Month: August 2025

Bollywood star couple Akshay Kumar and Twinkle Khanna are known for sharing an amazing camaraderie, often poking fun at each other and engaging in playful banter.

In a recent instance, Twinkle’s little attempt at recreating ‘Tamma Tamma’ received the most hilarious response from Akshay Kumar.

Taking to her Instagram, Khanna shared a video of her dancing, where she tried to recreate Madhuri Dixit’s iconic steps from the song, only to end up looking like Sanjay Dutt, she joked.

“Thought I was pulling off a Madhuri, but ended up looking like Sanjay Dutt. Side note: fractured my foot during the pandemic attempting this very step. Whose dance style do you think you have, and what’s the reality?” she wrote alongside the video.

In an epic comeback, her husband, actor Akshay Kumar, quipped, “Talent – questionable. Confidence – unshakable. Wife – priceless.”

Fans were left in splits as they came across the husband and wife’s funny exchange in the comment section. Twinkle also dropped a “hahahaha” comment in response.

Tahira Kashyap reacted to the video and jokingly wrote, “Killed it quite literally!”

On the work front, Twinkle Khanna is soon set to host a new celebrity talk show titled ‘Two Much With Kajol and Twinkle.’ Earlier in July, Prime Video confirmed the news along with a poster of the show.

“They’ve got the tea and it’s two much to miss. #TwoMuchOnPrime, Coming Soon,” the streamer wrote.

Twinkle and Kajol will take over the hosting duties, bringing their signature mix of wit, feistiness, and unparalleled insights to the conversation that are expected to get “humorous, unfiltered, and unapologetic.”

On the other hand, Akshay Kumar will be next seen in the much-awaited ‘Jolly LLB 3’ opposite Arshad Warsi. The teaser for the third instalment was unveiled on August 12, giving a glimpse into the funny yet intense clash between both the actors.

Saurabh Shukla is also returning as Judge Tripathi.

‘Jolly LLB 3’ will be released on September 19, 2025. (ANI)

Election Commission of India (ECI) has received a total of 17,665 claims and objections over the draft voter list after the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of the electoral roll in Bihar, out of which 454 complaints have been disposed, a press note said on Wednesday.

According to the press note by ECI, after 13 days, no claim or objection has been submitted by any political party.

A total of 74,525 forms have been received from new electors on attaining 18 years of age or above, including six forms received from BLAS.

As per rules, the claims and objections are to be disposed of by the concerned ERO/AERO after the expiry of seven days after the verification of eligibility documents.

As per SIR orders, no name can be deleted from the draft list published on August 1, 2025, without passing a speaking order by the ERO/AERO after conducting an enquiry and after giving a fair and reasonable opportunity, the press note said.

The ECI published the draft voter list after the SIR exercise in poll-bound Bihar on August 1. The final voter list will be released after the one month given for claims and objections.

Earlier till Tuesday, the poll body had 13,970 complaints from the electors, out of which 341 were disposed. While a total of 63,591 forms were received from new electors on attaining 18 years of age or above, including six forms received from BLAS.

Meanwhile, on Tuesday, the Supreme Court began hearing a batch of petitions challenging the ECI’s decision to conduct a SIR of electoral rolls in poll-bound Bihar and observed that the poll panel was right in stating that an Aadhaar card is not conclusive proof of citizenship.

A bench of Justices Surya Kant and Joymalya Bagchi also remarked that the inclusion and exclusion of citizens and non-citizens from the electoral rolls falls within the remit of the ECI.

During the hearing, senior advocate Kapil Sibal, appearing for RJD MP Manoj Kumar Jha, told the bench that the exclusion of about 65 lakh voters from the draft electoral roll, without any objection to their inclusion, is illegal.

To this, the bench said that as per the Rules, the persons excluded have to submit applications for inclusion, and it is only at this stage that anyone’s objection will be considered.

The apex court also did not agree with the submission that the people in Bihar do not have the majority of documents sought by the ECI as proof during the SIR.

Justice Kant said, “Bihar is part of India. If they don’t have them, other states won’t either.”

“There must be something to prove you are a citizen of India… everybody possesses some certificate… You need it even to buy a SIM. OBC, SC, ST certificates… It is a very sweeping argument that in Bihar, nobody possesses these documents,” Justice Kant said. (ANI)

Sanitisation workers in Chennai continued their protest on day 13, demanding job security and regularisation, on Wednesday.

They claim that privatisation has threatened their livelihood by reducing their salary from 23 thousand to just 15 thousand with few benefits.

Since day one, all opposition parties, including All India Anna Dravidian Progressive Federation (AIADMK), BJP and ruling DMK alliance parties like the communists and VCK, have supported the sanitary workers’ protest.

On Wednesday, cadres of the Paatali Makkal Katchi (PMK) and BSK party met to show solidarity with sanitary workers who have been protesting outside the Greater Chennai Corporation office for 13 days.

“Police say those who come to support the sanitary workers’ protest will be booked. Our party has faced many cases before, and we didn’t fear them,” said PMK General Secretary, Murali Shankar

“Here, sanitary workers are on protest for 13 continuous days. In the coronavirus time, these sanitary workers worked hard. The ruling party proves its ineptitude by the privatisation of sanitary works in Chennai,” added the PMK General Secretary.

The protests erupted after GCC officials informed the NULM workers on July 31 that they would now have to coordinate with the private agencies. Matters escalated when sanitation workers on the morning shift reported for duty on August 1 and were denied entry.

In response, many of the NULM-affiliated workers, several with over a decade of service, have boycotted work and joined the demonstrations.

Multiple trade unions, including the All India Central Council of Trade Unions (AICCTU), Left Trade Union Congress (LTUC), Labour Progressive Union (LPU) have joined in on the protest, all of them expressing strong opposition to the privatisation drive. They have called on the GCC to immediately reverse its decision and ensure the job security and rights of all sanitation workers. (ANI)

As administrators from both nations scramble to prepare for a historic summit, White House officials stated that US President Donald Trump will be meeting with his Russian counterpart, Vladimir Putin, at the Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson in Alaska’s Anchorage, CNN reported.

Anchorage, the largest city in the state, has been finalised for the meeting of both leaders on Friday, August 15, following a hectic search for a suitable venue during Alaska’s busy summer tourist season.

According to CNN, the military base, located on the city’s northern edge, was ultimately selected due to its ability to meet strict security requirements, despite the White House’s initial reluctance to host the Russian delegation on a US military installation.

Officials explored options in Juneau, Fairbanks, and Anchorage but found most venues either unavailable or ill-equipped to handle the security and logistical demands of such a high-profile meeting, CNN reported.

Some Alaskans even offered their private homes, though it remains unclear if those offers reached decision-makers.

The summit, scheduled for Friday, marks the first in-person meeting between the leaders of the US and Russia in over four years. Preparations are still underway, with much of the agenda and details fluid.

Russia’s Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and US Secretary of State Marco Rubio held a phone conversation on Tuesday (local time) to discuss the upcoming meeting between the two Presidents.

According to the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Lavrov and Rubio “discussed certain aspects” of the Friday summit.

“On August 12, Russia’s FM Sergey #Lavrov & US Secretary of State @MarcoRubio spoke over the phone, discussed certain aspects of the upcoming meeting between President Vladimir #Putin & President @realDonaldTrump in Alaska on August 15,” the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs wrote on X.

According to CNN, unlike traditional summits between rival powers, this encounter lacks a clearly defined agenda or set of expected outcomes.

President Trump has described it as a “feel-out” session, with the White House calling it a “listening session”.

According to Rubio, Trump believes a face-to-face meeting is essential to personally assess Putin’s intentions, something he feels cannot be done through phone conversations alone, despite having spoken with the Russian leader five times this year, as reported by CNN. (ANI)

The Supreme Court on Wednesday was told by the Telangana government that it is in the process of coming out with a holistic development plan with respect to the Kancha Gachibowli forest area, where large-scale felling of trees had taken place.

Senior advocate Abhishek Manu Singhvi told a bench of Chief Justice of India BR Gavai and Justice Vinod Chandran that in compliance with earlier directives of the apex court, all tree-cutting actions have been halted.

“The court shouldn’t have any concern about that. Now we want to come up with a much larger plan where our forests, lakes… It will take some time,” said Singhvi

CJI Gavai asked Singhvi to come up with a good proposal.

“If you come with a good proposal, we will withdraw all (suo motu proceedings against the State) and give you a real compliment… We want the environment to be protected,” said CJI.

In its order, the apex court recorded the state’s submission and said, “We appreciate it…. Time and again, the court has observed that the court is not against development, but development has to be sustainable development. While carrying development activities the interest of environment and wildlife has to be taken care of by ensuring mitigating and compensatory measures.”

Singhvi sought a six-week time to place the proposal before it, which the bench granted

The apex court was hearing a suo motu case initiated in the wake of the large-scale felling of trees by the state in the forest area of Kancha Gachibowli

Earlier, while hearing the case of deforestation in the Kancha Gachibowli forest area in Telangana, the bench had said that while sustainable development is important, it does not mean that forests can be destroyed overnight with bulldozers.

It had warned the Telangana government of stern action if no decision is taken on the restoration of the Kancha Gachibowli forest in the state.

It had told the state authorities to either restore the lost forest cover or face consequences.

The apex court had directed the Wildlife warden of Telangana to examine and take immediate steps to protect the wildlife affected on account of deforestation in 100 acres of land in Kancha Gachibowli. It had made it clear that not even a single tree should be fell in the area.

It had also warned Telangana authorities about sending its officers responsible for deforestation to a “temporary prison” in the “very same spot” if the state justifies the felling of trees.

While taking suo moto cognisance of the felling of trees in the forest area in Kancha Gachibowli, the bench had stayed the felling of trees at the site and warned the Chief Secretary of the consequences if its order is not complied with.

It had been ordered that until further orders, there shall be no activity of any sort at the site, except for the protection of trees already existing. The land is located in the IT hub of Hyderabad and has become contentious, with people expressing concerns over the loss of green cover and space for wildlife there.

The University of Hyderabad students were protesting against the auction of the land and wanted the land to be transferred to the university. (ANI)

Rajasthan Chief Minister Bhajanlal Sharma on Wednesday expressed grief following the death of 11 devotees in a road accident near Bapi village of Dausa district, and ordered prompt and proper treatment for the injured.

Sharing a post on X, CM Sharma said, “The news of loss of life in a horrific road accident in Dausa is extremely tragic. The district administration has been directed to ensure prompt and proper treatment for the injured. May God grant a place at His divine feet to the departed souls and provide speedy recovery to the injured.”

Eleven people died in the accident as a pick-up truck carrying devotees from Khatu Shyam Temple collided with a trailer truck near Bapi village, Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Ravi Prakash Sharma said.

DSP Sharma told ANI, “A total of 11 people have died. This includes four children and seven women… One woman died after reaching SMS Hospital, where she was referred to from Dausa.”

The mishap occurred between 3:30 AM and 3:45 AM on Wednesday.

“Bapi PS area in Dausa district between 3:30 AM and 3:45 AM, an accident occurred between a container and a pick-up truck,” DSP Sharma said.

Out of the people injured in the mishap, nine were referred for treatment in Jaipur, while three were being treated in the District Hospital, Dausa District Collector Devendra Kumar said.

“Nine people have been referred for treatment, and three are being treated in the District Hospital… The accident occurred between a passenger pick-up and a trailer truck,” Kumar told ANI.

A devotee travelling in the truck said that there were at least 22 people from Uttar Pradesh’s Etah who were travelling in the vehicle.

“We are from Etah. There were 22-23 people (in the truck), and children aged 6-7 years also died in the accident. 10-11 people are dead,” Santosh Kumar said. (ANI)

Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Tuesday claimed that any attempt to stop the flow of water into Pakistan is in violation of the Indus Waters Treaty, and would be met with a “decisive response”.

Addressing an event in Islamabad, he said: “Enemy [India] can’t snatch even a single drop of water from Pakistan.”

He said, “You threatened to stop our water. If you attempt such a move, Pakistan will teach you a lesson you will never forget.”

PM Shehbaz emphasised that water was a lifeline for Pakistan, and no compromise would be made on the country’s rights under international agreements, as per Geo News.

Following the Pahalgam terrorist attack in April, which killed 26 people, India has, in exercise of its rights as a sovereign nation under international law, placed the Indus Waters Treaty (IWT) in abeyance until Pakistan credibly and irrevocably abjures its support for cross-border terrorism.

The Indus Waters Treaty was signed in 1960, following nine years of negotiations between India and Pakistan, with the assistance of the World Bank, which is also a signatory.

Former World Bank President Eugene Black initiated the talks. Recognised as one of the most successful international treaties, it has endured frequent tensions, including conflict, and has provided a framework for irrigation and hydropower development for over half a century.

Former US President Dwight Eisenhower described it as “one bright spot in a very depressing world picture that we see so often.”

The Treaty allocates the Western Rivers (Indus, Jhelum, Chenab) to Pakistan and the eastern rivers (Ravi, Beas, Sutlej) to India.

At the same time, the Treaty allows each country certain uses of the rivers allocated to the other. The treaty gives India 20 per cent of the water from the Indus River System and the rest 80 per cent to Pakistan.

The IWT was in the spotlight in the aftermath of the Pulwama attack in 2019.

The Treaty has been criticised for being too generous to Pakistan, even when it has continued to promote terror in India. (ANI)

International security scholar Max Abrahms has said that President Donald Trump’s second administration appears to be “tilting towards Pakistan and away from India,” citing recent diplomatic, military, and trade signals that he says undermine years of strategic investment in the US-India relationship.

In an interview with ANI, Abrahms said he was not surprised by remarks from Pakistan’s Army Chief Asim Munir, who made a nuclear threat from American soil. “I’m not surprised that Pakistani officials are engaging in sabre rattling and playing the nuclear threat card, we’ve heard that before,” he said.

“What we had not heard before is this sort of nuclear threat from American soil. And if this was the only incident, I would find it rather unremarkable. But what we are currently witnessing is a trend where it appears that this second Trump administration is tilting towards Pakistan and away from India. We’ve actually seen it throughout this whole summer.”

Abrahms, author of a book on terrorist dynamics, said he could not fully understand the administration’s approach. “

US-India relations are the product of a tremendous amount of effort and investment,” he said, recalling that during Trump’s campaign season, deepening trade and military ties with India, particularly through the Quad, were presented as central to Washington’s Indo-Pacific strategy to contain China.

“The pillar of US containment of China in the Pacific, we were told, was a strong US-India relationship,” he added.

Drawing a parallel with Japan’s post-World War II role as a bulwark against Chinese expansion, Abrahms said the current tariff policy towards India was “unfair, offensive, and destabilising.”

Abrahms also noted Trump’s unpredictability, suggesting the president could still reverse course. “Sometimes he very rapidly, even instantaneously, changes his rhetoric and overall positions towards a country,” he said.

“It is possible that Trump will end up massively alleviating the threatened tariffs against India… especially if there is some progress in that big Alaska meeting between Trump and Putin.”

Still, Abrahms warned that even a rollback of the 25% tariff on Indian purchases of Russian oil would not immediately repair the diplomatic damage. “

“I am at least hopeful that the US and India will right this course because I think that India is too important to the United States for there to be any kind of a permanent bump in the relationship. I will say, however, that even if some of the tariffs, a substantial amount of the tariffs like that 25% I mentioned, are lifted, I still think that the US-India relationship may not fully recover for quite some time under this administration, ” he said

Because the message to India is that the United States isn’t reliable, and that is happening at the same time that the US is inviting the Army Chief of Staff of Pakistan for high-level meetings, including with the President in the United States,” he added, pointing to Washington’s invitations to Pakistan’s Army Chief for high-level meetings and its willingness to discuss enhanced trade with Islamabad, despite the recent designation of a Pakistan-based group as a foreign terrorist organisation.

He cited Operation Sindoor as a turning point in the Trump administration’s handling of South Asia. “I think that a key turning point was Operation Sindor, where the Trump administration, India-Pakistan conflict, as if those two countries are on equal footing, on equal terms with the United States. And that the conflict itself is that no one party is more culpable than the other, when the entire conflict was set off by Pakistan-backed terrorists killing large numbers of Hindu civilians. And then the Trump administration came in and claimed credit for reducing the conflict. ” Abrahms said.

“Pakistan was very, very happy with the Trump administration’s interventions. They even talked publicly about recommending Trump for the Nobel Prize, Abrahms said. (ANI)

It has been seven years since the world lost Sridevi, but her legacy and charm are still alive in the hearts of her millions of fans. On her 62nd birth anniversary today, family, friends, and admirers fondly remembered the legendary actress.

Sridevi, celebrated as the first female superstar of Indian cinema, had an unmatched career spanning Hindi, Tamil, and Telugu films. Her untimely passing in 2018 left a void in the industry, but her work and memories continue to inspire.

Among those who shared heartfelt tributes was her husband, film producer Boney Kapoor. Posting a beautiful still of Sridevi from her film English Vinglish on Instagram, he expressed how she remains forever young in his heart. Calling her “26” even today, he wrote, “Yes, you are not 62 today. You are 26. Happy birthday; we are still reliving all your happy birthdays.”

https://www.instagram.com/p/DNQ__UjyIvg/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==

He later shared another post, where he fondly reminisced about a birthday party from 1990. In the post, he recalled how, with a cheeky smile, he told Sridevi she was turning “26” even though she was actually 27 just to make her laugh.

The caption of the post read, “In 1990, her birthday party in chennai when I wished her happy 26th birthday while it was her 27th birthday to make her feel that she had gone younger & it was a compliment , that with every passing day she is getting younger but she taught I was teasing her”

https://www.instagram.com/p/DNRDisFyB-6/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==

Fans quickly filled the comments with love and admiration. One wrote, “Always in our hearts,” while another remembered her as “The only female superstar. We miss you, Legend.”

In a career spanning over five decades, Sridevi was honoured with several prestigious awards and was also given the Padma Shri – India’s fourth-highest civilian honour – in 2013. The actress made her acting debut at the age of four with the 1967 Tamil film ‘Kandhan Karunai.’ Later, in 1972, she made her first appearance in Bollywood with the film ‘Rani Mera Naam.’

She went on to leave an indelible mark on her fans with several iconic roles in Hindi films like ‘Chandni’, ‘Lamhe’, ‘Mr India’, ‘Chaalbaaz’, ‘Nagina’, ‘Sadma’ and ‘English Vinglish’, among others. Her last film was ‘Mom’, for which she also received the Best Actress National Award, posthumously.

She married Boney Kapoor in 1996. The couple had two daughters, Janhvi and Khushi Kapoor, who are now following in their mother’s footsteps, pursuing acting careers in Bollywood. (ANI)