Month: April 2025

Actor Anupam Kher’s much-anticipated directorial, ‘Tanvi The Great’, is all set to put Indian cinema on the global stage with its world premiere at the upcoming Cannes Film Festival.

The film will have its world premiere at Cannes, within the Marche du Film, during the prestigious Cannes Film Festival. The screening will be attended by the cast and crew.

Numerous A-listers are expected to attend the screening of the film, which will be introduced by actor Anupam Kher at the event.

Kher took to his Instagram handle to announce the world premiere at the Cannes Film Festival’s Marche du Film.

https://www.instagram.com/p/DIal9yEtnyW

The Cannes premiere will kick off a world tour of screenings in major cities, including London, New York, and Los Angeles, which is expected to help the film ‘Tanvi The Great’ reach a global audience.

While talking about taking ‘Tanvi The Great’ world premiere, the ‘Saaransh’ actor said that the story of the film was born from deep passion and purpose. He believes that the emotions of the film will deeply resonate with the audience of America as well as India.

“I’ve always wanted to create a film with a universal theme–one that transcends boundaries and connects with hearts everywhere. Tanvi The Great is a story born from deep passion and purpose. It’s a film from our hearts, and I believe it will resonate just as deeply with audiences in Ahmedabad as it will in America,” shared Anupam Kher, as quoted by a press note.

He also lauded the music skills of Oscar-winner MM Keeravani in the film. Kher said,

“Having Oscar-winner M.M. Keeravani bring this story to life with his musical genius has been a true blessing. His artistry has elevated Tanvi The Great in ways I had only dreamt of. I am truly humbled to present ‘Tanvi The Great’ our labour of love to the world.”

Recently, the makers released the first look teaser of the film. The film, directed by Kher himself, features music by Oscar-winning composer M. M. Keeravani and is produced in collaboration with the National Film Development Corporation (NFDC). (ANI)

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday accused the Congress party of spreading “votebank ka virus” for opposing the recently passed Waqf (Amendment) Act. The Prime Minister also accused the Opposition party of treating the SC and ST community as “second-class citizens.”

“Congress has become the destroyer of Constitutions. Dr BR Ambedkar wanted to bring in equality, but Congress spread the virus of vote bank politics. Babasaheb wanted every poor, every backward to be able to live with dignity and with their head held high, to have dreams and complete them,” PM Modi said in his address to the public in Hisar.

“In the time of Congress, the doors of the bank used to not even open for SC, ST OBC; loan, welfare everything was just a dream, but now biggest beneficiaries of Jan Dhan accounts are SC, ST brothers and sisters,” he added.

He further said that there were “lakhs of hectares of land” which is under the Waqf board, but the properties and assets have not been used properly to help the poor and the needy.

“There are lakhs of hectares of land in the name of Waqf. If benefits from Waqf properties had been given to the needy, it would have benefitted them. But on land mafia benefitted from these properties,” the prime minister said.

He stated that with the change in the Waqf law the “loot of land” will also stop under the new amendments: “The loot of the poor will stop with this amended Waqf law. Under the new Waqf law, land or property belonging to any Adivasi cannot be touched by the Waqf Board…Poor Muslims and Pasmanda Muslims will get their rights. This is real social justice.”

PM Modi accused the Congress of “humiliating” Babasaheb Ambedkar and trying to erase his memory, noting that historically Congress fought elections against Ambedkar.

“We should not forget what Congress did to Babasaheb. Congress humiliated him while he was alive. They made him lose elections twice. Congress even tried to erase his memory. Congress also tried to destroy Baba Saheb’s ideas forever. Dr Ambedkar was the protector of the Constitution, but Congress has become the destroyer of the Constitution,” he said.

Continuing his attack, PM Modi said that the Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, and the Other Backward Classes (OBCs) were treated like “second class citizens” by the Congress.

“Congress treated SCs, STs, and OBCs as second-class citizens in this country. While Congress leaders enjoyed luxuries like swimming pools, only 16 out of every 100 households in villages had access to piped water and among those affected the most were SCs, STs, and OBCs. In just six to seven years, our government provided water connections to over 12 crore rural households. Now, 80 out of every 100 rural homes have access to clean water, and we are committed to taking that number to 100 per cent,” he said.

Backing the call for implementing a Uniform Civil Code, just as it was implemented in BJP-led Uttarakhand, PM Modi continued, “Congress turned the Constitution into a mere tool for gaining power. Whenever they felt that power slipping from their hands, they trampled upon the Constitution, just as they did during the Emergency. The spirit of the Constitution clearly says that there must be one common civil code for all citizens, which I call a secular civil code. But Congress never implemented it. In Uttarakhand, we have implemented a secular civil code but Congress continues to oppose it.”

Earlier today, the Prime Minister flagged off the first direct commercial flight from Hisar airport to Ayodhya airport, laid the foundation stone for the new terminal at Hisar airport and several other developmental projects. (ANI)

The Union Ministry of Law and Justice organised an event to commemorate the occasion of the 135th birth anniversary of Dr BR Ambedkar.

The occasion, which is also known as Ambedkar Jayanti and Equality Day, took place at the Jaisalmer House in New Delhi.

The Union Minister of State for Law and Justice Arjun Ram Meghwal graced the event by paying a heartfelt tribute to Dr Ambedkar’s legacy by bestowing flowers on a statue of the Father of the Indian Constitution.

The event was also graced by the presence of the Secretary (Justice), Senior officers, and the officials/staff of the Department of Justice.

Earlier today, Prime Minister Narendra Modi also paid tribute to Dr BR Ambedkar on his birth anniversary, emphasising that it is due to his inspiration that the country continues to strive towards realizing the dream of social justice today.

In a post on X, PM Modi asserted that Ambedkar’s principles and ideals would strengthen and accelerate the creation of a self-reliant and developed India.

“On behalf of all the countrymen, I bow down to Bharat Ratna Pujya Babasaheb on his birth anniversary. It is due to his inspiration that the country is dedicatedly engaged in realizing the dream of social justice today. His principles and ideals will give strength and momentum to the creation of an ‘Atmnirbhar’ and ‘Viksit’ India,” the Prime Minister said.

Fondly known as ‘Babasaheb,’ Ambedkar was the chief architect of the Indian Constitution and is thus also called the ‘Father of the Indian Constitution. ‘Ambedkar was also the first Law and Justice minister of Independent India.

Babasaheb was born into an impoverished Dalit Mahar Family in Madhya Pradesh. He fought tirelessly for the equal rights of marginalised sections of society. He was a part of active movements since 1927 against untouchability. Later, he was revered as a ‘Dalit Icon’ for his contributions towards their rights. (ANI)

The World Health Organization (WHO) has decided to extend travel restrictions on Pakistan for another three months due to concerns over polio, ARY News reported.

The decision was taken during the WHO Emergency Committee’s 41st meeting held on March 6. Authorities from polio-affected countries attended the meeting virtually.

According to WHO, the committee reviewed the global spread of polio, the situation in Pakistan, and the government’s efforts to control the spread of the virus.

The committee’s findings state that Pakistan and Afghanistan continue to pose a threat to polio eradication efforts being made globally. The two nations have been held responsible for the global spread of the poliovirus.

The WHO expressed satisfaction with Pakistan’s anti-polio initiatives. However, the committee stressed that there is still room for improvement at the provincial and district levels, ARY News reported.

Recently, there has been an increase in polio-positive environmental samples in Pakistan, with a 12-fold rise in cases reported between 2023 and 2024. As many as 628 polio-positive environmental samples have been reported in Pakistan in 2025, with new districts also impacted by the wild poliovirus

The active circulation of the YB3A4A B-cluster of the poliovirus in Pakistan, especially in the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Sindh, and Balochistan provinces, remains a concern. Karachi, Peshawar, and Quetta have become hotspots for the wild poliovirus type 1 (WPV1), which continues to spread in central parts of Pakistan and southern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

The WHO voiced concern over the spread of WPV1 in both Pakistan and Afghanistan, stressing that the virus is now confined to two nations globally. The organization raised questions regarding the immunization standards in Pakistan, particularly given the spread of the virus during the low transmission season and the anticipated increase in cases during the high transmission period.

The WHO has called on Pakistan to ensure effective campaigns in vulnerable regions and mentioned that cross-border transmission between Pakistan and Afghanistan continues, especially from southern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Quetta areas, ARY News reported.

The movement of displaced persons and refugees further increases the spread. The committee urged improved vaccination efforts at border crossings between Pakistan and Afghanistan and emphasised the need for strengthened bilateral cooperation.

So far, six confirmed polio cases have been reported in Pakistan in 2025, including one in Thatta, Sindh, bringing the provincial total to four and the national total to six. Last year, 74 polio cases were reported in Pakistan. (ANI)

Bollywood superstar Salman Khan recieved a death threat again on Sunday after an unknown person threatened the actor with death by barging into his house or by blowing up his car with a bomb, said Mumbai Police.

Accoridng to Mumbai Police, the Transport Department in Worli, Mumbai, received a WhatsApp message on Sunday threatening actor Salman with death.

In the Whatsapp message, the person threatened Salman with death by claiming to “barge into his house” and “blow up actor Salman Khan’s car with a bomb”.

“Threat sent to WhatsApp number of Transport Department in Worli, Mumbai. It was given yesterday. Actor Salman Khan was threatened with death by barging into his house. Threat to blow up actor Salman Khan’s car with a bomb.” said Mumbai Police.

The Mumbai Police have registered the case against the unknown person who sent the death threat via Whatsapp at the Worli Police Station.

This is not the first death threat received by the actor.

In November last year, the Mumbai Police received a threatening message against actor Salman Khan allegedly from the Lawrence Bishnoi gang, police said.

The threat message gave the actor two options: apologise or pay Rs 5 crore to stay alive.

Mumbai Police traffic control room received a threatening message in the name of gangster Lawrence Bishnoi, which threatened the actor with death, saying that if Salman Khan wanted to stay alive, “he should go to our temple and apologize or give Rs 5 crore.”

“If he does not do so, we will kill him, our gang is still active,” the message claiming to be in the name of Lawrence Bishnoi’s brother said.

This was the second death threat which Salman received within a week last year. In the earlier death threat also received by Mumbai Police Traffic Control, a ransom of Rs 2 crore was demanded from the actor. (ANI)

Following the arrest of fugitive businessman Mehul Choksi by Belgian authorities on Saturday, Vaibhav Khuraniya, one of the complainants in a fraud case against Choksi, said that it may not be easy to bring him back to India due to legal complexities involved in extradition.

Speaking to ANI on Monday, Khuraniya stated that he is hopeful for bringing Choksi back to India to face justice; however, he showed his dismay, noting the authority’s failure to also get Vijay Mallya back to the country.

“I just hope, although I don’t think it’s going to work out. Since they couldn’t get Vijay Mallya for so long, I don’t think he can be brought back to India so easily because there are so many legalities which are involved. I suppose he has carried this kind of fraud across the world. He has been selling very low-quality diamonds at exceptionally high rates. That’s probably why even Nirav Modi is in jail,” Khuraniya said.

“Only after he comes back to India will I be more hopeful than him being arrested there,” he added.

In 2016, an FIR against Choksi was lodged at the Amar Colony police station in South Delhi following an order from a metropolitan magistrate in the Saket court based on Khuraniya’s complaint.

According to the FIR, Khuraniya and his associate had entered into a retail franchise agreement with Gitanjali Gems, a company led by Choksi. The agreement reportedly promised stocks worth Rs 3 crore in the form of diamond jewellery and gifts in exchange for a security deposit of Rs 1.5 crore.

However, Khuraniya alleged that on the opening day of the franchise store in Rajouri Garden, West Delhi, in 2013, they received substandard diamond jewellery and goods valued at only Rs 50-70 lakh.

Meanwhile, Mehul Choksi was arrested in Belgium on Saturday after local authorities confirmed his presence in the country. The 65-year-old fugitive diamond merchant who left India on January 2, 2018, is wanted by the CBI and the Enforcement Directorate (ED) for allegedly defrauding the PNB of Rs 13,850 crore. His nephew, Nirav Modi, was also involved with him in the fraud. (ANI)

On Tuesday, officials informed that the Indian Coast Guard seized 300 kg of narcotics worth 1,800 crore in a joint operation with the Gujarat Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) off the International Maritime Boundary Line (IMBL).

The joint operation with the ICG and Gujarat ATS was conducted on April 12- April 13.

According to officials, the smugglers had tried to flee the scene and dump the narcotics after spotting the Coast Guard.

“Indian Coast Guard, in a joint operation with Gujarat ATS on the night of 12-13 Apr 25, seized 300 Kg narcotics worth Rs 1800 Cr off IMBL near the Gujarat coast. On spotting the ICG ship, smugglers dumped contraband & fled across IMBL. The consignment was recovered at sea and handed to #ATS for further investigation. A testament to strong inter-agency synergy against drug smuggling,” read a post by the ICG.

The Deputy Inspector General (DIG) of Gujarat ATS, Sunil Joshi, mentioned that two ATS officials had been attached with the Coast Guard while the ship went to the suspected place of the handoff.

“Gujarat ATS Inspector JM Patel had gotten information that there is a Pakistani supplier, Fida is trying to smuggle around 400 kgs of material in Porbandar off the IMBL by giving it to a Tamil Nadu boat, which would have taken the material to Tamil Nadu. We made a team to investigate the matter, and Inspector VM Bharwad and sub-inspector Bhupendra Waghelal were attached with the Coast Guard,” the Gujarat ATS DIG said.

Mentioning that the ICG ship had found a Pakistani fishing boat on their radar, Joshi added, “On the intervening night of April 12 and 13, the ship reached the place where the handoff was supposed to happen, and found a small Pakistani fishing boat through their radar. The Pakistani shipping boat had observed the ICG ship and their standard reaction was to throw the things off the ship so they can claim innocence.”

Earlier on April 11, the ICG had intercepted a Fishing Boat, Maa Basanti, approximately 72 nautical miles from Sagar Light, within the Indian Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ). (ANI)

The Trump administration in the US has exempted electronics like phones, computers and other electronics from the reciprocal tariffs imposed on other nations, including China, The Hill reported.

Guidance posted by Customs and Border Protection, which collects duties on imports, indicated roughly 20 products that would be exempted from reciprocal tariffs. The electronic items include smartphones, computers, semiconductor chips and routers.

The exemptions that have been implemented by the Trump administration could be a break for consumers who were facing the possibility of paying higher prices on electronics due to increased tariffs imposed on China. It’s also a win for companies like Apple, which develops many of its products in China.

US Presdident Donald Trump has indicated he will impose sector-specific tariffs on goods like semiconductor chips, implying that the exemption may be short-lived in some cases, The Hill reported.

Earlier this month, the White House announced a 10 per cent baseline tariff on imports and increased “reciprocal” tariffs on dozens of other countries. Later, Trump announced the steeper tariffs would be reduced to 10 per cent for 90 days for more than 75 countries currently engaged in trade discussions with the US. However, Trump increased the reciprocal tariffs on China to 125 per cent on top of 20 per cent levies, leading to a proportionate response from Beijing.

The move escalated fears of a trade war between the US and China. Speaking to reporters onboard Air Force One on Friday night, Trump said he was optimistic the US and China would be able to work something out, citing his ties with his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping, The Hill reported. He said, “I think something positive is going to come out of it.”

On Friday, China hit back at the latest US tariffs by imposing 125 per cent tariffs on imports of all US goods. Chinese official Xinhua agency cited the Customs Tariff Commission of the State Council to state that it will lift the additional tariffs on products imported from the US to 125 per cent from 84 per cent, effective from April 12.

China has also filed a lawsuit with WTO following the latest US tariff hikes, the Chinese commerce ministry said as per a report in the official Xinhua Agency. (ANI)

A memorable 89-run knock by Karun Nair on his Indian Premier League (IPL) comeback went in vain as an unbelievable batting collapse towards the end, which included a hat-trick of runouts, cost Delhi Capitals (DC) a win against Mumbai Indians (MI) in their first game of the season at Delhi’s Arun Jaitley Stadium on Sunday by 12 runs.

After the victory, MI skipper Hardik Pandya praised Karun Nair’s batting and Karn Sharma’s bravery and character for bowling aggressively despite the short boundaries. He emphasised the team’s unwavering spirit and their determination to stay in the contest and highlighted everyone’s contributions in holding onto their chances.

“He (Karun) was batting brilliantly, it seemed like it was going out of hand. (On Karn Sharma) Shows great character, to be brave and toss it up when the boundaries are just 60m long. We never gave up, we kept saying we want to stay in the contest. Everyone put their hand up and we were able to hold on to our chances,” Hardik Pandya said in the post-match presentation.

He explained the rationale behind the batting order, aiming to provide opportunities for players to regain form. He acknowledged the impact of dew on the game and emphasised the importance of staying in the fight and the potential for a couple of wickets to change the momentum. He concluded by highlighting the significance of such wins in boosting morale and turning things around.

On the batting order, he said, “Wanted to get the players in form to face the most balls. Dew played a big factor later on, it got very dewy. Just by making sure the game is not over, “keep fighting” was the chatter. We knew a couple of wickets would change the game. It has happened with me before as well, wins like this change the momentum and turn everything around.”

A fifty from Tilak Varma, along with impactful innings by Surya Kumar Yadav and Naman Dhir, propelled Mumbai Indians (MI) to score 205/5 in their 20 overs against Delhi Capitals (DC).

With this victory, DC’s four-match winning streak has come to an end, placing them in the second position. MI has moved up to seventh with two wins and four losses. During the run chase of 206 runs, DC had a rough beginning as Jake Fraser McGurk’s dry spell continued with a golden duck, as his shot found the hands of Will Jacks in the cover area, giving Deepak Chahar his first wicket. DC was 0/1 in 0. 1 overs.

Apart from Karun Nair, only Abishek Porel managed to score 33 runs, while all the other batters struggled to make runs. A hat-trick of run-outs secured the game for MI as DC finished at 193 in 19 overs, with Mohit Sharma being run out for zero by Santner. MI triumphed by 12 runs. (ANI)

China has called on the United States to correct its mistakes by “completely cancelling” its tariffs, describing them as “wrong practice” and urging Washington to return to a “path of mutual respect” towards Beijing, France 24 reported.

This appeal comes amid escalating trade tensions between the two nations, when US president Donald Trump announced a 90-day delay on tariffs for most countries, including the European Union, China was notably excluded from this reprieve.

This move has further heightened tensions between the world’s two largest economies, as per France 24.

“We urge the US to take a big step to correct its mistakes, completely cancel the wrong practice of ‘reciprocal tariffs’ and return to the right path of mutual respect,” a commerce ministry spokesperson said.

According to France 24, the US and China have been locked in a tit-for-tat tariff war since President Donald Trump announced sweeping global tariffs, including a staggering 145 per cent duty on Chinese goods. In response, China imposed retaliatory tariffs of 125 per cent on US goods, effective Saturday.

Washington again dialled down the pressure Friday when the US Customs and Border Protection office said smartphones, laptops, memory chips and other products would be excluded from the global levies.

Beijing’s commerce ministry on Sunday called the exemptions a “small step” by Washington and said that China was “evaluating the impact” of the decision.

The new exemptions will benefit US tech companies like Nvidia and Dell, as well as Apple, which makes iPhones and other premium products in China.

US Customs data suggests the exempted items account for more than 20 percent of those Chinese imports, according to senior RAND researcher Gerard DiPippo.

However, semiconductors could still become a target of industry-specific tariffs Trump has suggested placing on imports from all countries.

Trump said Saturday that he would give a “very specific” answer to the question of any future semiconductor levies on Monday. (ANI)