Month: July 2025

Reacting to a controversy surrounding Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav’s apparent meeting inside a mosque on Parliament Street in New Delhi, party MP Zia Ur Rehman Barq denied holding any meeting in a mosque and said that this was creating an issue unnecessarily.

Speaking to ANI, Zia Ur Rehman Barq said, “From where is the question of meeting arising. Where did it take place? Don’t we have space in the Parliament or in the residences of MPs to hold meetings? Why will he have a meeting in a Mosque? This is creating an issue unnecessarily.”

Earlier today, reacting to the controversy, Akhilesh Yadav said that faith unites people, while accusing the BJP of using religion as a “divisive” tool.

Speaking to the media, Yadav alleged that the BJP wants people to keep “divided.”

“Faith connects. Any religion or faith that connects people is valuable, and we are with those that work to build trust and foster connections. BJP has a problem with this… BJP wants people to stay divided, not united. We have faith in all faiths… BJP’s tool is religion…” Yadav said.

Targeting the Samajwadi Party, Uttar Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Brajesh Pathak called Yadav “Nawaazwadi” while accusing him and his party of not having faith in the constitution.

He stated that the Indian constitution doesn’t permit the use of religious places for political purposes.

“Samajwadi Party chief and Samajwadi Party always violate the constitution. The Indian Constitution states that religious places cannot be used for political purposes. They do not have faith in the constitution. ‘Woh hamesha Namaazwadi bane rehte hai’ and that is what he is doing,” Pathak told ANI.

Reacting to this, SP MP Rajeev Rai said that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) should instead address the viral videos of its leaders.

“Do we have to take a license from BJP to visit temples and mosques now? Should we make BJP’s photos viral? They don’t speak about the videos and photos of their leaders coming in from the streets,” Rai told ANI.

As this happened, BJP Minority Morcha National President Jamal Siddiqui lashed out at the Samajwadi Party and its MP, Mohibullah Nadvi, for turning the mosque into their party’s office. Nadvi serves as the Imam of the Parliament Street Mosque.

“You can see many SP MPs from the SP President. Rampur MP Mohibullah Nadvi is also present among them. Mohibullah Nadvi used to do the Imam’s prayer in this mosque. But he is not ready to leave the mosque. Today it has crossed all limits! He made the mosque his party’s office. We strongly condemn this,” Siddiqui said in a statement. (ANI)

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday departed for the United Kingdom on the first leg of his two-nation visit, which will also take him to the Maldives later this week. The visit to the UK from July 23-24 is aimed at boosting bilateral ties, with the signing of the much-awaited India-UK Free Trade Agreement (FTA) as a key highlight.

The India-UK FTA, has been under negotiation for three years. This agreement is expected to eliminate tariffs on 99% of Indian exports to the UK and reduce tariffs on 90% of British products.

The FTA is projected to double bilateral trade by 2030, from the current USD 60 billion mark. It will also make it easier for British firms to export products like whisky and cars to India.

According to the MEA, PM Modi will hold wide-ranging discussions with his UK counterpart, Keir Starmer, on the entire gamut of India-UK bilateral relations. They will also exchange views on issues of regional and global importance.Over the years, the India-UK historical ties, have transformed into a robust, multi-faceted, mutually beneficial relationship.

The relationship was elevated to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership in 2021. New Delhi and London have seen sustained and frequent high-level political engagements. Prime Minister Modi has met UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer twice over the past year. They met on the sidelines of the G20 Summit in Brazil in November 2024 and again during the G7 Summit in June 2025. Both leaders also had multiple telephonic conversations over the period.

A significant marker of the strength of ties is the five Ministerial level Institutional Mechanisms in strategic, economy & finance, trade, energy, science and technology, between the two countries. Other recently held dialogues include Foreign Office Consultation, Defence Consultation Group, 2+2 Foreign and Defence Dialogue.On the economic front, bilateral trade has surpassed a record USD 55 billion in 2024, marking an increase of approximately 10 per cent over 2023.

The conclusion of India-UK FTA announced on May 6, 2025 by both Prime Ministers, has been a major milestone in bilateral ties.The two countries have seen sustained and high-level cooperation across several fronts. PM Modi will hold wide-ranging talks with British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, covering trade, defense, climate, innovation, and education. He will also meet King Charles III.India and the UK will discuss strengthening their defense and security ties, including regular military exchanges and collaboration on critical technologies like artificial intelligence and semiconductors.

PM Modi is likely to raise the issue of Khalistani extremists in the UK, who have been a concern for India. The UK government has assured India that it will take necessary actions to address this issue. Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri said that the issue of Khalistani extremists and related groups is a matter of concern for India, and it has been brought to the attention of partners in the United Kingdom.

Discussions have also taken place between India and the UK regarding the extradition of fugitives to India, Misri said.Foreign Secretary Misri said, “The issue of the presence of Khalistani extremists, bodies close to these people, is something that we have brought to the attention of our partners in the UK. We will continue to do so. This is a matter of concern not only to us but should be a matter of concern to our partners as well because this impacts social cohesion and social order in these other countries as well.”

Answering a media query on the issue of fugitives in the UK, Misri said that there is a legal process to such requests regarding fugitives related to Indian law and India is working “very closely” with the UK on this issue.

“There have been a few questions fugitives related to Indian law and Indian justice, in the UK. These have been a matter of discussion between both sides and we have continued to make the case for these fugitives to be rendered to India. There is a legal process that such requests , issues go through in the other country, and we continue to follow very closely with our partners in the UK on these matters,” he said.

The two countries will also review progress in areas like climate action, healthcare, education, and people-to-people connections.With an Indian diaspora that forms about 2.7 per cent of the total population of UK, it acts as the living bridge which forms a key pillar of growth and development of India -UK relations through their valuable contribution to the British society and economy as well as promoting bilateral cultural and economic cooperation and bonds of friendship between peoples of our two countries.After the UK visit, PM Modi will travel to the Maldives from July 25-26. (ANI)

Actor Deanne Panday penned a heartwarming note for his son and actor Ahaan Panday amid the success of his romantic drama ‘Saiyaara’.

On Tuesday, Deanne posted some adorable childhood pictures of Ahaan on Instagram.

She also wrote a long note that read, “You always pointed up to the stars when you were young. I never knew why? Played cricket, loved your bubble baths in your big bucket & blew kisses at me, loved poojas with Namdev Panditji. You fought to put the sticks & ghee in the pooja fire. You loved feeding your dadi prasad.”

“You were born premature, 40 days early, so tiny for so long, but grew so fast into this loving child. loved to be in your great grand dads arms who touched 100 years old. You loved your grandparents so much & always gave your all to your friend’s, you yet do. Your grandparents & great grandparents are blessing you from above, my darling son. Your simplicity & humbleness stayed with you from so young,your respect for the elderly, ” she added.

Deanne concluded, “Stay this way always, no matter what the world throws at you. Good or bad, ups or downs, stay grounded & kind. God bless you my boy. We are so blessed to have you. Go shine & share your light with all always. Your Mumma #blessedtohaveyou.”

Actors Bipasha Basu, Bobby Deol and Tara Sutaria reacted to the post.

Bipasha Basu wrote, “Love your mamma first forever…Cutest Mamma.”

Bobby Deol and Tara Sutaria dropped heart emojis in the comment section.

Ahaan Panday and Aneet Padda’s ‘Saiyaara’ has received rave reviews from both audiences and critics alike. It has also caught the attention of top Bollywood celebrities, with many admiring their performances.

Directed by Mohit Suri, ‘Saiyaara’ tells the story of Krish and Vaani, a singer and a lyricist who fall in love with each other. Their journey goes an emotional turmoil, that has left audiences smiling and crying at the same time.

Just three days into release, the film has taken over the box office and is currently inching toward crossing Rs 100 crore in India. (ANI)

John Michael “Ozzy” Osbourne, the lead singer of British heavy metal band Black Sabbath, has died at 76.

He breathed his last on Tuesday after a yearslong struggle with Parkinson’s disease, as per Variety.

The news of Ozzy’s demise was confirmed by his family via a statement, TMZ reported.

The statement read, “It is with more sadness than mere words can convey that we have to report that our beloved Ozzy Osbourne has passed away this morning. He was with his family and surrounded by love. We ask everyone to respect our family privacy at this time.”

Ozzy had performed just two weeks ago at what was billed as Black Sabbath’s last concert, a festival titled “Back to the Beginning,” in his and the band’s hometown of Birmingham, England, that amounted to a massive tribute to the legendary band, including from such legendary spiritual offspring as Metallica, Guns N’ Roses, Slayer, Tool, Pantera, Alice in Chains and more.

In January 2020, following two years of escalating health problems, Osbourne announced that he had been diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease. In February 2023, he issued a statement saying that he was retiring from touring, citing spinal injuries he had sustained in a 2018 accident.

He said, “[I]n all good conscience, I have now come to the realization that I’m not physically capable of doing my upcoming European/U.K. tour dates, as I know I couldn’t deal with the travel required. Believe me when I say that the thought of disappointing my fans really F***S ME UP, more than you will ever know.

“Never would I have imagined that my touring days would have ended this way.”

From 1969-79, Osbourne was the head-banging front man for the Birmingham, England-based Black Sabbath, which codified the bottom-heavy, churning sound and lyrical demonology that would course through dozens of metal bands to come. Though the group’s history was a chaotic one characterized by monumental substance abuse and tumultuous in-fighting, its early albums survive as classics of the genre, as per Variety.

His popularity among metal fans was so immense that his wife and manager Sharon Osbourne built a touring festival, Ozzfest, around him; it became one of the biggest box office attractions of the ’90s and attracted a glittering lineup of support acts.

Osbourne garnered additional fame early in the new millennium as the addled paterfamilias of “The Osbournes,” an MTV reality series that focused its lens on the rock star’s home life.

Osbourne is survived by his wife, Sharon, and six children — Jessica, Louis and Elliot from his first marriage to Thelma Riley, and Aimee, Kelly and Jack from his second marriage. (ANI)

The sacred festival of Sawan Shivratri is being celebrated with immense devotion across the country today, particularly in Uttar Pradesh, as thousands of devotees and Kanwar pilgrims gather at prominent Shiva temples to offer prayers and perform rituals.

In Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, special prayers are being conducted at the Shiv Temple of the Kailash Math.

The city also witnessed massive footfall at the Shri Kashi Vishwanath Jyotirlinga Temple, one of the most revered Jyotirlingas in India. Long queues of saffron-clad Kanwar pilgrims, many of whom had walked barefoot for days, lined the streets, waiting patiently to catch a glimpse of the deity and offer their prayers on this spiritually significant day.

In Uttar Pradesh’s Baghpat, devotees flocked to the Shree Parshuram Pura Mahadev Mandir to offer their prayers. Devotees thronged the ancient premises from early morning, pouring holy water and milk over the Shivalinga, a ritual symbolic of purification and surrender to Lord Shiva.

Meanwhile, in Prayagraj, the Shri Mankameshwar Mahadev Temple held a grand aarti ceremony, drawing a large number of devotees who participated in the rituals with folded hands seeking blessings and the fulfilment of their wishes.

The spiritual celebrations of Sawan Shivratri also extended to Madhya Pradesh’s Ujjain, where the Shri Mahakaleshwar Jyotirlinga Temple, one of the twelve Jyotirlingas of Lord Shiva, came alive with special prayers and aarti performed in the early morning hours, with priests conducting elaborate rituals as per tradition.

Sawan Shivratri, observed during the holy month of Sawan, is considered one of the most auspicious days for worshipping Lord Shiva. Devotees observe fasts, visit temples, and chant Shiva mantras, believing that this day holds the power to absolve sins and fulfil heartfelt desires.

This year, Sawan began on July 11 and will conclude on August 9. It is the fifth month of the Hindu lunar calendar and is considered one of the holiest periods for devotees of Shiva. (ANI)

A 23-year-old Indian man, Charanpreet Singh, was brutally assaulted and left unconscious on a street in Adelaide after a group of men allegedly hurled racist abuse and attacked him over a car parking dispute. Singh was allegedly told to “f— off, Indian” before being punched repeatedly and left to die on the roadside, 9News reported.

The incident took place on Saturday night (local time) near Kintore Avenue in the heart of the city. Singh, who was in his car, said a group of men approached him, hurled racial slurs and launched a vicious physical attack without any provocation.

“They just said ‘f— off, Indian’, and after that they just started punching,” 9News quoted him as saying. “I tried to fight back, but they beat me until I was unconscious.”

He sustained severe injuries, including brain trauma and multiple facial fractures. He was rushed to the hospital, where he remained under medical care overnight.

South Australia Police arrested a 20-year-old man from Enfield on Sunday and charged him with assault causing harm. However, the rest of the attackers fled the scene and are yet to be identified. Police have appealed for public assistance in tracking them down.

The assault has sparked outrage among Adelaide’s Indian community and raised concerns about the safety of international students and immigrants in Australia. Support for Singh has poured in online, with many calling for stronger action against racially motivated violence.

Singh, speaking from his hospital bed, said the attack has deeply shaken him.

“Things like this, when they happen, it makes you feel like you should go back,” he said. “You can change anything in your body, but you can’t change the colours.”

South Australian Premier Peter Malinauskas condemned the assault, calling it unacceptable, according to 9News.

“Any time we see any evidence of any racial attack, it is completely unwelcome in our state and just not consistent with where the majority of our community are at,” the Premier said.

Police continue to investigate the case and are reviewing CCTV footage in the area. The remaining attackers are still at large. (ANI)

Four Kanwar pilgrims were killed and others injured when a speeding car hit them on the Gwalior-Shivpuri link road in Madhya Pradesh’s Gwalior district. The accident occurred near Sheetla Mata Mandir Tiraha under the jurisdiction of Jhansi Road Police station, a police officer said.

The incident took place on the Gwalior-Shivpuri link road, where the Kanwariyas were walking on the roadside. A car traveling at high speed had a burst tire, causing the driver to lose control and collide with the pilgrims.

Four Kanwariyas died in the accident, while six others sustained injuries. Three of the deceased died on the spot, and one succumbed to injuries during treatment, the officer added.

The police rushed to the scene, admitted the injured to the hospital, and are investigating the matter.

Speaking to ANI, City Superintendent of Police (CSP) Hina Khan said, “We received information that an incident has happened on the Sheetla Mata Highway (Gwalior-Shivpuri link road) in which some Kanwar pilgrims were hit by a speeding car. Acting on it, the police reached the spot and found three persons had died on the spot while three other persons who were seriously injured were admitted to JAH (Jaya Arogya Hospital). Among the injured, one more person died during treatment.”

The officer further said that all the people were residents of Sidhauna village under the limits of Ghatigaon Police Station. They were carrying Jal (water) from a Shiva temple located in Bhadawana and were going to their village.

“The family of the deceased said that there were thirteen people in total, out of which six people were injured and four among the injured died. The family members said that a vehicle was coming at a high speed and its tyre burst, due to which it became uncontrolled and collided with the Kanwar pilgrims walking on the roadside,” the CSP said.

She added that the vehicle involved in the accident was found at the incident site and further complete information about the vehicle was being collected.

“We have identified the owner of the vehicle. As of now, we have not found anyone who was travelling in the car at the spot yet though efforts are on to trace them at earliest,” the officer added. (ANI)

Actor Kareena Kapoor Khan has been vacationing in Europe with husband Saif Ali Khan and kids Taimur and Jeh for a while now.

While holidaying, she is making sure to treat her Instagram family to pictures from their exotic vacation. On Tuesday, she gave fans a sneak peek into Taimur’s playtime.

Kareena posted a picture of “adventurous” Taimur ascending a rock under proper guidance.

Cheering for her little one, Bebo on Instagram wrote, “Flying high my boy (rainbow emoji).”

A few days ago, the ‘Jab We Met’ star on Thursday shared stunning pictures from the beach in Greece. And what caught our attention was her “wrap skirt”, which she jokingly referred to as a “lungi”.

In the pictures, Bebo could be seen posing in a yellow-coloured halter bikini top that she paired with a dark green and white checkered wrap skirt. To make her post more captivating, she gave a filmy touch to the caption.

“Did a lungi dance in Greece …had fun (red heart emoji) must try,” Kareena captioned the post.

Meanwhile, on the work front, Kareena will be seen sharing screen space with Prithviraj Sukumaran in Meghna Gulzar’s ‘Daayra’.

In April, they all met for a brief meeting and officially announced the film.

Excited to work with “dream team”, Kareena on Instagram wrote,”I’ve always said that I’m a director’s actor… and this time I cannot wait to work with one of the finest director’s we have, @meghnagulzar and alongside the magnificent @therealprithvi, whose work I deeply admire. To my dream team, #Daayra (red heart emoji) let’s do this.”

In a press note, Kareena further stated, “As I celebrate 25 incredible years in Hindi cinema, I’m thrilled to announce my next film, Daayra, with the incredible Meghna Gulzar in the director’s chair. I’ve long admired her work, from Talvar to Raazi, and to be directed by her is a dream come true. The opportunity to collaborate with the talented Prithviraj is also a highlight, and I’m drawn to the film’s bold, thought-provoking narrative.”

As per Meghna, “Daayra is a story that compels you to reflect on the society we live in and its institutions that pilot us.” (ANI)

A bus carrying Amarnath Yatra pilgrims met with an accident in the Kela Morh Tunnel-T2 on Jammu-Srinagar National Highway on Tuesday, an official said.

Four pilgrims were injured and have been shifted to the District Hospital Ramban. A crane is on site to clear the damaged bus from the tunnel.

Medical Superintendent at District Hospital Ramban, Dr Sudarshan Katoch, said, “Four injured patients were brought here. They are in a stable condition… They were returning to Jammu.”

Tehsildar Ramban Deep Kumar said, “The accident occurred around 2.30 pm. The four pilgrims have suffered minor injuries. Their CT and MRI scans have been done. If needed, we will also refer them to Jammu. Right now, everyone’s condition is normal.”

Amarnath Yatra is an annual pilgrimage to the Amarnath cave, where devotees offer prayers to Lord Shiva. The 38-day annual Amarnath pilgrimage to the 3,880-metre-high holy cave shrine in south Kashmir began on July 3 and will conclude on August 9. (ANI)