Month: March 2025

London’s Heathrow Airport announced on Friday a complete shutdown for the entire day due to a fire at an electrical substation supplying the airport, the airport authorities announced.

In a statement issued on its X account, the airport authorities said that the airport will remain closed so as to maintain the safety of its passengers and colleagues.

It thereby advised passengers not to travel to the airport and contact their airlines for further information.

“Due to a fire at an electrical substation supplying the airport, Heathrow is experiencing a significant power outage. To maintain the safety of our passengers and colleagues, Heathrow will be closed until 23h59 on 21 March. Passengers are advised not to travel to the airport and should contact their airline for further information. We apologise for the inconvenience”, Heathrow Airport wrote on X.

Heathrow Airport, which is one of the world’s busiest airports, also warned that “significant disruptions” can be expected over the coming days, as reported by CNN.

In a statement issued to CNN, Heathrow Airport said, “We expect significant disruption over the coming days and passengers should not travel to the airport under any circumstances until the airport reopens”, adding that they “do not have clarity on when power may be reliable restored.”

CNN cited the the London Fire Brigade which said in a statement that a transformer within an electrical substation in Hayes, in west London, was alight. Ten fire trucks and around 70 firefighters were responding to the blaze, it added.

According to the London Fire Brigade, Assistant Commissioner Pat Goulbourne said on the situation, “This is a highly visible and significant incident, and our firefighters are working tirelessly in challenging conditions to bring the fire under control as swiftly as possible.”

He added, “The fire has caused a power outage affecting a large number of homes and local businesses, and we are working closely with our partners to minimise disruption.”

The statement noted that firefighters have led 29 people to safety from neighbouring properties, and as a precaution, a 200-metre cordon has been established, with around 150 people evacuated.

Mentioning that nearly 200 calls had been handled, the London Fire Brigade said in its statement that it would be a prolonged incident, with disruption expected to increase as they head into the morning.

The London Fire Brigade urged people to avoid the area wherever possible and noted that the cause of the fire remains unknown.

Further details are awaited. (ANI)

Punjab Congress MLAs, including the Leader of the Opposition (LoP) in the Punjab Assembly, Partap Singh Bajwa, on Friday, protested against the State government on the issue of removal of farmers from the Punjab-Haryana Khanauri Border and Shambhu Border and other issues.

“We will talk on the budget on 26th March, but today we will meet the Governor and talk about the way they (the state government) treated the farmers, ‘Jai Jawan Jai Kisan’,” Bajwa told ANI.

Two days after Punjab police cleared the Sambhu and Khanauri border and removed the temporary structures erected by the protesting farmers, state’s Agriculture minister Gurmeet Singh Khuddian called for meeting of leaders of Samyukta Kisan Morcha (SKM) and Bharatiya Kisan Union (BKU) in Chandigarh.

The meeting will be held in Punjab Bhawan at 4 pm today, according to the notice released by the agriculture department on March 20.

On Thursday, Punjab police DIG Mandeep Singh mentioned that things like moveable tractors and trolleys were removed from the border and are being relocated a few kilometres away.

He also highlighted the cooperation of farmers during the operation and emphasized that authorities are ensuring the well-being of those detained.

“A large area has been cleared at the Khanauri border and movable things like tractors and trolleys are being shifted 3 km away from the border. If someone wants to take the trolley from there, he can show his identity with proof and the trolley will be handed over to him after proper entry. Yesterday, the farmers cooperated with us. Proper care is being taken of the detained farmers,” DIG Patiala Range said.

The farmers, united under the banners of the All India Kisan Sabha and Bharatiya Kisan Union, staged a protest march to the residence of Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini in Karnal.

Punjab Minister Harpal Singh Cheema has defended the Aam Aadmi Party-led government’s action and said that the action was taken as they wanted to open the Shambhu and Khanauri borders. (ANI)

Veteran Telugu actor Chiranjeevi was honoured with the Lifetime Achievement Award by Team Bridge India at the House of Commons in the UK Parliament.

On Thursday, Chiranjeevi posted several pictures on X (Formerly Twitter) and expressed his gratitude by writing a long note that read, “Heart filled with gratitude for the honour at the House of Commons – UK Parliament by so many Esteemed Members of Parliament, Ministers & Under Secretaries, Diplomats. Humbled by their kind words. Heartened by the Life Time Achievement Award by Team Bridge India.”

“Words are not enough. But a heartfelt Thank You to each one of my wonderful loving fans, blood brothers, blood sisters, my film family, well-wishers, friends and all my family members and everyone who in every which way contributed to my journey and participated in the humanitarian causes I have been championing,” he added.

He concluded by saying, “This honor motivates me to continue my work with greater vigour. And Love to each one of you for your beautiful congratulatory messages.”

Chiranjeevi can be seen receiving the award by dignitaries and posing for the pictures with them.

Netizens pour congratulatory messages in the comment section.

A user wrote, “Truly deserved! Your dedication and impact inspire us all!”

Another one commented, “Many many congratulations to you Sir.”

On the work front, Chiranjeevi will be seen next in Vishwambhara, a fantasy drama co-starring Trisha and Meenakshi Chaudhary. (ANI)

Filmmaker AR Murugadoss has expressed a desire to collaborate with Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan in future.

In an interview with ANI, Murugadoss, who has already worked with Aamir Khan in ‘Ghajini’ and Salman Khan in the forthcoming film ‘Sikandar’, spoke about his wish to tick off working with the third Khan from his bucket list.

“After this film (Sikandar), I have to finish one Tamil film. Then I will think about it (collaborating with SRK). Definitely, it is (on my bucket list); I want to work with him,” Murugadoss said.

Besides Aamir and Salman, Murugadoss has worked with huge stars such as Rajinikanth (‘Darbar’), Vijay (‘Kaththi’), Mahesh Babu (‘Spyder’), Chiranjeevi (‘Stalin’), Suriya (Ghajini) and Ajith (‘Dheena’) as well.

Asked if his responsibilities doubled when he teamed up with big-ticket stars, Murugadoss shared, “When we do a film with big stars, we have the sudden attention. That is a plus point. There’s pressure too. There’s the audience who expects different things from us. We can’t disappoint their fans…so that pressure will be there always. With the big stars, we have to take care of many elements, including their introduction, mass build-up, and mass audience.”

Murugadoss has a strong track record with big stars, boasting hits like ‘Ghajini’ and ‘Kaththi’. Now it is to be seen how Salman Khan-starrer ‘Sikandar’ will perform at the box office.

Backed by the visionary Sajid Nadiadwala, the film is set to release on March 30, 2025. It also stars Rashmika Mandanna. (ANI)

The Karnataka government has approved a 100% salary hike for the Chief Minister, Ministers, and MLAs, sparking a heated debate. The approval was granted for two amendment bills.

The approval was granted for the Karnataka Ministers’ Salaries and Allowances (Amendment) Bill 2025 and the Karnataka Legislature Members’ Salaries, Pensions, and Allowances (Amendment) Bill 2025.

Sources indicate that the bills are likely to be tabled in the Assembly on Thursday itself.

Home Minister G Parameshwara justified the hike, citing rising expenditures and the need for lawmakers to survive.

“The justification is that their expenditure is also going up along with other people. A common man is also suffering, and MLAs are also suffering. So, recommendations have come from MLAs and others, and that is why the Chief Minister has taken the decision. Everybody has to survive and CM will manage to give this money from some account…,” Parameshwara said.

State Minister MB Patil also defended the proposal, arguing that raising lawmakers’ pay and perks is acceptable if decided by an independent committee. Patil pointed out that even the Prime Minister, Ministers, and MPs are among the highest-paid in the world, which makes them more independent and less corrupt.

“There is nothing wrong in the salary and perks of MLAs being raised, it is not fair if we do it ourselves; that’s why a committee is there which is recommended…you take the example, the PM, Ministers and MPs are highest paid in the world…that makes them very independent not corrupt…we cannot compare our salaries to Singapore but still decent pay should be given…,” said MB Patil speaking to ANI.

However, not everyone is convinced. Congress legislator Dr Ranganath expressed uncertainty about the matter and didn’t expect a personal raise. He acknowledged that some MLAs require a basic salary to manage expenses, but suggested a more modest hike of 10-20%.

” I am not very sure about this issue. I am a doctor and MLA. I am not expecting that hike personally, but there are many MLAs who need a basic salary. If they give a hike, it won’t be more than 10 or 20 per cent,” said Ranganath.

The proposal has sparked debate, with critics questioning the necessity of a hike while the state faces various financial ‘challenges’. (ANI)

Indian cricket team spinner Yuzvendra Chahal and choreographer Dhanashree Verma have been granted the order of divorce by the Bandra family court.

“The court has granted the decree of divorce. The court has accepted the joint petition of both parties. The parties are no longer husband and wife,” advocate Nitin Kumar Gupta, Chahal’s advocate told ANI.

Chahal was seen leaving the court today carrying a jacket in his hand and a T-shirt that had the words “Be your own sugar daddy’ written on it. Dhanashree Verma was, meanwhile seen in white T-shirt and blue jeans and donning a black face mask.

“The court has granted the decree of divorce. The court has accepted the joint petition of both parties. The parties are no longer husband and wife,” advocate Nitin Kumar Gupta told ANI.

Rumours about Dhanashree and Chahal’s divorce began after the couple unfollowed each other on Instagram, sparking widespread speculation. Dhanashree and Yuzvendra tied the knot in December 2020 in an intimate ceremony in Gurugram. The two met connected during the pandemic via social media when Chahal approached her for dance lessons.

The pair chose to part ways after four years of marriage.

Chahal and Dhanashree filed for divorce by mutual consent on February 5. However, on February 20, the family court refused to waive the mandatory six-month cooling-off period. As per their petition, the couple has lived apart since June 2022, 18 months after marriage.

The couple challenged the family court order of February 20 refusing to waive the cooling-off period.

The hearing was scheduled for today considering Chahal’s commitments with Punjab Kings in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025.

Chahal will represent Punjab Kings (PBKS) in the Indian Premier League 2025. PBKS roped Chahal in for Rs 18 crore ahead of the IPL 2025 season. Chahal is the league’s chart-topping bowler, owning the most wickets by an Indian in T20is and by any bowler in the IPL.

In 80 T20Is, he has taken 96 wickets, with an average of 25.09 and the best figures being 6/25. Overall, he has taken 354 wickets in 305 matches.

Chahal remains the leading wicket-taker for Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB), even after departing in 2021 following a tenure that began in 2014. In 113 matches for RCB, he took 139 wickets at an average of 22.03, with a best of 4/25.

Since joining Rajasthan Royals (RR) in 2022, Chahal has helped the team reach the playoffs twice in three seasons. (ANI)

Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah announced on Thursday that a new Assembly building will be constructed soon, alongside the development of courts equipped for virtual hearings.

Addressing key concerns during the ongoing Budget Session 2025, he emphasised the need to revise MLA salaries, unchanged since 2015, and proposed forming a committee comprising the Leader of Opposition (LOP), Congress, and PDP to align salary revisions with parliamentary norms every five years.

“Officers now have salaries of Rs 3 lakh, while we are stuck in 2015. It’s not right,” Abdullah said, adding that guidelines for the Constituency Development Fund (CDF) under MPLADs should also be updated.

On the issue of power amnesty, the Chief Minister declared that the current amnesty scheme would continue only for this year, with no further extensions.

“Giving amnesty, again and again, is not good,” he remarked, citing an example: “I, Omar Abdullah, and LOP Sunil Sharma are neighbours. Sunil ji pays his power bill on time, I don’t. When amnesty comes, my bill is waived, and Sunil ji says, ‘What is happening? Why am I paying?’ So, this is the last time I will give amnesty on power bills, not in the future.”

Abdullah also stressed the importance of preserving land amid growing population pressure, warning, “Our future is tied with our land; if we don’t have land, we will be nothing, but slowly this is in danger. With the increase in population, there is pressure on land, agricultural land has been converted to other purposes this will lead to our more dependence on others.”

He noted that agricultural land is increasingly being converted for other uses, risking greater dependence on external resources.

Defending the Roshni scheme, he said, “Muzaffar Khan MLA had said Roshni was a good scheme; its purpose was to give leaseholders land rights. Ghulam Nabi Azad changed the time frame. We have to bring the Roshni scheme back.”

The Chief Minister further outlined plans to repair Jagti township and restore cultural heritage, announcing, “33 heritage sites will be restored with an allocation of 65 crore.”

He expressed concern over the stalled Mubarak Mandi project, vowing to expedite its completion within the next three years.

Abdullah also highlighted the diminished role of the planning department, stating, “Planning department has no such responsibility as earlier. We have to review this.”

Addressing state guest infrastructure, he said, “Hospitality and Protocol structures in Delhi, Mumbai, and Chandigarh have gone. In Sector 17 of Chandigarh, a state guest facility will be made. At Prithviraj Road, we will also make one.”

He appealed for assistance in reclaiming the original Kashmir House at Rajaji Marg in the national capital, currently under the control of Indian Army, adding, “This is the identity of J&K. Kindly help us in vacating that so we can make a Kashmir House.” (ANI)

Bowlers will be allowed to use saliva on the ball in IPL 2025. The decision was made by IPL following a meeting on Thursday at the BCCI headquarters in Mumbai, where most of the franchise captains expressed support for the change to the decision-makers of the tournament, as per a report by ESPNcricinfo.

Several captains agreed to revoke the saliva ban adopted by the ICC in the wake of COVID-19 pandemic. Several fast bowlers have opined that the ban impedes their effectiveness by not allowing reverse swing, which has become uncommon in white-ball cricket, including ODIs, where two new balls are utilized.

The rule against use of saliva was introduced in May 2020, during the COVID-19 pandemic, as a temporary measure, but ICC made it permanent in September 2022, the report said.

Bowlers were only allowed to use sweat to shine the bowl. From time to time, bowlers have raised their voice for revoking saliva ban.

Following India’s win over Australia in the Champions Trophy in which Mohammed Shami starred with a three-wicket spell, the bowler had called upon ICC to let bowlers use saliva on the ball again to bring reverse swing back into the game.

“We are trying [to get reverse swing], but using saliva on the ball is not allowed. We keep appealing that we should be allowed to use saliva so that we can bring reverse swing back into the game and it becomes interesting,” Shami had said, according to ESPNCricinfo.

Southee, who also feels the absence of reverse swing in the game, especially in batting-friendly conditions, had backed Shami. Southee said on ESPN Cricinfo’s Match Day programme during the semifinal between New Zealand and South Africa that, as a bowler, one wants some advantage.

“That was a rule brought around COVID-19 with the virus going around the world, but I think as a bowler, you want to have a slight advantage. We see the game going the way it is going and seeing sides score 362, more often than not over 300 in this format. I think there needs to be something in the bowlers’ favour, and whether that’s a little bit of saliva, then yeah, I do not see why they could not afford to get that back in,” Southee had said, according to ESPNcricinfo.

Fast bowlers feel that using saliva will also help add to their craft in the Test matches. (ANI)

Amaal Mallik, best known for composing tracks such as ‘Kar Gayi Chull’ and ‘Jab Tak’, left everyone surprised on Thursday with his lengthy Instagram post where he opened up about his battle with clinical depression and his soured relationship with his family.

In his post, Amaal, who is the elder son of renowned musician Daboo Malik and nephew of famous singer Anu Malik, also blamed his parents for the growing distance between him and brother, the musician Armaan Malik.

“I’ve reached a point where I can no longer keep silent about the pain I’ve endured. For years, I’ve been made to feel like I am less inspite of spending days and nights toiling away to make a safe life for people. Cancelled every dream of mine to only find myself to be spoke down to and question what I’ve ever done. I have spent my blood, sweat & tears to create each of the 126 melodies that have released over the last decade,” his post read.

“I made every dream on earth within an arm’s reach for them, so that they can stand tall in front of the world and keep their head held high. I along with my brother’s vocal prowess have changed the narrative of being called XYZ’s nephew or son to whoever we are today! The journey has been terrific for the both of us but the actions of my parents have been the reason we as brothers have gone too far from one another and all of this has made me step in for myself as it has left a very deep scar left across my heart,” Amaal added.

He shared that he is cutting all his ties with his family members, and his interactions with them will be “strictly professional.”

“Through the last many years they have left no opportunity to disturb my well being & belittle all my friendships, my relationships, my mindset, my self confidence. But I just kept marching on because I know I can and I believe I’m unshakable. Everything that we stand on today has come from one mind, mine and from the blessings of the almighty. But today I stand at a point where I have been robbed of my peace, drained emotionally & maybe financially too but that’s the least of my concerns. What really matters is that I am clinically depressed because of these happenings. Yes I have only myself to blame for my actions but my self worth has been diminished countless times by actions of near and dear ones that stole pieces of my soul,” he wrote.

“Today, with a heavy heart, I announce that I am stepping away from these personal ties. From now on, my interactions with my family will be strictly professional.This isn’t a decision made in anger, but one born from the necessity to heal and reclaim my life. I refuse to let the past rob me of my future any longer. I am committed to rebuilding my life, piece by piece, with honesty and strength,” Amaal emphasised.

After reading Amaal’s post, his loved ones and close friends from the industry chimed in the comment section and sent him love.

“with you, love you,” singer Lisa Mishra commented.

“Amaal, I am sending my love and prayers.. i am with you brother,” composer Rochak Kohli wrote.

Amaal made his debut as a composer in 2014 with Salman Khan’s Jai Ho. (ANI)

Global pharmaceutical company Eli Lilly and Company (India) has introduced Mounjaro (tirzepatide) in India, a breakthrough drug for the treatment of Type 2 diabetes and obesity.

Approved by the Central Drugs Standard Control Organization (CDSCO), Mounjaro is available in single-dose vials, with pricing set at Rs3,500 for a 2.5 mg vial and Rs4,375 for a 5 mg vial, leading to a monthly cost of Rs14,000-Rs17,500, depending on dosage.

Mounjaro, the company claimed is the first drug to target both GIP (glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide) and GLP-1 (glucagon-like peptide-1) receptors, offering a new approach to metabolic health management.

It is prescribed as an adjunct to diet and exercise for chronic weight management in obese (BMI >=30 kg/m2) and overweight (BMI >=27 kg/m2 with weight-related conditions) individuals. Additionally, it helps improve glycemic control in adults with type 2 diabetes.

Winselow Tucker, President & GM, Lilly India, said, “The dual burden of obesity and type 2 diabetes is rapidly emerging as a major public health challenge in India. Lilly is committed to collaborating with the government and industry to promote awareness and improve the prevention and management of these diseases.”

Tucker added, “Our mission to making life better for people living with obesity and diabetes in India is reflected in our efforts to accelerate the introduction of innovative medicines. The launch of Mounjaro® demonstrates our ongoing support to this mission and our shared vision of a healthier nation.”

Mounjaro has demonstrated significant weight loss and blood sugar reduction in global clinical trials. In the SURMOUNT-1 trial, conducted over 72 weeks, adults taking Mounjaro lost an average of 21.8 kg at the highest dose (15 mg) and 15.4 kg at the lowest dose (5 mg), compared to 3.2 kg in the placebo group.

Similarly, in the SURPASS program, which evaluated Mounjaro®’s effectiveness in type 2 diabetes patients, the drug reduced A1C levels by up to 2.4%, whether used alone or in combination with commonly prescribed diabetes medications.

India has approximately 101 million people living with diabetes, with nearly half struggling with poor glycemic control. Obesity, affecting nearly 100 million adults in India, is a major risk factor for diabetes and is linked to over 200 health complications, including hypertension, heart disease, and sleep apnea.

Dr Manish Mistry, Senior Medical Director, Lilly India, said, “Obesity and diabetes are recognized as serious conditions linked to various life-limiting health complications, making effective and sustained treatment critical. We are thrilled to introduce Mounjaro in India to address these unmet medical needs. Mounjaro may offer a new approach to metabolic health management, providing healthcare providers with an innovative option to treat these diseases.”

Mounjaro is a once-weekly injectable prescription medicine that binds to both GIP and GLP-1 receptors. This dual action helps improve insulin secretion and sensitivity, reduce glucagon levels, delay gastric emptying, and regulate appetite and food intake.

It also contributes to reducing fat mass and body weight, making it an innovative treatment option for diabetes and obesity. (ANI)