Month: February 2026

In the JNU student protest case, the Patiala House Court on Friday granted bail to all the accused students. The court directed that each of the accused furnish a bail bond of Rs. 25,000.

The court has also ordered verification of the bail bonds.

The developments come after student protestors of JNU on Thursday, led by JNUSU, were detained by Delhi Police after they took out a protest against Vice-Chancellor Santishree D Pandit. After the police locked the university doors and prevented protestors from crossing the barricades, they met with a scuffle, following which the police detained several protestors.

Earlier today, the Delhi Police accused the Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) student protestors of physically assaulting the security personnel.

The Delhi Police stated that the student protestors turned violent and “pelted banners and sticks, threw shoes, and even bit the personnel,” following which those who violated the law were detained.

“During the protest, barricades were damaged, and the demonstration turned violent. Protestors pelted banners and sticks, threw shoes, and even physically assaulted Delhi Police personnel, including biting. As a result, several police personnel were injured. The protestors were stopped and contained at the North Gate of the JNU campus and were gradually moved back inside. Those who became violent and did not obey lawful orders were detained. Further details will be shared in due course,” Delhi Police said.

The police further said that the JNUSU called the protest march from the campus to the Ministry of Education despite being denied permission by the University administration. The police said that around 500 students gathered in the protest and left the main gate of the university, though they were asked to restrict themselves to the campus.

“A call for a Long March from JNU to the Ministry of Education was made by the JNU Student Union. The students were informed that such a protest outside the campus was not permitted by the JNU administration and were asked to restrict themselves to the campus. Despite talks and requests not to protest outside, around 400-500 students gathered and held a protest march. At approximately 3:20 PM, they left the main gate and marched outside,” the police stated.

On the other hand, the Jawaharlal Nehru University Students’ Union (JNUSU) condemned the alleged police brutality on the student protestors marching towards the Ministry of Education, demanding the implementation of the Rohith Act and the Vice-Chancellor’s resignation. JNUSU further alleged that the injured students have been denied medical assistance. (ANI)

During a two-day official visit to Israel, Prime Minister Narendra Modi met with several delegates, engaging in discussions that aimed to deepen bilateral ties across various sectors including science, technology, innovation, research, cybersecurity, agriculture, water, defense, and trade. He also took some time off his schedule to get to know Israeli filmmaking by meeting the team behind the popular series ‘Fauda’.

On Thursday evening, PM Modi shared a selfie with the Fauda team on X, with a catchy caption that quickly grabbed everyone’s attention.

“Thankfully, this interaction required only a selfie, no undercover work! #Fauda,” PM Modi wrote.

In the image, PM Modi could be seen sharing smiles with Avi Issacharoff, Lior Raz, and Tsahi Halevi among others.

The Israeli series Fauda has garnered significant popularity in India, and in recent years, several of its actors have visited the country.

In 2022, Halevi visited India for the first time and met with many celebrities from the Indian cinema including Anupam Kher, Imtiaz Ali, and Vivek Agnihotri.

He was also featured in Bollywood film ‘Akeli’ alongside Nushrratt Bharuccha.

Speaking about the opportunity, Halevi earlier said, “It is a great opportunity to be a part of such a colourful world of Indian cinema! I’m super excited and was amazed with the script when I first heard it! It was truly nice working with the entire cast and crew in Akelli and I’m sure it is going to be an impactful and unforgettable movie. “

In 2022, Lior Raz and Avi Issacharoff attended the Asia premiere of the season fourth of their hit project at the 53rd International Film Festival of India (IFFI) in Goa. (ANI)

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney departs for India, marking the commencement of a high-profile state visit aimed at strengthening bilateral relations and advancing strategic cooperation.

According to the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), visiting from February 27 to March 2 at the invitation of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, it is Carney’s first official visit to India after assuming office. The visit is aimed at strengthening bilateral relations and exploring new areas of cooperation between the two countries, it said.

Carney’s visit begins in Mumbai on February 27, where he will spend two days engaging with a diverse group of Indian and Canadian stakeholders, including interactions with CEOs, industry and financial experts, innovators, educators, and representatives from Canadian Pension Funds based in India, setting an economic tone for the mission before he transitions to the diplomatic core of the trip.

On March 1, Prime Minister Carney will travel to New Delhi for the cornerstone of the visit: delegation-level talks with Prime Minister Modi scheduled for March 2 at Hyderabad House. This meeting serves as a critical follow-up to the leaders’ previous discussions in Kananaskis in June 2025 and Johannesburg in November 2025, providing a formal platform to review the progress of the India-Canada Strategic Partnership.

According to the MEA, these high-level discussions will span a wide array of sectors, including trade and investment, energy, critical minerals, agriculture, education, and research. Beyond bilateral issues, the leaders are expected to exchange views on regional and global developments and will co-attend the India-Canada CEOs Forum to further align governmental policy with private sector growth.

This diplomatic re-engagement comes at a vital juncture in the normalisation of relations, following a period of sharp deterioration. Ties had previously reached a low point after the June 2023 killing of Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar in Canada and the subsequent allegations by then Justin Trudeau government of Indian government involvement–claims New Delhi strongly denied–which led to the mutual expulsion of diplomats and a prolonged standoff.

However, a significant shift in Ottawa’s position has paved the way for this visit. Ahead of the trip, senior Canadian officials stated during a media briefing that the federal government now believes India is no longer linked to violent crimes in Canada. “I really don’t think we’d be taking this trip if we thought these kinds of activities were continuing,” one senior official remarked, signalling a move toward a more “pragmatic” foreign policy.

This renewed confidence is underpinned by intensified security dialogue. India’s High Commissioner to Ottawa, Dinesh Patnaik, noted that recent extensive discussions between National Security Advisors–specifically during NSA Ajit Doval’s visit to Canada–marked a turning point. Both nations have reportedly developed a comprehensive action plan to tackle transnational organised crime, violent extremism, and cyber threats.

Ultimately, the visit is framed as an opportunity to reaffirm a shared vision for a forward-looking partnership. As High Commissioner Patnaik emphasised, both sides now understand that ensuring the safety of both Canada and India requires ongoing, real-time cooperation. This state visit stands as a testament to both leaders’ commitment to a balanced relationship grounded in mutual respect and growing economic complementarities. (ANI)

Star couple Vijay Deverakonda and Rashmika Mandanna on Thursday began a new journey together as they tied the knot in the presence of family and close friends in Udaipur.

Sharing pictures from their wedding ceremony straight out of a dream, Rashmika took to Instagram and penned a heartfelt note for her husband.

Through her note, she thanked Vijay for teaching her “what true love feels like” and showing her “what being in peace feels like.”

She began her note, “Hi my loves, Introducing to you now “My Husband”! Mr. Vijay Deverakonda!! The man who taught me what true love feels like, the man who showed me what being in peace feels like! The man who told me everyday that dreaming big was absolutely ok and constantly telling me I was capable of achieving something much more than what I could possibly think I ever could!”

“The man who’s never stopped me from dancing like no one’s watching…the man who showed me travelling with friends is the best thing ever, and trust me I could write a book on this man! I’ve become the woman I have always dreamt of being, because you made her who she is today! I’ve truly been blessed,” Rashmika added.

In her post, she affectionately referred to Vijay as “Viju.”

“Vijju I am always short of words to describe the feelings I have for you!! I’ve always told you that!! But you know suddenly all of my achievements, struggles, happiness, sadness, joy, life – everything just makes a lot more sense now – it is because I have you – witnessing it all.. being the biggest part of it all! I am so so so so soooo excited to becoming your wife! to be your wife! To be called your wife!! It’s full party time now!! Let’s have the bestestest life ever together!

I love you,” wrote Rashmika as she poured her heart out for Vijay.

Such a heartfelt post wasn’t written just by Rashmika; Vijay also penned a love letter to his wife, expressing all his emotions and conveying what she truly means to him.

“One day, I missed her. Missed her in a way that made me feel like my day would’ve been better if she were around. Like my meals would’ve felt more wholesome if she were sitting across from me. Like my workouts would’ve been more fun and less of a punishment if she were doing them with me. Like I needed her – just to feel that sense of home and calm, no matter where I was. So, I made my best friend… my wife. 26.02.2026,” he posted.

And now check out adorable pictures that both Rashmika and Vijay shared from their traditional wedding ceremony — loaded with kisses, rituals, tears, laughter and forever love.

For her D-Day, Rashmika wore a stunning rust-hued saree by Anamika Khanna. She adorned her outfit with heavy jewellery. Vijay donned a white dhoti and a matching dupatta. He also went heavy with gold jewellery and wore studs, a regal kamarbandh and a necklace.

Since they shared the pictures, social media has been flooded with congratulatory messages.

“Congratulations you guys,” actor Neha Dhupia commented.

“Awwww!!! Congratsssss Rashhuuu!! To both of you!! Wishing you guys a lifetime of happiness and love,” actor Kriti Sanon commented.

“Congrats guys!” actor Ishaan Khatter wrote.

Rashmika and Vijay have shared screen space in two notable Telugu films, such as the 2018 romantic comedy blockbuster Geetha Govindam and the 2019 action drama Dear Comrade.

They remained tight-lipped about their relationship until news of their wedding surfaced. Over the years, they have made very few public appearances together, choosing to keep their relationship largely private. (ANI)

Hollywood star Vin Diesel has heaped praise on filmmaker Ryan Coogler’s Oscar-nominated film ‘Sinners’, calling it “one of the best films of the year.”

Taking to Instagram, Diesel shared a lengthy note reflecting on the journey of Sinners, which recently earned a record-breaking 16 nominations at the 98th Academy Awards.

“Having seen some great performances and beautifully executed cinematic storytelling, I’d like to take a moment to reflect on one such story…Sinners! Sixteen Oscar nominations. The most in the history of the Academy Awards… Wow, Sidney Poitier would be proud. What was once a door he had to kick open, has now become a stage where filmmakers of color don’t just show up, they literally rewrite the record books. Profound. That is the continuum…”, Diesel wrote.

The actor, known for the ‘Fast and Furious’ franchise, revealed that he first heard about the “vampire movie” through friends and later watched it with his family, who were already fans of Coogler’s ‘Black Panther.’

“So many great things to say about this film. The beautifully articulated portrayal of a twin’s existence- myself, of course being a twin. The rich historical exploration of culture and the unsung heroes whose contributions shaped it. Naturally, I wanted to read more about the auteur who made it… Past his defiant insistence on being compensated fairly, negotiating an ownership reversion deal that does more for the plight… than most recent achievements in this industry. Past the box office dominance. Past the critical acclaim. I kept reading. And then I saw it,” he added.

Vin Diesel went on to give a nod to filmmaker Ryan Coogler, expressing great pride in watching him standing on the “biggest stage in cinema.”

“The grit, the culture, the soul… When I say the pride was through the roof, I mean it. To see a young brother come this far, to the biggest stage in cinema… all while preserving that unique voice and adding a deep, resonant spin on a classic cinematic trope? That’s not just impressive. That’s Oakland! Sinners is hands down, one of the best films of the year,” Diesel concluded.

The nominations for the 98th Academy Awards were announced in January, with Sinners leading the race with 16 nods–the most ever for a single film. The previous record was jointly held by Titanic, La La Land, and All About Eve.

Starring Michael B Jordan in the lead, the supernatural thriller received nominations for Best Picture, Best Director, Best Actor for Jordan, Best Supporting Actress for Wunmi Mosaku, Best Supporting Actor for Delroy Lindo, Original Screenplay, Casting, Production Design, Cinematography, Costume design, Film Editing, Makeup and Hairstyling, Sound, Visual Effects, Original Score, and Original Song for ‘I Lied to You’, reported Variety.

The film has broken the record for the most nominations for a single film ever, beating previous record holders like ‘Titanic’, ‘La La Land’, and ‘All About Eve’.

‘Sinners’ has also emerged as the seventh movie to be nominated in every technical category, reported Variety. (ANI)

Indian T20I skipper Suryakumar Yadav completed 4,000 runs in international cricket on Thursday.

Suryakumar achieved the milestone during India’s do-or-die Super Eight clash against Zimbabwe in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup in Chennai, playing a blistering knock of 33 off just 13 balls, including three fours and two sixes. He scored at a staggering strike rate of 253.85 in the match.

In 148 international appearances, Suryakumar has amassed 4,024 runs in 140 innings at an average of 34.10 and an overall strike rate of 146.80. His tally includes four centuries and 29 half-centuries, with a highest score of 117.

The bulk of his runs have come in T20Is, having made 3,243 runs in 110 matches and 104 innings at an average of 37.27 and a strike rate of 163.37, with four centuries and 25 fifties and a best score of 117. He is the 10th-highest run-getter in the format.

His ODI stint, however, was not as glittering, scoring 773 runs in 37 matches and 35 innings at an average of 25.76, with a strike rate of 105.02, with four fifties and a best score of 72*. His solitary Test match and innings saw him score just eight runs.

In the ongoing T20 World Cup, he is India’s second-highest run-getter with 213 runs in six innings at an average of 42.60 and a strike rate of 138.31, with a half-century to his name, a knock of 84* against the USA.

Coming to the match, Zimbabwe won the toss and elected to field first. Sanju Samson (24 in 15 balls, with a four and two sixes) put on a 48-run stand with Abhishek Sharma, who returned to form with a fine 55 in 30 balls, including four fours and four sixes. He had a 72-run stand with Ishan Kishan (38 in 24 balls, with four boundaries and a six) for the second wicket.

Later, a rapid 84-run stand in just 33 balls for the fifth wicket between Tilak Varma (44* in 16 balls, with three fours and four sixes) and Hardik Pandya (50* in 23 balls, with two fours and four sixes), which pushed India to 256/4, the second-highest score in T20 WC history and India’s highest total in tournament history. (ANI)

Rajya Sabha MP R Krishnaiah on Thursday alleged that a two-year-old boy was killed by upper caste individuals during a temple fair in Telangana’s Nagarkurnool district and demanded Rs 1 crore compensation and a government job for the bereaved family members.

Addressing the mediapersons, Krishnaiah said the incident occurred on February 18 during the annual Mallanna Swamy temple fair in Kummera village.

He said that the family of the deceased child belongs to the backward Chakali community and was allegedly assaulted after refusing to pay a Rs 100 entry fee to enter the temple premises.

“The two-year-old boy was killed by upper caste individuals at the Mallanna Swamy temple fair in Nagarkurnool district. The family was attacked when they refused to pay Rs 100 as an entry fee. The child, who was with his parents, sustained injuries during the altercation and died two days later,” Krishnaiah alleged.

He further demanded strict action against the accused and sought financial assistance and rehabilitation measures for the victim’s family.

“The state government must immediately provide Rs 1 crore as compensation and a government job to one of the family members. Those responsible must be arrested and punished,” he said.

Krishnaiah termed the incident as an act of caste-based violence and said such incidents were unacceptable in a democratic society. He urged the authorities to ensure justice and prevent the recurrence of similar incidents.

Meanwhile, several BC (Backwards Classes) leaders have called for a protest at the Nagarkurnool District Collector’s office on Thursday, demanding justice for the family and swift action against those allegedly involved in the assault. (ANI)

Actor Dia Mirza recently opened up about the growing pollution levels in cities like Mumbai and Delhi, calling out the government for not doing enough. The actress added that they need to shift from mere words to real action and focus on tangible “outcomes” rather than just plans on paper.

The ‘Rehnaa Hai Tere Dil Mein’ actress was speaking at the launch of the Zero Prize, India’s first national, results-based environmental award. This initiative links financial rewards directly to verified reductions in air, water, and land pollution.

When asked by ANI if she believes the government is doing enough to tackle pollution, Dia responded with a firm “outright no.”

“The answer is an outright no,” she stated. “Unfortunately, we have to move from words to scalable action and outcomes. We should now be celebrating outcomes, like, for example, what Indore city has achieved. How they have successfully established protocols and systems that manage their waste so efficiently. Why hasn’t this become a pan-India initiative? Why are we still struggling to get people to segregate the bare minimum, which is wet and dry? Even though they are not doing. Waste is a huge contributor to pollution, right? So we need to do much, much more.”

Dia continued, “We have the right words on paper, and there are many powerful programs. But are they truly being implemented on the ground? No, they are not, which is why there is such a big gap,” she added.

Her comments come at a time when air quality has become a critical concern. After Delhi faced severe air pollution, Mumbai is now grappling with similar issues, which have prompted celebrities to speak out.

Recently, actor Saiyami Kher also raised an alarm about the deteriorating air quality in Mumbai. She shared that the worsening pollution has significantly impacted her daily life, even comparing the situation to the COVID-19 pandemic. (ANI)

Ever since the news of legendary screenwriter Salim Khan being hospitalized surfaced, fans and well-wishers have been waiting for updates on his health.

Now, Aamir Khan has shared a reassuring update, stating that Salim Khan is recovering well and is expected to return home soon.

The ‘Lagaan’ actor spoke to the media during an event on Wednesday and informed that he went to meet Salim Khan but could not see him directly as he is in the ICU. However, he spent time with the family, who shared that he is improving well.

“Main Salim sahab se milne gaya tha, hum sab dua kar rahe hain ki voh jaldi se theek ho jaayen. Kyunki voh ICU mein the, main unse personally nahi mil paya. Unke family ke saath main baitha tha.(I went to meet Salim Sahab, and we are all praying that he recovers soon. Could not meet him personally since he was in the ICU. I sat with the family.),” Aamir said.

“Jo mujhe Alvira ji bata rahi hai, har roz unki health improve ho rahi hai. Hum sab prarthna kar rahe hain ki voh jaldi ghar aa jaayen aur unki health bhi wapas aa jaaye.(Alvira ji tells me every day that his health is improving. We are all praying that he returns home soon and that his health is fully restored),” he added.

Salim Khan, who is 90 years old, has been admitted to the hospital since February 17 after suffering a minor brain hemorrhage. Doctors had earlier shared that his condition is stable and that he is being kept under close watch in the intensive care unit (ICU). Dr. Jalil Parkar clarified that no surgery was performed.

“There was no surgery performed. It was a procedure we usually do. Yes, he had a brain hemorrhage, which was very minimal, and did not require any surgical intervention. There was no need for any surgery,” he said, adding that the hemorrhage was “very minimal.”

Several members of the film industry, including Javed Akhtar, Sanjay Dutt, Shilpa Shetty, Rahul Roy, Sangeeta Bijlani, and Amrita Arora, have visited the hospital in recent days to meet Salim Khan and support his family. (ANI)

“The Kerala Story 2: Goes Beyond,” has hit a major roadblock just a day ahead of its release, as the Kerala High Court on Thursday imposed a 15-day interim stay on the release of the controversial film.

The film, which was scheduled to release on February 27, will not be released as planned.

‘The Kerala Story 2,’ the sequel to the National Award-winning ‘The Kerala Story’, that came out in 2023, follows the lives of three young women who fall into what the film describes as deceptive marriages and face alleged forced religious conversions.

Ever since the trailer for the Part 2 was released, the film has been drawing strong reactions from all corners. Opposition leaders, celebrities, and several social media users have criticized it as “propaganda,” while the filmmakers maintain that it is based on researched real-life incidents.

Earlier, reports claimed that the teaser of the film was removed after court intervention. However, the makers denied these claims.

Sunshine Pictures issued a statement saying, “…would like to categorically clarify that the news currently circulating regarding the removal of The Kerala Story 2 – Goes Beyond teaser is completely false, baseless, and misleading. The matter is presently sub judice. No judgment or order has been passed by any court directing the removal of any content. We have not deleted or taken down any material.”

The statement further read, “Both the teaser and the trailer of The Kerala Story 2 – Goes Beyond continue to remain available across all our official platforms. We strongly urge media houses, digital platforms, and individuals to refrain from spreading unverified information and speculative reports. Such misinformation only creates unnecessary confusion.”

Meanwhile, the makers are now expected to announce a new release date after the stay period. (ANI)