Month: January 2025

Several devotees from Russia and Ukraine — two countries embroiled in deadly conflict for close to three years — attended the Maha Kumbh Mela 2025 in Prayagraj on Thursday and presented a message of spiritual unity.

The atmosphere in Prayagraj turned sublime, as devotees in the cold winter evening gathered to perform kirtan, and sang ‘Hare Rama Hare Krishna’.

Speaking to ANI, a devotee from Russia shared a message of unity and peace and stated that monks of different nationalities are present at the gathering.

“I came here from Russia, and my Guru Maa came from Ukraine. Many of my Guru sisters and brothers have come from countries like Russia, Ukraine, Kazakhstan, Europe, and the USA. We all came here for the Maha Kumbh to take a bath in the Ganga on this auspicious day. As we know, all deities and divine energies come to bathe in the Ganga waters, so we follow their example,” the devotee said.

“This is a great gathering of people in the world. It’s the biggest festival ever and we all come in here as Sadhu…whether it’s female or male Russian-Ukrainian or Indian we all are here…we all follow Sanatana Dharma,” she added.

Referring to the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict, the devotee highlighted that several conflicts are going on across the world, and they prat for the global peace.

“First of all, this year, we pray for peace in the whole world. As you know, in our countries–Russia, Ukraine–still war going on. Israel and Palestine have also been conflicted, and many, many parts of the world, even now, 21st century, still some wars going on, so many conflicts, political, and economical, and we pray here first of all for peace in the whole world,” she further said.

In just 11 days of the Mahakumbh, more than 97.3 million devotees, Kalpavasis and revered seers have taken a holy dip at the Triveni Sangam.

With this unprecedented turnout of devotees, the total number of participants is expected to touch the 100 million mark by the end of today the 11th day of the festival.

As per the data of the Uttar Pradesh government, as of now over 16.98 lakh people have taken a dip in the sacred confluence of Ganga, Yamuna and mystical Saraswati.

The Uttar Pradesh government estimates that more than 45 crore people will attend the Maha Kumbh this time, according to an official statement.

Among the sea of visitors, various ‘babas’ stand out, especially those who carry their distinct identities.

Earlier on Wednesday, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath took the holy dip in Triveni Sangam during the Maha Kumbh in Prayagraj, along with several ministers of his cabinet.

Meanwhile, authorities have been focusing on preparations for the upcoming Mauni Amavasya on January 29, anticipating large crowds of devotees. (ANI)

Bollywood actor Randeep Hooda is all set to team up with director Sam Hargrave once again for Apple Original Films’ upcoming action thriller ‘Matchbox’, alongside John Cena, Variety reported.

This is his second collaboration with the director after the success of their 2020 Netflix hit, ‘Extraction’.

The live-action film, which is inspired by Mattel’s popular Matchbox toy vehicle line, will also feature Hollywood stars Teyonah Parris, Jessica Biel, and Sam Richardson. Production is currently underway in Budapest, according to Variety.

The film is directed by the ‘Avengers: Endgame’ and ‘Extraction 2′ fame director Hargrave and is written by David Coggeshall and Jonathan Tropper. It is being produced by Skydance’s David Ellison and Dana Goldberg, along with Mattel Films’ Don Granger and Robbie Brenner.

‘Matchbox’ is the story of a group of childhood friends who reunite to stop a global disaster while rediscovering their bond. The movie is based on the iconic Matchbox car line, which originated in 1953 when Jack Odell created a toy small enough to fit in a matchbox for his daughter. Mattel now reports that two Matchbox cars are sold every second globally.

As per Variety, Hooda shared his excitement about working with Hargrave again and said, “Excited to be working with Sam again. We had a great time on our first collaboration with Extraction. Sam is a master of high-octane storytelling and action. Glad to be joining the team in Budapest.”

Meanwhile, the actor has several exciting projects lined up in his kitty. He recently directed and starred in ‘Swatantrya Veer Savarkar’ and is currently filming ‘Jaat’, directed by Gopichand Malineni, with Sunny Deol. The movie is being produced by the banners behind ‘Pushpa 2’. He is also attached to ‘Arjun Ustara’, directed by Vishal Bhardwaj, according to Variety. (ANI)

A federal judge in Seattle has temporarily blocked former President Donald Trump’s executive order seeking to terminate birthright citizenship in the United States, calling the policy “blatantly unconstitutional,” CNN reported.

Issuing a temporary restraining order on Thursday, Judge John Coughenour, a Reagan appointee, responded to a legal challenge by Washington Attorney General Nick Brown and three other Democratic-led states. The restraining order halts the implementation of the policy for 14 days, allowing for further legal briefings.

“I have been on the bench for over four decades. I can’t remember another case where the question presented was as clear,” Judge Coughenour stated, expressing disbelief that the executive order could have been signed. “Where were the lawyers” when this decision was made, the judge asked, saying it “boggled” his mind that any legal professional would assert the order’s constitutionality.

The lawsuit argues that Trump’s executive order violates the 14th Amendment of the US Constitution, which guarantees citizenship to all children born on American soil “and subject to the jurisdiction thereof.” According to Lane Polozola, an attorney representing the state of Washington, “births cannot be paused” during the legal proceedings. He added, “Babies are being born today here, and in the plaintiff states and around the country, with a cloud cast over their citizenship.”

Polozola further emphasised the potential harm to children who could be denied citizenship under the policy, saying they would face “long-term substantial negative impacts.”

He argued that the administration’s filings thus far not only failed to address these harms but suggested that harm “appears to be the purpose” of the order. He also pointed out the financial and logistical burdens on state programs that would arise if children were excluded from federal benefits due to their citizenship status, reported CNN.

The Trump administration contends that the 14th Amendment’s clause, “subject to the jurisdiction thereof,” permits the president to exclude children of undocumented immigrants and even those whose parents are lawfully present but lack permanent legal status. Justice Department attorney Brett Shumate argued against the emergency order, urging the court to allow more time for briefing on the policy. “I understand your concerns,” Shumate said, but cautioned against a “snap judgment on the merits.”

At the White House, Trump expressed his administration’s intent to challenge the ruling. Meanwhile, additional lawsuits against the executive order have been filed, including cases brought by Democratic attorneys general, immigrant rights groups, and individual plaintiffs.

During a separate legal proceeding in Maryland, Justice Department Attorney Brad Rosenberg acknowledged that federal agencies had not yet taken steps to enforce the order. “The executive order was issued three days ago during a time of change of administration. And so it’s very early for the agencies to develop their policies that would be necessary” for implementation, Rosenberg told US District Judge Deborah Boardman.

A hearing in that case is scheduled for February 5 to consider the plaintiffs’ request to block the policy temporarily, CNN reported.

In New Hampshire, the American Civil Liberties Union, along with other civil rights and immigration groups, has filed another legal challenge. A federal judge there is set to hold a hearing on February 10 to address the plaintiffs’ request for a preliminary injunction against the order. (ANI)

Delhi Police on Wednesday conducted search operations in slum areas across the national capital as part of an ongoing investigation into Bangladeshi infiltration.

Speaking to ANI, West Delhi DCP Vichitra Veer said that the search operations were conducted at night to ensure easy checking of individuals as family members usually remain at home after work.

“The purpose of conducting the campaign at night is that people go to work during the day. At night all the family members are found at home, which makes verification easier. We have started the process of deportation of 10 Bangladeshis from West Delhi and other districts are also carrying out the process,” DCP Vichitra Veer said.

The BJP has been criticizing the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government in Delhi accusing it of providing voter ID cards and Aadhaar cards to Rohingya and Bangladeshi immigrants to gain votes.

On Monday, Delhi Lieutenant Governor VK Saxena raised concern over the growing involvement of illegal Bangladeshi and Rohingya immigrants in criminal activities.

His comments followed a recent incident in Mumbai, where a Bangladeshi national was arrested in connection with a break-in and assault on actor Saif Ali Khan.

In response, Saxena instructed the Delhi Police Commissioner to initiate a special operation aimed at identifying and apprehending such illegal immigrants.

In a letter dated January 20, Delhi L-G Secretariat said, “Lt Governor has directed that a special campaign be launched to identify such infiltrators on a mission mode. An outreach programme may be launched through print and social media to generate public awareness on the importance of verification of employees/domestic help and workers including construction labour in the interest of their own security.”

Notably, last year in December, Delhi LG VK Saxena directed the Delhi Chief Secretary and Police Commissioner to launch a special drive in the next two months to identify and take action against “illegal immigrants from Bangladesh” residing in Delhi. (ANI)

Mumbai Police have recorded the statement of actor Saif Ali Khan in the case related to his stabbing at his Bandra residence by a Bangladeshi national last week, officials said on Friday.

According to Satyanarayan Choudhary, Joint CP of Law and Order, the actor’s statement was recorded at his residence ‘Satguru Sharan’ on Thursday.

“Earlier, Kareena Kapoor’s statement was also recorded by Bandra Police,” Chaudhary added.

Bollywood actor Saif Ali Khan was attacked last week by an intruder, later identified as Mohd Shariful Islam Shehzad, who entered his home with the intent to commit theft. After a violent confrontation with the accused, Saif Ali Khan sustained stab wounds to his thoracic spine and other body parts. He was rushed to Lilavati Hospital for immediate treatment following the attack.

On Wednesday, Mumbai Police found several fingerprints of the accused at the actor’s residence in Bandra. the police found the accused’s fingerprints on the stairs of the building, the door of the toilet, and the door handle of his son Jeh’s room.

According to the police, the accused attempted to enter three houses before reaching Saif Ali Khan’s residence with the intent to steal. Mumbai Police believes the discovered fingerprints will play a significant role in the investigation.

As per the police statement, the accused entered the residence of the renowned actor with the intent to commit theft. A case has been registered under sections 311, 312, 331(4), 331(6), and 331(7) of the Bharatiya Nyay Sanhita (BNS)

Further, the police stated that the accused was about to flee to his native village in Bangladesh when he was detained at Hiranandani Estate in Thane. Shehzad was sent to five-day police custody by the Bandra Holiday Court on Sunday.

His advocate, Sandeep Shekhane, denied the police claims and alleged that “no proper investigation” had been conducted so far.

“A police custody for 5 days has been granted. The court has asked the police to submit a report within 5 days. The police have no proof that he is a Bangladeshi. They said that he came here 6 months ago, it is a wrong statement. He has been living here for more than 7 years. His family is in Mumbai… This is a clear-cut violation of 43A. No proper investigation has been done,” Shekhane told reporters.

Bollywood actor Saif Ali Khan was discharged from Lilavati Hospital after surgery on Tuesday. Upon returning to his Bandra residence, he waved to the media. (ANI)

Actress Athiya Shetty celebrates her second marriage anniversary with husband and cricketer KL Rahul on Thursday. On the occasion, the actress shared her unseen adorable photos with her husband KL Rahul.

Taking to her Instagram handle, the ‘Hero’ actress shared unseen marriage photos with her husband KL Rahul. In one of the photos, Athiya was seen hugging Rahul while being dressed in a white bridal lehenga.

In another photo, the couple were seen performing the rituals of the marriage. The actress captioned the photo, ” Happy 2 to my forever” accompanied by a bull’s eye target mark, infinity and heart emojis.

Indian cricketer KL Rahul also penned a heartfelt message for his wife on the occasion. He wrote, “To a lifetime of Happy anniversaries” while sharing an adorable photo of themselves in which Athiya was seen resting on the shoulder of Rahul.

The Shetty family chimed in to wish Athiya and Rahul, a happy second marriage anniversary.

Ahaan Shetty, the actor and brother of Athiya Shetty shared a throwback marriage photo of his sister on the occasion.

Athiya Shetty’s father and renowned actor Suniel Shetty penned a heartwarming wish for his daughter by posting an adorable picture of the couple. He wrote,

“Happy anniversary my bachchas. Stay happy, stay blessed…always”

Meanwhile, the couple announced their pregnancy in November 2024 with an adorable post on Instagram. The note read, “Our beautiful blessing is coming soon. 2025” (with baby feet emojis), accompanied by clip art of an evil eye.

KL Rahul and Athiya Shetty tied the knot on January 23, 2023, in an intimate ceremony at Suniel Shetty’s farmhouse in Khandala.

Rahul recently completed 10 years in international cricket, while Athiya, who made her acting debut in 2015 with ‘Hero’, has also appeared in films like ‘Mubarakan’ and ‘Motichoor Chaknachoor’. (ANI)

Filmmaker Ram Gopal Varma has been sentenced to three months in jail following a cheque bounce case linked to a 7-year-old dispute with an ex-employee over Rs 2.38 lakhs

On being asked about the same, Ram Gopal Varma said, “With regard to the news about me and Andheri court, I want to clarify that it is to do with a 7-year-old case of Rs 2.38 lakhs relating to an ex-employee. It is not about settling the meagre Rs 2.4 lakhs but is about refusing to be exploited in the attempts to fabricate. That’s all I can say for now as it’s in court.”

More details regarding the matter are awaited.

Meanwhile, on the work front, Ram Gopal Varma recently announced his new film ‘Syndicate’, a project that promises to be his most ambitious and terrifying work yet.

The film, according to Varma, is set to explore the rise of a terrifying criminal organization that threatens India’s very existence.

In a X post, Varma explained the conceptual evolution behind ‘Syndicate’, noting that while street gangs were a significant threat in India in the past, the real danger today lies in the formation of a powerful syndicate comprising various factions, including political forces, law enforcement, ultra-rich businessmen, and even military personnel.

‘Syndicate’ will address how the intense polarisation in the country today makes it ripe for such a dangerous group to emerge, as per Varma’s post.’Syndicate,’ Varma explained, is not a film about supernatural horror but rather an exploration of the horrific potential of human beings.

The filmmaker emphasized that the movie will expose the cyclical nature of crime and terror, illustrating how criminal organizations evolve into even more deadly forms over time. As Varma put it, “Crime and terror never die; they keep coming back in more deadlier forms.”

The filmmaker’s confession about ‘Syndicate’ is a continuation of the introspective reflections he shared recently regarding his earlier works, particularly ‘Satya’.

Varma revealed that watching ‘Satya’ again after 27 years left him deeply emotional, as he reflected on how the success of films like ‘Satya’ and ‘Rangeela’ led him astray, causing him to lose his creative focus.

He admitted that he became intoxicated by his own success, losing sight of the core principles that had initially driven him to create memorable films.”I cried in guilt for my betrayals of all those who trusted me due to Satya. I became drunk, not on alcohol, but on my own success and my arrogance,” Varma shared.

This self-reflection led him to vow to create something as worthy as ‘Satya’ in his remaining years, with ‘Syndicate’ being the result of that newfound commitment. (ANI)

The water crisis in Karachi has worsened as a recently repaired pipeline at the Dhabeji pumping station has sprung another leak, as reported by the Express Tribune.

According to the Express tribune, the situation has been exacerbated by reduced water supply at government hydrants and a halt in operations at several regional pumping stations. Citizens are now forced to purchase water from tankers at inflated prices.

A spokesperson for the Water Corporation explained that two pipeline lines were affected due to a power breakdown, causing a significant shortfall of 100 million gallons per day (MGD) of water, or 300 million gallons over the past three days. Though repair work on line number 5 began on Wednesday, a leak was discovered, and efforts to fix it are still ongoing. Meanwhile, repairs on line number 01 have not yet started, Express Tribune reported.

The city’s water supply system relies on 24 pumps, but currently, only 14 are operational, further compounding the crisis. As a result, numerous areas across the city are experiencing severe water shortages, affecting residents and businesses alike. The ongoing repairs and limited pump availability continue to disrupt the daily water supply, leaving citizens in urgent need of alternative solutions, as reported by Express Tribune.

Earlier on Monday, Karachi experienced a water shortfall of 100 million gallons per day following an unexpected power outage at the Dhabeji Pumping Station, disrupting the city’s water supply, the Dawn reported. The breakdown caused a complete halt to all operations at the pumping station.

The Dhabeji Pumping Station, operated by the Karachi Water and Sewerage Corporation (KWSC), plays a crucial role in supplying water to Karachi. However, over the past ten years, it has experienced ongoing maintenance and technical problems, causing frequent disruptions in the city’s water supply. These issues have made it difficult to ensure a reliable and consistent flow of water to Karachi’s residents. (ANI)

The audience was enthralled with Indian Air Force IAF’s fly-past during a full dress rehearsal for Republic Day on Thursday. Audiences watched the captivating performance as the sound of roaring jets echoed in the atmosphere ahead of India’s 76th Republic Day celebrations.

According to a press release, 47 aircraft from the Indian Air Force will be taking part in the Republic Day celebrations. The aircraft will be part of the flypast, which will be showcased during the end of the celebrations.

This year Sukhoi Su-30 MKI, Rafale, Dornier transport aircraft, Mi-17 transport helicopters and Apache attack helicopters will take part in the Republic Day celebrations.

The flypast will take place after the national anthem, and the official logo of the 75th year of the Indian Constitution are released. Prior to this, there will be a parade of 31 tableaux from various states, union territories, and central government ministries showcasing the theme “Swarnim Bharat: Virasat aur Vikas.”

The Republic Day Parade 2025 is all set to be a spectacular celebration of India’s cultural diversity and military prowess, with a special focus on 75 years of the enactment of the Indian Constitution and Jan Bhagidari.

This year’s parade will be graced by the presence of Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto, as the chief guest.

“A 160-member marching contingent and a 190-member band contingent from Indonesia will participate in the parade, along with the contingents of the Indian Armed Forces, at Kartavya Path,” said the Defence Secretary, Rajesh Kumar Singh, while briefing media in New Delhi.

On 26th January 2025, the Republic Day Parade will start in the morning with Prime Minister Narendra Modi laying a wreath at the National War Memorial. The President will arrive at Kartavya Path in a ceremonial buggy and take the salute during a ceremonial march past, which will include units from the Armed Forces, Para Military Forces, Auxiliary Civil Forces, NCC, and NSS.

The parade will begin with a unique cultural performance, where 300 cultural artists will play musical instruments from different parts of the country. This will be followed by the march past the contingents of the Indian Armed Forces and the Indonesian contingent. (ANI)

Hundreds of same-sex couples are tying the knot in Thailand on Thursday, as the country becomes the first in Southeast Asia to legalize marriage equality, according to a report by CNN.

According to Bangkok Pride, which partnered with local authorities to organize the event, over 200 couples registered to marry at the Siam Paragon shopping center.

This bill marks a major victory for the LGBTQ+ community, which has spent more than a decade advocating for equal marriage rights.

The law, approved by Thailand’s parliament and endorsed by the king in 2024, grants same-sex couples the ability to legally register their marriages, offering them full legal, financial, and medical rights, as well as adoption and inheritance rights.

“This marriage equality law marks the beginning of Thai society’s greater awareness of gender diversity, and our embrace of everyone regardless of sexual orientation, race, or religion — our affirmation that everyone is entitled to equal rights and dignity,” Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra said in a recorded message played at a mass wedding in the capital Bangkok on Thursday, according to CNN.

Shinawatra hailed the legalization of same-sex marriage as a historic milestone for equality and inclusion. She celebrated the LGBTQIA+ community’s decades-long struggle for marriage equality, calling it a “collective achievement from everyone’s efforts.”

Sharing a post on X, she wrote, “23 January 2025 – the day of Love Triumphant! More than two decades of fighting to pass the #MarriageEquality law, and two decades of confronting prejudices and societal values, have finally brought us to this day. This victory is a collective achievement from everyone’s efforts, especially the LGBTQIA+ community, who led the movement to bring marriage equality into effect. Today, the rainbow flag is proudly flying over Thailand.”

“This marriage equality law marks the beginning of Thai society’s greater awareness of gender diversity, and our embrace of everyone regardless of sexual orientation, race, or religion– our affirmation that everyone is entitled to equal rights and dignity,” the post added.

Notably, Thailand’s landmark marriage equality bill was officially written into law on September 24, 2024, allowing same-sex couples to legally wed. The law was published in the Royal Gazette after endorsement by King Maha Vajiralongkorn, CNN reported. (ANI)