Month: July 2025

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his UK counterpart Keir Starmer shared a light moment during their joint press statement on Thursday, as the two leaders addressed the media following their talks in London.

As translations were being provided for questions and answers during the interaction, Prime Minister Modi, in a candid remark, said, “Don’t bother, we can use English words in between. Don’t worry about it.”

UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer responded with a smile, saying, “I think we understand each other well.”

The friendly exchange set the tone for the rest of the interaction, where Prime Minister Modi used a cricket analogy to describe the India-UK partnership. He said, “There may be a swing and a miss at times but we always play with a straight bat,” adding that both countries are committed to building a high-scoring, solid partnership.

PM Modi’s remarks, made during joint press statements with UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, came as India and the UK signed the Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement and the two leaders endorsed India-UK Vision 2035.

The Indian Test cricket team is on a visit to England, and the series is seeing an intense struggle between bat and ball.

“I would be remiss not to mention cricket when India and the UK are coming together, especially during a Test series. For both of us cricket is not just a game but a passion. And also, a great metaphor for our partnership,” PM Modi said.

“There may be a swing and a miss at times. But we always play with a straight bat. We are committed to building a high scoring solid partnership. The agreements concluded today, along with our Vision 2035, are milestones that carry forward this very spirit,” he added.

PM Modi, who was on a two-day visit to the UK, said that day marks a historic milestone in India-UK bilateral relations.

“I am pleased that, after years of dedicated efforts, the Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement between our two countries has been concluded today. This agreement is more than just an economic partnership; it is also a blueprint for shared prosperity. On the one hand, it paves the way for enhanced market access in the UK for Indian textiles, footwear, gems and jewellery, seafood, and engineering goods,” he said.

“It will also unlock new opportunities for India’s agricultural produce and processed food industry. Above all, this agreement will be especially beneficial for India’s youth, farmers, fishermen, and the MSME sector. On the other hand, UK-made products such as medical devices and aerospace components will become more accessible and affordable for Indian consumers and industries,” he added.

PM Modi said that alongside the trade agreement, a consensus has also been reached on the Double Contribution Convention.

“This will inject new momentum into the service sectors of both countries, particularly in technology and finance. It will enhance the ease of doing business, reduce operational costs, and boost confidence of doing business. Additionally, the UK economy will benefit from access to skilled Indian talent,” he said.

“These agreements will boost bilateral investment and generate new employment opportunities in both countries. Moreover, these agreements between two vibrant democracies and major global economies, will also contribute to strengthening global stability and shared prosperity,” he added. (ANI)

Addressing concerns over UK companies entering India’s Government Procurement (GP) space under the new India-UK FTA, Sunil Bharti Mittal, Chairman of Bharti Enterprises, said the move will ultimately benefit Indian MSMEs, as UK firms will need to establish manufacturing units in India to remain competitive, benefiting India’s MSMEs.

Speaking exclusively to the ANI, Mittal acknowledged that while UK companies can now participate in government procurement, there is a threshold above which they can bid.

The concerns on Government Procurement were raised by the experts, who stated that the access to the British firms in the GP process will hinder the compatibility of Indian small firms.

As agreed by two countries, UK-based suppliers will be eligible to bid for government tenders only for orders of more than Rs 200 crore.

Market access to the UK under the FTA will be limited to the Non-sensitive central-level entities only, and access for sub-central (state/local government) level entities is excluded.

Mittal said that for larger tenders, UK-based companies can compete, but they are required to set up manufacturing units in India to remain competitive.

“There’s a threshold about which the government procurement, the UK companies can participate. So that means a protection for the smaller companies. And for the larger tenders, UK companies can participate and I would say this is again good because while opening it up to the UK, which is a very special gesture, what would it mean? These companies will have to come to India to set up manufacturing units; otherwise, they will not be competitive,” Mittal said.

This move, he believes, could be beneficial for both Indian MSMEs and UK companies, ensuring that the latter contribute to India’s manufacturing ecosystem while competing in larger government tenders.

According to the Union Commerce and Industry Minister, UK has agreed to take a binding commitment to provide non-discriminatory treatment to our suppliers under UK’s Social Value regime in their public procurement system.

Reacting to the signing of the India-UK Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA), Mittal said, “This is a historic day for India and the UK. For the first time, you’re seeing 2 large markets of this size entering into a trade deal, which is a win-win for both sides. This will certainly set the roadmap for our agreements with the EU and some other trading blocs. I would say the US remains a very separate track, which is a very large market. It’s a set apart from everybody else.”

In the presence of Prime Minister Keir Starmer and Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the eagerly anticipated historic India-UK Free Trade Agreement was signed, expanding access to goods and services between the two nations. (ANI)

Tamil Nadu Deputy Chief Minister Udhayanidhi Stalin has slammed the AIADMK, accusing it of desperately trying to pave the way for the BJP to make inroads in the State. He also termed the 2026 Assembly election in the State “a battle to protect our land, pride, and mother tongue.”

“AIADMK is desperately trying to pave the way for the BJP. But as long as there are cadres in black and red, saffron will never gain ground in Tamil Nadu,” Udhayanidhi Stalin said while addressing a DMK booth agents’ meeting here on Thursday.

“Edappadi K Palaniswami (AIADMK General Secretary) once confidently said there would be no alliance with the BJP. Yet, he switched lanes, went into hiding, and secretly struck a deal. This betrayal must be uprooted,” he said.

The Deputy CM said that the BJP can never touch the heart of Tamils.

“This election (upcoming state election) is not just political; it is a battle to protect our land, our pride, and our mother tongue,” he said.

He also alleged discrimination against Tamil Nadu in the Central fund allocation.

“In the last academic year, not even a single rupee was allocated to Tamil Nadu for education, while states like Uttar Pradesh and Assam received thousands of crores (from the Centre),” he said.

Reassuring party cadres about Chief Minister MK Stalin’s health, Udhayanidhi said, “Our leader is doing well. It’s not just due to medical care, but because of your immense love. He will return home in two days.”

He praised the Chief Minister’s dedication, stating that he continues to manage state affairs even while being treated in the hospital.

Recalling the legacy of late DMK patriarch M. Karunanidhi (Former Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu), he said, “Kalaignar remained active on Facebook and Twitter even at the age of 90. That is the model of leadership and commitment we follow.”

He emphasised that the DMK-led INDIA bloc is “not just an electoral alliance, but an alliance of ideologies,” and expressed confidence that the coalition would succeed and return to power under Chief Minister M.K. Stalin.

Highlighting key achievements of the DMK government, Udhayanidhi pointed out that over ₹1,000 has been disbursed to each of the 1.15 crore beneficiaries of the Women’s Rights Scheme over the past 23 months. He also noted that Tamil Nadu achieved a 9.69% economic growth rate, reported as the highest in the country by the Union government itself.

Calling booth agents “the lifeblood of the party,” Udhayanidhi praised their role in the party’s electoral success. He said the DMK has enrolled over 2 crore new members so far, with the Kolathur constituency–Chief Minister Stalin’s assembly seat–leading in new registrations, followed by the Harbour constituency. (ANI)

Ever since Tara Sutaria and Veer Pahariya’s flirty exchange on social media, fans have been buzzing with speculation about the two being in a relationship.

From sweet comments to twinning at the airport, the rumoured couple has captured attention online.

Now, the actress herself has responded to the social media buzz while speaking to ANI during her appearance at India Couture Week.

Reacting to all the fan love, she said, “That’s very, very sweet, and it’s so nice to see and read about it online.”

But when asked directly if she was dating Veer Pahariya, Tara chose to stay tight-lipped, saying, “I’m sorry, I won’t be able to talk about that at the moment.”

The dating rumours gained traction after Tara shared pictures with singer AP Dhillon from their music video ‘Thodi Si Daaru’ on July 21. Veer commented, “My,” with a red heart and star emoji. Tara replied with, “Mine,” adding a red heart and an evil eye emoji.

Fans quickly connected the dots, and many took this exchange as a soft confirmation of their relationship.

Speculation was further fueled when Tara and Veer were spotted together at the Mumbai airport earlier on Thursday.

The two were seen arriving at the airport in the same car, with Veer stepping out first to hold the door for Tara. Both were dressed in white, with Tara in white shorts and a blazer paired with a black top, and Veer in a white shirt and trousers. The two didn’t pose for photos but were seen walking closely together, adding to the relationship chatter.

On the work front, Veer Pahariya recently made his Bollywood debut in ‘Sky Force’ earlier this year, where he shared screen space with Akshay Kumar, Sara Ali Khan, and Nimrat Kaur.

Tara, on the other hand, has been focusing on music videos. She recently appeared in ‘Thodi Si Daaru’ with AP Dhillon and earlier in ‘Pyaar Aata Hai’ with Ishaan Khatter. She was last seen in the film Apurva (2023) and has not yet announced her next movie project. (ANI)

A delegation of senior Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leaders from Himachal Pradesh on Thursday met BJP National President and Union Minister Jagat Prakash Nadda, and Union Road Transport Minister Nitin Gadkari, regarding the recent natural disasters in the state.

The delegation included the Himachal Leader of Opposition (LoP) and former Chief Minister Jairam Thakur, State President Rajiv Bindal, former Union Minister and MP Anurag Thakur, Lok Sabha MP Suresh Kashyap, Rajiv Bhardwaj, Kangana Ranaut, Rajya Sabha MP Indu Goswami, Sikandar Kumar, Harsh Mahajan, MLA Vinod Kumar, Hansraj, and Deepraj.

Nadda said Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation Amit Shah has cooperated in every possible way in the relief and rescue work during the disaster. Helicopters of the NDRF, ITBP, Army, and Air Force have been made available immediately.

He also added that Union Minister Amit Shah sent an inter-ministerial central team within twenty days to assess the damage caused by the disaster. We had demanded research on the causes of the disaster, for which a high-level team was also formed with immediate effect. We thank him on behalf of the people of Himachal for all kinds of support.

Nadda stated that the high-level committee headed by Shah has already approved an outlay of Rs 2,006.40 crore for Himachal Pradesh for rehabilitation and reconstruction in areas affected by disasters such as floods, landslides, and cloudbursts for the year 2023. The first instalment of Rs 451.44 crore has also been released on July 7, 2025.

Additionally, to assist the affected people of the state, the central government has already released the first instalment of the central share of Rs 198.80 crore to Himachal Pradesh from the State Disaster Response Fund (SDRF) on June 18, 2025, for immediate relief measures.

The Centre has also provided all kinds of logistics support including deployment of necessary National Disaster Response Teams, Army teams and Air Force to all the states including Himachal. A total of 13 NDRF teams are deployed for rescue and relief operations in the state.

Nadda stated that Union Home Minister Amit Shah had also directed the formation of a multi-sectoral central team at our request, in view of the frequency and intensity of natural disasters in Himachal.

It includes experts from the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), Central Building Research Institute (CBRI) Roorkee, Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology (IIITM) Pune, geologists, and the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Indore. This team will study the causes of natural disasters and suggest preventive measures.

Earlier, Shah said that the frequency and intensity of cloudbursts, flash floods, landslides, and torrential rains have increased in Himachal. This has caused widespread loss of life, damage to infrastructure and livelihoods, and environmental degradation in the state. In view of the flash floods and landslides during the southwest monsoon in various parts of Himachal Pradesh, the Central Government has already sent an inter-ministerial central team to directly assess the damage without waiting for the memorandum of Himachal Pradesh, which is visiting the affected areas from July 18 to 21. (ANI)

New mom Kiara Advani, who recently welcomed her first child, a baby girl, is gearing up for the release of her first action film, ‘War 2,’ alongside actors Hrithik Roshan and Jr NTR.

Just a day before the much-awaited trailer launch, Kiara took to her Instagram Stories to share an unseen behind-the-scenes photo from the sets of ‘War 2.’

The image features her with Hrithik and director Ayan Mukerji, all smiles at what seems to be a foreign shoot location.

In the picture, Kiara is seen in a stylish action look, wearing a tank top, trousers, and boots. Hrithik, on the other hand, kept it casual in a shirt and jeans, while Ayan Mukerji posed between them. Along with the photo, the ‘Dhoni’ actor wrote, “All set for tomorrow,” clearly excited for the trailer launch scheduled for July 25.

Take a look:

Earlier this week, Yash Raj Films officially announced the trailer date by posting the War 2 poster with the caption that read, “ANNOUNCEMENT: #WAR2 trailer out on July 25th. #War2 is set to release in Hindi, Telugu & Tamil on August 14th in cinemas worldwide!”

War 2 is one of the biggest action films of the year and is part of YRF’s Spy Universe. The film will hit theatres worldwide on August 14, 2025, just ahead of India’s Independence Day. It will also release in IMAX format across international markets, including North America, the UK, the Middle East, Australasia, and more. (ANI)

Amid the ongoing industry-wide discussion on work-life balance in the film world, several stars have spoken up about long working hours and the need for healthier schedules.

Joining the conversation, actress Tamannaah Bhatia recently shared her personal views on the matter and gave a rather honest and straightforward opinion.

Speaking on the sidelines of India Couture Week, Tamannaah said she doesn’t believe in the concept of “work-life balance” as it is often discussed. Instead, she believes in inner balance.

“I think work-life balance is a lie. I think you have to be balanced, and then work and life happens. If you are balanced, then work-life balance ho jata hai,” said the ‘Stree’ actress to ANI.

The debate over work hours in the film industry became a hot topic after Deepika Padukone’s reported exit from ‘Spirit,’ allegedly over her request for an eight-hour workday being denied by director Sandeep Reddy Vanga.

Meanwhile, the ‘Baahubali’ actress turned heads at the India Couture Week on Wednesday, where she was the muse for designer Rahul Mishra. Tamannaah wore two eye-catching outfits during the show. The actress first dazzled in a fitted floral gown, featuring detailed embroidery and soft glam makeup paired with wet, wavy hair.

Later, she stunned the audience with a graceful traditional look, switching into a beautiful ivory lehenga with Rahul Mishra’s signature floral patterns, paired with a halter-neck blouse.

On the acting front, Tamannaah is gearing up for her upcoming film ‘VVAN: Force of the Forest,’ where she stars alongside Sidharth Malhotra. (ANI)”If you are balanced, then…” Tamannaah Bhatia calls the concept of ‘work-life balance’ a “lie”

f “work-life balance” as it is often discussed. Instead, she believes in inner balance.

“I think work-life balance is a lie. I think you have to be balanced, and then work and life happens. If you are balanced, then work-life balance ho jata hai,” said the ‘Stree’ actress to ANI.

The debate over work hours in the film industry became a hot topic after Deepika Padukone’s reported exit from ‘Spirit,’ allegedly over her request for an eight-hour workday being denied by director Sandeep Reddy Vanga.

Meanwhile, the ‘Baahubali’ actress turned heads at the India Couture Week on Wednesday, where she was the muse for designer Rahul Mishra. Tamannaah wore two eye-catching outfits during the show. The actress first dazzled in a fitted floral gown, featuring detailed embroidery and soft glam makeup paired with wet, wavy hair.

Later, she stunned the audience with a graceful traditional look, switching into a beautiful ivory lehenga with Rahul Mishra’s signature floral patterns, paired with a halter-neck blouse.

On the acting front, Tamannaah is gearing up for her upcoming film ‘VVAN: Force of the Forest,’ where she stars alongside Sidharth Malhotra. (ANI)”If you are balanced, then…” Tamannaah Bhatia calls the concept of ‘work-life balance’ a “lie”

Minister of State for External Affairs Kirti Vardhan Singh on Thursday said that the government has consistently protested to parties concerned over the inclusion of the ‘China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), which passes through parts of the Indian Union Territories of Ladakh and Jammu & Kashmir under illegal occupation of Pakistan.

In a written reply in Rajya Sabha during the ongoing monsoon session, MoS said that any proposed participation of third countries or expansion of the so-called CPEC projects to third countries is unacceptable.

“The Government of India is aware of a China-Pakistan-Afghanistan meeting held in Beijing, China, on 21 May 2025. The government’s position on CPEC is clear and consistent. Government has consistently protested to parties concerned over the inclusion of the so-called ‘China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), which passes through parts of the Indian Union Territories of Ladakh and Jammu & Kashmir under illegal occupation of Pakistan, as a flagship project of ‘OBOR/BRI’ and asked them to cease these activities,” he said.

“Any proposed participation of third countries or expansion of the so-called CPEC projects to third countries is unacceptable. Government has consistently conveyed this position to relevant parties,” the MoS added.

Singh further stated that the government maintains a constant watch on all developments that have a bearing on India’s security and takes all necessary measures to safeguard it.

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar and Afghanistan’s acting Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi met in Beijing earlier this May.

The proceedings in both Houses of Parliament were adjourned for the day amid protests by the Opposition on Thursday.

The Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha will again reconvene on Friday at 11 am.

Krishna Prasad Tenneti, chairing the Lok Sabha, adjourned the House amidst the ruckus by the Opposition during a discussion on the Readjustment of Representation of Scheduled Tribes in Assembly Constituencies of the State of Goa Bill, 2024.

The Carriage of Goods by Sea Bill was being discussed in the Rajya Sabha when MP Bhubaneshwar Kalita, chairing the House, adjourned it following sloganeering by the Opposition, who were protesting against the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of the voter list in Bihar. (ANI)

As the survey phase of the Dharavi Redevelopment Project (DRP) comes to an end, a significant number of residents are calling the project’s toll-free helpline for inclusion, having missed or not participated earlier.

Dharavi Redevelopment Project (DRP) officials said that of 700 calls received in the past month, nearly 41% enquiries were related to requests to complete door-to-door/household survey, a step in the redevelopment process to decide eligibility.

This response, they said, highlights the anxiety among residents about missing out on the redevelopment scheme and its housing benefits.

The toll-free helpline has registered 300 calls in the past 30 days for the eligibility survey.

The Dharavi Redevelopment Project (DRP) is among the largest and most inclusive urban renewal initiatives in the world, aiming to uplift over 10 lakh residents through well-planned housing, infrastructure, and community services without displacing the social and economic fabric of the area, the officials said.

Noting that only a few tenements and communities remain who have volunteered to exclude themselves from the eligibility survey like the Kumbharwada, Compound 13, a handful tenements on private lands in various slum pockets, officials said it is a sign that residents are sensing time is slipping away.

DRP officials also said that the toll-free helpline continues to serve as a vital communication channel that hears the residents, addresses their doubts and records their concerns.

They said Kumbharwada residents have started volunteering to get their tenements numbered in the past two days, despite initial resistance.

A DRP official said he calls to helpline show people are eager “to take part in the transformation”.

“We are heartened by the volume and quality of engagement we are receiving from the residents. The fact that nearly half of the calls are about the survey process shows that people are informed, interested, and eager to participate in the transformation. We remain committed to a transparent, people-first redevelopment effort that keeps communication open at every stage. This is a housing for all project,” the official said.

Queries received on the helpline included requests for list of documents to complete eligibility verification, timeline expectations, and when new homes will be allotted.

There were also inquiries about the recent campaign urging residents to come forward for survey, location, size of new housing units and numbering of upper floors.

The Maharashtra government had in May this year approved Dharavi project master plan

The proposed master plan is an attempt to build on the existing characteristics of Dharavi and create a world-class district for Dharavikars and reimagine a new heart for Mumbai. The Dharavi Redevelopment Project (DRP) is a opportunity to transform the lives and ‘live-work’ conditions of Dharavikars aiming for a higher quality of life with great infrastructure and public amenities.

The Dharavi project will also have accessible social amenities.

A clear hierarchy of social infrastructure shall be embedded within walkable neighbourhood nodes, ensuring every resident is within easy reach of schools, healthcare, and community facilities, a release said earlier.

The proposed waterfront development and Dharavi promenade – a linear open space is planned to make the river’s edge accessible. The proposed road network includes widening of existing Development Plan (DP) roads and new networks of approximately 21 km road length. (ANI)