Month: September 2025

AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi on Monday said the Supreme Court’s interim order on the Waqf Amendment Act will not protect Waqf properties from the law brought by the NDA government.

He warned that the Act could benefit encroachers and stop the development of Waqf land.

Speaking to the reporters, Owaisi said, “It is an interim order. We hope that the SC gives a final decision soon on the entire act, and the hearing begins. This order will not protect the Waqf properties from the act made by the NDA government. Encroachers would be rewarded. Waqf properties will not be developed. We hope that the SC takes a final decision soon…”

Referring to the Supreme Court’s suggestion that the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Waqf should be a Muslim “as far as possible,” Owaisi questioned whether a party that doesn’t give tickets to Muslims would appoint a Muslim officer.

“For the appointment of the CO, the Supreme Court said that it should be a Muslim, “as far as possible”. The government will claim that they did not find a capable Muslim… A party that does not give an MP ticket to a Muslim, and does not have a Muslim MP, will it choose a Muslim officer? How many Muslims are there in the Intelligence Bureau?… They will appoint non-Muslim members to the Waqf. Why? This is a violation of Article 26. How would Sikhs feel if a non-Sikh were made a member of the SGPC?” Owaisi said.

Owaisi said Article 300 of the Constitution allows anyone to give property to anyone, regardless of religion.

“The SC has not completely stayed the provision that a person has to be a practising Muslim of 5 years… There is no law preventing a person of any religion from donating to another religion… According to Article 300 of the Constitution, I can give my property to anyone I want. Then why is such a provision made for the followers of this (Islam) religion?… BJP should provide data on who donated property to the Waqf after converting… The provision of the collector’s inquiry has been stayed. But the collector still has the power to conduct a survey,” Owaisi said.

Earlier in the day, the Supreme Court refused to stay the entire Waqf (Amendment) Act 2025, but put on hold certain provisions pending the final adjudication of petitions challenging the constitutional validity of the Act.

A bench of Chief Justice of India BR Gavai and Justice Augustine George Masih observed that some sections of the amended Act need some protection. (ANI)

Punjab Congress chief Amarinder Singh Raja Warring on Monday expressed frustration over security restrictions preventing Rahul Gandhi from meeting flood-affected persons in Dinanagar, Gurdaspur.

Speaking to reporters, Warring questioned the safety situation, asking, “If Rahul Gandhi has a threat from Pakistan in India, and if we are not safe here, then where are we safe?”

Notably, Congress MP and Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi’s visit to flood-hit Dinanagar, Punjab, on Monday was halted due to security concerns and was denied permission to cross the river to meet flood-affected families.

“Rahul Gandhi ji wants to meet and interact with affected persons living across the river from here. However, he is not being allowed to go, as the security here claims there is a security threat. If Rahul Gandhi has a threat from Pakistan in India, and if we are not safe here, then where are we safe?” Warring said.

Earlier today, in a post on X, Congress mentioned that Gandhi interacted with the affected families in the flood-hit areas of Punjab and took stock of the relief efforts.

During his visit, the Lok Sabha LoP also met the farmers, who were affected by the severe floods in Gurdaspur.

“Leader of Opposition Shri @RahulGandhi met with the affected families in the flood-hit areas of Punjab and took stock of the relief efforts. The devastating floods in Punjab have ruined the lives of thousands of people. The state has suffered heavy losses in lives and property, and people are forced to live in relief camps,” the party posted on X.

“The situation is extremely dire. In such difficult times, every Congress worker stands with Punjab. We appeal to all to provide every possible help to the flood-affected families. We must come together to overcome this disaster,” the Congress wrote.

Meanwhile, according to the latest flood report,1,98,525 hectares of total crop area have been affected in Punjab with major losses reported in Gurdaspur (40,169 hectares), Patiala (17,690 hectares), Tarn Taran (12,828 hectares), Fazilka (25,182 hectares), Ferozepur (17,257 hectares) and Kapurthala (17,574 hectares), etc.

According to Punjab Revenue, Rehabilitation and Disaster Management Minister Hardeep Singh, the total death toll due to floods in Punjab has reached 56 across the state to date. (ANI)

Baloch activist Mahrang Baloch has strongly condemned the recent amendments to Pakistan’s Anti-Terrorism Act of 1997, calling it a dangerous step designed to silence peaceful dissent rather than protect citizens.

In a post on X, Mahrang Baloch said, “I am appalled and outraged by the Balochistan Assembly’s decision to pass yet another set of amendments… They claim it will protect judges, witnesses, lawyers, and prosecutors, but in reality, this legitimises repression. It silences opposition voices.”

She warned that the amendment, coupled with June’s Anti-Terrorism (Amendment) Bill 2025, would not be used against violent actors but “weaponised against peaceful activists, political workers, and opposition voices.” The activist further stated that the law tears apart the right to a fair trial guaranteed under Article 10A of Pakistan’s Constitution and clears the path for “secret, faceless courts where justice becomes a mockery.”

Highlighting the deteriorating security situation, Mahrang Baloch pointed to an alarming surge in enforced disappearances and extrajudicial killings. “Since March, there have been over 50 targeted crackdowns on members of the Baloch Yekjehti Committee. Hundreds of activists have been detained, abducted, or forcibly disappeared. Between January and June alone, there were 814 enforced disappearances–almost equal to the total of the entire previous year.”

According to her, at least 131 people were killed without trial in the first six months of 2025 through custodial torture, staged encounters, and indiscriminate operations. She alleged that in September alone, six civilians from Kech district were killed in targeted attacks by state-backed militias. “Every single day, an average of four to five Baloch are abducted. One to three are executed or killed by security forces and their allies,” she said, accusing Pakistan of pursuing “slow-motion genocide.”

Calling on her community to stand firm, Mahrang Baloch declared, “The state is waging a bloody war against the Baloch using both legal and illegal means. Do not let fear occupy you. Our struggle is for justice. Our cause is righteous.” (ANI)

Union Minister for Petroleum and Natural Gas, Hardeep Singh Puri, on Monday said that ethanol-blended petrol does not adversely affect vehicles and dismissed claims of controversy surrounding the government’s ethanol blending programme.

Addressing reporters in Varanasi, Minister Puri said, “There is no impact on vehicles.”

Minister Puri further emphasised that the ethanol programme transforms India’s farmers into energy providers while strengthening energy security. He highlighted that ethanol blending has saved the country Rs 1.4 lakh crore in crude oil imports and contributed to lower pollution.

“The Government of India had decided that by November 2020, we would achieve 10% ethanol blending. This objective was achieved five months ago. We aimed to achieve 20% ethanol blending by 2030. We did that five years ago… There is no controversy. The problem started when some statements were made that we would go further with this. But no decision has been taken on that yet. I want to assure you. There is no controversy in this. With the ethanol program, our food provider becomes an energy provider. Due to 20% ethanol blending, we have saved Rs. 1.4 lakh crore on imports… Atmospheric pollution has also reduced…,” the Minister added.

India has significantly accelerated its ethanol blending targets over the past decade.

In 2014, blending stood at just 1.53%. By 2022, the country had achieved a 10% blending rate, ahead of schedule.

The target of 20% blending (E20), originally set for 2030 and later advanced to 2025, has already been met in the current ethanol supply year.

The minister also linked ethanol production to India’s green energy transition, pointing to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s inauguration of a bamboo-based ethanol plant in Assam on Sunday.

India got its first second-generation ethanol plant on Sunday, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurating the Numaligarh Refinery Ltd’s bamboo-based refinery unit in Assam. The foundation stone of the NRL Bio Refinery at Numaligarh was laid by the PM himself on February 9, 2019. The Numaligarh Rs 5,000 crore 2nd-generation bioethanol plant is the first of its kind in the world to utilise bamboo.

On the ethanol blending with fuel, the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas recently issued a detailed clarification rejecting claims that E20 petrol reduces fuel efficiency significantly. According to the ministry, mileage reduction is marginal — about 1-2% in vehicles calibrated for E20 and 3-6% in older models, and not the “drastic” drop as was alleged.

The release also stated that the usage f E20 fuel has no impact of the validity of insurance of vehicles in India. In the meantime, automobile manufacturers continue to engage with vehicle owners to provide them with any support that may be warranted to ensure optimum performance of vehicles. For a vehicle owner who believes that his/her vehicle may require further tuning or parts replacement, the entire network of authorised service stations is available to respond to such requests.

The ministry also underlined that ethanol blending since 2014-15 has saved over Rs 1.40 lakh crore in foreign exchange, ensured payments of more than Rs 1.20 lakh crore to farmers, and reduced lakh of tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions.

Supreme Court had recently dismissed a plea challenging the nationwide rollout of E20 and seeking ethanol-free petrol. Separately, Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari described recent criticism of the blending programme as a “paid campaign” against him. (ANI)

The fans of actors Varun Dhawan and Janhvi Kapoor are in for a treat as their favourite stars film ‘Sunny Sanskari Ki Tulsi Kumari’s trailer is finally out on Monday.

After the chartbuster hits like ‘Panwadi’ and ‘Bijuria’, the ‘Sunny Sanskari Ki Tulsi Kumari’ has been creating quite a buzz in the film industry.

The two-minute and fifty-four-second trailer opens with actor Varun Dhawan proposing to Sanya Malhotra, which she refuses, leading to a hilarious roller coaster ride for the actor as he devises a plan to win her back, along with Janhvi Kapoor.

While he was suffering from rejection, Varun Dhawan felt heartbroken when Sanya announced her marriage to Rohit Saraf, who is an ex-boyfriend of Janhvi Kapoor.

To stop the marriage and win back their exes, Varun and Janhvi decide to pose as a fake couple to make their exes jealous, ultimately halting their marriage plans.

In this hilarious roller coaster, the duo were seen falling in love as they played the role of a fake couple in the trailer. The video is full of hilarious comedy punches, as in one instance, the lead duo discusses their financial standings in society.

Varun Dhawan calls himself middle-class as he reveals that he used to get only Rs 50,000 from his father as a monthly income.

Karan Johar’s Dharma Productions shared the trailer of the film on their Instagram handle on Monday.

‘Sunny Sankaari Ki Tulsi Kumari’ is directed by Sashank Khaitan, who is known for directing ‘Badrinath Ki Dulhania’ and ‘Humpty Sharma Ki Dulhania’.

The movie is slated to release in theatres on October 2, 2025. (ANI)

Assistant US Trade Representative for South and Central Asia Brendan Lynch is coming to India tonight and will continue talks for a Bilateral Trade Agreement with the Indian counterpart, a government official said.

US-India trade talks will he held on Tuesday, the official said.

India’s chief negotiator and Special Secretary in the Department of Commerce is Rajesh Agrawal.

Over the past few months, India and the US have been negotiating for an interim trade deal. Still, there were reservations from the Indian side on the US demand for opening up the agricultural and dairy sectors. Agriculture and dairy are critical for India as these two sectors provide livelihood opportunities to a large section of people.

India and the US initiated talks for a just, balanced, and mutually beneficial Bilateral Trade Agreement (BTA) in March this year, aiming to complete the first stage of the Agreement by October-November 2025.

Initially, US President Donald Trump announced 25 per cent tariffs on Indian goods, 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.

The 50% tariffs came into effect on August 27.

US President Donald Trump had imposed reciprocal tariffs on dozens of countries with which the US has a trade deficit. Since assuming office for his second term, President Trump has reiterated his stance on tariff reciprocity, emphasising that his administration will match tariffs imposed by other countries, including India, to “ensure fair trade”.

Earlier this week, Prime Minister Narendra Modi responded warmly to US President Donald Trump’s affirmation of the India-US ties, saying he “deeply appreciates and fully reciprocates” the US President’s sentiments and positive assessment of the bilateral relations.

PM Modi noted India-US ties as “forward-looking” towards a “Comprehensive and Global Strategic Partnership,” in a post on X.

“Deeply appreciate and fully reciprocate President Trump’s sentiments and positive assessment of our ties. India and the US have a very positive and forward-looking Comprehensive and Global Strategic Partnership,” the Prime Minister stated in his post.

President Trump, while making an announcement in the White House, recalled that the India-US ties are a “very special relationship” and affirmed that he and PM Modi would always be friends, asserting that there is “nothing to worry about”. (ANI)

An FIR has been registered by Delhi Police regarding the BMW-motorcycle accident that occurred on Sunday near Dhaula Kuan on Ring Road, which resulted in the death of the motorcycle rider. The woman injured in the accident, who also lost her husband, recorded her statement with the police, alleging that she repeatedly pleaded with the woman driving the BMW to take them to the nearest hospital. Still, they were instead taken to a distant hospital deliberately.

The case was registered under FIR No. 240/25, sections 281, 125B, 105, and 238 BNS.

In her statement, the woman alleged that the blue BMW was being driven at an high speed, causing it to overturn on the road. She said that immediately after the collision, she began to lose consciousness and everything went dark. She further stated that a woman and a male driver placed her and her husband into a van-like vehicle and started taking them somewhere else.

She alleged that despite her repeated requests to be taken to the nearest hospital for urgent first aid, especially since her husband was unconscious at the time, they were taken to a small hospital far away instead. Upon learning later, she said the BMW driver had taken them to a small hospital in GTB Nagar, where they were kept waiting on a stretcher outside for an extended period. She added that her requests to be taken to a closer hospital were ignored.

The woman said the driver of the BMW identified herself as Gagan Preet Kaur. She clearly remembered that the blue BMW, bearing registration number 0008, overturned on the road during the incident.

She also mentioned that her son and other family members eventually arrived at the GTB Nagar hospital, from where she was later transferred to Venkateshwar Hospital.

The woman alleged that the accident happened when the large blue BMW, driven recklessly and at high speed, collided with their motorcycle from behind. Both she and her husband were thrown onto the road. Her husband sustained serious injuries to his head and face, while she suffered multiple fractures in her hands and legs, along with a head injury requiring 14 stitches.

Meanwhile, the Delhi police have taken the lady, who was allegedly driving the BMW, into custody for further investigation and legal action after she was discharged from the Hospital.

Earlier, a fatal accident took place near Dhaula Kuan, leaving one person dead and another injured after a BMW car hit a motorcycle on Sunday, as per the police.

As per the Delhi police, the deceased, who worked in the Ministry of Finance and lived in Hari Nagar, was riding with his wife on the motorcycle when the collision happened. Further, the bike-borne couple hit a bus on their left.

According to the police, eyewitnesses stated that a lady was driving the BMW car at the time it collided with the motorcycle. After the accident, the woman and her husband took a taxi and rushed the injured to a hospital.

Later, the hospital informed the police that one person had died and another was injured. (ANI)

BJP MP and former chairman of the Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) on the Waqf Amendment Act, Jagdambika Pal, on Monday reaffirmed the validity of the law, after the Supreme Court refused to stay the entire law but put on hold certain provisions of it.

He said that while the government would consider the interim stay, the Act was framed after consultations and extensive debates in both Houses of Parliament.

“The Supreme Court has given its approval to the Waqf Amendment Act, which was passed by the legislature after 14 hours of discussions in Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha, and after six months of deliberations in the Joint Parliamentary Committee. It is clear that the law that has been passed is valid,” the BJP MP told ANI in Bhubaneswar.

The Joint Committee on the Waqf Amendment Act was formed in August 2024 after the Bill was tabled in Parliament. The committee, under the chairmanship of Jagdambika Pal, held extensive discussions and study tours across states, including Maharashtra, Karnataka, Assam, West Bengal, and Uttar Pradesh, to talk about any instances of alleged misuse of Waqf provisions by their state’s respective boards.

“A stay has been imposed on some of its provisions; the government will definitely consider that, and it will take action on that in light of the decision of the Supreme Court. As far as the practice of Islam for five years is considered, the Supreme Court has said that, for the time being, we are putting a stay on it, until the state frames a rule on it…” the BJP MP added.

The JPC report was tabled on February 2, 2025, and the law received President Droupadi Murmu’s assent on April 5. The Committee comprised a total of 31 members, 21 from the Lok Sabha and 10 from the Rajya Sabha. Members of both the opposition and ruling alliance were present in the committee, including AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi, TMC’s Kalyan Banerjee, Congress’ Gaurav Gogoi, and Imran Masood, among others.

While Pal has maintained that the committee proceedings were fair and transparent, Opposition members had alleged that they were not allowed to speak during certain times of the meeting and their suggestions were not considered.

According to the report presented to the Parliament, the committee held around 128 hours of discussions from August 2024 to January 2025, talking with various chiefs of Waqf boards across states, various representatives from the muslim community and other people.

On Monday, the Supreme Court refused to stay the entire Waqf (Amendment) Act 2025, but put on hold certain provisions pending the final adjudication of petitions challenging the constitutional validity of the Act.

A bench of Chief Justice of India BR Gavai and Justice Augustine George Masih observed that some sections of the amended Act need some protection. Passing the interim order, the bench stayed the provision in the Act that a person should be a practitioner of Islam for five years to create a Waqf. It said the provision will be stayed till rules are framed on determining whether a person is a practitioner of Islam. The bench said that without any such rule or mechanism, the provision will lead to an arbitrary exercise of power.

The apex court also stayed the provision allowing the Collector to decide the dispute whether a Waqf property has encroached upon a government property. (ANI)

The Emmy Awards made history this year as 15-year-old Owen Cooper became the youngest male actor ever to win an Acting Award.

The teenager, who stars in the Netflix drama ‘Adolescence’, won the Emmy for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Limited or Anthology Series or TV Movie.

The audience gave Cooper a huge round of applause as he took the stage to thank the cast, crew and his parents.

“Honestly, when I started these drama classes a couple of years ago, I didn’t expect to be in the United States, never mind here, but I think tonight proves that if you listen, focus, and step out of your comfort zone, you can achieve anything in life. I was nothing three years ago, and I’m here now. Who cares if you get embarrassed? Anything is possible,” Cooper said.

With his win, Cooper broke Michael A. Goorjian’s record, who was 23 when he became the youngest winner in the category in 1994. According to Deadline, the actor has also surpassed Scott Jacoby’s record as the youngest male actor to ever win an Emmy in any acting category. Jacoby was 16 when he won in 1973 for ‘The Certain Summer’.

Cooper’s victory is remarkable given the competition. He prevailed over Oscar-winner Javier Bardem (Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story), Bill Camp, and Peter Sarsgaard (Presumed Innocent), as well as Rob Delaney (Dying for Sex), along with his own Adolescence co-star, Ashley Walters.

What makes his journey even more extraordinary is that Cooper had never acted before auditioning for Adolescence. In the four-episode series follows series, he plays 13-year-old Jamie Miller, a schoolboy arrested on suspicion of murder. The series is not a whodunit but instead asks the question “Why?” — why did Jamie’s life take such a turn? The series also stars Stephen Graham as Jamie’s father, Christine Tremarco as his mother, and Amelie Pease as his sister.

Within its first three months, Adolescence drew more than 141 million views on Netflix, making it the platform’s second-biggest hit after Wednesday, reported Deadline. (ANI)

India left Pakistan gobsmacked with an all-around effort to cruise to a seven-wicket victory with consummate ease in Dubai on Sunday to stay at the top of Group A at the ongoing Asia Cup.

India gunned down the target with more than four overs to spare despite Saim Ayub leaving the world champions jolted in the powerplay.

The Indian cricket team captain top-scored with an unbeaten 47 off 37 balls as India chased down a 128-run target in just 15.5 overs

“Great feeling and a perfect return gift to India. Human tendency that keeps running in your mind when you think about it (his earlier line about the win being a return gift). You definitely want to win it, and when you win it, you have it ready. One box that I always wanted to tick – stay there and bat till the end. For the whole team, we think it’s just another game. We prepare the same for all the opposition. That’s what happened a few months back. The team that won the CT set the tone. I’m always a fan of spinners because they control the game in the middle. Just wanted to say something. Perfect occasion, taking the time out, we stand by the families of the victims of the Pahalgam terror attack. We express our solidarity. Want to dedicate the win to all our armed forces who showed a lot of bravery. Hope they continue to inspire us all, and we give them more reasons on the ground whenever we get an opportunity to make them smile,” Suryakumar Yadav said after the win.

In the eighth time in the last nine T20Is between India and Pakistan, the chasing side has ended up winning. The only exception was the T20 World Cup game in New York last year.

After Kuldeep Yadav cast a spell with his left-arm wrist spin, captain Suryakumar Yadav played the captain’s knock to add to Pakistan’s misery in the rivalry fixture.

While India roared with a comprehensive win, Pakistan perished, courtesy of their lacklustre performance across all facets of the game.

Ryan ten Doeschate, before this match, explained the message that Indian head coach Gautam Gambhir had sent to his players, and the Indian side will try to be “emotionless” for the match, for which they haven’t done anything special in terms of their preparations.

“Look, I think the waiting period of knowing whether this was going to happen was probably the most frustrating part. And once we knew we were going to be playing, we tried to get on with the business of it. This game, particularly, we haven’t prepared differently like I said earlier. But we obviously are aware of the sentiments and the strong feelings. And Gauti’s message has just been sort of very professional about not worrying about things that are not in our control and just trying to be emotionless when approaching the cricket side of things,” he said.

Kuldeep Yadav was awarded Player of the Match. Yadav stated that he had his plans for the fixture and executed them accordingly.

“Simple. Just execute the plans. Just see who is batting and react accordingly. I had my plans and executed them. First ball is always wicket-taking ball, just have to go with that mindset and execute that wicket-taking ball. Batter may be set, but he’s facing me for the first time. Still feel I really need to work on my bowling. Sometimes I feel I use too many variations,” Yadav said.

Pakistan skipper Salman Ali Agha was nowhere to be found in the post-match presentation after a humiliating defeat against the Men in Blue.

Brief Scores: Pakistan: 127/9 (Sahibzada Farhan 40, Shaheen Afridi 33, Kuldeep Yadav 3/18) lost to India: 131/3 in 15.5 overs (Suryakumar Yadav 47, Abhishek Sharma 31, Saim Ayub 3/35). (ANI)