Month: June 2025

All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) party President Asaduddin Owaisi, part of an all-party delegation led by BJP MP Baijayant Panda that had visited Gulf countries, has strongly criticised Pakistan, calling it the “epicentre of Takfirism” and accusing its government, deep state and intelligence agency ISI of fueling terrorism through illicit financial networks.

The leader highlighted that four countries visited by the delegation had earlier supported India’s diplomatic efforts to place Pakistan on the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) grey list in 2018.

He also said the team visited four countries that are members of key international groups like the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), and the Middle East and North Africa Financial Action Task Force (MENAFATF).

Owaisi said the delegation raised concerns about Pakistan’s role in terrorism, especially the recent Pahalgam attack.

Speaking to ANI, Asaduddin Owaisi said, “We represented India over there…all these countries are members of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC). The other 3 countries are members of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), and one of the countries is now non non-permanent member of the Security Council and all these countries are part of Middle East and North Africa Financial Action Task Force (MENAFATF)…and they have historical relation with India… we requested and explained to them…that Pakistan has been indulging in terrorism in India for many years. We had focused on the Pahalgam terror attack. We told them this Resistance Front didn’t just come up on April 22nd. India had already told the United Nations Security Council Resolution 1262 sanction team that this is a new name for LeT… Secondly, we have told them, the speech of April 15th of Asim Munir…”

He said that the root cause of terrorism is illegal money, and monitoring of this situation is needed.

“These four countries this delegation went to had helped India in bringing back Pakistan to the FATF grey list in 2018…Middle East and North Africa Financial Action Task Force (MENAFATF), we require their help, when India starts this whole process of bringing Pakistan into FATF…root cause of terrorism is illegal money…we need to monitor…a form of Polio exits only in two countries in the world, Afghanistan and Pakistan…there is 40% poverty in Pakistan, where is the money going?… Pakistan govt, deep state, ISI…are indulging in terrorism. Pakistan has become the epicentre of Takfirism,” Owaisi said.

The delegation, led by Panda, also included BJP MPs Nishikant Dubey, Phangnon Konyak and Rekha Sharma; AIMIM MP Asaduddin Owaisi; Satnam Singh Sandhu and Ghulam Nabi Azad; and former Foreign Secretary Harsh Vardhan Shringla.

During their visit, the delegation briefed international partners on India’s response to the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack and Operation Sindoor, highlighting the broader fight against cross-border terrorism while engaging with leaders in Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Bahrain, and Algeria. (ANI)

Maharashtra Fisheries and Ports Development Minister Nitesh Rane on Wednesday took a jibe at Shiv Sena (UBT) MLA Aaditya Thackeray, advising him to change his surname to “Khan or Sheikh” since he was not worthy of the legacy of Bal Thackeray, firebrand leader and founder of Shiv Sena, advocate of a strong pro-Hindu policy in India.

“Aaditya Thackeray should change his surname and adopt ‘Aaditya Khan’ or ‘Aaditya Sheikh’, after which such statements would suit him better. If Balasaheb’s grandson speaks like this, he’s not worthy of carrying the Thackeray surname,” Rane told reporters here.

Speaking about the possible alliance of Shiv Sena (UBT) and Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) ahead of the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) polls, Rane said that it was a “good thing” if the Thackeray family was coming together and there was no need to “feel bad”.

“What the two brothers (Uddhav Thackeray and Raj Thackeray) decide to do is their family matter. Whether they come together or not, if a family unites and their disputes are resolved, it’s a good thing. There’s no reason for us to take notice of it or feel bad. If the Thackeray family is coming together, it’s a good thing,” he said.

“However, those who once broke apart the Thackeray family are now talking about unity. Back then, many people were playing the role of Shakuni Mama (a manipulative uncle figure). Now, those same people are lecturing that the two brothers should come together,” the minister added.

Rane’s remarks against Thackeray come after the latter said the government should not interfere in festivals. He added that the government should focus on farmers’ suicides and flooding due to heavy rainfall instead.

“Why should calls be made to save this or save that in every festival? Celebrate festivals. It is always save water, save colour, save this and save that. Let people breathe. It is not the job of the government. The government’s job is to see that if farmers are dying by suicide, go and support them. If houses are flooded in rain, go and check why it happened. The government’s job is to search for the four Pakistani terrorists who came here. It is not their job to interfere with festivals,” Thackeray said. (ANI)

The twelve-membered female crew comprising officials from the Indian Armed Forces completed their sailing expedition (from Mumbai to Seychelles and back) on Wednesday.

The journey was flagged off from Mumbai on April 7 this year and ended at the same location on June 4 (Wednesday). The expedition, featuring an all-women 12-member crew from the Indian Army, Indian Navy and Indian Air Force, embarks on a challenging 55-day voyage covering 4,000 nautical miles from Mumbai to Seychelles and back aboard the IASV Triveni.

The Tri-Services All Women Around The World Sailing Expedition marked a monumental first, as a team comprising officers from the Indian Army, Indian Navy, and Indian Air Force prepared to undertake a global circumnavigation.

This pioneering initiative highlights the indomitable spirit of Nari Shakti and aimed to promote gender parity in maritime endeavours. The expedition was a preparatory phase for an even more ambitious circumnavigation sailing expedition planned for 2026.

The Mumbai-Sychelles-Mumbai expedition not only symbolises the empowerment of women in the armed forces, but also pays tribute to India’s legendary warrior queens like Rani Velu Nachiyar, Rani Durgavati and Rani Lakshmi Bai

The expedition was undertaken on TRIVENI, the newly inducted Indian Army Sailing Vessel (IASV). Designed and built in India, TRIVENI stands as a robust demonstration of the country’s growing prowess in ocean-worthy vessel construction.

A tri-services all-women Circumnavigation Sailing Expedition, “Samudra Pradakshina” from Mumbai to Seychelles and back was flagged off on April 7 by Lt Gen AK Ramesh, Commandant, College of Military Engineering (CME) from the Indian Naval Watermanship Training Centre, Colaba, Mumbai.

Additionally, the selection process was as rigorous as it was comprehensive. Out of 41 aspiring candidates, 12 officers were selected after being tested for their physical endurance, psychological resilience, leadership qualities, and sailing aptitude. (ANI)

The trailer of Rana Naidu Season 2 is finally out, and it is filled with action, drama, and emotional tension.

The two-minute-forty-four-second trailer shows Rana Daggubati’s character taking on a dangerous final mission while dealing with family issues and facing off against a new rival, played by Arjun Rampal.

Shared on Instagram by the makers on Tuesday, the trailer gives a quick look at what fans can expect in the new season. Rana is seen trying to leave behind his violent past for his family. He tells his wife, played by Surveen Chawla, that he is quitting. But things take a sharp turn as he finds himself in a new fight–this time against his own father, Naga Naidu, played by Venkatesh Daggubati.

The trailer also introduces new characters, including Arjun Rampal, and hints at a brutal showdown between him and Rana.

Apart from the two stars, Kriti Kharbanda, Sushant Singh, Abhishek Banerjee, Rajat Kapoor, Tanuj Virwani, and Dino Morea are also part of the show.

The show, an official adaptation of the American series Ray Donovan, had sparked reactions during its first season due to bold content and strong language.

Rana Naidu is directed by Karan Anshuman and Suparn S. Varma. It is produced by Sunder Aaron and Locomotive Global.

The second season is set to premiere on June 13 on Netflix. (ANI)

Chief Justice of India BR Gavai on Wednesday stated that while the Collegium system is not without criticism, any solutions must not come at the cost of judicial independence and judges must remain free from external control.

“There may be criticisms of the collegium system, but any solution must not come at the cost of judicial independence. Judges must be free from external control,” said the CJI.

CJI further said the legitimacy and public confidence is not secured through coercion of command but through the “credibility earned by the courts”, and any erosion of this confidence risks weakening the judiciary’s constitutional role as the ultimate arbiter of rights.

“Transparency and accountability are democratic virtues. In today’s digital era, where information flows freely and perceptions are rapidly shaped, the judiciary must rise to the challenge of being accessible, intelligible, and answerable, without compromising its independence,” said CJI while speaking at a roundtable discussion at the Supreme Court of the United Kingdom.

CJI further expressed concern over judges accepting government appointments or contesting elections soon after retirement. He said such practices raise serious “ethical questions” and undermine public confidence in the judiciary.

He opined that post-retirement engagements of this nature can create a perception that expectations of future political or governmental roles influenced judicial decisions.

“If a judge takes up another appointment with the government immediately after retirement, or resigns from the bench to contest elections, it raises significant ethical concerns and invites public scrutiny. A judge contesting an election for a political office can lead to doubts regarding the independence and impartiality of the judiciary, as it may be seen as a conflict of interest or as an attempt to gain favour with the government.”

“The timing and nature of such post-retirement engagements could undermine the public’s trust in the judiciary’s integrity, as it could create a perception that judicial decisions were influenced by the prospect of future government appointments or political involvement,” said the CJI.

CJI Gavai also said that he and many of his colleagues have publicly pledged not to accept any post-retirement roles or positions from the government. “

“This commitment is an effort to preserve the credibility and independence of the judiciary,” the CJI said.

Speaking on the topic “Maintaining Judicial Legitimacy and Public Confidence,” the CJI said every system, no matter how robust, is susceptible to professional misconduct issues.

“Sadly, there have been instances of corruption and misconduct that have surfaced even within the judiciary. Such occurrences inevitably have a negative impact on public confidence, potentially eroding faith in the integrity of the system as a whole.”

“However, the path to rebuilding this trust lies in the swift, decisive, and transparent action taken to address and resolve these issues. In India, when such instances have come to light, the Supreme Court has consistently taken immediate and appropriate measures to address the misconduct,” he said.

CJI said transparency measures, such as the declaration of judges’ assets, also bolster public confidence in the judiciary.

“The Supreme Court has itself held that judges, as public functionaries, are accountable to the people. The Court maintains a dedicated portal where judges’ declarations are made public, demonstrating that judges are willing to subject themselves to a degree of scrutiny, similar to other civil functionaries,” he said.

The CJI further said that the Supreme Court of India has also initiated live-streaming of its Constitution-bench cases to enhance public transparency.

“However, as with any powerful tool, live streaming must be wielded with care, as fake news or out-of-context court proceedings can negatively shape public perception. Only last

week, one of my colleagues in a lighter vein counselled a junior counsel on the art of court craft and soft skills. Instead, his statement was taken out of context and reported in the media as, “Our ego is very fragile; if you offend it, your case will go out,” said the CJI. (ANI)

A total of 26 earthquake tremors have been recorded in Karachi over the past four days since the initial jolt on Sunday evening, Pakistan’s Met Office said on Wednesday, as reported by ARY News.

The series of tremors primarily affected the city’s Malir, Quaidabad, Landhi, and Gadap areas, according to the National Seismic Monitoring Centre Pakistan.

The recorded magnitudes of these tremors ranged from 2.0 to a maximum of 3.6 on the Richter scale, ARY News reported.

Chief Meteorologist Ameer Haider stated on Tuesday that the seismic activity is linked to the Landhi Fault Line and is expected to continue until Wednesday. “The seismic energy gathered at the Landhi Fault Line is being released with quakes, which can be felt until tomorrow,” he said.

He assured that the intensity of the tremors is expected to decline gradually and added that so far, no damage has been reported due to the mild nature of the shocks.

“These tremors are part of the ongoing seismic activity along the city’s active fault lines,” an official told ARY News.

The Landhi Fault Region, responsible for the current sequence of tremors, is one of two active fault lines in the Karachi region. The other fault line lies near Thana Bola Khan.

Chief Meteorologist Haider further noted that historically, no major earthquakes have been recorded on the Landhi Fault Line.

He also highlighted that the Kirthar mountain range, located near a significant tectonic boundary, occasionally experiences moderate seismic events.

“The fault line may take a few days to stabilize, so people may continue to feel light tremors in the coming days,” he cautioned, according to ARY News. (ANI)

Actor and filmmaker Jackie Chan has an interesting revelation about the first ‘Rush Hour’ movie. During his recent appearance on The Kelly Clarkson Show, he shared his working experience in the film and the challenges he faced while shooting it.

‘Rush Hour’ is a 1998 cop action comedy film directed by Brett Ratner and written by Jim Kouf and Ross LaManna from a story by LaManna. It stars Jackie Chan and Chris Tucker as mismatched police officers who are assigned to rescue a Chinese diplomat’s abducted daughter. Its box office commercial success led to two sequels: Rush Hour 2 (2001) and Rush Hour 3 (2007).

On talking about the film, Chan said, “The whole movie, I don’t know what Chris Tucker’s saying,” he added, “Not a clue,” reported People.

Chan later shared that in “every shot” his dialogue was “different” because of how much he struggled to understand. “My dialogue coach sits right behind the camera,” he continued. “Every scene, every shot, different dialogue.”

When asked if he ever shared about the challenges he faced, Chan replied, “Yes”

“I asked my dialect coach, ‘What did he say?’ He speaks so fast!” said Chan.

Chan said he ultimately learned English by listening to country music, as the songs are slower, reported People.

This revelation about ‘Rush Hour’ film came after Chan opened up about his favourite films in the trilogy.

“I don’t know. You know what, the first one: little money, little time,” said Chan about the original 1998 movie, adding,”We shot it like, ‘Go, go, go, go!’ The second one: a lot of money, a lot of time. The third one: too much money, too much time.”

“Too much money is no good,” Chan added.

On the possibility of ‘Rush Hour 4’, Chan revealed during his December 2022 appearance at the Red Sea Film Festival in Saudi Arabia that he was “talking” about it, according to People.

‘Karate Kid: Legends’ was released in theatres on May 30. (ANI)

Bangladesh revoked the recognition of freedom fighter of more than four hundred politicians who won the 1970 elections, including Bangladesh’s independence leader Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.

The National Freedom Fighters Council (JAMUKA) ordinance has defined the identity of these leaders as “associates of the liberation war”.

In addition to Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, the Muhammad Yunus-led interim government has also revoked the freedom fighter recognition of the President and Prime Minister of the provisional government, Syed Nazrul Islam and Tajuddin Ahmed, during the Liberation War of 1971.

The government issued an ordinance amending the Jamuka Act on Tuesday night, defining a new definition of a heroic freedom fighter.

According to the amended ordinance, members of the Mujibnagar government in exile will be “associates of the liberation war”. The ordinance was issued by the Legislative and Parliamentary Division of the Law Ministry on the orders of the President.

According to the ordinance, not only the government in exile during the Liberation War, but also four other categories of recognized freedom fighters have been identified as “associates of the Liberation War”.

These four categories of freedom fighters are, first, those Bangladeshi professionals who have made special contributions to the liberation war abroad and played an active role in shaping world public opinion.

Secondly, those who served as officials, employees, envoys and others assistants under the Bangladesh Government (Mujibnagar) formed during the Liberation War.

Thirdly, all the artists and technicians of the Swadhin Bangla Radio Station and all the Bangladeshi journalists who served in support of the Liberation War at home and abroad.

Fourthly, the Swadhin Bangla Football Team.

Bangladesh gained independence through a 9-month bloody war in 1971 against Pakistan under the leadership of the Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman. India helped Bangladesh achieve independence. (ANI)

Masazumi Gotoda, Governor of Tokushima Prefecture in Japan, shared his vision for strengthening international relations, particularly with India, to promote exports and attract skilled foreign talent.

Located on Shikoku Island, one of Japan’s four main islands, Tokushima has emerged as the most proactive of the island’s four prefectures in advancing global engagement.

Governor Gotoda, who took office two years ago after serving 23 years in Japan’s House of Representatives, has introduced bold administrative reforms aimed at transforming the prefecture. Among his first initiatives was the establishment of the International Affairs Office, a division he oversees directly.

“Deepening overseas relations is not just a policy–it’s a necessity in a rapidly changing Japanese society,” said Governor Gotoda in an exclusive interview with ANI.

Tokushima’s ties with India are already robust, with several major Japanese firms operating in the country. Otsuka Pharmaceutical and its subsidiaries have set up facilities in Rajasthan and Gujarat, while the well-known LED manufacturer Nichia Corporation operates in Gurgaon.

Shikoku Kakoki, another company from the region, exports shelf-stable, paper-packed tofu — a unique food product that does not require refrigeration, showcasing Tokushima’s innovation in food processing.

Facing Japan’s demographic challenges such as declining population and workforce, Governor Gotoda emphasised the need for innovative governance and international collaboration.

A strong advocate of STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics) education, he pointed to the success of Kamiyama Marugoto College, where nearly 90 per cent of students come from outside the prefecture.

“This institution is a symbol of our commitment to cultivating future-ready talent,” he said. Governor Gotoda is also championing the acceptance of foreign workers to address labour shortages.

Last year, Tokushima recorded Japan’s highest increase in both the rate and amount of the minimum wage.

He believes this competitive wage growth will help attract high-level professionals and visitors from India. “We are committed to creating an environment where international talent can thrive,” he said. Tokushima is not only progressive in policy but also rich in tradition and natural beauty.

The prefecture is home to Awa Odori, Japan’s iconic dance festival, as well as sacred pilgrimage routes and lush landscapes. Governor Gotoda’s office reflects his pride in local culture, adorned with Tokushima’s specialty products.

“Promoting our cultural assets through global partnerships is a vital part of our strategy,” he added. In his concluding remarks, Governor Gotoda expressed hope that India and Tokushima will forge even stronger ties in the coming years–anchored in shared values of innovation, tradition, and mutual prosperity. (ANI)