Big B seems to be trying to get the hang of Instagram after years of being an active user on platforms like X and Tumblr.
On Tuesday, he shared a light-hearted video on his Instagram Story, where he can be seen dressed in an orange jacket and a matching bandana as he tries to understand how to use the app properly.
The short video, filmed like a selfie, captures the actor’s trademark humor and curiosity.
“So, I am just going to educate you on how to work Instagram, and I hope it works,” Big B says in the video, leaving fans amused.
Take a look
While the actor has been active on other platforms for years, his effort to learn a newer medium like Instagram shows his interest in staying connected with fans across generations.
On the work front, the actor is gearing up for the new season of his popular game show Kaun Banega Crorepati.
The new season of KBC will kick off on August 11 on Sony TV. Recently, Kaun Banega Crorepati (KBC) completed 25 years. The show first aired on July 3, 2000, and quickly became one of India’s most popular TV programs.
On July 3, 2000, the very first broadcast of KBC took place. “Goodness, 25 years just went by. Kuch pata hi nahi chala, aur 25 varsh, saal guzar gaye” (Didn’t even realize, and 25 years just went by), read his blog post. KBC started as the Indian version of the British show Who Wants to Be a Millionaire? It was also Amitabh Bachchan’s first TV appearance and gave new life to his career.
On the film front, Amitabh was last seen in Vettaiyan, alongside Rajinikanth, Manju Warrier, Fahadh Faasil, and more. (ANI)
Torrential rains continue to disrupt life across Himachal Pradesh, with key infrastructure bearing the brunt. According to the State Emergency Operation Centre (SEOC), as of 6 pm on July 29, a total of 357 roads, 182 power distribution transformers (DTRs), and 179 water supply schemes (WSS) have been disrupted due to heavy rainfall across the state.
Of the total 357 roads blocked, one is a National Highway (NH-21) between Mandi and Kullu. The highest number of road blockages has been reported from Mandi district (259), followed by Kullu (47) and Kangra (24). Heavy rain has been cited as the primary reason for most disruptions.
The power sector also remains heavily impacted, with the worst-affected regions being Mandi (172 DTRs disrupted), followed by Kangra (5) and Chamba (5). Water supply services have similarly suffered, particularly in Kangra (98 schemes) and Mandi (47 schemes).
Meanwhile, the ongoing monsoon fury has tragically claimed 18 lives in the past 24 hours. As per state authorities, 14 deaths were directly caused by rain-related incidents, including landslides and flash floods, while 4 individuals lost their lives in separate road accidents.
The State Disaster Management Authority (SDMA) continues to monitor the situation, and restoration work is underway in multiple districts. Authorities have urged the public to avoid travel on vulnerable routes and follow official advisories.
Earlier today, Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu said that torrential rains wreaked havoc in Mandi district last night, particularly hitting the Jail Road area where two people were killed earlier and more are missing, buried in debris.
Speaking to reporters in Shimla, the Chief Minister termed the event as a possible “cloudburst-like” disaster and assured that immediate rescue and relief measures were underway.”
“Heavy rain lashed Mandi last night, causing severe damage to the Jail Road area. Two deaths have been reported. Given the scale of the disaster, I can say it resembles a cloudburst-like situation,” said Sukhu. (ANI)
What kind of human beings would deny babies their milk, their baby food, their baby formula – and their mother’s love? What kind of society have they created, and chosen to live in? How do they treat and love their own little infants? What do they want their babies to become, once they grow old – exact replicas of their parents? And Grandpa – Barbarian Bibi?
When babies are deliberately denied the baby formula, they must die. When babies don’t get their mothers to look after them in ‘peace time’, that too in a ravaged terrain with tens of thousands dead, and dying, then, too, in all probability, they will die.
No food, no milk, no mother’s milk for thousands of orphaned children with entire families wiped out, no nourishment, no maternal care – the babies must die.
With health care eliminated with systematic precision, and hospitals bombed out one by one, nurses, paramedics and doctors deliberately targeted and murdered, a slow and painful death must arrive, and babies cannot even express!
The little ones, some just out of their mother’s wombs, some with their eyes still shut – how do they feel this slow, relentless, emaciated condition – this persistent pain of uncanny hunger?
When mothers don’t get the nourishment to survive, their babies too must die. When mothers are killed en masse, their babies must die. When the air is full of death and dying, and there is not a morsel to eat, not a drop of milk to drink, and baby formula is denied — all children must die.
It’s a new kind of ‘scientific’ arrangement that the rulers in Tel Aviv have arrived to in this post-modern war-capitalism backed by the extremist Jewish lobby in the West, and the American establishment, like their counterparts in Nazi Germany during the Holocaust. After you have willfully murdered 20,000 plus kids, and many more young mothers – snipers marking their targets and shooting pregnant women and children on their foreheads, hospitals bombed out with babies in incubators, just-born babies in incubators denied basic health care, hence, destined to die.
Kids arriving in make-shift emergency wards with bloodied bodies full of wounds, babies, alive, half-dead, and dead, in this endless graveyard called Gaza. All international doctors, who volunteered to work out there risking their lives, still traumatized themselves, have testified that among the injured, the majority of them were inevitably children. Some already dead, some gasping for life, some with their bodies brutalised, some who had to have their little limbs amputated, some who could never see or hear anymore, some who had their entire bodies hit with bullet wounds and splinters.
Almost all the doctors said that they have never read, heard of, or seen anything like this in their entire academic and professional career.
If you kill pregnant women, young, unmarried women, mothers, babies and children, no new civilization will grow out of this ravaged landscape – I presume this is the ‘holy’ doctrine and theocratic theory which drives this ‘sacred’ machine. Because this God-damned mythical land, they believe, belongs to them – and no one else. The original inhabitants, thus, according to this divine doctrine, must be slaughtered — all of them. Babies and mothers first.
Indeed, this land did not belong to them. It never did. Indeed, most of them now living in ‘Occupied Palestine’, including in the forcibly captured settlements of the West Bank – are immigrants from Europe and Russia, exiled after the two world wars. This was never ever their homeland – imagined or real. It belonged to the Arabs, mostly, a scattering of Jews, Coptic Christians etc., miscellaneous tribes and communities, and others.
Five starving men at a German concentration camp at the time of liberation of by US Army
Of the many videos which I watch as a journalist, a recent video sent by an editor shows how a father went out in search of food, and returned, carrying the body of his son, shot dead by the Israeli forces near the so-called ‘aid’ distribution centre – yes, organized by the Israelis and the Americans. These so-called aid centres, in narrow strips with check points, where starving crowds are compelled to rush, are the latest points of quick murders – for no rhyme or reason, indeed, apart from the fact that civilians need to be murdered. Earlier they would shoot people desperately crowding around the few trucks which would arrive with food – now they compel them to gather in these aid points – and they shoot them at random.
So wonder why the father is carrying his dead son on his shoulder – why did they spare him for God’s sake? Indeed, he could be Hamas – as is their standard ploy when they shoot to kill miscellaneous people, mostly women and kids.
The video shows the lucky ones running along with flour in sacks. They don’t seem to care anymore, for the suffering of this father, or others. The father with his dead kid on his shoulder is walking along, perhaps tears dripping from his eyes. A collective, shared community now cares no more for a hungry father carrying a dead child. All they want now is a bit of flour to feed their dying families.
Suffering, when it crosses all limits – what does it become?
Detachment?
Survival of the fittest?
Self-preservation at all costs?
Total dehumanisation?
This is the kind of dehumanization which is a perfect long-term strategy of diabolical regimes who use organized barbarism as political ideology. Colonial, American and western regimes have mastered this sinister craft all over the world, all through history. In Vietnam – in a reverse syndrome, after 14 years of massacres of innocent, disarmed peasants, thousands of American marines became either dehumanized, or trapped in an infinitely vicious circle of life-long psychological trauma and eternal guilt. Apocalyse Now by Francis Ford Coppola, with Marlon Brando, have you seen this film?
This is exactly what happened in Nazi Germany and Europe under the fascists. Neighbours would vanish overnight, night raids would happen, followed by desperate screams and gunshots, the classroom buddies of their children would forever disappear, homes would suddenly turn empty – no one cared a damn!
This is their dream society. A totally dehumanized social formation with not an iota of human conscience or compassion left. Each protecting their petty, guilt-soaked, bad faith morality. Each protecting their self-centric turf, others turning informers to save themselves, and thereby becoming accomplices in the mass murders which went on non-stop, beyond the concentration camps in Krakow and Auschwitz in Poland.
Predictably, Europe and the US, witnessed it all, in silence. The Holocaust. Until Poland was attacked.
As they have done, and are doing now in Gaza.
It went on. On and on. Those trains packed with human beings like cattle being taken for slaughter, thousands of them packed in suffocating compartments; long, hard journeys through Europe – starving, thirsty, shivering in the cold, shitting right there in the middle of the train – what else could they do?
This was the supremacist higher civilization conceived by Adolf Hitler. Now, being applied with a new scientific and military arrangement by Benjamin Netanyahu, backed by western rulers: Joe Biden, Donald Trump, Keir Starmer, and the current German regime.
The German establishment has been particularly brutal with protesters. There are videos showing the armed bullies, dragging brutally, pushing them to the ground or a wall – yes, peaceful women protesters – as if they are criminals. Social media commentators point out how the same cops choose to behave so gently with the aggressive Neo-Nazis on the streets. Is this driven by the schizophrenia of a haunted past?
A recent soliloquy from Gaza, tells a story. The story. Epical literature from the land of Palestine.
And then I saw them. Not rebels. Not criminals. Children. They ran, ran like hunted things, Towards that truck. They climbed it with hands that have never held toys. They fell to their knees as if before an altar. And they began to scrape. One had a broken lid. Another, a piece of cardboard. But the rest, the rest used their hands. Their tongues. They licked it. Did you hear me? They licked flour dust from rusted steel. From dirt. From the back of a truck that had already driven away. One boy was laughing. Not because he was happy, but because the body goes mad when it is starving. Another was crying, quietly, like someone who no more believes anyone is listening. And I stood there, With all my shame. With my hands in pockets, like a man waiting for a bus. Like I wasn’t watching the end of the world. I wanted to scream. But what scream can reach Heaven, When Heaven itself is deaf? ….And God? If You are watching, then cry with us.
Congress MP KC Venugopal on Tuesday launched a scathing attack on Prime Minister Narendra Modi following his speech in Lok Sabha during the Operation Sindoor discussion, questioning his silence on US President Donald Trump’s repeated claims of brokering peace between India and Pakistan.
The Congress leader asked why PM Modi is afraid of talking about US President Donald Trump.
“We are asking very clearly whether Trump’s claim is bogus or not, whether he is telling truth or not. No answer…Why is he scared of talking about Trump? He has to say that what Trump is saying is not the truth…When genuine questions are asked by the Opposition, he hides behind Pakistan story. People know about that. We are the people fighting against Pakistan, we are for India…”, Venugopal told ANI.
Another Congress MP, Gurjeet Singh Aujla, reiterated KC Venugopal’s claims and stated that the opposition demanded answers from PM Modi over US President Donald Trump’s claims on India-Pakistan “ceasefire”.
“We had demanded just one answer that Donald Trump had said this 29 times (on ceasefire), so why is he not refuting him? What does “kisi bhi neta” mean? If he (US President Trump) is saying things openly, then why is he (PM Modi) not openly taking his name? What is this fear?”, he said.
Meanwhile, Congress MP Shashi Tharoor, who didn’t speak during the Operation Sindoor debate in the Lok Sabha, declined to respond to PM Modi’s speech in the lower house of the parliament, stating that he is unwilling to speak in front of the media.
“Talk to somebody who is willing to talk. There are lots of people who are enthusiastic to talk to the press. I am not”, he said.
Earlier on July 28, Union External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar rejected opposition criticism of the government, following US President Donald Trump’s repeated claims of mediation in ending hostilities between India and Pakistan.
The Minister said there was no call between PM Narendra Modi and US President Donald Trump from April 22 to June 17.
Jaishankar said that on May 9, US Vice President JD Vance called Prime Minister Narendra Modi, warning of a massive Pakistani attack in the next few hours.
“Prime Minister, in his response, made it very clear that if such an attack happens, it would meet with an appropriate response from us. That attack took place and was foiled by our Armed Forces, and I think the House should collectively appreciate the performance of the Armed Forces in foiling what was a massive attack on the 9th and 10th of May. Our response, which the Prime Minister promised, was delivered, and it was delivered with devastating effect. I don’t have to say anything. Every member has seen satellite pictures of Pakistani airfields. You can see from the state of those airfields, which is shown by the pictures, what was our answer,” the Union Minister said. (ANI)
Aamir Khan, who is all set to release his sports drama ‘Sitaare Zameen Par’ on YouTube Movies, shared the reason for skipping popular OTT platforms and instead deciding to go directly to YouTube.
The film will be available from August 1 on YouTube Movies on demand at an accessible price, skipping other digital platforms entirely. It will be priced at Rs 100 in India and will also be available in 38 other countries, including the US, UK, and Australia, with prices tailored to local markets.
During a press conference in Mumbai on Tuesday, Aamir explained that his aim was to make the film affordable and accessible to as many people as possible.
Aamir shared, “Think about it. If a family of four watches the film for Rs 100, that’s just Rs 25 per person. You can even invite your neighbors. When I was young, I used to watch movies with neighbors. If you watch it with eight people, it’s even cheaper. You can show it to the whole village, 100 people for Rs 100, that’s just Rs 1 per person.”
He added, “It’s up to you how you want to use it. But our effort is to reach every corner of India and ensure everyone benefits from it. This is a big step for us.”
The film will skip all other digital streaming platforms and go straight to YouTube Movies on demand.
Aamir spoke openly about why he chose not to follow the OTT route like many other filmmakers. He shared that he “never liked” the traditional OTT model and wanted to try something different that would reach more people at a lower cost.
“Many journalists have asked me why I didn’t go to OTT,” Aamir said. “At that time, I couldn’t explain it clearly. But the reason is that I never liked that model. I never understood it. That’s why I’ve come up with this new model. I hope you’ll like it. I hope that every citizen of the country will appreciate it. I believe cinema, which once soared, will soar high again.”
The release will feature subtitles and dubbed versions in several languages to cater to a wider audience.
Speaking about Sitaare Zameen Par, it is a sequel to the blockbuster movie Taare Zameen Par. In this sports drama, Aamir Khan plays the role of a basketball coach tasked with training a group of neurodivergent children. The film also stars Genelia Deshmukh. Directed by Prasanna, it hit theaters on June 20. (ANI)
Netflix has released the first look of ‘Pride and Prejudice’.
The streaming giant also shared its supporting cast as production begins in the UK.
Joining the Jane Austen adaptation are Rufus Sewell (“The Diplomat”) as Mr. Bennet, Freya Mavor (“Industry”) as Jane Bennet, Jamie Demetriou (“Stath Lets Flats”) as Mr. Collins, Daryl McCormack (“Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery”) as Mr. Bingley, Louis Partridge (“House of Guinness”) as Mr. Wickham, Rhea Norwood (“Heartstopper”) as Lydia Bennet, Siena Kelly (“Black Mirror”) as Caroline Bingley and Fiona Shaw (“Killing Eve”) as Lady Catherine de Bourg. Hopey Parish and Hollie Avery make their debuts as Mary Bennet and Kitty Bennet, respectively, as per Variety.
Other new cast members include Anjana Vasan (“We Are Lady Parts”), Sebastian Armesto (“Gangs of London”), Rosie Cavaliero (“KAOS”), Saffron Coomber (“Three Little Birds and Die Zweiflers”), James Dryden (“Deadpool”), Justin Edwards (“The Thick Of It”), James Northcote (“The Last Kingdom”), Eloise Webb (“The Queen’s Gambit”) and Isabella Sermon (“Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom”).
They join previously announced cast members Emma Corrin (“Nosferatu”), Jack Lowden (“Slow Horses”) and Olivia Colman (“The Crown”), who lead “Pride and Prejudice” as Elizabeth Bennet, Mr. Darcy and Mrs. Bennet, respectively.
The six-part limited series promises a faithful adaptation of Austen’s immortal 1813 novel from “Heartstopper” director Euros Lyn and screenwriter Dolly Alderton. (ANI)
The Rouse Avenue court in the national capital deferred an order on cognisance of the Enforcement Directorate charge sheet in the National Herald case and said that it needs some inspection of the case file.
The court has listed the matter on August 7 and 8 for inspection. Thereafter, the court will give a date for the order on cognizance.
The Enforcement Directorate had filed a charge sheet against Congress leader Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi, Suman Dubey, Sam Pitroda, Sunil Bhandari, Young Indian and Dotex Merchandise.
This case pertains to allegations that Young Indian has a right to recover a loan amount of Rs. 90 crore from Associated Journal Limited (AJL) by paying Rs. 50 lakh to Congress. The Congress party had given a loan of Rs 90 crore to AJL.
The ED has alleged that the proposed accused fraudulently took over the AJL, which has assets worth Rs. 2000 crore.
Special judge Vishal Gogne on Tuesday listed the matter for inspection on August 7 and 8. The court had reserved the order on July 14 on cognizance after hearing submissions of the Enforcement Directorate and the proposed accused persons.
On July 12, in rebuttal arguments before the court, Additional Solicitor General S V Raju said that Young Indian was involved in money laundering and continues to be involved. Raju asserted that there were sufficient grounds to take cognizance of the prosecution complaint against all accused persons in the National Herald money laundering case.
In his rebuttal, ASG had submitted that those who donated to AICC were cheated and duped.
He submitted that Young Indian was a bogey for money laundering and the donors were neither aware of Young Indian nor its objectives.
The ASG further submitted that some of the people gave donations on the instructions of senior Congress leaders. He also submitted that the Young Indian was not carrying on the activities in furtherance of its objectives. “Young Indian was doing money laundering, still doing”, ASG had argued.
“Young Indian gave Rs 50 Lakh out of Rs. One crore loan from Dotex,” ASG further said.
On the point of recovery of debt, ASG argued that the right to recover debt is an actionable claim. The right to recover is a property. They (Accused) have got the right to recover Rs 90 crores by paying mere Rs. 50 Lakh.
“Why charitable institutions invest Rs. 50 lakh to recover Rs. 90 crore when it was not recoverable,” ASG said, adding, “Young Indian gave Rs. 50 Lakh to AICC and AICC gave the right to recover a debt of Rs. 90 crores.”
“You (proposed accused) misrepresented the donors who donated to the AICC,” ASG argued.
It was submitted by the ASG that Young Indian was formed on November 23, 2010. On December 13, 2010, Rahul Gandhi was appointed the director of Young Indian.
The ASG submitted that without investing a single penny in AJL, the Young Indian became the owner of assets worth Rs. 1910 crore. He added that there was cheating with the other shareholders of AJL. It is a total fraud.
As per the balance sheet of Associated Journal Limited (AJL), there were assets of Rs. 2000 crores and a liability of Rs. 90 crores, ED said.
ASG submitted that debt recovery is a form of property. On the point of share acquisition, it submitted that the Allotment of shares constitutes the acquisition. In this case, shares were not transferred; instead, they were acquired. Later, these shares were transferred to Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi.
Regarding the role of accused persons, it was submitted that Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi, Suman Dubey, and Sam Pitroda were directors of Young Indian. They were in charge of conducting the business of the company.
Regarding the commission of an allegation by the company, ED submitted that when an offence by the company triggers section 70 of PMLA. Then every person responsible for the conduct of their business will be liable for the offence.
It was submitted that Sonia Gandhi, at the time when the contravention of PMLA was committed, was responsible and was in charge of Young Indian for the conduct of the business of the company.
At the time of payment of Rs. 50 lakh, Sonia Gandhi, as a director, was responsible for the conduct of the affairs of the company.
The ASG Raju submitted that the payment of Rs 50 lakh to AICC by Young Indian was made after Rahul Gandhi became a Director in Young Indian. He further submitted that when the contravention of PMLA was committed, Rahul Gandhi was incharge of the conduct of the business of Young Indian.
ED submitted that all the averments required are there in the Complaint against Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi, Suman Dubey and Sam Pitroda. Cognizance needs to be taken, the ASG submitted.
The ASG further argued that Dotex Merchandise was merely an entry provider. Someone gave cash, and it resulted in a cheque for Rs. 1 crore. No inquiry was made in relation to business.
It was further submitted that the loan was for one year. There was no guarantee taken, no collateral taken. The loan was recovered when a complaint was filed by Dr. Subramaniam Swamy. It was returned in 2015.
The loan was given at a 14 per cent interest rate. Rs 14 lakh was the interest for the loan of Rs one crore for one year. Interest was not debited or credited in the books.
On the point of jurisdiction, the ASG submitted that unless there is a specific bar, anyone can invoke the jurisdiction. Anyone can move to the court; a five-judge bench of the Supreme Court had said.
He submitted that the accused might have committed an offence, which is sufficient to frame a charge. So the threshold of taking cognisance is much lower.
On the other hand, it was argued on behalf of the proposed accused persons that no case of money laundering is made out against them.
It was also argued that a loan of Rs. 90 crore was given for the revival of Associated Journal Limited (AJL), which published the National Herald newspaper.
It was also argued that AJL is a freedom-fighting legacy. It was founded by Jawaharlal Nehru, Rafi Ahmed Kidwai and other leaders before Independence. The purpose of loan was its revival, not its acquisition.
It was also argued that there is no cheating with the donors of the Congress party. The donation was never given for a specific purpose. (ANI)
Shimla (Himachal Pradesh) [India], July 29(ANI): The Chief Minister of Himachal Pradesh, Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu, on Tuesday said that torrential rains wreaked havoc in Mandi district last night, particularly hitting the Jail Road area where two people were killed earlier and more are missing, buried in debris.
Speaking to reporters in Shimla, the Chief Minister termed the event as a possible “cloudburst-like” disaster and assured that immediate rescue and relief measures were underway.
“Heavy rain lashed Mandi last night, causing severe damage to the Jail Road area. Two deaths have been reported. Given the scale of the disaster, I can say it resembles a cloudburst-like situation,” said Sukhu.
He added that multiple agencies had been mobilised swiftly. “We are closely monitoring the situation. The Deputy Commissioner, NDRF, and SDRF teams have been directed to take immediate action. Rescue operations to evacuate those trapped in Mandi have been initiated since morning,” CM Sukhu added.
Sukhu stated that disaster response was the top priority at the moment, and a detailed review had already been conducted.
“A detailed discussion on the disaster was held during the cabinet meeting yesterday. We are going to form two major committees to address this,” CM said.
He said that the state government has decided to change the construction norms to change near Rivers. Referring to the common practice of constructing government buildings close to riverbanks, CM Sukhu expressed strong disapproval and announced new policy decisions.
Himachal CM added, “We have observed that several government institutions are constructed along riverbanks, and crores of rupees are spent on site development. Now it has been decided that no government building will be constructed within 100 to 150 metres of rivers.”
“Where the soil is soft, a structural study will be conducted, and a dedicated committee will be formed for this,” he continued.
A separate committee will also examine the settlements of people who have been living near rivers for generations.
The Chief Minister reiterated that the state government is giving utmost priority to life-saving efforts. “Our priority is to save lives. Those who are trapped or buried under debris must be rescued first. In such matters, our government never holds back,” he added.
He acknowledged the heavy damage caused to state infrastructure, including roads, electricity, and water supply systems.
“The heavy rains last night have caused significant damage to government property, electricity and water schemes, and PWD roads. We are keeping a close watch on the overall situation,” CM Sukhu said.
The CM Sukhu also welcomed the Supreme Court’s stay order on the felling of apple trees in rural areas of Shimla’s green belts following a petition by environmentalist Tikender Panwar.
Himachal CM asserted, “The stay granted by the Supreme Court is a very good decision. We had also filed a petition in the High Court urging that fruit-bearing trees should not be cut, especially during the apple season. Our Advocate General Deepender Kumar also made the same request before the court.”
He said the government has proposed that trees grown on private lands be compensated for by the state, while trees in forest lines should not be cut at all.
“We want the government to compensate for trees nurtured by individuals, while those in forest zones must not be felled,” he added.
The Chief Minister further noted that the Supreme Court upheld the state’s stance on protecting Shimla’s green belt from unregulated construction.
CM Sukhu continued, “If we are to save Himachal and the mountains, then construction in green belts is not acceptable. The Supreme Court has upheld our argument in this matter.”
He added by stressing the commitment of his government to environmental protection and citizen safety amid increasing climatic disruptions. (ANI)
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Russian President Vladimir Putin held discussions on Iran, the Prime Minister’s Office confirmed on Tuesday.
Taking to X, the official handle of the Prime Minister of Israel posted, “Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu spoke with Russian President Vladimir Putin. The conversation between the two leaders was on the issue of Iran.”
According to The Times of Israel, the phone call also covered wider developments in West Asia East, with a focus on Iran’s nuclear program and the recent sectarian violence in Syria.
During the call, Putin “emphasized the importance of supporting the unity, sovereignty and territorial integrity” of Syria, as per a Kremlin statement cited by The Times of Israel. The discussion came after Israeli airstrikes earlier this month targeted Syrian military sites in Sweida and Damascus, following sectarian unrest in the Druze-majority city.
Clashes in Sweida province, which began on July 13 and lasted for a week, initially involved Druze fighters and Sunni Bedouin tribes. According to witnesses, experts, and the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, the violence escalated when Syrian government forces intervened on behalf of the Bedouin. The war monitor reported that more than 1,400 people, mostly Druze, were killed, and over 250 Druze civilians were summarily executed by government personnel.
Putin also reiterated that “political stability in the country must be achieved through respect for all ethnic and religious groups’ interests,” The Times of Israel noted. Despite its war in Ukraine, Russia maintains military presence in Syria and continues to support Bashar al-Assad’s regime, which fell in December, prompting Assad’s relocation to Moscow.
According to The Times of Israel, the Russian President also offered to mediate renewed talks on Iran’s nuclear program, which had stalled following Israel’s surprise strikes on Iranian military and nuclear facilities last month, triggering a 12-day war. Moscow had previously played a key role in removing enriched uranium from Iran during the 2015 nuclear deal under the Obama administration.
While Russia is a close ally of Iran–having deepened military cooperation amid the Ukraine war–it has also maintained diplomatic ties with Israel, home to a significant Russian-born population. As such, The Times of Israel reported that Moscow refrained from supporting Tehran during recent Israeli and US strikes on Iranian sites.
There was no immediate readout of the call from Netanyahu’s office.
Earlier this month, Kan public broadcaster reported that Israel had initiated quiet diplomatic engagement with Russia to reduce tensions involving both Iran and Syria. The Times of Israel added that in June, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov indicated Moscow’s willingness to help narrow US-Iranian differences by converting Iran’s enriched uranium into civilian reactor fuel.
It remains unclear whether Moscow will reprise its previous role in Iran’s nuclear file at this juncture. (ANI)
Sanjay Dwivedi, father of Shubham Dwivedi, who lost his life in the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack on Tuesday, congratulated the army for demonstrating valour and bravery in eliminating the terrorists after all three terrorists involved in the Pahalgam attack were killed in Operation Mahadev.
He urged the government to continue Operation Sindoor until terrorism is completely wiped out.
“The attack on April 22 was an attack on our country, the enemy nation sent terrorists and killed our innocent citizens… The way our army eliminated those terrorists, demonstrating valour and bravery, we definitely congratulate them. We express our gratitude to them. We urge the army and the government to continue Operation Sindoor until the terrorists are completely wiped out…,” told Shubham Dwivedi’s father to ANI.
Similar sentiments were echoed in Odisha’s Balasore by Priyadarshani Achariya, wife of Prashant Kumar Satpathy, who also lost his life in the Pahalgam attack.
“I got the news that all three terrorists have been killed in Operation Mahadev. I am very happy. Whatever step the Indian Army has taken is right. I also thank our Prime Minister,” She told ANI.
In Pune, family members of another victim, Santosh Jagdale, also expressed a sense of closure and relief. His wife, Pragati Jagdale, said the news brought some justice after months of suffering.
“Today we have got some justice that they were killed. I thank our Indian Army. I cannot tell you what I suffered in these three months. I speak with my husband’s picture Why did you go there (Pahalgam), and you should come home… We were waiting for this news. Sometimes I also used to think why I don’t have a rifle, I will kill them myself,” She said.
Santosh Jagdale’s daughter, Asavari Jagdale, also spoke to ANI,”I thank the Indian Army and the Indian government. Today, those 26 people will get peace. Today, we will also be able to sleep peacefully, and we hope that such an incident does not happen again, and peace prevails in the country. The government should continue operations like Mahadev so that such incidents do not happen again.”
Sangita Ganbote, the wife of Kaustubh Ganbote, who was killed in the Pahalgam Terror attack, told ANI, “We had faith in Prime Minister Narendra Modi that those who did this would be caught and killed. They were killed; it is a good thing. I thank the army…”
This comes after Union Home Minister Amit Shah informed Lok Sabha on Tuesday that the Lashkar-e-Taiba top commander Suleman, involved in the Pahalgam terror attack, was among the three terrorists killed by security forces during the recent Operation Mahadev in Jammu and Kashmir.
“… In the Operation Mahadev, Suleman alias Faizal…, Afghan and Jibran, these three terrorists were killed in a joint operation of the Indian Army, CRPF and J&K Police… Suleman was an A-category commander of the Lashkar-e-Taiba. Afghan was an A-category Lashkar-e-Taiba terrorist. And Jibran was also an A-grade terrorist… All three terrorists who killed our citizens in the Baisaran valley have been eliminated…,” Shah said during the second debate on the Operation Sindoor in the Lok Sabha.
The top BJP leader said, ” All three terrorists – Suleman, Afghan and Jibran were killed in yesterday’s operation. The people who used to supply food to them were detained earlier. Once the bodies of these terrorists were brought to Srinagar, they were identified by those who were kept detained by our agencies.”Shah informed that those who killed our citizens in the ghastly Pahalgam terror attack have been killed.”
In a joint Operation Mahadev, the Indian Army, CRPF, and J&K Police have neutralised three terrorists who were involved in the Pahalgam terror attack,” Shah said while addressing the lower house of Parliament.
“Innocent civilians were killed in front of their families by asking their religion. I condemn this barbaric act. I express my sympathies to the families who lost their loved ones,” he said.
On Monday, the three terrorists were killed in Operation Mahadev in an intense firefight with security forces in the Harwan area near Dachigam National Park of Srinagar in Jammu and Kashmir. (ANI)
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