Month: February 2025

Actress Lee Joo-Sil, best known for playing Park Mal Soon in the second season of Netflix’s ‘Squid Game’, has passed away at the age of 81, reported People.

Lee suffered from cardiac arrest at her family home on the morning of February 2 and was pronounced dead after being transferred to St Mary’s Hospital in Uijeongbu, Gyeonggi, South Korea according to her talent agency, 1230Culture.

She had been diagnosed with stomach cancer just three months before her death, as per the outlet.

She was seen in the popular series ‘Squid Game’ as the mother of undercover detective Hwang Joon-Ho (Wi Ha Joon) and stepmother of Hwang In Ho (Lee Byang Hun).

Lee was previously diagnosed with stage 4 breast cancer in her fifties and she was given a life expectancy of one year.

However, in July 2023, she shared that she spent 13 years being treated for the disease and that it had ultimately been successful, per the outlet.

“I found out at the end of stage 3 and it soon became stage 4,” said Lee, adding, “I overcame it well because I have children.”

“Everyone becomes stronger when faced with a crisis,” she continued. “If you let everything go, you become helpless. When I was contacted by a film company to work with them, I said, ‘I’m sick,’ and they said, ‘That’s an illness, and we’re working.’ I was grateful for that kind of thinking,” as per the outlet.

Lee started her acting career in 1964. She was part of stage productions of Death of a Salesman and Macbeth, the K-drama The Uncanny Counter, and the 2016 horror movie Train to Busan.

Her funeral service will be held at Severance Hospital in Sinchon, Seoul, on February 5, reported People. (ANI)

Congress leader Ajay Maken on Monday trained guns at Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) national convenor Arvind Kejriwal, accusing him of being an “anti-national” for promoting pro-Khalistan forces in Punjab.

“I have said this before and I am saying it now that Kejriwal is an anti-national. His coming to power in Delhi or anywhere else is ‘deshdroh’. We should be careful of such a person. I and Sukhjinder Singh Randhawa told in detail the reasons we called him anti-national. We also gave the proof for the same in a press conference. We feel sad when we see that Kejriwal is promoting the pro-Khalistan forces in Punjab. That is why we come forward and say that he is doing anti-national work and it is not only we who are saying this,” Maken, who is the Congress treasurer, told ANI in an interview.

He was referring to their presser, where he and former Punjab Deputy Chief Minister Randhawa accused AAP of taking money from an extremist ahead of the Punjab assembly elections.

Meanwhile, Maken expressed that the people of Delhi suffered a loss as Congress extended outside support to AAP in 2013. He said that AAP coming to power in the national capital led to an immediate stop of the development works being carried out under Sheila Dikshit’s government.

“This is my personal opinion that the people of Delhi suffered a loss because we extended outside support to AAP in 2013. This immediately stopped the development, which was being carried out under Sheila Dikshit’s government. Our capital expenditure was reduced. Buses reduced. The number of students in Delhi’s government schools reduced,” Maken said.

When asked about the allegations made by Kejriwal regarding his party’s “collaboration” with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), Maken refuted the claims and said that the weakening of Congress in Delhi only benefits the BJP in elections to Lok Sabha. He said that the BJP remains beneficiary of Kejriwal being in power in Delhi.

“This is wrong. Why would the BJP do this? BJP at the national level is the biggest beneficiary of Kejriwal being in power in Delhi,” Maken said, adding, “If you weaken Congress in Delhi by making it a third party, BJP tends to benefit in Lok Sabha elections. If we had a tacit understanding, the BJP would never want Congress to be strong in Delhi because as soon as Congress becomes strong in Delhi, the BJP cannot win seven seats in Lok Sabha elections,” Maken said.

Speaking on the rift between AAP and Congress in Delhi, Maken listed reasons including Kejriwal’s announcement to contest the Haryana assembly elections alone on all 90 assembly seats. He said that it was not Rahul Gandhi who started the rift but Kejriwal who made headlines for not allying.

“There are two more reasons other than the CAG report. During the Haryana Assembly elections, a discussion was going on with Kejriwal and his party over seat sharing…We offered four seats they demanded six seats, so we said that we would discuss with our local leaders first and then come up to you..In the meantime, Kejriwal gets bail, he comes out and announces that they will contest elections alone on all 90 seats…It was not Rahul Gandhi who started this (rift), it was Kejriwal who made the headlines by not allying with us… With that, as soon as the Lok Sabha elections were over, Gopal Rai first stated that now our alliance (with Congress) is over… It was AAP that refused to form an alliance with Congress (in Delhi Assembly Election 2025)… When they are saying that we will fight on all 70 seats alone, then it is not that Congress will not fight even one seat…They have broken the alliance, so you cannot blame Rahul Gandhi for it,” Maken said.

Earlier, Kejriwal launched a scathing attack on the Congress on Thursday, accusing the party of “collaborating” with the BJP to ensure AAP’s defeat in the polls. “Congress is not contesting elections in Delhi to win, but they are collaborating with the BJP so that AAP loses,” Kejriwal said in a video address. (ANI)

Bollywood star Sara Ali Khan recently paid a sacred visit to the Baba Baidyanath Temple in Jharkhand.

On Monday, she took to Instagram and shared her pictures from the temple premises. In the images, Sara could be seen donning a white kurta that she paired with a colourful phulkari dupatta. She was accompanied by her close friend, Sara Vaisoha.

“Jai Baba Baidyanath (folded hands emoji),” Sara captioned the post.

Sara’s love for religious places is quite well-known. Her Instagram feed is filled with her visuals of offering prayers at temples, mosques, churches and gurudwaras.

Meanwhile, on the work front, Sara was recently seen in ‘Sky Force’, a film directed by Sandeep Kelwani and Abhishek Kapur. The movie stars Akshay Kumar in the lead role, along with debutant Veer Pahariya.

In the coming months, the audience will see Sara sharing screen space with Aditya Roy Kapur in ‘Metro…In Dino’. Helmed by Anurag Basu, the anthology film also stars Ali Fazal, Fatima Sana Shaikh, Anupam Kher, Neena Gupta, Pankaj Tripathi, and Konkona Sen Sharma in lead roles.

Sharing more details about the film, Basu, in a press note shared by the film’s team, had earlier said, “Metro In Dino is a tale of the people and for the people! It has been a while since I am working on this one and I am glad to be collaborating with a powerhouse like Bhushan Kumar yet again who has always been like a pillar to me!”

“The storyline is very fresh and relevant as I look forward to collaborating with amazing artists who bring that essence of contemporary aura with them. As music plays a very important role in any film, I couldn’t be happier to be collaborating with my dear friend Pritam who has added life to the characters and story with his work,” he added. (ANI)

Jagadguru Shankaracharya Swami Avimukteshwaranand Saraswati Maharaj lauded the services of Adani family at the Mahakumbh.

“May God continue to bless them (Adani family) with such capabilities so that they can so can continue doing good work. I am very happy,” the Shankaracharya said.

“…It is said that the best wealth is the wealth that goes in donation…Adani family offered the ‘aahuti’ of food, I think that they have performed a big ‘yagya’. When we perform ‘yagya’, we offer ‘aahuti’ to the deities. Those who (devotees at Maha Kumbh) are here, consider them deities too,” the religious leader said.

Thousands of Adani Group employees are volunteering and serving the devotees at the Kumbh in Prayagraj. They will continue offering the services over the 45-day duration of the religious event.

Adani Group Chairman Gautam Adani participated in the Maha Kumbh in Prayagraj recently.

The Adani Group and the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON) have joined hands to serve meals to devotees at the Maha Kumbh Mela in Prayagraj. The Mahaprasad Seva is being offered for the entire duration of the Mahakumbh Mela, from January 13 to February 26.

Adani Group has also collaborated with Gorakhpur-headquartered Gita Press for free distribution of one crore copies of “Aarti Sangraha” among the devotees at Mahakumbh in Prayagraj. The book, a collection of devotional hymns or aartis, is published by Gita Press and the initiative will be part of Sanatan Sahitya Seva.

The Maha Kumbh Mela , one of the largest spiritual gatherings in the world, serves as a confluence not only of rivers but also of cultures, traditions, and artistic expressions. (ANI)

Leader of the Opposition (LoP) in Lok Sabha and Congress leader, Rahul Gandhi, on Monday lashed out at the Modi government, questioning the removal of the Chief Justice of India (CJI) from the selection committee that recommends the appointment of the Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) and other Election Commissioners, labelling it as a “calculated strategy”.

“The rules have been changed. The Election Commissioner used to be chosen by the Prime Minister, the Leader of the Opposition and the Chief Justice. The Chief Justice was removed from that committee. This is a question to the Prime Minister, why was the Chief Justice removed from the committee?” Rahul Gandhi asked in the Parliament.

The Congress leader was referring to the exclusion of the CJI from the Commissioner and other Election Commissioners (Appointment, Conditions of Service and Term of Office) Act, 2023.

Under section 7 of the mentioned Act, the CEC and other election commissioners shall be appointed by the President on the recommendation of a selection committee that consists of the Prime Minister, the Lok Sabha LoP and a Union cabinet minister, who has been appointed by the PM.

The LoP said that the exclusion of CJI from the selection panel was a calculated move while claiming that the election dates to the Lok Sabha were postponed. Just before Lok Sabha polls, the Election Commissioner was changed and two new Election Commissioners were appointed, Rahul Gandhi added.

“Now in a few days, I’m going to go to the meeting. It will be PM Narendra Modi, Amit Shah and me, 2-1. Why even am I going to the meeting? I am only going there to certify what Modi and Amit Shah are going to say. Whereas if the Chief Justice was there, we could have a discussion. It seems to be a calculated strategy. Just before Lok Sabha, the Election Commissioner was changed and 2 new Election Commissioners were placed. We know that the election dates were changed and postponed. These are facts,” Gandhi said.

The Congress leader further accused the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and its government of “destroying” the values of renowned personalities, including Babasaheb Ambedkar, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, and Gautam Buddha. He said that there was no place for hatred, violence or anger in the advancement of the nation, as they remain destructive for the country.

“India needs to connect the values of the past. You talk about Sardar Patel but you destroy his values every day. You talk about Ambedkar but you destroy his values every day. You don’t talk about Nehru. You bow in front of Buddha but you destroy what he says. You have to be truthful to what you are and it is important that when you are giving a way forward to the nation there is clarity of purpose. There is no hatred, violence or anger because these things are destroying our country. My speech has been very polite, very kind. I thank the Prime Minister for coming and listening to it,” Rahul Gandhi said.

The budget session of the Parliament commenced on Friday (January 31) with the joint address of President Droupadi Murmu.

The first part of the Budget session will continue till February 13 and the two Houses will again meet on March 10 after recess with the session concluding on April 4. (ANI)

Delhi Police detained Rajya Sabha MP Swati Maliwal on Monday, as she was protesting outside Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) national convenor Arvind Kejriwal’s residence, over the government’s failure to clean the Yamuna River. Maliwal, along with a group of women from Purvanchal, arrived at Kejriwal’s residence after collecting water from the Yamuna.

Speaking to ANI, Maliwal described the river as being “on a ventilator,” while the AAP chief roams around in his luxurious cars and house, she challenged Kejriwal to take a dip in the Yamuna.

“Arvind Kejriwal has turned the Yamuna River into a drain. Black dirty rotten water is flowing in Yamuna. The river is on a ventilator, while Arvind Kejriwal is in his palace and roams around in luxurious cars. Thousands of women from Purvanchal have come here to challenge him- he should not be so scared of women and should come out and take a dip in the dirty water of Yamuna and take a sip of that water,” she told ANI.

She also claimed that the women of Purvanchal are similarly disaffected by Kejriwal for failing to uphold his promises, adding “The women of Purvanchal are saying that he will be cursed by Chhathi Maiya because the women have no other place to celebrate Chhath.”

Recently, the Delhi High Court heard a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) challenging the ban on performing Chhath Puja on the banks of the Yamuna. However, the Delhi HC refused to issue any directions, citing the severe contamination of the Yamuna River.

The court also highlighted that nearly 1,000 alternative locations had been designated for the puja, with adequate arrangements made for the celebration.

While standing at the banks of the Yamuna, Maliwal questioned the allocation of funds for cleaning the Yamuna.

While speaking to ANI, she said, “Yamuna River has transformed into a drain because of Arvind Kejriwal. I have come here with thousands of Purvanchali women and the situation here is so bad that the stench has made it difficult for us to stand here. The Purvanchali women are going with me to Arvind Kejriwal’s residence and what to ask him, where did the Rs 7500 crores allotted for cleaning the river go?”

Swati Maliwal, who has been vocal in her criticism of Kejriwal ahead of the upcoming Delhi elections on February 5, claimed that the AAP leader has not upheld his promises.

Earlier, on January 30, Maliwal lashed out at the party’s chief for remaining “unbothered” over the rising garbage problem in Delhi, stating that he has transformed from being an “Aam Aadmi” (common man) to a “Khaas Aadmi” (VIP person). (ANI)

Monday kick-started on an exciting note for the fans of actor Prabhas as his first look as ‘Rudra’ was unveiled in the morning.

The poster features him in the guise of a hermit, his matted hair flowing wildly, his forehead smeared with sacred chandan, gripping a crescent moon staff that hints at divine power and celestial energy.

Sharing his look from the film, Prabhas on social media wrote, ” (Om symbol) The Divine Guardian ‘Rudra’ (Om symbol) Unveiling my look as ‘Rudra’. The embodiment of strength and wisdom as the unwavering protector in #Kannappa . A timeless journey of devotion, sacrifice, and love. Join us on this epic adventure, coming to theaters on April 25, 2025!”

Directed by Mukesh Kumar Singh, the film is scheduled for release on April 25, 2025, and marks Akshay Kumar’s debut in Telugu cinema.

The movie Kannappa is a mythological fantasy based on the story of Kannappa, a devotee of Lord Shiva, and is set to capture the grandeur and devotion of ancient times. Kannappa is produced by Vishnu Manchu’s AVA Entertainment and 24 Frames Factory.

Along with Akshay Kumar and Prabhas, the film stars Vishnu Manchu in the lead role and features a star-studded cast including Mohan Babu, R. Sarathkumar, Madhoo, and Mukesh Rishi, Mohanlal, and Kajal Aggarwal.

Kannappa is scheduled to release in multiple languages, including Telugu, Tamil, Malayalam, Kannada, Hindi, and English. (ANI)

Ahead of the Delhi assembly elections, the Jawaharlal Nehru University report on Illegal immigrants in Delhi revealed that the migration from Bangladesh and Myanmar has altered Delhi-NCR’s socio-political and economic fabric, causing a “notable increase of Muslim population”.

The JNU report elaborated on how such influx of illegal settlers has not only transformed the city’s demographics but disrupted its economy, strained the resources, and also strengthened criminal networks by feeding into it.

The report also claimed that the political patronage provided to illegal immigrants, including the facilitation of voter registration, has raised concerns about electoral manipulation and democratic integrity.

The 114-page report titled – Illegal Immigrants to Delhi: Analysing Socio-economic and Political Consequences also mentioned that Illegal immigration has heightened the risk of public health crises, as overcrowded and unsanitary living conditions in migrant settlements contribute to the spread of infectious diseases.

“The presence of undocumented migrants complicates disaster response and crisis management, as these populations are often excluded from official relief efforts during emergencies,” it said.

It also asserted that the porous India-Bangladesh border remains a major challenge for managing illegal immigration, with inadequate border control enabling the continued influx of migrants.

The JNU report pointed out that the lack of a comprehensive immigration policy in India has made it difficult to address the root causes of illegal migration and implement effective solutions.

“Migrants from Bangladesh and Myanmar often face discrimination and hostility from local populations, further complicating their integration into Delhi’s social fabric, which creates a higher level of social tension,” the report said.

It also highlighted that Illegal immigration has geopolitical implications, affecting India’s relations with neighbouring countries like Bangladesh and Myanmar. “Collaborative efforts are needed to address cross-border migration issues,” it said.

Mentioning that the rising population density in Delhi due to migration has strained public transportation systems, the report also mentioned that the environmental impact of migrant settlements includes unregulated waste disposal, which contributes to pollution and public health hazards.

According to the findings in the JNU report, the Illegal immigration has contributed to the proliferation of criminal networks, which exploit vulnerable migrants for activities such as smuggling and trafficking.

“Efforts to deport illegal immigrants are often delayed by bureaucratic challenges the lack of cooperation from migrants’ home countries, and the approach of Delhi National capital territory,” it said.

The report further highlighted that the lack of reliable data on migration trends and migrant populations in Delhi hampers effective policymaking and resource allocation, emphasising the need for better data collection and analysis.

Speaking on the report, BJP MP Sambit Patra targeted the AAP and claimed that it has a “crucial” role in this.

“This report states that there has been a notable increase of Muslim population because of illegal migration from Bangladesh and Myanmar. There is a change in the demography of the city, it is said in the report…Every aspect including socio-political impact has been mentioned in this report…The report says that political patronage plays a crucial role in allowing a steady influx of undocumented Rohingyas and Bangladeshis…AAP has a crucial role in this. The report also talks about how these political parties are facilitating fake voter registration for the migrants,” Patra said.

Earlier, Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) spokesperson Priyanka Kakkar had questioned Home Minister Amit Shah and Union Minister Hardeep Singh Puri over the issue of Rohingya immigrants in India, holding them accountable for the settlement of Rohingyas in the country. Kakkar stated that if Rohingyas are present anywhere in India, it is Shah’s responsibility, while Puri is to blame for the settlement of Rohingyas in Delhi. (ANI)

Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) national convenor Arvind Kejriwal on Monday took a dig at the BJP-led Central government over the Union Budget 2025 saying that as soon as people gave them fewer seats, they promptly changed the income tax regime.

Kejriwal further said once they face defeat in Delhi, the BJP-led Centre will also halve the GST rates on all goods.

“In the last ten years, the Modi government has done nothing for the common people except to benefit its billionaire friends. As soon as you people gave them fewer seats in the Lok Sabha, they immediately gave a discount of Rs 12 lakh in the budget. Once you defeat them soundly in the Delhi elections, you will see that they will halve the GST rates on all goods,” Kejriwal posted on X.

Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman in Parliament on Saturday, provided major relief to the salaried class with no income tax on an average monthly income of up to Rs 12 lakh to boost household savings and consumption during the presentation of Union Budget 2025-26.

The government also gave thrust to four engines of development – agriculture, MSMEs, investment and exports.

The Finance Minister’s announcement on tax relief means that the salaried class will pay nil income tax up to Rs 12.75 lakh.

Sitharaman presented the Union Budget 2025 in the Lok Sabha outlining a roadmap for India’s continued economic expansion, emphasizing agriculture, micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs), investment, and exports.

She announced that no income tax will be payable on income up to Rs 12 lakh, providing significant relief to taxpayers, especially the middle class.

“To taxpayers up to Rs 12 lakh of normal income (other than special rate income such as capital gains) tax rebate is being provided in addition to the benefit due to slab rate reduction in such a manner that there is no tax payable by them,” the minister said.

Congress and other opposition parties slammed the Union Budget, saying it was silent on the problem of unemployment and accused the government of “throttling MGNREGA”. (ANI)