament will take place on February 23.

In Germany, Scholz – who previously served as mayor of Hamburg and finance minister before becoming the head of a new government in 2021 – accused the Free Democrats of wanting to block investment in the country.

Seen as a continuity candidate when he took over from Angela Merkel three years ago, he has framed next year’s election as an opportunity for voters to set a new course, casting the vote as a choice between a future of growth versus one of austerity, according to Al Jazeera.

If he gets a second term, Scholz said he would invest heavily in Germany’s creaking infrastructure and would not make the spending cuts he said the conservatives want. (ANI)

Northwest India is set to experience light to moderate rainfall and a gradual rise in temperatures over the coming week, according to the India Meteorological Department (IMD).

A western disturbance currently active over North Pakistan is expected to bring precipitation to the Western Himalayas over the next two to three days, leading to light to moderate snowfall in the region.

IMD scientist Naresh stated, “At present, there is a western disturbance over North Pakistan. It is likely to affect the Western Himalayas in the next two to three days and cause light to moderate snowfall.”

From December 4, a stronger western disturbance is likely to impact the plains of northwest India, including Punjab, Haryana, Delhi-NCR, and Jammu and Kashmir. Naresh added, “We are expecting an active western disturbance from December 4, which may cause heavy snowfall over Jammu and Kashmir and light to moderate snowfall in Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand.”

Temperatures are expected to remain steady over the next 24 hours but will likely rise by 2-4 degrees Celsius in the plains of northwest India afterward. “There will be no significant change in temperatures over the next 24 hours. However, we expect a rise of 2-4 degrees Celsius in the plains after that,” Naresh said.

The IMD has issued an orange alert for Punjab and Haryana, where cold day conditions–marked by maximum temperatures dropping 4.5 degrees Celsius below normal–are forecast for the next two days. “Cold day conditions are expected over Punjab and Haryana for today and tomorrow. However, no severe cold wave conditions are anticipated,” he clarified.

Rainfall is also expected in Delhi-NCR and other parts of northwest India starting December 4, signaling a wet spell for the region. “From December 4 onwards, light to moderate rainfall is expected over the plains, including Punjab, Haryana, and Delhi-NCR,” Naresh concluded. (ANI)

The resort town of Gulmarg, located in the Baramulla district of Jammu and Kashmir, continues to attract large numbers of tourists for the New Year season.

Known for its snow-capped peaks and scenic landscapes, Gulmarg remains a popular destination for winter activities such as skiing, snowboarding, and snowshoeing.

While the Jammu and Kashmir tourism department has decided not to organise any official events to mark the New Year due to the seven-day national mourning following the death of former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, the resort still sees many visitors enjoying the natural beauty and outdoor activities.

One of the tourists, Kamani Singla, who came to Gulmarg from Punjab for the first time, said that she saw snow for the first time in her life and that the region feels like a paradise.

“It is a paradise. We have come for the first time, and our experience is very good. Best experience. We had seen snow for the first time and also saw this heavy snowfall for the first time here,” she said.

Another tourist, Sonu said that Kashmir is really a paradise, and it was a lot of fun visiting Gulmarg and enjoying the new year.

“Kashmir is really a paradise. Coming to Gulmarg and enjoying the new year is a lot of fun,” he said.

The place also has the Gulmarg Gondola, one of the highest cable cars in the world, which provides views of the surrounding mountains, adding to the appeal of the destination.

Bilal Ahmed, who operates slides and sledges in the region, said, “Many tourists came on the occasion of New Year and on the occasion of Christmas, and we are very happy with that because the public’s employment here is going well. We are also very happy that local tourism will get a lot of benefits here.”

The local accommodations, including hotels, resorts, and guesthouses, are now getting filled with visitors. The region’s local cuisine and hospitality further contribute to the experience. (ANI)

Veteran singer Asha Bhosle surprised her fans when she hopped on a late social media trend and performed the viral hook steps of Karan Aujla’s ‘Tauba Tauba’ at a recent concert in Dubai on Sunday.

Dharma Productions, a film production and distribution company shared Asha Bhosle’s video of performing ‘Tauba Tauba’. The singer was seen wearing a white saree and paired it with white necklace.

The ‘In Aankhon Ki Masti’ singer not only sang the superhit song from Vicky Kaushal starrer ‘Bad Newz’ in her melodious voice but also performed the signature step of the song.

Dharma Productions described the performance as a moment when ‘Tauba Tauba met timeless charm’ while sharing a video from the concert.

“2024 saved the best for last! Asha Bhosle ji bringing her charm to #TaubaTauba and blessing us for an incredible 2025!” wrote Dharma Productions while sharing the video.

Fans expressed their love for the singer by heart-shaped emojis and fire.

The original singer of ‘Tauba Tauba’, Karan Aujla expressed his gratitude to Asha by calling the moment iconic and unforgettable.

Taking to his Instagram stories, he wrote, “@asha.bhosle ji The living Goddess of music, Just performed tauba tauba… a song written by a kid that grew up in a small village, with no music background and no knowledge of musical instruments. A melody made by someone who doesnt play any instrument. This song has received a lot of love and recognition amongst not only fans but also music artists, but this moment is truly iconic and one I will never forget. I am truly blessed and thankful. This has really inspired me to keep giving you all such melodies and create more memories together.”

Along with Asha Bhosle, singer Sonu Nigam also performed at the concert. The duo was also joined by the singer and granddaughter of Asha Bhosle–Zanai Bhosle. (ANI)

Recent research has suggested that drinking coffee and tea may lower the risk of developing head and neck cancer, a group of cancers that includes cancers of the mouth, throat, and larynx.

The findings, published in the peer-reviewed journal CANCER by the American Cancer Society, offer new insights into the potential protective effects of these popular beverages.

A new pooled analysis combining data from 14 studies has revealed promising results for coffee and tea drinkers.

The research, conducted by the International Head and Neck Cancer Epidemiology Consortium, examined over 9,500 patients with head and neck cancer and more than 15,700 cancer-free controls.

The findings suggest that individuals who consume coffee and tea regularly may experience a reduced risk of developing head and neck cancers.

The study found that individuals who drank more than four cups of caffeinated coffee daily had 17 per cent lower odds of developing head and neck cancer compared to non-coffee drinkers.

Furthermore, regular coffee drinkers showed a 30 per cent reduced risk of oral cavity cancer and a 22 per cent lower risk of throat cancer.

Specifically, consuming 3-4 cups of caffeinated coffee daily was associated with a significant 41 per cent reduction in the risk of hypopharyngeal cancer, a type of cancer located at the bottom of the throat.

Even decaffeinated coffee appeared to have a protective effect. Drinking decaf coffee was associated with a 25 per cent lower risk of developing oral cavity cancer.

In addition, tea consumption was linked with a 29 per cent lower risk of hypopharyngeal cancer.

The study also found that drinking one cup or fewer of tea daily was associated with a 9 per cent reduced risk of head and neck cancer overall, and a 27 per cent lower risk of hypopharyngeal cancer.

However, drinking more than one cup of tea daily showed an increased risk of laryngeal cancer, with a 38 per cent higher chance of developing this cancer type.

The analysis highlights the complex relationship between coffee, tea, and various subtypes of head and neck cancer.

While caffeine and tea are widely believed to offer health benefits, the study indicates that their effects vary depending on the type of cancer.

Specifically, decaffeinated coffee showed a positive impact, suggesting that factors beyond caffeine may contribute to the protective effects.

Despite the promising results, researchers caution that more studies are needed to better understand how coffee and tea affect cancer risk.

Senior author Yuan-Chin Amy Lee, PhD, of the Huntsman Cancer Institute and the University of Utah School of Medicine, emphasized that these findings support the need for further data on the impact of coffee and tea consumption on cancer prevention.

“Coffee and tea habits are fairly complex, and these findings support the need for more data and further studies around the impact that coffee and tea can have on reducing cancer risk,” Lee said.

While coffee and tea may offer protective benefits against head and neck cancers, more research is required to understand the full extent of their impact.

The latest study provides a compelling argument for the inclusion of these beverages in a balanced diet but highlights the need for ongoing scientific inquiry into their potential role in cancer prevention. (ANI)

This year we saw many Indian stars embarking on a new chapter of their life as Mr and Mrs from Sobhita Dhulipala and Naga Chaitanya’s regal yet traditional ceremonies to Ira Khan and Nupur Shikhare’s understated modern vibes, each celebrity wedding of 2024 showcased a unique blend of cultures and aesthetics.

As 2025 is approaching, let us look at B-towners who exchanged vows and solemnized their relationship as per different traditions in 2024.

Ira Khan and Nupur Shikhare

Aamir Khan’s daughter Ira Khan married her long-time boyfriend, fitness trainer Nupur Shikhare, in an intimate wedding on January 3, 2024. The ceremony was attended by close friends and family, followed by a grand reception in Mumbai graced by Bollywood stars like Shah Rukh Khan, Katrina Kaif, and Madhuri Dixit.

Rakul Preet Singh and Jackky Bhagnani

On February 21, 2024, Rakul Preet Singh and Jackky Bhagnani tied the knot in a traditional Hindu ceremony with a glamorous beachside celebration in Goa. The multi-day festivities included a Sangeet, Haldi, and a beautiful wedding ceremony followed by a reception, attended by top Bollywood celebrities.

Taapsee Pannu and Mathias Boe

Actress Taapsee Pannu tied the knot with her long-time partner, badminton player Mathias Boe, on March 23, 2024, in Udaipur. The couple opted for an intimate ceremony which was a blend of Sikh and Christian rituals, reflecting the couple’s diverse backgrounds.

Among the attendees were Taapsee’s and ‘Thappad’ co-star Pavail Gulati, writer Kanika Dhillon and close friend-director Anurag Kashyap.

Leaked footage from her wedding showed Taapse in a red bridal suit, walking down the aisle alongside her sister and friends and dancing to “Kothe Te Aa Mahiya.”

Taapsee and Mathias have not shared pictures from their wedding festivities on social media.

Sonakshi Sinha and Zaheer Iqbal

Sonakshi Sinha married her ‘Double XL’ co-star and long-term boyfriend Zaheer Iqbal on June 23, 2024, at her residence in Mumbai. The couple hosted a private wedding, followed by a grand reception at a renowned Mumbai restaurant for their industry friends.

Aditi Rao Hydari and Siddharth

Aditi Rao Hydari and actor Siddharth had a private wedding on September 16, 2024, at a 400-year-old temple in Wanaparthy, Telangana. Aditi wore a red Sabyasachi lehenga, while Siddharth donned a white sherwani. The intimate ceremony was followed by a royal celebration at Alila Fort Bishangarh in Jaipur.

Sobhita Dhulipala and Naga Chaitanya

Actors Sobhita Dhulipala and Naga Chaitanya were married on December 4, 2024, in a traditional Telugu Brahmin ceremony at Hyderabad’s Annapurna Studios. The event incorporated customs like ‘Pelli Raata’ and was marked by a midnight ‘muhuratam,’ showcasing family-centric celebrations.

The festive atmosphere was enriched by heartfelt blessings from family and friends, who gathered to witness this significant moment. Apart from family and close friends, the event also saw the presence of many celebrities.

For the special occasion, Sobhita opted for a gold Kanjivaram silk saree with real gold zari, honouring her cultural roots. She elevated her look with temple jewellery. Chay also looked handsome in a traditional white outfit.

Aaliyah Kashyap and Shane Gregoire

Anurag Kashyap’s daughter Aaliyah Kashyap married her long-term boyfriend Shane Gregoire in Mumbai on December 11, 2024. The couple had a traditional wedding, followed by a reception attended by Aaliyah’s friends, Anurag’s industry peers, and family members.

Keerthy Suresh and Antony Thattil

Actress Keerthy Suresh tied the knot with Antony Thattil in an intimate ceremony at Goa on December 12. The couple shared heartwarming photos from their wedding, showcasing traditional attire and rituals, including moments with Keerthy’s dog, Nyke, highlighting their close bond.

While bidding adieu to 2024, we wish all the newlyweds out there a very happy married life and of course a “Happy New Year”. (ANI)

During the fifth and final day of the fourth Test between Australia and India on Monday, opener Yashasvi Jaiswal became the player to slam the third-highest scorer for India to score the most runs in a single calendar year.

Jaiswal played a knock of 84 runs from 208 balls which was laced with eight boundaries in his innings. The left-hand batter smashed runs at a strike rate of 40.38.

With this knock, the southpaw completed 1478 runs in a single calendar year. The other Indian batters who have achieved this milestone are Sachin Tendulkar with 1562 runs in 2010, Sunil Gavaskar with 1555 runs in 1979, and Virender Sehwag in 2008 and 2010 with 1462 and 1422 runs respectively.

Earlier in the day, the decision by the third umpire Sharfuddoula on Yashasvi Jaiswal’s dismissal on the final day of the fourth Test of the BGT series left the world of cricket divided.

The controversial moment occurred on the fifth ball of the 71st over when Jaiswal tried to pull the ball away from Australian captain Pat Cummins. Australia appealed for the decision, but the on-field umpired turned them down. Cummins decided to take the decision upstairs, and that’s where the controversial moment happened.

In the replay, the ball seemingly deflected on its way to wicketkeeper Alex Carey, but the snickometer didn’t show any movement when the ball visibly appeared to be deflected off Jaiswal’s gloves.

The third umpire felt the visual evidence was enough to deem Jaiswal out and asked the on-field umpire to overturn the decision. (ANI)

Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi welcomed Union Home Minister Amit Shah’s decision to classify the Wayanad tragedy as a “Disaster of Severe Nature,” underlining that this step would aid rehabilitation efforts and called for the swift allocation of necessary funds.

In her post on X, the Wayanad MP described the Centre’s decision as “a step in the right direction.”

She said, “I am glad @AmitShah ji has finally taken the decision to declare the Wayanad tragedy as a ‘Disaster of Severe Nature.’ This will greatly help those in need of rehabilitation and is definitely a step in the right direction. We will all be grateful if adequate funds for the same can also be allocated at the earliest.”

Earlier, the Centre informed the state of Kerala that the Meppadi landslide disaster in Wayanad district has been considered by the Inter-Ministerial Central Team as a disaster of “severe nature” for all practical purposes.

In a communication, the Union Ministry of Home Affairs stated, “Keeping in view the intensity and magnitude of the Meppadi landslide disaster in Wayanad district, it has been considered by the Inter-Ministerial Central Team (IMCT) as a disaster of severe nature for all practical purposes.”

The communication was shared by the Congress unit of Kerala on its official social media account on December 30.

“Following a request submitted by the delegation led by Wayanad MP Smt. @priyankagandhi, the Centre has classified the Mundakkai-Chooralmala landslide in Wayanad as a disaster of ‘severe nature,'” Kerala Congress wrote on X.

On December 5, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra and MPs from Kerala met Union Home Minister Amit Shah, urging the Centre to provide immediate relief to the landslide-affected people of Wayanad.

“We have given representation to the PM and Home Minister. The devastation in the area (in Wayanad) is complete. The people who are affected have lost absolutely everything. In such circumstances, if the Centre cannot step up, then it sends a very bad message to the entire country and especially to the victims,” Priyanka Gandhi had told reporters.

On July 30, the state of Kerala was hit with a landslide, the deadliest one in the state, killing more than 300 people and destroying numerous houses and other buildings. The people were affected in Mundakkai and Chooralmala areas. (ANI)