Month: July 2025

Tech firm Astronomer, has hired actress and ex-wife of Coldplay singer Chris Martin, Gwyneth Paltrow, as its “temporary spokesperson” after the the viral kiss cam scandal whose fallout included resignations of its CEO and head of Human Resources.

Taking to their X handle, Astronomer posted a video featuring Paltrow as a spokesperson who spoke on behalf of the “300-plus employees” of the tech firm to answer some common questions from netizens that had popped up after the recent controversy regarding its former CEO, Andy Byron.

“Astronomer has gotten a lot of questions over the last few days. And they wanted me to answer the most common ones. Yes, Astronomer is the best place to run Apace Airflow,” said Platrow.

She further explained the working of the company ‘Astronomer’ in the video without making any direct reference to the recent Coldplay-Andy Bryon controversy.

The video comes in the wake of the highly publicised kissing scandal at a Coldplay concert that rocked social media and the news last week. The incident resulted in the resignations of Andy Byron as Astronomer CEO and Kristin Cabot, who headed its HR, after the two were allegedly spotted on the kiss cam together, reported Variety.

During Coldplay’s July 16 concert at the Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Massachusetts, a kiss camera captured a couple in an embracing state, reportedly Andy Byron and Kristin Cabot.

In a quick reaction, the two instantly tried hiding themselves to avoid being exposed, only for their activities to catch the world’s attention.

Coldplay’s lead singer, Chris Martin, also took note of the moment and commented, “Either they’re having an affair or they’re just very shy.”

Later, Martin issued a lighthearted warning to his fans, subtly alerting them to the presence of cameras at concerts.

“We’d like to say hello to some of you in the crowd. How we’re gonna do that is we’re gonna use our cameras and put some of you on the big screen. So please, if you haven’t done your makeup, do your makeup now,” he said, as quoted by The Hollywood Reporter.

After the incident, Andy Byron has stepped down from his role as Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of data technology firm Astronomer following the circulation of a video of him holding a woman at a Coldplay concert, reported Variety. (ANI)

Bollywood actress Shraddha Kapoor gave a big shoutout to her brother Siddhanth Kapoor for his performance in the recently released thriller series ‘Mandala Murders’.

Taking to her Instagram handle, ‘EK Villain’ actress re-shared a post from her brother’s social media handle to express her happiness on Siddhant’s acting skills in the series.

She affectionately called him “My Bhaiya” as she shared an appreciation post for her brother. Shraddha Kapoor wrote, “My Bhaiya, packing a punch” while sharing the photo of Siddhanth from Mandala Murders.

Siddhanth also reshared Shraddha’s post on his Instagram story, writing “Love you my little sister”.

‘Mandala Murders’ was jointly directed by Gopi Puthran and Manan Rawat. It also stars Vaibhav Raj Gupta, Surveen Chawla, Shriya Pilgaonkar, Siddhanth Kapoor, Rahul Bagga, Raghubir Yadav, and Monica Choudhary in prominent roles.

As per the makers, ‘Mandala Murders’ is set “in the quaint, mysterious town of Charandaspur, where two detectives unravel a chilling conspiracy of ritualistic killings tied to a centuries-old secret society.”

Sharing his experience directing the show, Gopi Puthran said, “From the start, our goal with Mandala Murders was to create a world that feels unknown yet grounded — where every truth has layers and every answer leads to more questions. Crafting the tension, weaving in symbolism, and watching this brilliant cast bring it to life has been incredibly rewarding.”

Vaani, who essays the role of an investigating officer, also opened up about her experience.

She said, “Collaborating with Gopi Sir on Mandala Murders is a masterclass in storytelling. His unparalleled ability to weave gritty realism with psychological depth transforms every scene into a layered experience. Gopi Sir doesn’t just direct crime thrillers; he immerses you in a world where every character’s motive is a mystery, every symbol holds a secret. Working alongside him isn’t just inspiring, it’s a journey into the heart of nuanced, atmospheric storytelling that redefines the genre.”

The show is the second series from Netflix and YRF’s creative partnership, following ‘The Railway Men’ in 2023.

‘Mandala Murders’ is currently streaming on Netflix. (ANI)

After the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (MIB) had ordered the blocking of 25 over-the-top (OTT) platforms including Ullu, ALTT, Big Shots App, NeonX VIP, and Desiflix among others, for allegedly publishing obscene, vulgar and, in some cases, pornographic material, film producer Ektaa Kapoor has issued a statement clarifying that she and Shobha Kapoor “had stepped down from their association with ALTT way back in June 2021”.

The directive was issued on July 23, 2025, in consultation with multiple government departments and civil society stakeholders, according to sources.

The platforms in question, which include Ullu, ALTT, Big Shots App, NeonX VIP, and Desiflix among others, were found to be disseminating content that violated several provisions of Indian law, including Section 67 and 67A of the Information Technology Act, Section 292 of the Indian Penal Code, and Section 4 of the Indecent Representation of Women (Prohibition) Act, 1986.

Taking to her Instagram handle, Ektaa shared a statement that reads, “TO WHOMSOEVER IT MAY CONCERN..Balaji Telefilms Limited, listed on the BSE and NSE, is a professionally run media organization and following the recent amalgamation of ALT Digital Media Entertainment Ltd. (previously its wholly owned subsidiary) duly approved by the Hon’ble NCLT, it operates ALTT wef June 20, 2025. Media reports have been in circulation about ALTT being disabled by the authorities, however, contrary to such reports, Ms. Ekta Kapoor and Mrs. Shobha Kapoor are not associated in any capacity whatsoever with ALTT and they had stepped down from their association with ALTT way back in June 2021. Any insinuation contrary to the above facts is strongly denied and media is requested to report the accurate facts.”

“Balaji Telefilms Limited is fully compliant of all applicable laws and continues to operate its business with the highest standards of corporate governance,” the post concluded.

The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (MIB) has ordered the blocking of 25 over-the-top (OTT) platforms for allegedly publishing obscene, vulgar and, in some cases, pornographic material.

The directive was issued on July 23, 2025, in consultation with multiple government departments and civil society stakeholders, according to sources.

According to the sources, the Ministry said that much of the content showcased by these platforms involved graphic sexual innuendos, long sequences of nudity, and pornographic visuals. “There was hardly any storyline, theme, or message in a social context,” it said.Some content was also found to depict inappropriate sexual situations involving family relationships, further aggravating concerns over legality and decency.

A total of 14 mobile applications, 26 websites have been ordered to be disabled by intermediaries under provisions of the IT Act, 2000 and the IT (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules, 2021.

The government had several rounds of communication with the platforms. In September 2024, all 25 platforms had received official warnings. Prior to this, in February 2025, the Ministry had issued an advisory urging OTT platforms to comply with India’s obscenity laws and the Code of Ethics prescribed under the IT Rules, 2021.

Yet, the platforms allegedly continued to host and stream objectionable content.In one notable example, the series ‘House Arrest’ hosted on the Ullu platform was taken down in May following the Ministry’s intervention. However, the government alleges that certain platforms have continued their operations by creating new domains, even after previous blocking orders. Five such platforms reportedly resumed publishing similar content after being blocked in March 2024.

The latest action was taken in consultation with the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), the Ministry of Women and Child Development (MWCD), the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY), the Department of Legal Affairs (DoLA), industry associations FICCI and CII, and subject experts in the fields of women and child rights.Mentioning that previously,y the Digital Publisher Content Grievances Council (DPCGC), a self-regulatory body headed by a former Supreme Court judge, found that content edited on ALTT was “totally distasteful and bizarre,” with sex and nudity being shown without any contextual justification.

Similarly, over 100 web series were also removed from the Ullu platform, with the council finding that the platform temporarily removed or edited the web series and then uploaded the unedited versions later to circumvent the warnings.

Several of the platforms had previously drawn the attention of the National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR), which flagged Ullu and ALTT for alleged violations in July and August 2024. The Ministry also received multiple public grievances about the content hosted on these platforms. (ANI)

Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami on Saturday said that there is a steady increase in marriage registration under the Uniform Civil Code (UCC).

He said that the UCC law not only makes the society more legally organised but is also a decisive step towards protecting the rights of women and safeguarding their interests. Every registration under UCC is a symbol of social empowerment for the state, a press release from Uttarakhand CMO said.

After the implementation of the Uniform Civil Code (UCC) in Uttarakhand on 27 January 2025, a historic increase has been registered in marriage registration.

A total of 3,01,526 marriages have been registered under the UCC Act so far. This number is an average of 1,634 marriage registrations per day, which is many times more than the previous system.

It is noteworthy that before the implementation of UCC, a total of 3,30,064 marriages were registered under the Uttarakhand Marriage Registration Act 2010 from the year 2010 to 26 January 2025, with an average of 67 per day.

With the implementation of the Uniform Civil Code, the process of marriage registration has been made more simple, transparent, and effective. Due to this, enthusiasm is being seen among the citizens regarding marriage registration.

Keeping in mind the convenience of the citizens, the state government has increased the time limit for marriage registration under UCC from the previously prescribed 6 months to 1 year. A notification has been issued by the Legislative and Parliamentary Affairs Department in this regard. (ANI)

Nationalist Congress Party (SCP) MP Supriya Sule on Saturday strongly criticised Maharashtra Agriculture Minister Manikrao Kokate for calling the state government a “beggar.”

Sule said such remarks insult farmers and damage Maharashtra’s image, and demanded his resignation.

Speaking to ANI, Supriya Sule said, “It’s very unfortunate. He is consistently damaging Maharashtra’s reputation by insulting farmers and calling the government a beggar… Even if you are in opposition, it’s not appropriate to compare the government to a beggar. We are proud Maharashtrians and Indians. We will not tolerate this. He must resign because he is insulting the people, the system, and farmers.”

Earlier on July 20, after attending the all-party meeting, Sule called for the resignation of Maharashtra’s Agriculture Minister, Manikrao Kokate, following the release of a video showing him playing rummy on his mobile during a session of the state legislature.

Sule criticised the minister, pointing out that while 750 farmers had committed suicide in the past three months, the minister was engaged in playing games.

She urged the Chief Minister to take action and remove him from his position if he does not resign.

Speaking to the reporters, Supriya Sule said, “A video of the Agriculture Minister of Maharashtra has come out. When the House was in session and the debate was underway, he was playing rummy on his mobile…750 farmers have committed suicide in three months and the Agriculture Minister of Maharashtra is playing these games. He should resign for this dirty act; otherwise, the Chief Minister should remove him.”

Sharing the video, Rohit Pawar criticised the minister for his lack of attention to the state’s pressing agricultural issues.

In a post on X, Rohit Pawar wrote, “Since the Nationalist faction in power cannot do anything without consulting the BJP, even with countless agricultural issues pending and 8 farmers committing suicide daily in the state, the Agriculture Minister, with nothing else to do, seems to have time to play rummy.”

He also urged the government to listen to farmers’ demands for crop insurance, loan waivers, and price support, and also asked, ‘Will these ministers ever hear the desperate plea of farmers?’

“Will these misguided ministers and the government ever hear the desperate plea of farmers demanding crop insurance, loan waivers, and price support: “Come to the fields of poor farmers sometimes, Maharaj”?,” the post reads. (ANI)

Amid the serene mountains of Zanskar valley in Ladakh, thousands of devotees gathered near Karsha Monastery to receive teachings from the 14th Dalai Lama.

According to the Central Tibetan Administration (CTA), an estimated 21,000 people, including monks, nuns, laypeople, and schoolchildren, assembled on July 25 for a special Dharma discourse held at Karsha Phodrang, Ladakh.

The Dalai Lama arrived at the site of several groups engaged in lively debate, a traditional part of Tibetan Buddhist learning. With a warm smile and a wave, he took his seat on the throne prepared for him.

The teaching began with the recitation of the ‘Heart Sutra’ in Tibetan, followed by verses from Ornament for Clear Realisation and a symbolic mandala offering. A chant echoed across the valley: “May the sound of the great dharma drum dispel the misery of sentient beings,” the CTA reported.

In a gesture that delighted the local crowd, His Holiness donned a traditional Zanskari Lama’s hat before beginning his teachings. “It’s my aim today to give everyone here an introduction to the teaching of the Buddha,” he began, emphasising the preservation and flourishing of the Dharma in the Himalayan region.

Highlighting the purpose of Buddhist practice, the Dalai Lama explained that Cho, the Tibetan term for Dharma, means “that which protects,” urging followers to study and find out what it protects them from. He offered an in-depth explanation of the Three Principles of the Path, the determination to be free, the awakening mind of bodhichitta, and the correct view of emptiness, foundational elements for inner transformation and peace.

“When I face difficulties,” he said, “I reflect on the awakening mind of bodhichitta and the view of emptiness. These help me stay calm and steady.” He described how his understanding of the teachings matured over time and how spiritual practice provided the strength to face life’s challenges, a sentiment echoed throughout his discourse, the CTA reported.

Referring to the colossal Buddha statue below the monastery, he reminded attendees that images of the Buddha should prompt reflection on his teachings, not mere admiration. “Cherishing others over oneself, this is the way to cultivate a meaningful life,” he told the crowd.

The teaching concluded with the offering of a thanksgiving mandala, prayers for His Holiness’s long life, and verses of auspiciousness.

As reported by the Central Tibetan Administration (CTA), His Holiness thanked the organisers and the people of Zanskar for their devotion and faith, reinforcing the enduring relevance of compassion, wisdom, and inner transformation in today’s world. (ANI)

Kristin Cabot, tech firm Astronomer’s human resource executive, has resigned from the company, days after the controversial kiss camera moment with former CEO Andy Byron.

According to The Hollywood Reporter, Cabot, who served as the chief people officer, is no longer associated with the data infrastructure firm and submitted her resignation after reports surfaced about her leaving.

Cabot has been a target of intense backlash on social media ever since her video with the CEO surfaced during the Coldplay concert. In the days after the incident, Byron also stepped down from his role.

Astronomer’s Board of Directors had initiated a formal internal review over the clip, resulting in Byron’s resignation earlier this month, reported Variety.

“As stated previously, Astronomer is committed to the values and culture that have guided us since our founding. Our leaders are expected to set the standard in both conduct and accountability, and recently, that standard was not met. Andy Byron has tendered his resignation, and the Board of Directors has accepted,” a part of the company’s statement read.

During Coldplay’s July 16 concert at the Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Massachusetts, a kiss camera captured a couple in an embracing state, reportedly Andy Byron and Kristin Cabot.

In a quick reaction, the two instantly tried hiding themselves to avoid being exposed, only for their activities to catch the world’s attention. Coldplay’s lead singer, Chris Martin, also took note of the moment and commented, “Either they’re having an affair or they’re just very shy.”

Later, Martin gave out a lighthearted warning to his fans, subtly alerting them about the cameras at concerts. “We’d like to say hello to some of you in the crowd. How we’re gonna do that is we’re gonna use our cameras and put some of you on the big screen. So please, if you haven’t done your makeup, do your makeup now,” he said, as quoted by The Hollywood Reporter.

The band is yet to directly comment on the incident. (ANI)

Congress MP Rajeev Shukla has strongly criticised the government’s recent decision to ban 25 OTT platforms and websites, alleging that the move is an attack on freedom of expression.

Shukla claimed that the government’s action is selective and politically motivated, targeting platforms that offer alternative perspectives or criticise government policies.

“.Dekhiye obscene, vulgar koi cheez ho to usko rokkar aap upaye kijiye.. We are against the way freedom of expression is being attacked and websites and YouTube channels opposing the government are being banned. This is wrong…..uska hum virodh kar rahe hai..,” Shukla told ANI.

The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (MIB) has ordered the blocking of 25 over-the-top (OTT) platforms for allegedly publishing obscene, vulgar and, in some cases, pornographic material.

The directive was issued on July 23, 2025, in consultation with multiple government departments and civil society stakeholders, according to sources.

According to the sources, the Ministry said that much of the content showcased by these platforms involved graphic sexual innuendos, long sequences of nudity, and pornographic visuals. “There was hardly any storyline, theme, or message in a social context,” it said.

Some content was also found to depict inappropriate sexual situations involving family relationships, further aggravating concerns over legality and decency.

A total of 14 mobile applications, 26 websites have been ordered to be disabled by intermediaries under provisions of the IT Act, 2000 and the IT (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules, 2021.

The government had several rounds of communication with the platforms. In September 2024, all 25 platforms had received official warnings.

Prior to this, in February 2025, the Ministry had issued an advisory urging OTT platforms to comply with India’s obscenity laws and the Code of Ethics prescribed under the IT Rules, 2021.

Yet, the platforms allegedly continued to host and stream objectionable content.

In one notable example, the series ‘House Arrest’ hosted on the Ullu platform was taken down in May following the Ministry’s intervention. However, the government alleges that certain platforms have continued their operations by creating new domains, even after previous blocking orders. Five such platforms reportedly resumed publishing similar content after being blocked in March 2024.

The latest action was taken in consultation with the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), the Ministry of Women and Child Development (MWCD), the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY), the Department of Legal Affairs (DoLA), industry associations FICCI and CII, and subject experts in the fields of women and child rights.

Mentioning that previously the Digital Publisher Content Grievances Council (DPCGC), a self-regulatory body headed by a former Supreme Court judge, found that content edited on ALTT was “totally distasteful and bizarre,” with sex and nudity being shown without any contextual justification.

Similarly, over 100 web series were also removed from the Ullu platform, with the council finding that the platform temporarily removed or edited the web series and then uploaded the unedited versions later to circumvent the warnings.

Several of the platforms had previously drawn the attention of the National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR), which flagged Ullu and ALTT for alleged violations in July and August 2024. The Ministry also received multiple public grievances about the content hosted on these platforms. (ANI)

The Embassy of India in Cambodia issued a travel advisory on Saturday for Indian nationals, advising them to avoid travelling to border areas due to the ongoing clashes on the Thailand-Cambodia border.

In an official advisory message, it said, “In view of the ongoing clashes at the Cambodia-Thailand border, Indian nationals are advised to avoid travelling to the border areas.”

The Embassy also said that in case of any emergency, Indian nationals may approach the Embassy of India, Phnom Penh at +855 92881676 or email cons.phnompenh@mea.gov.in.

pic.twitter.com/zU1oNMcLvM

— India in Cambodia (@indembcam) July 26, 2025

Earlier, the Indian Embassy in Thailand issued an advisory on Friday, following clashes near the Thailand-Cambodia border, urging Indian nationals to avoid travel to seven provinces in Thailand.

The Mission advised travellers to check for updates from Thai official sources such as TAT Newsroom, the official online newsroom of the Tourism Authority of Thailand.

In view of the situation near Thailand-Cambodia border, all Indian travelers to Thailand are advised to check updates from Thai official sources, including TAT Newsroom.

As per Tourism Authority of Thailand places mentioned in the following link are not recommended for… https://t.co/ToeHLSQUYi

— India in Thailand (@IndiainThailand) July 25, 2025

The developments on the border of Cambodia and Thailand come after clashes erupted on the border areas of Thailand and Cambodia, triggering a massive humanitarian crisis, with over one lakh people forced to flee their homes in just two days of conflict, CNN reported.

The long-running border disputes between Thailand and Cambodia date back over a century, when France, which occupied Cambodia until 1953, first mapped the land border. Cambodia has cited that map to support its territorial claims, while Thailand rejects it as inaccurate.

Both Cambodia and Thailand have written to the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) following two days of cross-border fighting, local media in both Southeast Asian countries reported on Saturday. The 15-member UN body has scheduled an emergency meeting for Saturday to discuss the issue.

While Thailand says the clashes began on Thursday with Cambodia’s military deploying drones to conduct surveillance of Thai troops near the border, Cambodia says Thai soldiers initiated the conflict when they violated a prior agreement. (ANI)

The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has busted a major international cyber fraud syndicate operating from Pune and Mumbai, arresting three accused and seizing digital devices, cash, and narcotics in coordinated raids.

CBI registered the instant case on July 24 against unknown public servants of Banks and four private persons for running an illegal Call Centre operating since January 2025 in furtherance of a well-organised criminal conspiracy.

The group, in connivance with other unknown persons, has been impersonating officials from agencies such as the U.S. Internal Revenue Service (IRS), U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), and even the Indian High Commission, to defraud unsuspecting U.S. citizens, said the CBI.

Under the threat of legal action. The victims were coerced into paying amounts ranging from $500 to $3,000 through gift cards or Bitcoin transfers. Spoofed VoIP-based calls were being made from a covertly operated illegal Call Centre situated at Pune.

It has been revealed that the illegally earned proceeds, estimated to be ₹ 3-4 crores monthly, are being laundered via mule accounts, cryptocurrency, and hawala routes. It was also revealed that these operations are supported by certain unknown public and private sector bank officials, who facilitate the opening and operation of fake accounts using forged KYC documents, violating established RBI and institutional guidelines.

The call centre workers are paid in cash routed via hawala channels from both the U.S. and domestic locations, including Maharashtra and Gujarat. These workers are housed in multiple residential flats across Pune. The scam’s operation includes the illegal acquisition of contact leads through vendors on messaging platforms such as WhatsApp and Signal. Victims are contacted via toll-free numbers generated and disseminated by these vendors, eventually connecting them to the fraudulent call centre, said the CBI.

After registration of the case, searches at 7 places of the accused or the persons associated with them, including the illegal Call Centre run by the accused persons at Pune, were conducted by CBI on 24/25.07.2025.

Various incriminating articles of cyber fraud/digital devices, viz. 27 mobile phones and 17 laptops, have been seized from the possession of the accused persons and their associates at the illegal Call Centre at Pune. (ANI)