Month: August 2025

Multiple flash flood incidents were reported on Sunday in Mandi district at Panarsa, Takoli, and Nagwain areas along the Mandi-Kullu stretch of the Chandigarh-Manali National Highway.

Connectivity on the highway has been blocked at several points, causing major disruption to vehicular movement.

No reports of human loss have been received in the incidents, according to Sachin Hiremath, Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP), Mandi.

Police personnel are maintaining a strict vigil at all affected sites, while restoration work is underway to clear the route and restore traffic flow.

Several places in Himachal Pradesh continue to reel under the impact of the heavy monsoon rains.

According to the Himachal Pradesh State Disaster Management Authority (HPSDMA), the state has recorded 261 deaths between June 20 and August 16, 2025.

Of these, 136 people were killed in rain-related incidents such as landslides, flash floods, drowning, electrocution, and house collapses, while 125 lives were lost in road accidents.

The impact has been particularly severe in Mandi district, which reported the highest number of rain-related casualties (26 deaths) along with major losses to public infrastructure. Other severely hit districts include Kangra (28 deaths, including 7 in landslides and 6 in flash floods), Chamba (10 deaths), and Kullu (11 deaths).

The HPSDMA report highlights that 2,14,457 lakhs rupees worth of damage has been caused to public and private property this monsoon. Roads, water supply schemes, agriculture, horticulture, and electricity infrastructure have suffered massive damage. The Public Works Department (PWD) alone has reported losses exceeding Rs 1.18 lakh crore, while agriculture and horticulture combined losses are estimated at over Rs 83,000 crore.

Road connectivity remains one of the worst-hit sectors, with frequent blockages on major highways, including NH-05 (Kinnaur) and NH-305 (Kullu), due to landslides and flash floods. Villages in interior areas remain cut off for days, making rescue and relief operations difficult.

The report also notes widespread damage to homes: 278 houses fully damaged, 288 partially damaged, and 703 cowsheds destroyed. Over 27,000 animals and birds have perished in rain-related incidents.

Officials said restoration of essential services – roads, power, and water supply – remains a top priority, but continuous rainfall and recurring landslides are slowing down the process. Residents have been advised to remain cautious, avoid unnecessary travel, and heed weather advisories. (ANI)

The makers of the Nayanthara and Nivin Pauly starrer ‘Dear Students’ have finally dropped the much-awaited teaser of the film. The movie marks the reunion of the two stars after their superhit film ‘Love Action Drama’ in 2019.

The Tamil-Malayalam bilingual film, ‘Dear Students’, is jointly directed by George Philip Roy and Sandeep Kumar. The makers have not revealed the release date of the movie yet.

Taking to his Instagram handle, Nivin Pauly shared the much-awaited teaser of his film ‘Dear Students’, offering a glimpse of his humorous yet heartfelt chemistry with the actress in the film.

As per the teaser, the film is expected to be centred around the life of a school boy with a parallel police investigation helmed by Nayanthara.

The teaser opened with a humorous exchange between Nivin Pauly’s character, Hari, and Nayanthara. Mistaking her for a customer, Nivin Pauly starts describing the various dishes at the bakery.

However, Nayanthara quickly clarifies that she’s there to discuss something personal, requesting him to sit down.

The teaser is laced with humorous exchanges between Nivin Pauly and Nayanthara, along with their solo action sequences.

Apart from hogging the teaser screen time, the movie is also expected to feature the life of schoolboys, which includes their parties in PGs, heartbreaks, and love stories.

Nayanthara will play the role of a cop in the movie.

Take a look at the teaser of the film, which Nivin Pauly shared on Instagram.

https://www.instagram.com/reel/DNX7MRLvt74/?

Last year in August, Nivin Pauly announced Nayanthara’s involvement in Dear Students through a social media post. He wrote, “Into the fun and gripping world of Dear Students joins the incredible, ever-radiant Nayanthara.”

She made her Bollywood debut in Jawan alongside Shah Rukh Khan last year and has also appeared in Tamil films such as Iraivan and Annapoorani: The Goddess of Food

The movie is produced by Pauly Jr Pictures and Rowdy Pictures. (ANI)

Lok Sabha Leader of Opposition (LoP) and Congress MP Rahul Gandhi’s ‘Voter Adhikar Yatra’ across Bihar will cover more than 20 districts, spanning 1,300 kilometres over 16 days.

The Voter Adhikaar Yatra is a campaign led by Rahul Gandhi and other INDIA bloc leaders to raise awareness about voter rights and protest against alleged “vote theft” and alleged irregularities in the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of the electoral rolls.

In a social media post on X, Rahul Gandhi wrote, “’16 days 20+ districts 1,300+ km We are coming among the people with the Voter Adhikaar Yatra. This is the fight to protect the most fundamental democratic right – ‘one person, one vote.’ Join us in Bihar to save the Constitution.”

As per the schedule shared by the Congress MP himself, the ‘Vote Adhikaar Yatra’ will kickstart from Sasaram district of the state on August 17 and will conclude in the state’s capital city, Patna, on September 1.

On August 17, the yatra will kickstart from Sasaram, Dehri on Sone, Rohtas, while on August 18, the journey will continue in Kutumba, Aurangabad, Deo and Guraru.

Rahul Gandhi and other leaders of Mahagathbandhan will visit Punama Wazirganj, Gaya, to Barbiga via Nawada on August 19.

On August 21, the leaders will visit Teen Mohani Durga Mandir, Sheikhpura to Munger via Sikandra, Jamui and on August 22, they will visit Chandan Bagh Chowk, Munger to Bhagalpur via Sultanganj.

The campaign will cover Barari, Kursela to Purnia via Korha and Katihar on August 2 and 3, while it will cover Kushkibag, Purnia to Narpatganj via Chandni Chowk, Araria on August 24.

On August 26, the yatra will be conducted in Hussain Chowk, Supaul to Darbhanga via Phulparas, Sakri, Madhubani and on August 27, it will be conducted in Gangwara Mahaveer Sthan, Darbhanga to Sitamarhi via Muzaffarpur.

The Lok Sabha LoP, accompanied by INDIA bloc leaders, will visit Riga Road, Sitamarhi, to West Champaran via Motihari on August 28. On August 29, they are scheduled to visit Bettiah, West Champaran, to Siwan via Gopalganj.

August 30 is dedicated to Chapra, Saran, to Arrah, Bhojpur.

August 20, August 25 and August 31 have been declared as “break days.”

The announcement comes amid ongoing protests by the INDIA bloc leaders against the alleged “vote chori” (vote theft) and alleged irregularities in the Special Intensive Revision (SIR).

Earlier today, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi shared a spoof video inspired by the film Laapataa Ladies, reiterating the Congress’s “vote theft” allegations against the Election Commission and urging people to join the ‘Vote Chori se Azaadi’ campaign.

Sharing the video on X, Rahul Gandhi wrote, “Chori chori, chupke chupke… ab or nahi, janta jag gayi hai, (Secretly, stealthily… No more now, the public has awakened).”

The video shows a middle-aged man at a police station submitting a theft complaint. When asked by a policeman, “What has been stolen?” the man hesitates before replying, “Vote.” The policeman reacts in shock and asks, “How’s this possible?” The video ends with the message, “Theft of your vote is theft of your right.” The clip is based on a scene in Laapataa Ladies where a husband goes to the police station to report that his wife has been exchanged.

On August 7, Rahul Gandhi had criticised the Election Commission of India, saying elections are “choreographed”. Presenting Congress’s research on voting in the Mahadevapura Assembly constituency in Karnataka, he alleged the theft of 1,00,250 votes. The Election Commission has repeatedly asked Rahul Gandhi to submit a signed declaration to back up his claims of “vote theft”. (ANI)

On Lord Shri Krishna’s 5252nd birth anniversary, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath visited Mathura on Saturday, where he inaugurated 118 projects worth Rs 646 crore and unveiled a Rs 30,000 crore master plan for the holistic development of the Braj region.

According to a press release, while addressing the gathering, CM Yogi said that Mathura reflects 5,000 years of ancient history and devotion.

On Shri Krishna Janmashtami, devotees from across India and the world have converged here, he noted, adding that Lord Krishna resides in every particle of Mathura’s sacred soil — a devotion unparalleled anywhere else.

“I bow countless times to this holy land,” he said.

CM Yogi said he has had the privilege of joining celebrations like Rangotsav and Janmashtami in Mathura for several years. Inspired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision, he emphasised India’s role as a confluence of spirituality and modern development. He added that the world is eager to study India’s spiritual heritage, which, in times of global crises, offers the path to lasting peace and harmony.

The Chief Minister announced a new master plan of Rs 30,000 crore for the holistic development of the Braj region. He said this plan will connect pilgrimage sites like Mathura, Vrindavan, Barsana, and Gokul with the memories of the Dwapar Yuga.

He said, “Our government is committed to respecting the sentiments of revered saints and enriching the Braj region. We are making possible the works which were once considered impossible.”

Citing the example of Kashi Vishwanath Dham and the grand Ram Temple in Ayodhya, he said that ten years ago, even imagining them seemed impossible, but today they have become a reality. In Kashi, where earlier not even 50 devotees could visit together, now 50,000 devotees can have darshan at once. In Ayodhya, the grand Ram Temple is reviving the memories of the Treta Yuga. Similarly, a grand corridor has also been completed at Vindhyavasini Dham.

The Chief Minister, citing the purity and consistent flow of the Ganga, said that under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the Ganga has today become worthy for bathing and rituals. He said, “In the 2019 Prayagraj Kumbh, 67 crore devotees took the holy dip. Similarly, the double-engine government is working with full honesty for the uninterrupted flow and purity of the Yamuna.”

He also mentioned the ropeway facility in Barsana, calling it a great relief for the elderly. He said, “This is the benefit of development, that we are continuously working for the convenience and safety of devotees”.

Remembering the purpose of Lord Shri Krishna’s incarnation, the Chief Minister said he took birth to safeguard the virtuous and to destroy evil. He turned the battlefield into a land of Dharma. Yogi said, “The inspiration of Shri Krishna’s selfless actions gives us strength. As long as this inspiration remains among us, no one can harm us.”

The Chief Minister noted that India has completed 78 years of independence and highlighted Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of new resolutions for the centenary in 2047. Referring to the recent 24-hour discussion in the UP Assembly, he said society and government must work together to make Uttar Pradesh prosperous and developed by 2047.

CM Yogi inaugurated and laid the foundation stone of 118 development projects worth Rs 646 crore for Mathura-Vrindavan. These included the inauguration of 80 projects worth about Rs 273 crore, and the foundation laying of 38 projects worth Rs 373 crores.

These projects include beautification of Parikrama paths, entrance gates, restoration of kunds facilities for devotees, connectivity, water conservation, and environmental protection. He described the bhajans, kirtans, and Shri Krishna lilas organised in the Panchjanya Auditorium as part of the devotional atmosphere.

The Chief Minister praised the efforts of public representatives and saints, whose cooperation made the approval of development proposals for the Braj region possible. He said that government and society together are committed to preserving and enriching India’s spiritual and cultural heritage.

On this occasion, the Chief Minister lovingly lifted children dressed as Krishna in his arms, fed them kheer with his own hands, and performed their annaprashan. He also applied a tilak on their foreheads, gifted them pearl garlands, and toys as gifts. The Chief Minister’s love brought smiles and happiness all around. (ANI)

South Korean Foreign Minister Cho Hyun has expressed solidarity with India over the Pahalgam terror attack and on its fight against terrorism, saying his country stands by the Indian government and the people of India.

In an interview with ANI, Cho Hyun said South Korea is firmly against terrorism.

“We are very stern and firm on this issue. We are strongly against any terrorist attack. We stand by the Indian government and the people of India,” Cho Hyun said.

India had launched Operation Sindoor in retaliation to the Pahalgam terror attack in which 26 people were killed. India conducted precision strikes on terror infrastructure in Pakistan and PoJK and repelled subsequent Pakistani aggression and pounded its airbases.

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, who had a bilateral meeting with Cho Hyun, expressed gratitude for South Korea’s condemnation of Pahalgam terror attack and recalled that the parliamentary delegation from India that went to Seoul later “got very good meetings”.

“I want to express our gratitude for the RoK’s condemnation of the terrorist attack that took place in Pahalgam on 22nd of April, and the fact that when our Parliamentary delegation went to Seoul, I think they got very good meetings, you yourself made an effort to meet them – it is something which we appreciate,” Jaishankar said.

Answering queries, Cho Hyun said the tariffs being imposed by the United States in the rapidly changing situation in global trade is not unexpected and that his country was able to sort out the problem and “make a win-win” through trade negotiations.

He said South Korea and the United States were able to strike a deal “that will again lead us to a win-win proposal”.

“This is something not unexpected given the rapidly changing situation in global trade. We were able to sort out a problem and make a win-win through these negotiations, and we were able to strike a deal that will again lead us to a win-win proposal,” he said.

US President Donald Trump had announced last month that he has reached a trade agreement with South Korea, which includes a 15 per cent tariff on South Korean exports to the United States.

Trump made the announcement on July 31 on his social media handle Truth Social.

“I am pleased to announce that the United States of America has agreed to a Full and Complete Trade Deal with the Republic of Korea. The Deal is that South Korea will give to the United States $350 Billion Dollars for Investments owned and controlled by the United States, and selected by myself, as President. Additionally, South Korea will purchase $100 Billion Dollars of LNG, or other Energy products and, further, South Korea has agreed to invest a large sum of money for their Investment purposes,” Trump had said.

“This sum will be announced within the next two weeks when the President of South Korea, Lee Jae Myung, comes to the White House for a Bilateral Meeting. I would also like to congratulate the new President on his Electoral Success. It is also agreed that South Korea will be completely OPEN TO TRADE with the United States, and that they will accept American product including Cars and Trucks, Agriculture, etc. We have agreed to a Tariff for South Korea of 15%. America will not be charged a Tariff. I would like to thank the Trade Representatives who came forward today. It was an Honor to meet them, and talk about the Great Success of their Country!” he added.

The United States has imposed 50 per cent tariff on Indian goods.

Trump announced 25 per cent tariffs on Indian goods in July, even as there were hopes of an interim India-US trade deal that would have otherwise helped avoid elevated tariffs. A few days later, he imposed another 25 per cent tariff, taking the total to 50 per cent, citing India’s continued imports of Russian oil.

Asked about the Alaska Summit meeting between the US President and Russian President Vladimir Putin, the South Korean Foreign Minister said it was too early to assess the outcome of the meeting but stressed that avoiding conflict was crucial.

“It is too early to make any assessment of the meeting itself. We really hope that this will be the first step in the right direction. It is very important to avoid war and peace at any cost is better than war,” he said.

Cho Hyun said he had good meeting with External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Saturday and recalled his tenure in Delhi as Ambassador from 2015 to 2017, stating that significant changes were made in India under Prime Minister Modi’s leadership and that “more good changes” have been made during the past ten years.

Cho Hyun said it is great to be back in Delhi and when he landed in the city about 10 years ago, he was humbled by the depths of India’s culture.

“I feel great to be back in Delhi and ten years ago, I landed in Delhi and I was very much humbled by the depths of the culture and the largest of the subcontinent and the people. I was very proud to serve as the Korean Ambassador to India, during which time I recognised the significant changes made in India under Prime Minister Modi’s leadership…Now I see even more good changes that have been made during the past ten years. So I’m very glad to be back here, meet my friends,” Cho Hyun said.

Cho Hyun recalled that when he served as Ambassador, he had meeting with S Jaishankar who served as Foreign Secretary from 2015-18.

He said they discussed various issues and explored ways to enhance the bilateral relationship. The Korean Foreign Minister arrived in the national capital on Friday.

“It was a good meeting and I used to meet him when I was here and he was the Foreign Secretary. We discussed various issues and explored ways to enhance our bilateral relationship, addressing both the geopolitical and geo-economic challenges our countries face,” Cho Hyun said.

In his opening remarks during meeting with the visiting South Korean leader, Jaishankar said “it’s not very often that you have a chance to welcome an old friend as a new colleague”.

“So, it’s a very special privilege to welcome you back to India. Please accept my congratulations on your appointment, you have been barely a month in the job, the fact that you are here literally a day after your National Day, and our National Day, says a lot really about the value we attach to the relationship,” Jaishankar said.

“Let me also take the opportunity to extend our greetings to you for the National Liberation Day of Korea, and your visit, I think, in many ways, comes at a very important time – it is the 10th anniversary of our Special Strategic Partnership, and I had the privilege of being with the Prime Minister when he met your President in Kananaskis in Canada. It was, by the way, a very good meeting I must tell you, they had very strong bonding,” he added. (ANI)

Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan has left fans curious about his next big-screen outing after ‘Dunki.’

The actor, who is gearing up for his action-packed film ‘King’ alongside his daughter Suhana Khan, had to slow down the shoot after he reportedly suffered an injury during an action sequence.

Khan, who returned to his popular ‘Ask SRK’ session on X after a long hiatus, responded in his signature witty style when a fan asked about the release of his next film. “Did some good shoot… starting soon again. Only leg shots, then moving to the upper body… Insha Allah, it will be done fast. @justSidAnand is working hard to finish.” While his optimism reassured fans, reports indicate that King’s production schedule has been temporarily affected by the actor’s recent injury,” he wrote.

Last year, at the Locarno Film Festival, Shah Rukh had spoken about his preparation for King and working with filmmaker Sujoy Ghosh on the project.

He said, “There are certain kinds of films that I want to do, maybe it’s more age-centric, and I want to try something I’ve been thinking about for 6-7 years. I mentioned it to Sujoy one day while we were sitting. He works with us at our office; he’s made some films for us. He says, ‘Sir, I have a subject.'”

SRK also spoke about losing weight for his film King: “The next film I am doing is King. I have to start working on it, lose a little weight, and do some stretching,” he added.

While fans wait for his film, there is also excitement around his son Aryan Khan’s debut directorial project, The Ba***ds of Bollywood.

During the same Q&A session, a fan asked when they could see something from Aryan’s series. Shah Rukh playfully responded, “So many people are asking, so I have to tell Netflix… Beta show bana raha hai, Baap sirf wait kar raha hai… @NetflixIndia, Tum kya kar rahe ho??!!” to which Netflix responded that the first look of Aryan Khan’s show would be unveiled on August 17 at 11 am.

Shah Rukh reacted with excitement, writing, “Yes, yes, yes. Please tell me the time as well, since Aryan doesn’t tell me anything. Aapke saath toh purana rishta hai… so please tell me and everyone else. Too excited. Here’s to a great First Look. Thanks.”

Aryan Khan’s project, produced under Red Chillies Entertainment, was first confirmed earlier this year, and fans have been waiting eagerly for updates. The release date remains tightly under wraps for now. It is co-created by Bilal Siddiqi and Manav Chauhan, who also share writing credits with Aryan. (ANI)

Actor Janhvi Kapoor, who is busy promoting her upcoming rom-com ‘Param Sundari,’ added to the festive spirit of Janmashtami as she joined a Dahi Handi celebration on Saturday.

Clips from the event have gone viral on social media, showing Janhvi dressed in a light-colored traditional outfit. She wore a shiny embroidered blouse paired with a long skirt. Her hair was tied back in a braid, styled with intricate accessories, while she completed her look with a stacked necklace and chunky earrings.

The highlight of the event came when the actress broke the Dahi Handi. Before hitting the pot, she asked with a smile, “Zor se marna padega,” and then smashed it successfully, joining the crowd in celebrations.

On the work front, Janhvi Kapoor and Sidharth Malhotra will next be seen in Tushar Jalota’s Param Sundari. The film tells the chaotic love story of a Punjabi munda and a Kerala girl. Sanjay Kapoor and Manjot Singh also have prominent roles in the film. The trailer for the movie was unveiled earlier this week, promising the perfect mix of romance, comedy, and action. Param Sundari will be released on August 29. (ANI)

Congress leader and Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, on Saturday shared a spoof video inspired by the film Laapataa Ladies, reiterating the Congress’s “vote theft” allegations against the Election Commission and urging people to join the ‘Vote Chori se Azaadi’ campaign.

Sharing the video on X, Rahul Gandhi wrote, “Chori chori, chupke chupke… ab or nahi, janta jag gayi hai, (Secretly, stealthily… No more now, the public has awakened).”

The video shows a middle-aged man at a police station submitting a theft complaint. When asked by a policeman, “What has been stolen?” the man hesitates before replying, “Vote.” The policeman reacts in shock and asks, “How’s this possible?” The video ends with the message, “Theft of your vote is theft of your right.” The clip is based on a scene in Laapataa Ladies where a husband goes to the police station to report that his wife has been exchanged.

This comes after Congress announced the launch of the ‘Vote Chori se Azaadi’ campaign, asking people to join the movement against alleged “vote theft” by the Election Commission and the BJP.

Earlier, the Congress party in a post on X urged people to change their display picture (DP) on social media to support the campaign.

“On the occasion of Independence Day, join the campaign for freedom from ‘vote theft’. Change your WhatsApp DP,” the post said.

On August 14, ahead of the Assembly elections in Bihar, Rahul Gandhi also announced the launch of the “Voter Adhikar Yatra” against the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls. He appealed to people to “join this people’s movement.”

“From August 17, with #VoterAdhikarYatra, we are launching a direct fight against vote theft from the soil of Bihar,” Gandhi said in a post on X.

He added, “This is not just an election issue – it is a decisive battle to protect democracy, the constitution, and the principle of ‘one man, one vote.’ We will ensure a clean voter list across the entire country. Youth, workers, farmers – every citizen, rise and join this people’s movement. This time, the defeat of vote thieves – the victory of the people, the victory of the constitution.”

On August 7, Rahul Gandhi had also criticised the Election Commission of India, saying elections are “choreographed”. Presenting Congress’s research on voting in the Mahadevapura Assembly constituency in Karnataka, he alleged the theft of 1,00,250 votes.

Meanwhile, the Election Commission has repeatedly asked Rahul Gandhi to submit a signed declaration to back up his claims of “vote theft”. (ANI)

The monsoon havoc in Himachal Pradesh has claimed 257 lives since June 20, according to the Himachal Pradesh State Disaster Management Authority (HP SDMA).

District-wise data shows that Mandi (26 deaths), Kangra (28), and Kullu (11) were among the worst-affected in rain-triggered disasters.

Among the deaths, 133 were deaths reported in rain-related incidents such as landslides, flash floods, drowning, and electrocution, and another 124 fatalities in road accidents,.

The cumulative report released on Friday evening paints a grim picture of widespread destruction. The state has also recorded 331 people injured and 37 missing during the ongoing monsoon season.

Landslides and flash floods alone have caused 16 deaths, while 27 people drowned in swollen rivers and nullahs. Other casualties were reported due to lightning, fire, snake bites, electrocution, and accidental falls.

In addition to human loss, the state reported massive damage to property and infrastructure. Over 1,028 houses were fully damaged and another 2,157 partially damaged, besides 285 cow sheds and 699 shops and factories destroyed. Public property worth more than Rs 2,14,403 crore has been lost, including extensive damage to roads, power lines, water schemes, and government institutions.

Animal losses have also been severe, with 1,625 cattle heads and over 25,700 poultry birds perishing in the rains.

The HPSDMA noted that Mandi district alone accounted for the heaviest financial damage, exceeding Rs 1,180 crore, followed by Kangra and Kullu districts.

Meanwhile, Mandi district reported the highest disruption, with 203 roads blocked and 458 transformers out of service, followed by Kullu where 79 roads remain closed, including NH-305 at Jhed (Khanag) due to a major landslide. Water supply schemes were also severely affected in Chamba (24), Kangra (41), and Mandi (44).

In Kinnaur, six roads including NH-5 were blocked after heavy downpours, while Kullu and Lahaul-Spiti reported widespread outages due to flash floods and HT line faults.

Authorities cautioned that intermittent rainfall in the coming days may worsen the situation, and appealed to people to avoid travel through vulnerable stretches.

Officials warned that the situation remains critical with rains expected to continue, urging residents to avoid travel through vulnerable stretches and follow safety advisories. (ANI)