Month: April 2025

The wait is finally over as the trailer of ‘Jewel Thief – The Heist Begins’ was unveiled on Monday evening.

‘Jewel Thief’ stars Saif Ali Khan, Kunal Kapoor, Jaideep Ahlawat and Nikita Dutta in pivotal roles. The trailer shows Saif as a “seedha saadha” “chor” who teamed up with Jaideep to steal the ultra-rare African Red Sun diamond. And then there’s a detective (Kunal Kapoor) who is behind the two and wants to arrest them.

Directed by Kookie Gulati and Robbie Grewal, and produced by Marflix Pictures in its streaming debut, Jewel Thief – The Heist Begins marks the first collaboration between Netflix and the production house founded by Siddharth Anand and Mamta Anand.

Excited about the film, the producers shared, “As filmmakers, we’re constantly exploring new ways to tell stories that are stylish, compelling, and surprising. With Jewel Thief, we wanted to create a cinematic universe that felt both classic and fresh — a modern-day heist with emotion and pace. This is our first streaming venture, and we couldn’t have asked for a better partner than Netflix to bring that vision to life. The story is slick, the characters are layered, and the scale is massive, so gear up for this action-packed adventure.”

At the trailer launch, Siddharth Anand opened up about his camaraderie with Saif Ali Khan and shared insights of his gracious nature on the sets. Besides this, he also revealed one aspect he’d never want to change in the seasoned actor.

“He is loveable. He is somebody who is a darling on set. He makes everybody comfortable. And I’m glad that this quality about Saif hasn’t changed. He makes everybody really comfortable, eases out everybody. Sometimes his jokes scare some people, his sense of humour is such. But, he is amazing, and that is something he shouldn’t change,” shared Siddharth Anand.

‘Jewel Thief: The Heist Begins’ is slated to stream from April 25. (ANI)

Bollywood actress Sagarika Ghatge Khan and former cricketer Zaheer Khan have become parents to a baby boy.

The Chak De fame actress Sagarika shared the joyous news in a joint post with her husband Zaheer on Instagram on Wednesday.

The couple have named their baby boy Fatehsinh Khan, as mentioned in the post. The duo also shared adorable pictures of their baby as they held him with love in their arms.

The first picture shows Zaheer holding his newborn in his arms as his wife and actress, Sagarika, leans on her husband’s shoulder in a warm embrace.

The second photo featured the couple holding their son’s little hand as he sleeps peacefully in their arms.

The black and white photos were accompanied with the caption: “With love, gratitude and divine blessings we welcome our precious little baby boy, Fatehsinh Khan.”

‘Chak De’ star Sagarika Ghatge and Indian cricketer Zaheer Khan tied the wedding knot in a private ceremony in 2017.

The couple met through a common friend, after which they fell in love.

Sagarika is known for films like ‘Chak De India’, ‘Fox’ and ‘Irada’.

Her better half, Zaheer Khan, is a former Indian pacer who is currently mentoring the Lucknow Super Giants team in the ongoing Indian Premier League 2025.

Zaheer Khan made his debut in the ICC Knockout Cup in 2000 and immediately hit the headlines when he yorked Steve Waugh, beating him for pace.

An Indian express-pacer was a once-in-a-blue-moon discovery, and his ability to bowl fast yorkers at the death, move the ball off the deck and in the air, and maintain his pace set him apart from the more metronomic fast bowlers that India was used to.

In his illustrious international career, Zaheer picked up 311 Test wickets in 92 matches and overall 610 scalps in 309 international matches across all formats for Men in Blue. (ANI)

The Miss World 2025 pageant is just around the corner, and Femina Miss India World 2023, Nandini Gupta, is all set to represent India on the international stage.

The young beauty queen from Rajasthan’s Kota is working hard ahead of the big event, which will be held in Telangana from May 7 to May 31.

While speaking to ANI, Nandini shared that she is training every day to prepare for the competition. She also added that she is excited not only about the pageant but also about what it means for the host city and state.

“I am training rigorously to shine on the world stage. Every day, I am learning a lot about Telangana, Hyderabad, and what the city has to offer… Miss World is happening in India for the second consecutive time, and it is a moment of pride… I am looking forward to seeing how the economy of the state will boost, tourism will increase, and how the culture of the state will be promoted…” she said.

Earlier in March, Miss World 2023 Krystyna Pyszczkova from the Czech Republic visited Hyderabad along with Chairperson and CEO of the Miss World Organization Julia Morley to review the arrangements.

Speaking to ANI, Pyszczkova expressed her excitement about the upcoming event in India, underlining the country’s vibrant culture and its significance in the Miss World journey.

“…I love the Indian sparkle that the last edition had, and it will be just amazing, as I said, and India has a lot to offer this time… As you may know and have heard, Miss World is about actually doing the action, not only the talking. So, in all of the states we’re visiting, we’re trying to find some projects. We’re trying to be helpful. I visited the temple, which was a magical experience. I’ve always dreamt of going to a Hindu temple to see how it is, and my dream came true yesterday. I received a lot of blessings…” she said. (ANI)

Ananya Panday has been announced as the first Indian brand ambassador for the French luxury fashion brand, Chanel.

The 26-year-old is also the only Indian to hold this position with the iconic label, which was founded by Gabrielle “Coco” Chanel in 1910.

On Wednesday, the ‘Call Me Bae’ actress took to her Instagram account to share the exciting news, expressing her happiness about the new journey.

“Beyond grateful and excited for my journey with @chanelofficial. The first-ever brand ambassador for and from India. Dreams really do come true,” she wrote.

Her appointment comes after she made an appearance at the Chanel Spring-Summer show during Paris Fashion Week last year. She had walked the ramp for designer Rahul Mishra’s ‘Superheroes’ collection, which marked her debut at the prestigious fashion event.

Meanwhile, on the work front, the actress will be next seen in Kesari Chapter 2, which stars Akshay Kumar and R. Madhavan.

Kesari Chapter 2 will be released on April 18, 2025, following the success of its predecessor, which focused on the Battle of Saragarhi in 2019.

The original Kesari film starred Parineeti Chopra and highlighted the valour of 21 Sikh soldiers in the 1897 battle.

With Kesari Chapter 2, the filmmakers aim to honor the legacy of India’s freedom fighters by showcasing the relentless pursuit of justice and the enduring spirit of resistance against colonial oppression. (ANI)

Union Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju on Wednesday said that Manipur is not a case where the central government can be put to the test and that the situation in the state is coming back to normal.

In an interview with ANI, Rijiju said the government cannot be blamed for the debate concerning President’s Rule in Manipur having been taken up late at night in Parliament, saying the opposition wanted more time for the debate on the Waqf Amendment Bill.

“Initially, I said we could take six hours’ discussion (on the Waqf Amendment Bill) because enough has been deliberated in the JPC. Whatever we have to say, let us discuss for six hours. Finally, I agreed for eight hours. But the opposition kept on insisting 12 hours beyond, saying that the chair should take the sense of the house and discuss for a longer period of time and we acceded to it. So, it is not our fault that the Manipur case came right after the Waqf Amendment Bill. As Lok Sabha passed the bill at midnight, we only had one day left in Rajya Sabha,” the Union Minister said.

He said it was a constitutional obligation to undertake the ratification process of President’s Rule in two months.

“If we don’t take up immediately, then it is a constitutional obligation that within two months, the ratification has to take place when there is a proclamation of President’s Rule. After six months, it has to be extended through the discussion in the Parliament. Parliament has to pass it. So these are constitutional requirements. Nobody should blame that we took up the Manipur case at midnight,” he added.

Answering a query, Rijiju said while there was an incident in Manipur, states in the northeast were seeing rapid progress.

“After 2014 northeast is seeing the true light of development. Barring the Manipur incident every other northeastern region is having an era of peace, tranquillity and development. Manipur issue is not a case where the government can be put to the test. We are not at fault. Before we came to power in 2014, Manipur used to face blockades, ethnic war, ethnic conflicts, so many incidents happening and state used to be under this kind of violence for years, where thousands have already lost their life,” Rijiju said.

He also referred to the opposition’s demand for Prime Minister Narendra Modi to visit Manipur and to the violence the state had witnessed before the Modi government came to power at the Centre.

“Did we ever say that the Prime Minister should go there? Why Manipur is happening? Those initial days, all the struggle in the Manipur, all the undergrounds, the militants, they were against the state. This incident in Manipur is not against the state. This is neither a creation of the Central government nor this fight is against the Government of India. It is between two brothers,” he said.

He stated that the trigger point of the ethnic clashes was an outcome of the judicial pronouncement, which said that a particular community should be given Scheduled Tribe (ST) status.

“The unfortunate trigger point was when the judge of the Manipur High Court passed an order. And remember, it was beyond the judicial scope to declare a particular community as tribal requires certain traits,” Rijiju said.

“Don’t put fuel in a fire by blaming anybody. Don’t blame the central government. Just tell them, we will also help. Initially, when I was a member of parliament, I remember one thing, when Manipur was having a blockade for four or five months consecutively. Nobody from the central government had gone. Then I raised this issue. There was no response from the (then) government,” he added.

Rijiju, who is MP from Arunachal West, said all communities in the northeast have to stay together.

“We are living in the same region. The fact, the reality is that we have to coexist together. Other than that, there is no alternative. That is a reality,” he said. (ANI)

The Delhi government will launch Ayushman Cards for all income groups aged above 70 by the end of April 2025.

This initiative is part of the Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB-PMJAY), which aims to provide health insurance coverage of up to Rs 5 lakh per family per year for secondary and tertiary care hospitalisation.

Delhi CM Rekha Gupta, along with other cabinet ministers, today chaired a meeting at which MLAs and officials from the state and central governments were present.

The meeting aimed to focus on implementing and distributing Ayushman cards and Opening Arogya Mandir in the National Capital.

“To implement Ayushman Bharat (scheme), which Delhi has received after years of waiting, we held a meeting today to ensure that all the cards are made and reach the public as soon as possible. All the MLAs have been assigned the task. Efforts are underway to extend benefits to senior citizens aged above 70. Work should start immediately to identify the location of 1139 Arogya Mandirs to be opened in every corner of Delhi, because Delhi has suffered a lot due to the time wasted by the previous governments. We do not want more time to be wasted. Our government will start working on this today,” said Chief Minister Gupta.

Senior citizens aged 70 and above from all income groups are eligible for the Ayushman Card. The card provides health insurance coverage of up to Rs5 lakh per family per year, covering 1500+ medical procedures.

The Delhi government plans to open 1139 Arogya Mandirs across the city. These will offer healthcare services that are different from those offered by Mohalla clinics in structure and operation. The MLAs have been tasked with coordinating with District Magistrates to distribute existing Ayushman Cards and work on opening Arogya Mandirs.

“The MLAs have been directed to coordinate with District Magistrates (DMs) to distribute the existing Ayushman Cards as quickly as possible and also to work on the opening of Arogya Mandirs in all parts of the state,” said Delhi CM Gupta.

Meanwhile, Delhi Health Minister Pankaj Singh reiterated that the government will build 1139 Ayushman Arogya Mandirs for the people of Delhi.

“Our target is to build 1139 Ayushman Arogya Mandirs for the people of Delhi, and we will achieve this target. This was a matter of discussion. It was discussed how we can provide this facility to the elderly above 70 years of age as soon as possible. Our Arogya Mandirs will be totally different from Mohalla clinics, you will see the difference in structure and working. The people of Delhi will like it,” he said.

A memorandum of understanding between the Delhi government and the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare for implementing Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana was signed on April 5 2025, in New Delhi.

After signing the MoU, the Delhi government officially launched PM ABHIM and started distributing Ayushman Bharat cards under PM JAY on April 10, 2025. (ANI)

The Supreme Court on Wednesday directed the Wildlife Warden of Telangana to examine and take immediate steps to protect the wildlife affected on account of deforestation in 100 acres of land in Kancha Gachibowli in Telangana.

A bench of Justices BR Gavai and AG Masih made it clear that not even a single tree should be felled in the area.

It also warned Telangana authorities about sending its officers responsible for deforestation to a “temporary prison” in the “very same spot” if the state justifies the felling of trees.

“If you (State) try to justify then… Better course would be to come up with a plan to restore the forest,” Justice Gavai told senior advocate Abhishek Manu Singhvi, appearing for Telangana.

Justice Gavai further said, “We will go all out of the way for the protection of environment and ecology.”

Senior Advocate K Parameshwar, appearing as Amicus Curaie to assist the court in the case, said that the land has been mortgaged to a private party.

“We are not on mortgage and all. We are only on how so many trees were chopped off without the permission of the State government. We are only on dozens of bulldozers and forests of hundred acres being destroyed. If you wanted to do something, you should have sought proper permissions,” said the bench.

Singhvi sought time to study a report prepared by the Central Empowered Committee on the issue, and the apex court gave the state four weeks, while listing the case on May 15.

Earlier, the Supreme Court, while taking suo moto cognisance of the felling of trees at the forest area in Kancha Gachibowli in Telangana, stayed the felling of trees at the site and warned the Chief Secretary of the consequences if its order is not complied with.

It had ordered that until further orders, there shall be no activity of any sort at the site, except the protection of trees already existing.

The bench had also said that Chief Secretary of Telangana will be personally responsible and action will be taken if the court’s directions are not complied with in true spirit.

Advocate Parmeshwar had told the bench that massive felling of trees had taken place during the weekend holidays.

The land is located in the IT hub of Hyderabad and has become contentious, with people expressing concerns over the loss of green cover and space for wildlife there.

University of Hyderabad students were protesting against the auction of the land and wanted the land to be transferred to the university. (ANI)

In a first, Indian Railways has installed an ATM on a trial basis — on the Manmad-CSMT Panchvati Express in Maharashtra.

Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw has shared a video of the ATM on a train on his X timeline.

ATM On Wheels initiative is in accordance with the Railway Board’s directive to explore innovative methods to boost railway revenue through non-fare revenue.

A meeting was held with all potential vendors on March 25, 2025. During the meeting, the concept of installing mobile ATMs on trains was proposed.

Similarly, a trial run was conducted on April 10, 2025, on 12110 Manmad-CSMT Panchvati Express. The mini pantry space was converted by the mechanical team into an ATM installation area.

“The ATM was properly secured for its maiden journey with rubber pads and bolts for vibration isolation. Two fire extinguishers have also been provided in the allotted space,” railways said.

In the quest to Viksit Bharat 2047, Indian Railways continued its transformative journey, paving the way for a new era of modernization and progress.

With a strong focus on meeting world class travel experience, boosting freight efficiency, and adopting advanced technologies, the Railways has solidified its role as a catalyst for national growth.

Modern stations, state-of-the-art trains, and innovative safety systems are reshaping the landscape of rail travel.

Under ‘Amrit Bharat Station Scheme’, 1,337 stations have been identified for redevelopment.

Indian Railways achieved 6,450 km of complete track renewal, 8,550 turnout renewals, and raised speeds to 130 kmph over 2,000 km in 2024

Indian Railways electrified 3,210 Rkm in 2024, extending the electrified BG network to 97 per cent with renewable energy capacity reaching 2,014 MW.

A record 136 Vande Bharat trains and the first Namo Bharat Rapid Rail were introduced, alongside 21,513 special train trips during peak seasons.

10,000 Locos being equipped with Kavach safety technology, 9000 technicians trained and bids invited for 15,000 Rkm. (ANI)

21 police personnel of Nashik were left injured due to a mob attack at the Trustees of the Saat Peer Baba Dargah in Nashik when residents gathered to remove the Dargah.

The Dargah was demolished by the Municipal Corporation on Wednesday morning.

Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) Kirankumar Chavan, narrating the attack, stated that the attack happened when the Trustee of the Dargah were attacked by a mob while they were removing the Dargah.

“The High Court had directed the removal of the Saat Peer Baba Dargah. As per that direction, the Trustee of the dargah and residents decided that they themselves would remove the dargah. So, in preparation, people and Trustees came here late last night. They were trying to remove the dargah when a mob reached there and opposed this. The Trustees and residents tried to pacify them, but the mob paid no heed. The mob did not listen to the senior Police officials present at the spot either. The mob pelted stones at all of them,” the DCP said.

Further, he stated that 15 people had been detained so far and over 50 bikes had been impounded.

“21 Police officials were injured and they are under treatment in hospitals. Using force, the mob was dispersed from the spot. 15 people have been detained so far, and over 50 bikes from the spot have been impounded. Police personnel are deployed here in large numbers. It is peaceful here now. Procedure of the Municipal Corporation is underway…” he further added. (ANI)

There’s no looking back for safe-haven gold amid the global trade uncertainties that have emanated from Trump administration’s reciprocal tariffs and Chinese counter tariffs.

Gold prices on Multi Commodity Exchange of India (MCX) touched yet another record high over weak US dollar, and heighted Trump tariffs on China. At the time of filing this report, gold on MCX was at Rs 95,172 per 10 grams, after touching a record high of Rs 95,435.

“Gold prices raced to an all-time high, driven by a weaker dollar, trade war tensions and concerns over global economic growth due to U.S. President Donald Trump’s tariff plans which led to safe-haven inflows,” said Manav Modi, Senior Analyst, Commodity Research at Motilal Oswal Financial services Ltd.

Gold prices globally have also been hitting fresh highs, surpassing USD 3,300 per ounce.

The latest rise in gold prices internationally is also attributed to strong demand, including from various central banks investing through ETFs. Persistent geopolitical tensions also boosted the yellow metal’s appeal as a safe haven.

Gold is often considered a hedge against uncertainties. The returns gold has yielded in recent times have been phenomenal.

Publicly available data showed that gold prices rose at an unprecedented pace in 2025, soaring over 20 per cent. Over the past year, they have risen around 40 per cent.

Recently, Sachin Jain, Regional CEO India at World Gold Council (WGC) told ANI that the fundamentals of gold as an asset class are “very strong” and they will continue to be “very strong” throughout the year.

“We believe that the fundamentals of gold are still very strong and they continue to be very strong through the year,” he reiterated. (ANI)