Category Archives: Uncategorized

MUMBAI, 25 MAY

The Federation of Western India Cine Employees (FWICE) on Monday said its over four lakh members would not work with Ranveer Singh following his last-minute exit from Farhan Akhtar’s ‘Don 3’ which has been in production for three years.

Akhtar and his partner Ritesh Sidhwani had filed a complaint against Singh before the Indian Film & Television Directors’ Association (IFTDA), which then referred the matter to FWICE.

‘Don 3’ was yet to begin shooting. The producers claim that more than Rs 45 crore had already been spent in the pre-production phase.

“We wrote a letter to you but there was no reply so no member from FWICE will work with you,” FWICE honorary general secretary Ashok Dubey said.

Ashoke Pandit, chief advisor to FWICE said Singh withdrew from the film three weeks before shooting was scheduled to begin.

NEW DELHI, 25 MAY

A 25-year-old man allegedly killed his 10-month-old daughter in Delhi’s Bhalswa Dairy area, police said on Monday, citing financial distress as the motive. The accused, identified as Deepak, allegedly strangled the infant, dumped her body in a septic tank, and later fabricated a kidnapping story to mislead investigators.

According to police, Deepak drugged his wife and elder daughter on Saturday night by lacing their food or drink with an intoxicating substance before committing the crime. He later claimed the child had been kidnapped when he stepped out to buy milk and biscuits on Sunday morning. However, CCTV footage failed to support his account, and he eventually confessed during interrogation, leading to the recovery of the body.

Separately, reports note that raising a child in India involves significant financial planning, with average monthly costs estimated at around Rs 18,000, totalling Rs 7-8 lakh in the first five years. Expenses include food, infant formula, cereals, diapers, and hygiene essentials. Diapers alone may cost Rs 2,000-Rs 5,000 per month, while milk, formula, and baby care products add further recurring costs.

NEW DELHI/ GANDHINAGAR, 25 MAY The government confirmed no Ebola cases have been reported in India, with Union Health Minister JP Nadda reviewing preparedness measures. Nadda instructed all entry points to ensure vigilant screening, and the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) and National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) to remain ready for testing and surveillance.

Meanwhile, Gujarat has intensified screening at Ahmedabad Airport for passengers from Uganda, Congo, and South Sudan, with no cases reported.

State health minister Praful Panseriya assured, “There is not a single case of Ebola in Gujarat or India; there is no need to panic,” and additional beds and isolation wards have been set up as a precaution.

>>>MORE ON PAGE 4

NEW DELHI, 21 MAY

Three separate trademark applications have been filed seeking rights over the name “Cockroach Janata Party”, offi- cial records showed, as the satirical political outfit contin- ues to gain rapid online trac- tion.

The filings, made by less- er-known individuals including Azim Adambhai Jam and Akahnd Swaroop, as well as a proprietorship named “Cockroach Janata Party”, seek registration under the category of political and social services.

The development comes amid growing attention on the satiri- cal entity, which has gained millions of online followers in a matter of days for its digital commentary. Its X (formerly Twitter) account was recently withheld in India.

The outfit, also known as CJP, describes itself as the “Voice of the Lazy & Unemployed” and reportedly crossed 10 million followers on Instagram, even surpassing BJP’s online follow- ing.

CJP’s X handle withheld, founder starts new account >>>More on Page 3

BENGALURU, 21 MAY

An Air India aircraft with 181 passengers onboard experienced a tail strike during landing at Bengaluru airport on Thursday morning, leading to the aircraft being grounded for detailed inspection. The narrow-body A321 aircraft was operating flight AI2651 from Delhi to Bengaluru. An airline spokesperson confirmed the incident, stating the plane “experienced a tail-strike during landing”. Despite this, the aircraft landed safely, and all passengers and crew disembarked normally.

A source explained that the plane encountered “wake turbulence” near landing, prompting the pilot to perform a go-around manoeuvre, during which the tail strike occurred. The turbulence was reportedly caused by a wide-body aircraft taking off nearby, though details about this aircraft remain unconfirmed. The flight, operated with an A321, had 181 passengers onboard.

The airline stated that the aircraft has been grounded for a thorough inspection, and the incident will be investigated following established procedures with relevant authorities. The return flight, AI2652 from Bengaluru to Delhi, has been cancelled, and alternative arrangements are being made for affected passengers. Ground teams in Bengaluru are providing assistance, and the airline has expressed regret for the inconvenience caused.

According to the US Federal Aviation Administration, “wake turbulence” results from lift-generated vortices trailing behind an aircraft, which can impact other aircraft depending on the vortices’ strength, duration, and direction.

JAIPUR, 21 MAY

Tension escalated in Jaipur on Thursday as Congress workers protesting the alleged NEET paper leak clashed with police during a march towards the BJP headquarters. Police used water cannons and erected barricades near the Martyrs’ Memorial and Police Commissionerate to prevent protesters from advancing, resulting in scuffles between demonstrators and security personnel.

The protest was led by Rajasthan Congress chief Govind Singh Dotasra, who marched alongside party leaders and workers demanding the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan over alleged irregularities in the NEET examination. Amid the protest, Congress workers carried Dotasra on their shoulders while police sprayed water cannons on the crowd.

Former minister Pratap Singh Khachariyawas staged a sit-in outside the Police Commissionerate, while former MLA Ved Prakash Solanki was pushed back by police during the confrontation. MLA Manish

Yadav also attempted to cross barricades but was stopped by police.

The march began from the Congress state headquarters and included women, youth, and supporters, with some participants dressed as NEET aspirants to symbolically represent students affected by the alleged paper leak. Addressing protesters, Dotasra accused the National Testing Agency of losing public trust and demanded strict action against those responsible for jeopardising the future of nearly 22 lakh students.He called for a court-monitored investigation and renewed demands for the Education Minister’s resignation.

NEW DELHI, 21 MAY One of the masterminds of the 14 February, 2019 attack on Indian security personnel in Pulwama, which left over 40 Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) personnel dead, was killed by unknown gunmen in Muzaffarabad in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (POK). Hamza Burhan had been designated a terrorist by the Union Home Ministry in 2022.

Burhan was allegedly involved in radicalising and indoctrinating youth in South Kashmir. Security agencies said he provided explosives and grenades to those who carried out the Pulwama attack.

He was also found to be involved in the grenade attack on CRPF personnel on 18 November, 2020.

Burhan’s killing comes after a series of attacks targeting members of groups like Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM), and Hizbul Mujahideen, attributed by local reports to “unidentified gunmen.”

The Pulwama incident was carried out by a member of the JeM who rammed an explosives-laden car into a CRPF convoy. The attack led the Indian Air Force to launch a strike in Balakot, Pakistan, a few days later, raising tensions between the two countries.

MELODY POLITICS

JAIPUR, 21 MAY

Amid protests against Congress leader and Lok Sabha Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi over remarks targeting Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah, Rajasthan BJP President Madan Rathore distributed chocolates among party workers and mocked Gandhi over his alleged “Melody toffee” remarks. Rathore termed Gandhi’s comments “childish” and said they reflected political frustration. Speaking during a BJP protest at the party headquarters in Jaipur, Rathore claimed Rahul Gandhi was unable to understand Modi’s diplomacy and foreign policy achievements. He further alleged that Gandhi’s statements were harming the Congress party and pushing it towards decline.

BJP workers held a procession from the state office to Chaumun House Circle, raised slogans against Rahul Gandhi, and burned his effigy over alleged derogatory remarks against top BJP leaders. Rathore said Congress was increasingly losing public support and accused the opposition of relying on “cheap and frivolous rhetoric” instead of constructive politics. Rathore denied BJP links to NEET leak, calling Congress allegations baseless and politically motivated.

KOLKATA, 21 MAY

The West Bengal government has issued an official order mandating the singing of ‘Vande Mataram’ at assembly prayers in all madrasas with immediate effect.

The order by the Directorate of Madrasah Education came nearly a week after the state’s BJP government made singing the national song mandatory in all state-run and aided schools. Heads of institutions have been instructed to ensure strict compliance from all students.

The latest order stated the directive would apply to the government’s model madrasas, government-aided madrasas, approved Shishu Shiksha Kendra and Madhyamik Shiksha Kendras, as well as recognised unaided madrasas functioning under the Minority Affairs and Madrasah Education Department.

A senior official of the department said the decision was made “with the approval of the competent authority” and was aimed at bringing “uniformity in assembly practices” across institutions under the department.

The move comes shortly after the Union proposed amendment to the Prevention of Insults National Honour Act, 1971, making obstruction to the singing of Vande Mataram punishable offence.

>>>More on Page 3

JAIPUR, 21 MAY

The Meteorological Department has issued a warning for severe heatwave conditions across Rajasthan over the next four days, with a yellow alert in place for many districts.

Sri Ganganagar recorded the highest temperature in the state at 46.5°C, followed by Pilani at 45.3°C. Phalodi, Bikaner, Churu, Kota, and Alwar also witnessed extreme temperatures above 44°C.

Authorities in Jaipur and Kota have started sprinkling water on roads and at cattle shelters to reduce heat impact.

Intense heat and hot winds have affected normal life, leaving roads deserted during peak afternoon hours in several parts of Rajasthan.