Month: February 2025

“He’s a great leader… He is a special man”: What President Trump said about PM Modi during US visit

Washington DC [US], February 14 (ANI): During his meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, US President Donald Trump hailed him as a “great leader” and praised his remarkable work in India and his global recognition. Trump also praised PM Modi’s negotiation skills, calling him a tougher and better negotiator than himself.

Welcoming PM Modi with a warm hug at the White House, Trump said, “We missed you a lot.” He also wrote a heartfelt message in his book Our Journey Together, calling PM Modi “great.”

Here are seven things President Trump said about PM Modi:

• “He is doing a really great job in India. Everybody talks about him. He’s doing a really fantastic job.”
• “He’s a great leader.”
• On welcoming him at the White House with a warm hug, President Trump said, “We missed you a lot.”
• President Trump praised the PM and wrote in the book Our Journey Together, which he presented to the PM, “Mr. Prime Minister, you are great.”
• “I am thrilled to welcome my friend PM Modi. He is a special man.”
• “PM Modi has been a friend for a long time.”
• “He is a much tougher negotiator than me, and he is a much better negotiator than me. There is not even a contest.” Notably, PM Modi and President Trump shared a hug as Trump welcomed Modi to the White House on Thursday (local time). Trump said that he, PM Modi, and their nations share “great unity and great friendship.” He called it “important” to remain united as nations. During the meeting, Trump stressed that the ties between the two nations are going to get closer. PM Modi expressed his delight at seeing President Trump back at the White House for a second term and conveyed confidence that India and the US will continue to advance their strategic partnership with “the same bond, trust, and excitement.” In his remarks, PM Modi said the people of India had also given him the opportunity to serve them for a third successive term, and this has happened after 60 years in the country’s history. This was PM Modi’s first visit to the United States since President Trump’s second-term inauguration last month. PM Modi is among the first few world leaders to visit the US following Trump’s re-election and was invited to visit within just three weeks of the new administration taking office. (ANI)

Samantha Ruth Prabhu gave fans a treat of adorable pictures as she showed off her fun and goofy side.

The actress, on Thursday, took to her Instagram account to share a photo dump featuring candid moments from her day.

In one picture, Samantha can be seen posing in a restaurant, looking as stylish as ever. Another picture captures her in a car selfie, dressed in traditional attire. One of the cutest snaps in the collection shows her enjoying a delicious meal, proving that she loves a good food moment just like the rest of us!

Take a look

Meanwhile, the actress was last seen in the Prime Video series Citadel: Honey Bunny, alongside Varun Dhawan.

Recently, the series, directed by Raj & DK, lost the Best Foreign Language Series award to South Korea’s Squid Game at the 30th Critics’ Choice Awards.

Other nominees in the Best Foreign Language Series category included Acapulco (Apple TV+), La Maquina (Hulu), The Law According to Lidia Poet (Netflix), My Brilliant Friend (HBO Max), Pachinko (Apple TV+), and Senna (Netflix).

Despite the loss, the action-packed series gained significant attention in India after it won the Best Series (critics) and Best Screenplay awards at the Filmfare OTT Awards 2024.

Citadel: Honey Bunny is the Indian spin-off of the American television series Citadel on Amazon Prime Video, which starred Priyanka Chopra in the lead role.

Executive produced by the Russo Brothers’ AGBO, Citadel and its subsequent action-espionage original series span the globe, exploring the story of the spy agency Citadel and its powerful enemy syndicate, Manticore.

Packed with adrenaline-pumping action sequences and emotional drama, cinema enthusiasts appreciated the chemistry between Samantha and Varun as they navigate a world of espionage, betrayal, and danger. (ANI)

A Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) jawan posted in Manipur opened fire on Thursday inside a camp in Lamsang under Imphal West District shooting dead two of his colleagues and injured eight others before taking his own life, police said.

The incident took place at around 8 pm, Manipur Police said.

Following the incident, Manipur police in a post said, “In an unfortunate incident, tonight at around 8 pm, a suspected case of fratricide happened inside a CRPF camp in Lamsang under Imphal West District wherein one CRPF jawan opened fire killing 02 (two) of his own CRPF colleagues on the spot and injuring 08 (eight) others. Later, he also committed suicide by using service weapon.”

Officials privy to the development said that there were three CRPF personnel had died in the incident.

“The personnel belonged to F-120 Coy CRPF,” the police statement said.

Senior officers of Police and CRPF have rushed to the spot, the police said.

More details are awaited. (ANI)

The Central government has granted Z-category Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) security cover for Tibetan spiritual leader Dalai Lama across India, sources said.

Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) took the decision to provide the security cover following a recent Intelligence Bureau’s threats analysis report.

Dalai Lama was previously under the protection of the Himachal Pradesh Police and other security agencies. However, given recent intelligence inputs and potential risks, the Home Ministry has decided to assign the CRPF for his security, ensuring a more coordinated and robust protection plan.

Dalai Lama is a globally respected figure and the spiritual leader of Tibetan Buddhism. He has been residing in India since 1959 after fleeing Tibet following the Chinese occupation.

Given Dalali Lama’s status and the complex geopolitical tensions surrounding Tibet, his security has been a key concern for Indian authorities.

Under the Z-category security protocol, the Dalai Lama will be protected by a dedicated team of CRPF commandos, along with an escort and close-protection officers during his travels within the country. This decision comes amid heightened concerns over his safety, particularly considering China’s long-standing opposition to his activities and influence.

Dalai Lama’s presence in India has been a sensitive issue in Sino-Indian relations. While India officially considers Tibet an autonomous region of China, it has continued to provide sanctuary to the Tibetan leader and his followers. Over the years, Chinese authorities have repeatedly criticized his global engagements, viewing them as a challenge to their control over Tibet.

The enhancement of his security suggests the Indian government is taking no chances with potential threats. It also underlines India’s commitment to safeguarding the Tibetan leader, who has lived in Dharamsala, Himachal Pradesh, for over six decades.

This move reflects India’s proactive approach to securing high-profile individuals who may face security threats.

While Dalai Lama continues to advocate for peace and non-violence, his security remains a priority for Indian authorities, especially in light of the ever-evolving geopolitical landscape. (ANI)

President’s Rule has been imposed in Manipur, days after BJP leader N Biren Singh resigned as state Chief Minister.

Biren Singh resigned from his post on Sunday. The state has witnessed intermittent ethnic violence since May 2023.

The President’s Rule was imposed after President Droupadi Murmu received a report from the state Governor.

Violence had erupted between the Meitei and the Kuki communities in Manipur after a rally by the All Tribal Students Union of Manipur (ATSUM) on May 3, 2023, following the Manipur High Court order directing the state to consider the inclusion of the Meitei community in the Scheduled Tribes list.

In his resignation letter, Biren Singh had said it has been an honour to serve the people of Manipur.

“I am extremely grateful to the Central government for timely actions, interventions, developmental work and implementation of various projects for safeguarding the interest of every single Manipuri,” he added.

Opposition parties had been demanding the resignation of Biren Singh in the wake of ethnic violence. (ANI)

Bollywood actor Vicky Kaushal visited the Mahakumbh 2025 to take a holy dip at Triveni Sangam, the confluence of the Ganga, Yamuna, and Saraswati rivers, in Uttar Pradesh’s Prayagraj on Thursday.

Vicky expressed his gratitude for the opportunity to visit the sacred site, saying, “I am feeling good. I was waiting to visit Mahakumbh. I am fortunate as I got the opportunity to come here.”

The actor’s visit comes ahead of the release of his upcoming film, ‘Chhaava’.

This historical epic tells the story of Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj, son of Maratha ruler Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj.

The film, directed by Laxman Utekar and starring Rashmika Mandanna and Akshaye Khanna in the lead roles, will be released on February 14, 2025.

Meanwhile, according to Uttar Pradesh government officials, more than 1.47 million devotees took a holy dip at the sacred confluence of the Ganga, Yamuna, and the mystical Saraswati on Thursday.

Among them, 5 lakh are Kalpavasis, while 9.79 lakh are pilgrims participating in the ongoing Mahakumbh, which continues to attract devotees from across the globe for one of the largest religious gatherings in the world.

As of February 12, the total number of devotees who have taken a dip in the Triveni waters has exceeded 482.9 million, marking a significant milestone in the grand event.

Mahakumbh 2025, which commenced on Paush Purnima (January 13, 2025), is the world’s largest spiritual and cultural gathering, attracting devotees from across the globe. The grand event will continue till Mahashivratri on February 26. (ANI)

The government on Thursday tabled the New Income Tax Bill, 2025, which aims to simplify tax laws, modernize definitions, and provide more clarity on various tax-related matters.

This new bill, tabled in Lok Sabha by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, seeks to replace the existing Income Tax Act, 1961 and introduce changes that affect different categories of taxpayers, including individuals, businesses, and non-profit organizations.

After presenting the income tax bill the Finance Minister asked Lok Sabha Speaker to nominate members for a standing committee to reviewing the newly tabled income tax bill

One of the significant changes in the new bill is the introduction of simplified language and modern terminology. It replaces outdated terms and brings in new ones to align with today’s economy.

For example, it introduces the term “tax year” instead of the existing terms like financial year and assessment year systems. It also defines “virtual digital asset” and “electronic mode”, reflecting the growing importance of digital transactions and cryptocurrency in today’s financial landscape.

In terms of scope of total income, the new bill makes certain clarifications while maintaining the existing tax principles. Under the previous law, Sections 5 and 9 of the Income Tax Act, 1961, stated that Indian residents were taxed on their global income, while non-residents were taxed only on the income they earned in India.

The new bill, in Clauses 5 and 9, retains this rule but provides a clearer definition of deemed income, such as payments made to specific individuals, making tax rules more transparent for non-residents.

The bill also brings changes to deductions and exemptions. Earlier, Sections 10 and 80C to 80U of the Income Tax Act, 1961, allowed deductions for investments, donations, and specific expenses.

The new bill, under Clauses 11 to 154, consolidates these deductions and introduces new provisions to support startups, digital businesses, and renewable energy investments.

Changes have also been made to the term capital gains tax. Under the previous law, Sections 45 to 55A categorized capital gains into short-term and long-term based on holding periods, with special tax rates for securities.

The new bill, in Clauses 67 to 91, keeps the same categorization but introduces explicit provisions for virtual digital assets and updates beneficial tax rates. This ensures that digital assets, such as cryptocurrency, are covered under a proper tax framework.

For non-profit organizations, the previous law, under Sections 11 to 13, provided income tax exemptions for certain charitable purposes but had limited compliance guidelines.

The new bill, in Clauses 332 to 355, establishes a more detailed framework, clearly defining taxable income, compliance rules, and restrictions on commercial activities. This introduces a stricter compliance regime while also providing well-defined exemptions.

Overall, the Income Tax Bill, 2025 aims to simplify tax laws, encourage digital and startup investments, and bring greater clarity in taxation policies for businesses and non-profits.

The government believes these changes will make tax compliance easier while ensuring a fair tax structure for all categories of taxpayers. (ANI)

Assam Police have issued fresh summons to YouTubers Ashish Chanchlani, Ranveer Allahbadia and others, in connection with a case registered against them for allegedly promoting obscenity and engaging in sexually explicit discussions on a publicly accessible YouTube show.

The case was registered with Guwahati Crime Branch on February 10, based on a complaint filed by Alok Boruah, a resident of Guwahati, against several YouTubers and influencers, including Ashish Chanchlani, Jaspreet Singh, Apoorva Makhija, Ranveer Allahbadia, and Samay Raina.

The complaint alleged that the accused had engaged in sexually explicit and vulgar discussions on the YouTube show “India’s Got Latent”, causing harm to public decency and morality.

A senior official of the Assam Police told ANI that a team had been sent to Mumbai to investigate the case. “We have issued summons to Ashish Chanchlani and Ranveer Allahbadia, and we will be investigating the matter further,” the official said.

Based on this complaint, the Guwahati Crime Branch registered a case under multiple sections of Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023, IT Act, 2000, Cinematograph Act, 1952, and the Indecent Representation of Women (Prohibition) Act, 1986.

A team of Assam Police was dispatched to Mumbai on Wednesday to further investigate the matter.

Meanwhile, comedian Samay Raina, who is also accused in the case, has broken his silence in the controversy. In a statement posted on his Instagram Stories on Wednesday, Raina said that he had removed all videos of the show from his channel and was “fully cooperating” with the authorities.

“My only objective was to make people laugh and have a good time,” Raina wrote, adding, “I will fully cooperate with all agencies to ensure their inquiries are concluded fairly.”

Ranveer Allahbadia, who had earlier issued a public apology for his comments on the show, noted that he had “a lapse in judgment” and that his comment was “inappropriate” and “not funny.”

“I don’t want to be the kind of person who takes that responsibility lightly,” Allahbadia said. “Family is the last thing that I would ever disrespect. I need to use this platform better.” (ANI)

After BJP secured a historic win in the Delhi Assembly elections, Union Minister Harsh Malhotra on Thursday asserted that the party will begin the work of Yamuna cleaning and will finish the task within the given timeframe.

“We have to implement the Ayushman Bharat scheme in Delhi. We will begin working on the Yamuna and finish the task within the given timeframe. Our priority is to bring the garbage mounts to ground zero,” Malhotra told ANI.

“The condition of Delhi has deteriorated a lot in the last 10 years. We will try to improve it with immediate effect,” he added.

In the Delhi Assembly elections, the cleaning of the River Yamuna had dominated the campaigning with AAP convenor Kejriwal claiming that the Haryana government was mixing “poison in the Yamuna” river. Prime Minister Narendra Modi in his poll speech ahead of the Assembly elections had also said that the BJP will make “Yamuna ji the identity of Delhi.”

Earlier, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MP Praveen Khandelwal said that the main responsibility of the BJP government which will be formed in Delhi would be to clean the River Yamuna.

Speaking to ANI, Khandelwal said, “Yesterday Prime Minister Modi has set the agenda of the BJP government to be formed in Delhi. The Prime Minister does what he says and yesterday also he said that every announcement will be implemented… Cleaning of Maa Yamuna will be the main responsibility of the BJP government.”

The BJP won a historic mandate in Delhi polls, returning to power in the national capital after 27 years by ousting AAP. It secured a two-thirds majority bagging 48 out of 70 seats, while AAP’s tally saw a massive drop at 22 from its previous tally of 62. (ANI)