Month: May 2025

Amid growing opposition demands for a special session of Parliament over Pahalgam attack and Operation Sindoor, NCP-SCP chief Sharad Pawar on Monday stated that while he is not opposed to the idea, sensitive and serious matters of national interest should not be debated publicly in Parliament.

Several opposition leaders have urged the Centre to convene a special session of Parliament to discuss the Pahalgam Terror Attack, Operation Sindoor and the announcement of cessation of hostilities first from Washington DC and later by the Governments of India and Pakistan.

Pawar suggested that instead of convening a special session, it would be more productive for all political parties to convene an all-party meeting to deliberate on the matter privately.

Speaking to ANI, Sharad Pawar said, “I am not against calling a special session of Parliament…but this is a sensitive and serious issue and discussing such a serious issue is not possible in the Parliament…In such a situation, it is necessary to keep the information confidential for national interest.”

“Instead of calling a special session, it would be better if we all sit together (all-party meeting),” Pawar said.

The NCP-SCP Chief also reacted to US President Donald Trump’s claims that the US had mediated between India and Pakistan.

“Till now, we have never allowed any third party to interfere in our domestic issues. But this is the first time US President Donald Trump has said something regarding our internal matters,” he said.

Trump, on May 11, offered mediation between India and Pakistan over the Kashmir issue by sharing a post on his Truth Social handle.

President Trump welcomed the cessation of hostilities between India and Pakistan, saying that millions of people could have died if the peace had not been worked out. The US President was referring to a potential nuclear fallout between the two nations.

Trump continued to hold on to the claim that the US had helped broker peace and offered to mediate for a solution on Kashmir.

India has time and again rejected any third-party intervention on the issue of Jammu and Kashmir and has unequivocally expressed that the region is an integral part of India.

Earlier, Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge and Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi wrote letters to Prime Minister Narendra Modi to convene a special session of the Parliament.

Rahul Gandhi reiterated the Opposition’s “unanimous request” to convene a special session of Parliament “immediately.”

“It is crucial for the people and their representatives to discuss the Pahalgam terror attack, Operation Sindoor, and the ceasefire, first announced by US President Trump. This will also be an opportunity to demonstrate our collective resolve to meet the challenges ahead. I trust that you will consider this demand seriously and swiftly,” Rahul Gandhi said.

Operation Sindoor was launched on May 7 to strike multiple terror sites in Pakistan and Pakistan-Occupied-Kashmir in retaliation for a deadly attack in Jammu and Kashmir’s Pahalgam on April 22, which claimed the lives of 26 tourists. (ANI)

Amid the ongoing tensions between India and Pakistan, the Andhra Pradesh government, led by Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu, has taken proactive measures to ensure the safety of its students and ensure that no Andhra Pradesh student studying in border states feels abandoned or alone.

The state is working with concern and urgency around the clock to bring its students back safely from regions like Punjab, Jammu & Kashmir, Rajasthan, and Gujarat. It is providing them with shelter, food, and support as they travel back to their homes.

As per a release, 441 students have reached Andhra Pradesh Bhavan in Delhi, of whom 158 have already returned to their hometowns in Andhra Pradesh. 283 students are currently staying at the Bhavan. These include 130 students from NIT Srinagar, 120 from LPU University, 16 from Sher-e-Kashmir University, and 10 from Lamrin Tech Skills University in Punjab. An additional 20 students from NIT Srinagar are expected to arrive by Monday evening.

To facilitate their travel, the government has issued 40 Emergency Quota (EQ) letters for train tickets, and food is being arranged for 300 students currently at AP Bhavan. The state is making all necessary arrangements to ensure these students return home safely and with dignity.

Meanwhile, Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu paid tribute to army jawan Murali Naik, who was killed in the line of duty during cross-border firing by the Pakistani forces along the Line of Control (LoC).

According to an official release from the TDP, CM Naidu condoled the demise of the young soldier from Ananthapuram district.

Naidu spoke with Murali’s parents, Jyotibai and Ram Naik, and assured them of the state government’s support. He praised Murali’s invaluable service in the army over the past two years and called on everyone to stand united with patriotism and vigilance.

CM Naidu also urged everybody to observe two minutes of silence in honour of Naik’s sacrifice.

As per reports, Agniveer M Murali Naik was injured during heavy shelling from the Pakistan side on Thursday. He was later taken to the hospital for treatment, but succumbed to injuries on Friday morning. (ANI)

The highly awaited horror comedy ‘Bhoot Bangla’ is currently in the making, and it seems like the cast is having a great time on set.

Actor Jisshu U Sengupta gave fans a sneak peek into the shoot as he shared a fun black-and-white picture with co-star Akshay Kumar.

Taking to Instagram, Jisshu posted a selfie with the Hera Pheri actor along with a caption that read, “Fun Times From The Sets Of #Bhootbangla.”

Take a look

https://www.instagram.com/p/DJgLdZ1zja9/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==

Earlier in January, actress Tabu, who is also part of the film, posted a happy selfie with her team from her vanity van. Her caption read, “End of schedule wala pose.”

https://www.instagram.com/p/DFNh-LRtWXG/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

Bhoot Bangla is directed by Priyadarshan, known for his popular comedies. The film also marks his reunion with Akshay Kumar after several years.

The duo has previously delivered blockbuster films such as Hera Pheri, Bhagam Bhag, Garam Masala, De Dana Dan, and Bhool Bhulaiyaa, among others. Bhooth Bangla stars Tabu, Rajpal Yadav, Mithila Palkar, and Wamiqa Gabbi in crucial roles. Meanwhile, the film will also witness a reunion of Akshay and Tabu after 25 years. The two were last seen together in Hera Pheri.

Bhooth Bangla is produced by Shobha Kapoor and Ektaa R Kapoor’s Balaji Telefilms, along with Akshay Kumar’s production house, Cape of Good Films. The film is slated for a theatrical release on April 2, 2026. (ANI)

Amidst the ongoing standoff between India and Pakistan following the cessation of hostilities aunderstanding, the Baramulla police have been informed about the presence of twenty unexploded ordnances (UXOs) in 17 villages across the district, according to a statement.

Consequent to the safe disposal, the district administration has permitted the evacuees from six villages out of 17 to return to their homes.

“Baramulla Police has been intimated about the presence of 20 unexploded ordnances (UXOs) in 17 villages across the district. Consequent to their safe disposal, District administration has permitted evacuees from these the 6 villages to return,” Baramulla Police said in their official statement.

The Indian Armed Forces conducted several strikes at the nine major terror camps associated with Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM), Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) and Hizbul Mujahideen in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) under the name of Operation Sindoor in the early hours of May 7.

Five of the nine terror camps were located in PoK, and the other four in Pakistan.

Among the destroyed camps in Pakistan, two of those, Muridke and Bhawalpur stand out more, as they not only serve as residences for major commanders but also serve as epicentres for radicalisation and various training courses on intelligence and arms handling for Laskar as well as Jaish-e-Mohammad. Among the key terror operatives eliminated in the operation was Rauf Azhar the brother-in-law of Maulana Masood Azhar the Jaish Chief. Rauf Azhar a proscribed terrorist is wanted for his part in the conspiracy to hijack IC-814.

Meanwhile, the Indian armed forces conducted a joint press briefing in New Delhi on Sunday which consisted of Lieutenant General Rajeev Ghai (Director General Military Operations), Vice Admiral A N Pramod (Director General Naval Operations), and Air Marshal A K Bharti (Director General Air Operations).

They confirmed that India has struck 11 airbases in Pakistan and inflicted significant damage on their military capabilities. The officials jointly announced the success of “Operation Sindoor” — a cross-border counter-terror operation aimed at neutralising terror infrastructure inside Pakistan.

The operation also eliminated over 100 terrorists. The air, land and sea operations were carried out with calibrated restraint, emphasising minimising civilian casualties.

This development comes in the light of heightened tensions between India and Pakistan following India’s recent military operation, Operation Sindoor, which targeted terrorist infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-administered Kashmir in response to the terror attack in Pahalgam on April 22 which claimed 26 lives. India’s military operation involved precision strikes on nine sites identified as terrorist infrastructure, including militant camps in Muzaffarabad, Kotli, and Bahawalpur. (ANI)

Two days after India and Pakistan reached an understanding to cease hostilities along the border, life in Jammu and Kashmir is gradually returning to normal. Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Monday visited a government hospital in Poonch to meet civilians injured in the recent cross-border shelling.

Visuals from the hospital showed Abdullah interacting with several individuals who had sustained injuries during the heavy shelling by Pakistan over the past few days. He enquired about their health and assured them of the administration’s support.

Following his hospital visit, Abdullah also visited the families of civilians who lost their lives in the firing. Among them was the family of Amrik Singh, who died in the shelling incident.

He also paid a visit to the home of Amarjeet Singh, another civilian casualty of the recent hostilities.

In a parallel gesture of condolence, Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha visited the family of Zakir Hussain, who was also killed in the shelling.

Speaking to reporters during his visit, Sinha said, “Administration has already given ex gratia (to the victim’s family). Rest, whatever administration has to do, they will do it soon.”

Earlier today, in Rajouri, Jammu and Kashmir National Conference (JKNC) MP Mian Altaf Ahmed welcomed India and Pakistan’s agreement on cessation of hostilities.

He demanded jobs for the surviving family members of those who died during the cross-border shelling from Pakistan. He also mentioned the damage to houses that was inflicted in Rajouri and Poonch.

The National Conference leader added that the situation is, however, getting better in the region and urged the administration to provide necessary help to the locals.

“The family members of those who lost their lives should be given jobs. Houses have been damaged in Rajouri, Poonch. The administration should provide necessary help to the people. Now the situation is getting better,” he told ANI.

Meanwhile, following the cessation of hostilities between India and Pakistan, the Directors General Military Operations (DGMO) of both countries will hold talks at 12 noon on Monday. (ANI)

The Government of India has extended support to India’s maritime neighbour, Maldives by rolling over the USD 50 Million treasury bill, the High Commission of India to Maldives said in a statement on Monday. Foreign Minister of Maldives, Abdulla Khaleel expressed gratitude to the Indian government and hailed the timely assistance which “reflects the close bonds of friendship” between the two countries.

In the statement shared on X, the High Commision of India to Maldives said, “India extends financial support to the Maldives through the rollover of the USD 50 million Treasury Bill.

According to the statement, after the request by the Government of Maldives, the State Bank of India (SBI) to has subscribed, for one more year, a USD 50 million Government Treasury Bill issued by the Ministry of Finance of Maldives.

It was noted that since March 2019, India has been facilitating subscription of several such Treasury Bills by the SBI and rolling them over, annually, interest-free to the Government of Maldives.

This is a part of the unique government to government arrangement between the two countries that serves as an emergency financial assistance to the maritime neighbour.

The statement also mentioned that India has assisted Maldives in times of need and the subscription of this Treasury Bill, along with, the Government of India’s decision earlier this year to extend the special quota for export of essential commodities for Maldives, which reflects India’s continued support to the Government and the people of the Maldives.

The letter mentioned, “On the request of Government of Maldives, the State Bank of India (SBI) has subscribed, for one more year, a USD 50 million Government Treasury Bill issued by the Ministry of Finance of Maldives. Since March 2019, Government of India has been facilitating subscription of several such Treasury Bills by the SBI and rolling them over, annually, interest-free to the Government of Maldives.

This has been done under a unique Government- to-Government arrangement, as emergency financial assistance to Maldives.

Maldives is India’s key maritime neighbour and an important partner in India’s ‘Neighbourhood First’ policy and Vision ‘MAHASAGAR’ i.e. Mutual and Holistic Advancement for Security and Growth Across Regions. India has assisted Maldives in times of need and the subscription of this Treasury Bill, along with, the Government of India’s decision earlier this year to extend the special quota for export of essential commodities for Maldives, reflect India’s continued support to the Government and the people of the Maldives.”

Extending gratitude to the Government of India, the Foreign Minister of Maldives said, “I express my sincere gratitude to EAM @DrSJaishankar and the Government of #India for extending crucial financial support to the #Maldives through the rollover of the USD 50 million Treasury Bill. This timely assistance reflects the close bonds of friendship between #Maldives & #India and will support the Government’s ongoing efforts to implement fiscal reforms for economic resilience.”

India and Maldives are longstanding partners.

During the visit of Maldives’ President Mohamed Muizzu to India last year, Prime Minister Modi had underscored the importance attached by India to its relationship with Maldives under its ‘Neighbourhood First’ Policy and Vision SAGAR, and reaffirmed India’s unwavering commitment to assist Maldives on its developmental journey and priorities. (ANI)

India’s star batsman Virat Kohli announced his retirement from Test cricket on Monday, marking an end to an illustrious 14-year-old career which saw him dominate a variety of conditions, regions, and opponents in whites, both as a batter and captain.

Kohli took to his Instagram handle and announced his decision to retire from the longest format of the game.

“It’s been 14 years since I first wore the baggy blue in Test cricket. Honestly, I never imagined the journey this format would take me on. It’s tested me, shaped me, and taught me lessons I’ll carry for life. There’s something deeply personal about playing in whites. The quiet grind, the long days, the small moments that no one sees but that stay with you forever,” Kohli wrote on Instagram.

“As I step away from this format, it’s not easy — but it feels right. I’ve given it everything I had, and it’s given me back so much more than I could’ve hoped for. I’m walking away with a heart full of gratitude — for the game, for the people I shared the field with, and for every single person who made me feel seen along the way. I’ll always look back at my Test career with a smile. #269, signing off,” the post added.

In his Test career, the 36-year-old made 123 appearances in white clothing, scoring 9,230 runs at an average of 46.85, with 30 centuries and 31 fifties in 210 innings and the best score of 254*. He is India’s fourth-highest run-getter in the format, behind Sachin Tendulkar (15,921 runs), Rahul Dravid (13,265 runs) and Sunil Gavaskar (10,122 runs).

He made his Test debut in June 2011 against West Indies. While his first Test tour was a massive disappointment with just 76 runs in five innings, a young Virat made a name for himself with some serious, counter-attacking knocks in the coming days. His rise as a Test player started with his maiden ton against Australia at Adelaide in 2012, when he made 116 in 213 balls. In a tour where no other could touch 300 runs for India and giants like Sachin Tendulkar, Rahul Dravid, VVS Laxman, and Virender Sehwag looked a shadow of their dominant selves, Virat top-scored for India with 300 runs in four Tests, including a century and fifty. Between 2011 to 2015, he made 2,994 runs in 41 Tests at an average of 44.03, with 11 centuries and 12 fifties in 72 innings.

Between 2016 to 2019, Virat had one of the strongest batting primes ever for a Test cricketer, piling up 4,208 runs in 43 Tests at an average of 66.79, with 16 centuries and 10 fifties in 69 innings and best score of 254*. This also included seven double centuries, most by a captain in Test cricket history.

However, the 2020s have not been great for the superstar batter, having made just 2,028 runs in 39 Tests at an underwhelming average of 30.72, with just three centuries and nine fifties to show in 69 innings. His numbers received a boost from a fine 2023, where he made 671 runs in eight Tests at an average of 55.91, with two centuries and two fifties in 12 innings.

During this whole time frame, Virat battled some notable weaknesses in the format, notably against deliveries outside the off-stump line and against spinners.

He ended last year with just 382 runs in 10 Tests at a shocking average of 22.47, with just one century and fifty in 19 innings. His last Test outing was the Border-Gavaskar Trophy tour to Australia from November-January, where he made just 190 runs in nine innings at an average of 23.75, with his century at Perth being a highlight.

That century was his first since July 2023, when he hit a ton against West Indies at Port of Spain in 2023. Also, his last century at home came against Australia in early 2023 during the Border-Gavaskar Trophy at Ahmedabad.

Virat’s career has been about overcoming several setbacks and taking Indian cricket to new highs. Be it smashing a peak Australian attack led by Mitchell Johnson for 692 runs including four centuries during Australia tour in 2014-15 and announcing himself as the new captain, guiding India to ICC World Test Championship maces, having a dream-like, redemption tour to England in 2018 worth 593 runs and five fifty plus scores after managing just 134 runs in 10 innings during his last time in UK or braving world-class bowling attacks in Centurion, Melbourne, Perth, Edgbaston and at his own home with some world-class knocks, the 36-year-old has given fans tonnes of memories to replay and cherish forever. (ANI)

‘RRR’, which starred actors NTR Jr. and Ram Charan, had a special screening at the Royal Albert Hall in London on Sunday, May 11.

The event also featured a live orchestra performance by the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra.

The special screening was also attended by Jr. NTR, Ram Charan, and ace director SS Rajamouli.

Taking to its official X handle on Sunday, the team shared a picture of the packed hall along with a caption that read, “HistoRRRY!! #TogetheRRRAgain @RoyalAlbertHall.”

Earlier, the team had announced the event on social media. Their post said, “LONDON… here we come! Relive the soul of #RRRMovie like never before with a scintillating live orchestral performance by the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra. Join our Trio: @ssrajamouli @tarak9999 @AlwaysRamCharan at @RoyalAlbertHall, London, on Sunday, May 11th, for a musical celebration of India’s epic action drama.”

‘RRR’ made history as the first Indian film to win an Oscar for Best Original Song with ‘Naatu Naatu’. The film also received praise on many global platforms, including the Golden Globe Awards.

The song was also released in Hindi as ‘Naacho Naacho’, in Tamil as ‘Naattu Koothu’, in Kannada as ‘Halli Naatu’, and in Malayalam as ‘Karinthol’. Its Hindi version was sung by Rahul Sipligunj and Vishal Mishra.

RRR is a fictional story based on the lives of two Telugu freedom fighters, Alluri Seetharama Raju and Komaram Bheem. Ram Charan and Jr. NTR played the lead roles, respectively. Alia Bhatt, Ajay Devgn, and Shriya Saran also starred in the film. (ANI)

Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) Chairman V Narayanan said that at least 10 satellites are continuously working round-the-clock for the strategic purpose to ensure the safety and security of the citizens of the country.

Addressing the 5th convocation ceremony of the Central Agricultural University (CAU) in Imphal yesterday, ISRO chief highlighted the organisation’s effort to ensure the country’s safety amid the tensions with Pakistan.

“At least 10 satellites are continuously working round-the-clock for the strategic purpose to ensure the safety and security of the citizens of the country,” the ISRO Chairman said.

“You all know about our neighbours. If we have to ensure the safety of our country, we have to serve through our satellites. We have to monitor our 7,000 km seashore areas. We have to monitor the entire Northern part continuously. Without satellite and drone technology, we can’t achieve that,” V Narayanan said.

Following the chaos and all the skirmishes that had kept the areas along the northern and western International Borders (IB) up during the night for the past few days, the region has largely remained peaceful during the intervening night of May 11 and May 12, the Army stated.

According to the Army, the region of Jammu and Kashmir and other areas along the IB were calm, and no incidents of the violation of the cessation of hostilities were reported.

The army noted that this marked the first calm night in recent days following the cross-border firing, heavy artillery shelling and drone attacks by Pakistan in response to India’s Operation Sindoor, launched in retaliation for the April 22 terror attacks, which dismantled major terror sites in Pakistan and in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK).

For the past few days, the border regions in Jammu and Kashmir, Rajasthan, Punjab and Gujarat witnessed Pakistan’s heavy shelling and attempted drone attacks, which were aimed at disrupting peace along the region. However, the attacks from Pakistan were largely neutralised by the Indian air defence system

In retaliation, the Indian Armed Forces confirmed the destruction of 11 air bases inside Pakistan and inflicted significant damage on their military capabilities.

At a joint press conference on Sunday, Lieutenant General Rajeev Ghai (Director General Military Operations), Vice Admiral A N Pramod (Director General Naval Operations), and Air Marshal A K Bharti (Director General Air Operations) jointly revealed the major outcomes of India’s Operation Sindoor.

Lieutenant General Rajiv Ghai apprised about his conversation with his counterpart, which resulted in cessation of cross-border firing and air intrusions by both the neighbouring countries, saying that the Pakistan army violated these understandings after a couple of hours after the cessation of hostilities.

He said that it was the Pakistan DGMO who proposed that hostilities cease.

“My communication with the Pak DGMO was conducted at 15:35 hrs yesterday and resulted in cessation of cross-border firing and air intrusions by either side with effect from 17:00 hrs, May 10, after he proposed that we cease hostilities. We also decided to further speak on May 12 at 12:00 hrs to discuss the modalities that would enable the longevity of this understanding,” Ghai told reporters in a press conference on Sunday.

He said that the violation of the agreement reached between the two DGMOs was responded to robustly by India.”However, disappointingly, expectedly, it took only a couple of hours for the Pakistan Army to violate these arrangements by cross-border and across the Line of Control (LoC) firing, followed by drone intrusions last night and in the early hours of today. These violations were responded to robustly,” Ghai added.

The Indian Armed Forces launched Operation Sindoor on May 7, targeting nine terror sites in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir (PoK). Operation Sindoor was a retaliatory response to the April 22 terror attack in Pahalgam. (ANI)

Some 39 percent of people in Japan feel lonely at times, according to a recent government survey, with legislation that took effect in April last year to address isolation apparently not yet having a significant impact.

The percentage of people who either felt lonely “often or always,” “sometimes” or “once in a while” totalled 39.3 percent in 2024, unchanged from the previous survey in 2023. The figure has remained largely unchanged since the study began in 2021.

The survey for the first time also examined the relationship between feelings of loneliness and smartphone usage. Among those who used smartphones for more than eight hours a day, 13.3 percent said they felt lonely “often or always.”

The figure stood at 9.5 percent among those who used their devices between seven and eight hours, higher than among those who reported using their phones less. (ANI/WAM)