Aditya L1, the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO)’s first-ever solar mission, is set to be launched from Andhra Pradesh’s Sriharikota on Friday. ISRO will launch the spacecraft at 11.50 am, days after Chandrayaan-3’s historic success, which landed on the Moon’s south pole last Wednesday. Through Aditya L1, ISRO aims to place the craft in a “halo orbit around the Lagrange point 1 (L1) of the Sun-Earth system, which is about 1.5 million km from the Earth.” Through the mission, ISRO will study the impact of solar activities on space weather in real-time. The other key objectives of the unmanned mission also include understanding “coronal heating, coronal mass ejection, pre-flare and flare activities and their characteristics, dynamics of space weather, propagation of particles and fields, etc,” the space agency explained. The journey to the designated mission site is a staggering 1.5 million km from the Earth and will take about four months to cover, ISRO said.
Aditya L1’s four-month long journey
The ISRO explained on its website that the spacecraft will be initially placed in a low earth orbit. “Subsequently, the orbit will be made more elliptical and later the spacecraft will be launched towards the Lagrange point L1 by using on-board propulsion,” it said. While travelling towards L1, Aditya L1 will exit the earth’s gravitational Sphere of Influence. Once out of it, its “cruise phase” will begin and the craft will be injected into a large halo orbit around L1. “ The total travel time from launch to L1 would take about four months for Aditya-L1,” the ISRO said.
What are Lagrange points?
Lagrange points are positions in space, where the gravitational force of two celestial bodies (like the Sun-Earth) create pockets of gravitational equilibrium. This allows the spacecraft to remain in one position without having to burn fuel.
There are five Lagrange points in a system like the Earth-Sun system – L1 to L5. The L1 and L2 points, closest to the planet, serve as good spots for observational studies. NASA’s James Webb Space Telescope, the successor to the famous Hubble telescope, is stationed in L2. Source: HT
Month: September 2023
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Aditya L1 solar mission’s 1.5 million km journey over 4 months
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Baba Makhan Shah Lobana who discovered Guru Tegh Bahadur
Baba Makhan Shah Lobana was born on July 7, 1619, at village Tanda in Jhelum district of West Punjab. He rose to become a big businessman who carried out his trade through land and sea coast but moved mainly through river routes. One day, one of his ships carrying his goods was caught in a storm and struck underwater rocks. His life, the safety of the crew and goods were in great danger. He knelt down and prayed to the Guru to help him, his crew and consignment to safety and he would donate five hundred mohars to the Guru’s inventory for charitable purposes.
The ship steered safely out of the storm. Makhan Shah immediately left for Delhi to fulfill his vow. On arrival in Delhi, he found that Guru Har Kishanji had passed away. While breathing his last, he had said “Baba Bakale”. The ninth Master was to reveal himself at Bakala. He immediately moved his caravan to Bakala. He reached there in the first week of August 1664. On arrival there, he found that as many as 22 persons were posing as the ninth Guru. He saw that it was difficult to identify the real Guru whom he should offer 500 mohars. He decided to offer only five mohars to each one of them and gauge their reaction. The true Guru will be the one who shall known his secret wish.
One by one he visited all of them and offered five mohars each. None reacted. Finally, he enquired if there was any other Sodhi Baba. On August 10, 1664, he was guided by a local boy to Guru Tegh Bahadur, popularly called Baba Tegha, where he was meditating. Makhan Shah bowed before him and offered five mohars. Baba then opened his eyes and said: “God bless you my man, but why only five mohars after having pledged five hundred”.
Makhan Shah was so overwhelmed by this chance discovery of the Guru that he was unable to speak for some time. He came out of the Guruji’s room and climbed on to the roof. He waived his chadar over his head and started shouted; “Guru Ladho Re! Guru Ladho Re!” (I have found the guru! I have found the guru!).
The announcement was greeted by thousands of people who had gathered there. Makhan Shah asked his attendants to bring all the gifts respectfully to the Guru’s house while he himself carried a robe of honour, specially prepared for the Guru. On an appeal by Makhan Shah, the Guru then came out of his house and blessed the gathering.
Attack by Dhir Mall
After finding the Guru there was a pandemonium and all 22 fake manjis start running like bulls running during a stampede and all of them ran away. Only Dhir Mall stayed there and he said who is Makhan Shah to put himself in charge of case involving us sodhis? He also said bad things about Guru Tegh Bahadur ji, and his assistants were refusing to relinquish their right to the Guruship. Dhir Mall felt so jealous that he was ready to fight to the death if required.
As soon as Baba Makhan Shah left the darbar for meals and Sri Guru Tegh bahadur was left only with few personal attendents and members of household with about hundred fully armed men Shihan rushed out of the house commanding all other men of his gang to follow him. Dhir mal followed him from the rear to watch and direct the operations, if possible. The raiders powered upon everyone they met to join them.
Kirpal Chand, Bhai Jetha, Bhai Dayala put up a stout defence with whatever stick or staff they could get hold of. In next movement Shihan aimed bullet at Guru Tegh Bahadur and fired point blank. The Guru has a minor bullet injury on his shoulder. Kirpal Chand and Bhai Jetha asked all the men to hold there arms and be prepared to punish the bandits and redeem the stolen goods. A messenger was immediately sent to Makhan Shah. Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur urged everyone not to upset by material loses. Soon, Makhan Shah arrived with his men armed to their teeth. Makhan Shah was shocked at damage done to darbar and injuries sustained to by the Guru.
Baba Makhan Shah and Dhir Mall
Makhan Shah marched with his men to Dhir Mall’s house. Dhir Mall bolted the door from inside and Shihan took the responsibility to defend the house. The next moment Makhan Shah was at door loudly asking Dhir Mall to surrender all stolen property immediately or prepared for dire consequences. Shihan and Dhirmall hurled abuses at Makhan Shah and Kirpal Chand and their men. The next moment Makhan Shah and Kirpal Chand ordered their men to storm Dhir Mall’s house and punish everyone who resisted but avoid killing anyone.
After a tough fight, everyone of Dhir Mall’s masands and hired bandits were arrested and dragged to the presence of Guru Tegh Bahadur. Addressing Dhir Mal, Makhan Shah said, “I have spared your life just because you are the Guru’s nephew, otherwise I would not have hesitated to destroy a cowardly killer like you.” Dhir Mall and his masands were down on there knees begging the Guru to pardon their offences. Deeply moved by their tears of repentance, Guru Tegh Bahadur not only ordered their immediate release, but even resented harsh treatment accord to them. Explaining his action, Makhan Shah said, “Gurudeva, if we allowed ourselves to be robbed and plundered the way Dhir Mall and his masands have done, we might be compeletly annihilated. How could we tolerate their attempt to murder thee, Master?” All the items brought from Dhir Mall’s camp were returned as per the Guru’s directive. Dhir Mall then reprimanded Shihan for all these happenings and next day left for kartarpur.
Accompanied Guru to Amritsar
On Nov. 22 1664 AD Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur left for Amritsar in response to invitation of Dwarka Dass and Bhai Garhia. Makhan Shah’s convoy carried provisions. There are two different versions what happened to Guru Tegh Bahadur ji at Amritsar.
According to evidence of Bhatt Vahi in “Tumar Bijlautan ki” and “Guru Kian Sakhian” by Sarup Singh Kaushish, no untoward event came to pass on this occasion and Hariji, son and succesor of Baba Meharban and then custidion of Harimandir Sahib, Amritsar, along with his son Kanwal Nainand, local sangat came round and made obeisance before Guru Tegh Bahadur and pesonally took him inside the premisis of temple.
According to Dr. Trilochan Singh, as soon as Guru ji and others reached Harimandir sahib to pay homage to sacred place, they found that the door to the entrance were closed to them. The whole of Amritsar was now under the control of Hariji Mina (son of Meharbaan). The Mina’s had full control of Harimandir sahib and they were afraid that they could be thrown out of the panth in same manner as Dhir Mall had been thrown out of Bakala.
Makhan Shah said to the Guru, “I will not let them treat you like that. Permit me master, to compel them to open the doors”. Guru Sahib said, “No Makhan Shah, we will never use force.” Just then, a peasent women named Hariyan of nearby village Walla stepped forward and begged and pleaded to the Guru to spend the night in her humble dwelling. The Guru at once agreed to spend the night at Walla as guest.
Makhan Shah now found the oppurtunity to enter the temple and pay his homage to sacred shrine. He then denounced and admonished the preists in presence of women who had come there to question them. When the priests came to know that the man addressing then was Makhan Shah, who severly punished Dhir Mall, they became cautious not to annoy or contradict him. They start making the lame excuses to defend their action. Makhan Shah explained to them how he had tested all the imposters and Guru Tegh Bahadur had been acknowledged as rightful successor to Guru Har Krishan. Makhan Shah told them, “I would handle you all, teach you a lesson here and now, but Gurdeva has ordered me to be tolerant towards even notorious people like you.”
The next day Guru Sahib thanked Mata Harian and came to the temple where priests tendered their formal apology to the Guru. After paying homage at the sacred shrine, Guru Tegh Bahadur went to Goindwal. From Goindwal, Guru ji, Makhan Shah, Mati Das and Dyal Das rode on horse backs ahead of everybody and under supervision of Kirpal Chand followed a large convoy.
At Kiratpur
Now Guru Tegh Bahadur and his followers reached at Kiratpur in March 1665; a number of distinguished visitors came to pay homage to the master. Rani Jalal Devi, wife of Raja Dip Chand of Bilaspur offered substantial amount of money and land to build a new city for Guru’s residence. Guru ji refused to accept the land as gift but agrees to buy it on reasonable payment in vicinity of Kiratpur. Makhan Shah had made considerable contribution in the payment. An old village Makhowal 8 km. away from Kiratpur was selected as the site for new city, which was first called Nanki Chak and after its extension with villages Mathaur and Lodhipur it is named as Anandpur. Makhan Shah & Kirpal Chand contribution in processing the present site of Anandpur sahib is worth mentioning. Kirpal chand and Makhan shah had the active participation during the course of land. -
Labor Day
Observed the first Monday in September, Labor Day is an annual celebration of the social and economic achievements of American workers. The holiday is rooted in the late nineteenth century, when labor activists pushed for a federal holiday to recognize the many contributions workers have made to America’s strength, prosperity, and well-being.
United States will celebrate Labor Day 2023 on Monday, September 4. Always observed on the first Monday of September, the federal holiday celebrates the immense contribution of workers in the US who help in the nation’s progress and development. The day also commemorates the labor movement in the late 19th century which led to laws for the betterment of workers.
Americans will be enjoying, picnicking and travelling to tourist destinations during the three-day off from September 2(Saturday) to September 4(Monday). They will be seen enjoying family feasts, drinking parties and sing and dance in joy. On Monday, some people will participate in parades and athletic events. Labor Day, an annual celebration of workers and their achievements, originated during one of American labor history’s most dismal chapters. In the late 1800s, at the height of the Industrial Revolution in the United States, the average American worked 12-hour days and seven-day weeks in order to eke out a basic living. Despite restrictions in some states, children as young as 5 or 6 toiled in mills, factories and mines across the country, earning a fraction of their adult counterparts’ wages.
People of all ages, particularly the very poor and recent immigrants, often faced extremely unsafe working conditions, with insufficient access to fresh air, sanitary facilities and breaks.
As manufacturing increasingly supplanted agriculture as the wellspring of American employment, labor unions, which had first appeared in the late 18th century, grew more prominent and vocal. They began organizing strikes and rallies to protest poor conditions and compel employers to renegotiate hours and pay. Many of these events turned violent during this period, including the infamous Haymarket Riot of 1886, in which several Chicago policemen and workers were killed. Others gave rise to longstanding traditions: On September 5, 1882, 10,000 workers took unpaid time off to march from City Hall to Union Square in New York City, holding the first Labor Day parade in U.S. history.
The idea of a “workingmen’s holiday,” celebrated on the first Monday in September, caught on in other industrial centers across the country, and many states passed legislation recognizing it. Congress would not legalize the holiday until 12 years later, when a watershed moment in American labor history brought workers’ rights squarely into the public’s view. On May 11, 1894, employees of the Pullman Palace Car Company in Chicago went on strike to protest wage cuts and the firing of union representatives.
On June 26, the American Railroad Union, led by Eugene V. Debs, called for a boycott of all Pullman railway cars, crippling railroad traffic nationwide. To break the Pullman strike, the federal government dispatched troops to Chicago, unleashing a wave of riots that resulted in the deaths of more than a dozen workers.
Who Created Labor Day?
In the wake of this massive unrest and in an attempt to repair ties with American workers, Congress passed an act making Labor Day a legal holiday in the District of Columbia and the territories. On June 28, 1894, President Grover Cleveland signed it into law. More than a century later, the true founder of Labor Day has yet to be identified. Many credit Peter J. McGuire, cofounder of the American Federation of Labor, while others have suggested that Matthew Maguire, a secretary of the Central Labor Union, first proposed the holiday.
Labor Day Celebrations
Labor Day is still celebrated in cities and towns across the United States with parades, picnics, barbecues, fireworks displays and other public gatherings, especially over the long Labor Day weekend. For many Americans, particularly children and young adults, it represents the end of the summer and the start of the back-to-school season.
Legal recognition
The popularity of the event spread across the country. In 1887, Oregon became the first state of the United States to make Labor Day an official public holiday. By 1894, thirty U.S. states were already officially celebrating Labor Day. In that year, Congress passed a bill recognizing the first Monday of September as Labor Day and making it an official federal holiday. President Grover Cleveland signed the bill into law on June 28. The federal law, however, only made it a holiday for federal workers. As late as the 1930s, unions were encouraging workers to strike to make sure they got the day off.All U.S. states, the District of Columbia, and the United States territories have subsequently made Labor Day a statutory holiday Labor Day became a federal holiday shortly after the Pullman Strike.
Labor Day versus May Day
The date of May 1 (an ancient European folk holiday known as May Day) emerged in 1886 as an alternative holiday for the celebration of labor, later becoming known as International Workers’ Day. The date had its origins at the 1885 convention of the American Federation of Labor, which passed a resolution calling for adoption of the eight-hour day effective May 1, 1886. While negotiation was envisioned for achievement of the shortened work day, use of the strike to enforce this demand was recognized, with May 1 advocated as a date for coordinated strike action. The proximity of the date to the bloody Haymarket affair of May 4, 1886, further accentuated May First’s radical reputation.
There was disagreement among labor unions at this time about when a holiday celebrating workers should be, with some advocating for continued emphasis of the September march-and-picnic date while others sought the designation of the more politically charged date of May 1. Conservative Democratic President Grover Cleveland was one of those concerned that a labor holiday on May 1 would tend to become a commemoration of the Haymarket affair and would strengthen socialist and anarchist movements that backed the May 1 commemoration around the globe. In 1887, he publicly supported the September Labor Day holiday as a less inflammatory alternative, formally adopting the date as a United States federal holiday through a law that he signed in 1894.
Since the mid-1950s, the United States has celebrated Loyalty Day and Law Day on May 1. Unlike Labor Day, neither are legal public holidays (in that government agencies and most businesses do not shut down to celebrate them) and therefore have remained relatively obscure. Loyalty Day is formally celebrated in a few cities, while some bar associations hold Law Day events to celebrate the rule of law. -
England to roll out world’s first 7-minute cancer treatment jab
Britain’s state-run national health service will be the first in the world to offer an injection that treats cancer to hundreds of patients in England, which could cut treatment times by up to three quarters. Following approval from the Medicines and Health Care Products Regulatory Agency (MHRA), NHS England said on Tuesday hundreds of eligible patients treated with the immunotherapy, atezolizumab, were set to have “under the skin” injection, which will free up more time for cancer teams.
“This approval will not only allow us to deliver convenient and faster care for our patients, but will enable our teams to treat more patients throughout the day,” Dr Alexander Martin, a consultant oncologist at West Suffolk NHS Foundation Trust said.
NHS England said atezolizumab, also known as Tecentriq, is usually given to patients intravenously, directly into their veins via a drip, which could often take around 30 minutes or up to an hour for some patients when it can be difficult to access a vein.
“It takes approximately seven minutes, compared with 30 to 60 minutes for the current method of an intravenous infusion,” Marius Scholtz, Medical Director at Roche Products Limited said.
Atezolizumab – made by Genentech, a Roche company – is an immunotherapy drug that empowers a patient’s own immune system to seek and destroy cancerous cells. The treatment is currently offered by transfusion to NHS patients with a range of cancers, including lung, breast, liver and bladder.
NHS England said it expected the majority of around 3,600 patients starting the treatment of atezolizumab every year in England to switch onto the time-saving injection.
But it added that patients receiving intravenous chemotherapy in combination with atezolizumab may remain on the transfusion. Source: Reuters -
Tips to manage post-meal blood sugar
Postprandial blood sugar, also known as post-meal blood sugar, refers to the level of glucose in the blood after consuming a meal so monitoring postprandial blood sugar is essential for individuals with diabetes, as it provides valuable information about how the body responds to different foods and helps in managing blood sugar levels effectively. Read on as we delve into postprandial blood sugar levels, tests used to measure it, what the results reveal and expert tips to manage it.
Postprandial Blood Sugar Levels:
In an interview with HT Lifestyle, Dr Vigyan Mishra, Chief of Lab at Neuberg Diagnostics, said, “Normally, blood sugar levels rise after eating and then gradually decline as the body uses the glucose for energy or stores it for future use. For healthy individuals, postprandial blood sugar levels should typically stay below 140 mg/dL (milligrams per deciliter) two hours after a meal. However, for individuals with diabetes, these levels can be higher, indicating difficulties in regulating blood sugar.”
Postprandial Blood Sugar Tests:
According to Dr Vigyan Mishra, there are two primary methods to measure postprandial blood sugar levels –
Fingerstick Blood Sugar Test: This is a simple and common test that can be performed at home. A person pricks their finger using a lancet to obtain a small blood sample and then uses a glucose meter to measure their blood sugar level. The test is usually done before eating (fasting blood sugar) and again one to two hours after the start of a meal to measure postprandial blood sugar.
Oral Glucose Tolerance Test (OGTT): This test is often conducted in a medical setting. The person fasts overnight, and their fasting blood sugar level is measured. Then, they consume a specific amount of glucose solution, and blood sugar levels are monitored at regular intervals, usually at one hour and two hours after consuming the glucose solution. This test is more comprehensive and can help diagnose diabetes or prediabetes.
Managing Postprandial Blood Sugar:
Bringing his expertise to the same, Dr Shrey Srivastav, Assistant Professor, Internal Medicine at Sharda Hospital in Greater Noida, insisted that for individuals with diabetes, managing postprandial blood sugar is essential to prevent complications and maintain overall health. He recommended some strategies –
Balanced Diet: Consuming a balanced diet with appropriate portions of carbohydrates, proteins, and fats can help stabilize blood sugar levels after meals. Regular Exercise: Physical activity can improve insulin sensitivity and aid in regulating blood sugar levels.
Medication: Some individuals may require diabetes medications or insulin therapy to control postprandial blood sugar effectively.
Stress Management: Stress can influence blood sugar levels, so practicing stress-reduction techniques can be beneficial. Source: HT -
Cinnamon may prevent prostate cancer, finds ICMR-NIN study
Cinnamon, one of the most widely consumed spices around the world, and its active components may prevent prostate cancer, a latest study has found. Research conducted by Hyderabad-based ICMR-National Institute of Nutrition (NIN) demonstrated that cinnamon and its active components — cinnamaldehyde and procyanidin B2– administered orally to rats had an inhibitory effect on early-stage prostate cancer.
The study titled “Chemopreventive effect of cinnamon and its bioactive compounds in a rat model of premalignant prostate carcinogenesis” was published in the international peer reviewed journal ‘Cancer Prevention Research’.
It aimed to assess the chemopreventive efficacy of cinnamon (CN) and its bioactive compounds (cinnamaldehyde or procyanidin B2) in vivo in male rats, the NIN has said in a release.
As part of this study, adult rats were given cinnamon or its bioactive compounds through the diet before induction of cancer and the rats were fed for 16 weeks.
It was observed that feeding cinnamon or its active compounds resulted in 60-70 per cent of rats showing normal prostate histologically.
“We tried to decipher the probable mechanism(s) for the chemopreventive effect and observed that cinnamon and its active components could mitigate oxidative stress, decrease spread of cancer cells in the prostate gland,” said Ayesha Ismail, Head of Endocrinology Division, who led the study. “Interestingly, we also observed beneficial effect on bone mineral content and decrease in bone degeneration in these rats,” she said.
Director of ICMR-NIN, Hemalatha R noted that it was encouraging to see these results about cinnamon, the humble Indian spice, which is commonly used in our cuisine. “However, these outcomes warrant more detailed studies before any dietary recommendation can be made,” she said. Source: PTI -
Exercise in pregnancy may help obese women avoid complications
Exercise may be an efficient way for obese pregnant women to lower their risk of diabetes, dangerously high blood pressure and other complications, research suggests.
“The study suggests that a prenatal exercise-based intervention leads to both decreased costs and improved outcomes in obese women,” said Leah Savitsky, a medical student at Oregon Health and Science University in Portland who led the study.
Savitsky and her team analyzed previously published research on the effect of exercise on pregnant women with a body mass index (BMI) of at least 30.
The normal range for BMI – a ratio of weight to height – is 18.5 to 24.9; a BMI of 30 or more indicates obesity. (A BMI calculator is here, on the website of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Based on their analyses of those earlier studies, the researchers estimated the benefit of exercise for women who are obese at the start of their pregnancy.
They calculated that for every one million such women, there would be 38,176 cases of a dangerous pregnancy-related blood pressure problem known as preeclampsia among those who exercised, compared to 113,000 cases among those who didn’t exercise.
Exercise would also be linked to a decrease in so-called gestational diabetes, with a rate of 195,520 per million among exercisers compared to 305,500 among non-exercisers, according to their calculations.
Likewise, they estimated, for every million obese pregnant women the preterm birth rate would drop from 105,059 to 90,923 with exercise, the maternal death rate would fall from 90 to 70 and the neonatal death rate would drop from 1,932 to 1,795.
Based on a cost-effectiveness threshold of $100,000 per quality-adjusted life year, an exercise intervention could save money as long as expenses are held to just under $3,000. The effects of exercise may be even more beneficial than the study suggests, Savitsky said. “This study did not consider additional downstream benefits on control of weight beyond pregnancy as well as the downstream potential benefits on hypertension and diabetes,” she told Reuters Health by email.
Women who are not obese may benefit as well. The researchers applied their model to women with a normal BMI of 18.5 – 24.9 and found similar improvements in outcomes among those who exercise, although the cost-effectiveness thresholds were lower.
“With the obesity epidemic looming in our society, perhaps we should be turning our attention to prevention of disease. It does not seem to be too late even for obese pregnant women to engage in lifestyle change that may substantially reduce health care costs,” Mottola said. -
Chilli Garlic Noodles
Ingredients:
– Noodles – 1/2 cup, cooked
– Onions – 1/2 cup, chopped
– Carrot – 1/2 cup, grated
– Ginger Garlic Paste – 1 tblsp
– Chilli Paste – 1/2 tblsp
– Coriander Leaves – handful, chopped
– Oil – 2 tblsp
– Salt – as per taste
Method:
– Heat oil in a pan over moderate flame.
– Add the onions, carrot, ginger garlic paste, salt and chilli paste.
– Stir to mix well.
– Add the noodles and mix well to combine all ingredients.
– Garnish with coriander leaves.
– Serve warm. -
Natural remedies to remove makeup
Baking Soda and Honey
This remedy is good for any skin type. Grab some honey lying in your kitchen and put it on a piece of cotton or a clean cloth. Sprinkle some baking soda on the honey and watch it act as great cleanser as well as exfoliator. Just rub the cloth or cotton gently on your face to wipe off the makeup and rinse it off. You can use a face wash but it can take away the after effect of honey on your skin, so it is better if you just rinse with lukewarm water and let the effect of honey repair your skin cells all night long.
Coconut oil
Coconut oil is a natural ingredient which the skin absorbs like magic. With a low molecular weight and beneficial fatty acids, coconut oil repairs the skin.
If you have coconut oil at home, there is literally nothing better to remove all the makeup on your face. This is particularly useful for heavy make-up and even waterproof make-up.
Simply rub some coconut oil all over your face and neck, and wipe it off with cotton pads. You can even make natural wipes, by putting lots if cotton balls soaked in a small jar full of coconut oil.
It is a natural moisturiser and is great for the winter season. It repairs and moisturises your skin well while restoring the natural oils on our face.
Milk
Remember stories where everyone from Cleopatra to Mughal princesses took milk baths?
Milk is known for its health benefits and for being a wonderful ingredient for your skin. The essential fats and protein found in whole milk allow our skin to retain moisture and repair damaged cells. Milk has strong bleaching properties and is a natural ingredient for skin lightening, in case you’re interested.
Simply soak your cotton pads in a small bowl of milk and use them to wipe off your makeup. You can even mix a tablespoon of almond oil in it for heavier make-up. This remedy will refresh your face and will keep your skin hydrated. If you have excessively oily skin, it is better to use a face wash followed by a night cream after washing off the milk.
Cucumber juice
Many commercial beauty products including face washes and cleaners have cucumber as an ingredient. That’s because this common kitchen ingredient is a no-fuss healer. It has anti-inflammatory properties and can soothe irritated or acne prone skin.It is a water-based vegetable and is an excellent makeup remover particularly for oily skin.
So the next time you face a beauty woe, or want to remove all that makeup without hassle, look no further from your own refrigerator. Use a blender to mash cucumber until it becomes like a paste, add some olive oil to this paste and watch your home-made cleanser change your life. The natural mixture will tackle your makeup troubles and will soothe your skin. Rinse your face with lukewarm water and try to avoid any other product afterwards to let the facial moisture repair your skin.
Steam
Steaming is also a natural way to remove your makeup. It is also one of the most soothing cleanser that replenishes the skin from within. You can use steam and wipe your face with a cotton pad and rinse off. If you are wearing heavy or waterproof makeup it is best to use any of the treatments above and then use steam to remove any leftover impurity. Steam is the secret skincare for many celebrities as well, it is simple, hassle-free and helps unclog pores to remove dirt and impurities.
You can invest in a steamer which is available at most departmental stores, or simply fill a bowl with piping hot water with a few drops of oil, cover your face with a towel and let the steam clear your skin and calm your senses.
These natural makeup removal remedies are simple-yet-effective. They repair the skin, which can keep your skin glowing and prevent any damage from makeup products, so that you can continue glowing and looking great. -
Anne Hathaway says her style is inspired by Gen Z
Actor Anne Hathaway has a lot to teach the current generation about fashion. But, have you ever wondered who is the inspiration behind her sartorial choices? The actor recently told Vogue that her fashion game is influenced by Gen Z. She said, “I know this sounds like I’m super-pandering, but I’m really switched on by Gen Z. It’s a fun generation when it comes to fashion.” Here’s a list of her latest looks which proves her love for Gen Z-inspired fashion.
Anne Hathaway turned heads at Valentino’s Haute Couture Spring-Summer 2023 show in a leopard statement outfit. It came with a mini printed dress with matching stockings, heels and a bag. She paired her look with minimal jewellery and left her hair untied for a Catwoman look. She remained the talk of the Pierpaolo Piccioli show in Paris. Celebs like BTS’ Suga, Sam Smith and Charli XCX among others were seen at the event as well.
At the Valentino Haute Couture Fall/ Winter 22-23 fashion show, Anne channelled her inner barbie with her all-pink statement outfit, even before Margot Robbie’s film. Last year, the Devil Wears Prada actor slipped into a hot pink mini dress with matching pumps. She took over to the streets in Italy with mini accessories, such as diamonds and her signature pared-down makeup look.
Apart from fashion shows and red carpet events, Anna’s everyday style also comes with Gen Z’s influence. She was once snapped rocking baggy black cargo pants with a striped blue top and a leather bomber jacket for an effortless look. Her off-duty look was further elevated by a pair of black boots and a matching sling bag.
Anne hopped on the oversized blazer trend and pulled off monochrome co-ord sets with colourful handbags. A few months ago, she took to her Instagram handle and posted a bunch of photos in association with Bulgari. Her post read, “Grazie mille to my @bulgari family and @chriscolls for the joyful collaboration on the new accessories campaign!”
Anne Hathaway proved her love for chic fashion statements at the Berlin Film Festival. She opted for a sheer Valentino Couture gown and paired it with a sheer polka dot underlay. She finished off with a pair of leather opera gloves and tied her hair into a chic bun. She came accessorised with Bulgaria jewellery.
Anne will be next seen in the upcoming film She Came to Me, alongside Peter Dinklage, Marisa Tomei, Joanna Kulig, Brian d’Arcy James, Harlow Jane and Evan Ellison. It will release in cinemas on September 29. -
Bonnie Wright says she was ‘disappointed’ by Ginny Weasley’s screentime
How many of you could see Ginny Weasley was going on to marry Harry Potter? Those of you who’ve not read the books, and only watched the movies, may have had a tough time. Bonnie Wright, who played Ginny, would agree. On the podcast Inside of You, the actor has revealed that her screentime in the eight movies of the franchise left her feeling “a little disappointed.”
“So that (doing justice to the character) was always hard to do, especially when, inevitably, a lot of the scenes of every character were chopped down from the book to the film. So you didn’t really have as much to show in the film,” Bonnie said on the podcast. “Sometimes that was a little disappointing because there were parts of the character that just didn’t get to come through because there weren’t the scenes to do that. That made me feel a bit anxious or just frustrated, I guess,” she added. -
Dakota Johnson says bye-bye to her brunette locks
Dakota Johnson is one of the most gorgeous celebrities in Hollywood who is known for her role as Anastasia Steele in the erotic Fifty Shades franchise. The actress is known for her iconic bangs and brunette hair colour, but she has said goodbye to them for her latest film, Daddio. Pictures of the actress from the sets of her film have been going viral on social media, and it looks pretty interesting; keep scrolling to get a peek at her look.
Johnson’s fashion has always been very chic and feminine, and the actress has always kept her hairstyle the same along with the colour, so this new look is surely intriguing. The upcoming film is being directed by Christy Hall, who also stars Sean Penn; as per reports, the film revolves around a conversation between two strangers during a taxi ride, with Sean reportedly being the taxi driver.
According to E! News, the picture of Dakota Johnson sporting her new hairstyle was taken by Jessica Kourkounis and was posted on Instagram by the actress’ entertainment company Tea Time Production a few days back. As per that, Johnson sported a sunny blonde-coloured blunt bob cut, which was messy and pinned in a half bun kind of hairstyle.
The picture of Dakota Johnson featured her in a black leather jacket and brown attire underneath. She sported full-coverage makeup with rust-shaded lip colour.
Apart from Dakota Johnson and her new hair colour, there was another pic which was of Sean Penn in which only his side profile was visible, and he looked very engrossed in his role as the taxi driver. As per Deadline, the film will see Dakota in a new avatar and no kidding, not just her look; she is also taking a dive in a different genre. The report explaining the plot of Daddio mentioned, “The cabbie, Clark, throws the vehicle into drive, and the two head out into the night…striking up the most unexpected conversation.”
Dakota Johnson and Sean Penn‘s Daddio will be premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival in September this year. -
Jawan trailer: Shah Rukh Khan hijacks trains, fights for the country, wants ‘Alia Bhatt’
Jawan trailer is out. Trailer for Shah Rukh Khan’s eagerly-awaited film dropped days before its release. The video shared by the cast and crew gives the best look yet at the action film, which marks the first collaboration between Shah Rukh and Nayanthara. The film, which has been directed by filmmaker Atlee Kumar, is Shah Rukh’s second release of the year after the blockbuster hit Pathaan, which was released in January.
Shah Rukh Khan plays a former soldier in the movie and operates a team of six women as they pull off different heists around the country. They hijack a metro and Nayanthara’s police officer is put in charge of the case. She asks him what he wants when he names ‘Alia Bhatt’.
However, it looks like Shah Rukh was also married to Nayanthara in the past as they share some romantic moments in a couple of scenes. Deepika Padukone makes a fierce special appearance and beats Shah Rukh in a wrestling match. Vijay Sethupathi is seen in different avatars but appears to play the ‘fourth largest arms dealer in the world.’ Alongside Shah Rukh and Nayanthara, Jawan features Vijay Sethupathi, Sanya Malhotra, Priyamani, Girija Oak, Sanjeeta Bhattacharya, Ridhi Dogra and Sunil Grover, among others. Directed by Atlee and produced by Shah Rukh and Gauri Khan’s Red Chillies Entertainment, Jawan also features Deepika Padukone’s cameo appearance. Jawan releases in Hindi, Tamil and Telugu languages on September 7, 2023. Advance bookings for the film in various parts of the world promise a huge opening for the Shah Rukh Khan film. Recently, Shah Rukh had shared a motion poster of himself, in which he was seen in his different Jawan looks. In one look, he was bespectacled, in another he was bald. The actor was partially masked in one of the looks, and he looked intensely into the camera in another.
Ever since the film’s prevue, and its songs such as Zinda Banda and Chaleya were released, fans have been trending Jawan on social media. Recently, during an #AskSRK session on Twitter ox X, Shah Rukh was asked about Jawan’s trailer.
A fan had asked him when Jawan’s trailer would be released, writing, “Wanted to know when the trailer of Jawan will launch sir? We fans have been waiting patiently for this. Shah Rukh had replied, “Have it ready now… can’t decide should I put a new song or the trailer….???”
Source: HT -
Janhvi sparks ‘secret engagement’ rumors after being spotted wearing huge diamond ring
Recently, Janhvi Kapoor became the talk of the town after reports suggested that she had secretly got engaged to her rumoured boyfriend, Shikhar Pahariya. The news spread like wildfire after Janhvi, accompanied by Pahariya, went to offer prayers at the Tirumala temple in Andhra Pradesh.
The actor, dressed in a purple-gold sari, was spotted wearing a huge diamond ring. Following this, speculation was rife that the ‘Dhadak’ actor had been engaged.
However, quashing the rumours, a source close to the actor told Siasat.com that the rumours are “completely rubbish”.
Reportedly, the actor went to the Tirumala temple for her late mother’s birth anniversary. The diamond ring is actually her mother’s ring, which Janhvi chose to wear in her remembrance.
Speaking of Janhvi and Shikhar’s relationship, both have been tight-lipped about it. -
Case against producer, actor of ‘Yaariyan-2’ for hurting Sikh sentiments
The Punjab police have registered a case against director Bhushan Kumar, producers Radhika Rao and Vinay Sapru and actor Meezaan Jafri on the charges of hurting religious sentiments after a song in the upcoming movie ‘Yaariyan-2’ allegedly shows the actor wearing a ‘kirpan’.
The FIR was registered in Jalandhar district on the complaint of a member of the Sikh Talmel Committee, Sub-Inspector Ashok Kumar said on Thursday, August 31. The case was registered on August 30 night.
Police said the FIR had been registered under Section 295-A (deliberate and malicious acts, intended to outrage religious feelings of any class by insulting its religion or religious beliefs) of the IPC.
According to a complaint lodged by Harpreet Singh, a member of the committee, the actor was seen allegedly wearing a ‘kirpan’ — a symbol of Sikh faith — in a song in the movie.
The complainant said this had hurt the religious sentiments of the Sikh community as only a baptised Sikh can wear the ‘kirpan’ as per the Sikh Code of Conduct.
The SGPC, the apex religious body of the Sikhs, has already taken strong objection to the actor allegedly wearing the ‘kirpan’ in the song — ‘Saure ghar’ — from the film.
The SGPC has also filed a complaint with the Amritsar Police Commissioner.
Though the film’s directors had claimed that the actor was wearing a ‘khukri’ (a curved knife) and not a ‘kirpan’ and that they have no intention to offend or disrespect any religious beliefs, the SGPC had said “we are not satisfied with your illogical clarification”.
Reacting to the clarification of the film directors, the SGPC had said, “The Sikhs very well know the shape of a ‘kirpan’ and a ‘khukri’, and the way both are worn on one’s body. We are not satisfied with your illogical clarification. Therefore, we are initiating the process of legal action in this case, as the concerned video song is still in public view and continuously hurting religious sentiments of Sikh community.” -
Dream Girl 2 earns almost Rs 60 crore in 6 days
Dream Girl 2 box office: The Ayushmann Khurrana film had a great start at the box office and continues to hold well during the weekdays. The film also starring Ananya Panday collected Rs 7.75 crore on Raksha Bandhan as per early estimates reported by Sacnilk.com. It stands at Rs 59.75 crore after six days of its release.
Dream Girl 2 had opened at Rs 10.7 crore and went up to collect Rs 16 crore on its first Sunday. It fell to Rs 5.42 crore on Monday but showed a little improvement on Wednesday with collection of Rs 7.75 crore.
Directed by Raaj Shaandilyaa, the film is a spiritual sequel to the 2019 film starring Ayushmann as a call centre guy who can talk like a woman. In Dream Girl 2, he plays Pooja as he dresses up like a woman for money.
Talking about the wonderful performance of his film in the first week, Ayushmann told ANI, ” In the last 3 months, mid-budget and small-budget films are also running successfully. Earlier people used to feel that only big-budget movies would run. So, the timing of the movie is correct and it came in between Jawan and Gadar 2 but still made its own space and this will be the biggest victory of Dream Girl 2. “ -
Art 370 hearing: Ready for J&K poll anytime, it’s for EC to decide, Centre tells Supreme Court
New Delhi (TIP)- The Centre on Thursday, August 31, told the Supreme Court that it’s ready for elections in Jammu and Kashmir anytime and now it’s for the Election Commission to take a call.
Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, however, told a five-judge Constitution Bench led by CJI DY Chandrachud that the Centre couldn’t give an exact timeframe for restoration of statehood.
“We are dealing with an extremely extraordinary situation. The Central Government is ready for elections anytime now. To date, updating of the voters’ list was going on… which is substantially over. Some part is remaining, which the EC is doing,” Mehta told the Bench. He said three types of elections were due. “For the first time, the three-tier panchayati raj system has been introduced. First, elections will be held for panchayats. Then there will be municipality elections and then Assembly elections,” said Mehta. He said it was for the EC and the Election Commission of J&K to take a call on which election to be conducted first and how.
Later, during the hearing, the CJI said, “The existence of a state is a very vital element of federalism.” Terming the restoration of democracy in J&K as important, the Supreme Court had on Tuesday asked the Centre to spell out the roadmap and timeframe for restoring its statehood and holding elections.
On the 13th day of hearing on petitions challenging nullification of Article 370 and bifurcation of J&K into two union territories (J&K and Ladakh), the Solicitor General gave details of the improvements made since August 5-6, 2019, when the special status of the erstwhile state was scrapped.
Source: TNS -
‘Situation critical’: Manipur tense again as 8 killed, explosives recovered
Imphal (TIP)- Violence continued in the foothills of Manipur on Thursday, August 31, officials told news agency PTI, adding, that at least eight people were killed, while 18 others were injured in Bishnupur and Churachandpur districts following continuous gunbattle between Kukis and Meiteis, since August 29. Chief Minister N Biren Singh termed the situation as “critical” and asked the general public to maintain calm.
Meanwhile, fresh firing was also reported from adjoining Chingphei and Khousabung areas in the Churachandpur district. According to the details, on August 29 erupted after a 30-year-old village volunteer was killed following heavy firing in the Khoirentak area. Another person died when a country-made gun he was using misfired and hit him on his face near Narainsena village in Bishnupur on the same day, officials said.
On August 31, a series of search operations by security personnel in vulnerable areas of Churachandpur and Imphal West districts led to the recovery of a cache of 20 explosive devices (commonly known as pipe bombs), 3 firearms, 20 rounds of ammunition and approximately 30 grams of gunpowder.
The security situation prompted the installation of 130 checkpoints and Nakas across various districts of Manipur, encompassing both hill and valley areas. As a result, law enforcement apprehended more than 1,900 individuals in connection with violations across different districts within the state.
To keep the law and order in place, the police appealed to the general public to remain cautious and not believe any rumours being circulated on social media. Police also said the citizens can verify the authenticity of any suspicious content by reaching out to the Central Control Room at 9233522822.
In the wake of continuous violence, a total shutdown, effective August 31, was called by the Indigenous Tribal Leaders’ Forum (ITLF) in Lonphai, Khousabung, Kangvai and Sugnu areas in Churachandpur. However, emergency services like medical, police, water, electricity and the press were exempted from the shutdown.
Chief Minister N Biren Singh, who expressed deep concern over the present situation in the state, termed it “critical” and said that demographic imbalance due to the influx of illegal immigrants and deforestation were some of the root causes of the present crisis. He also said the state was in a critical stage and the prevailing situation compelled him to take every step in a very cautious manner.
More than 160 people have been killed and several hundreds injured since ethnic violence broke out in Manipur on May 3, when a “Tribal Solidarity March” was organised in the hill districts to protest against the majority Meitei community’s demand for Scheduled Tribe status. -
MEA introduces changes in delivery of passports, visas, consular services
New Delhi (TIP)- The Ministry of External Affairs, in a move to mitigate predatory pricing, has tightened the rules for the selection of partner visas and consular service to the Indian diaspora and foreign visitors.
The MEA is committed to serving Indians migrating and foreigners visiting India with an overarching vision to strengthen India’s Image and reputation, to make the service more robust, seamless and reliable.
Notably, the Indian Missions of the MEA are the first touch points for any international traveller coming into India – the Indian Citizen or Person of Indian Origin (PIO) and Foreigners (travelling to India) residing overseas.
Jyoti Mayal, President, of the Travel Agents Association of India (TAAI) stated, “The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has embarked on a transformational program to reform and strengthen its tendering and evaluation process in a holistic manner to select the right outsourced service providers. While the focus lies on L1 pricing, there is a strong emphasis on the four pillars of Quality Services, Sustainable and Viable Price, Data Protection and Security, and Ethical Practices and Integrity.”
She said that since the first impression of any individual travelling to India, the MEA must focus on offering superior, efficient, and cost-effective services.
Commenting on the endeavour she also added, “It is important that the first impression of any individual travelling to India or having to work with any Indian Mission anywhere in the world needs to be impeccable, as the government is determined to work towards delivering the promise of New India. Therefore, the MEA and its Missions as true representatives of the Indian government to the world must focus on offering superior, efficient, and cost-effective services as perhaps the first step in that direction.”
The president concluded by stating that India is positioning itself as a global leader in several sectors such as trade, cross-border services, citizen services, etc.
“As India marches towards a high momentum growth period, it will be critical to plan for factors that can impede progress and mitigate reputational and image risks for the Indian Government. Hence it became imperative for the government to focus on the quality, reliability, and credibility of the service providers it engages with, to ensure services are delivered effectively, efficiently, and in line with established standards, else failure in service levels can erode confidence and trust in the government’s capabilities, leading to public dissatisfaction. The focus on quality also indicates that public resources are utilised wisely and that citizens receive the best possible value for money,” she added.
Source: ANI -
IAF to conduct mega drills amid LAC row with China
New Delhi (TIP)- The Indian Air Force (IAF) is set to conduct a training exercise, involving its fighter planes, transport aircraft, helicopters and other assets, in the country’s northern and western sectors to test its combat readiness at a time when India and China are locked in a lingering military standoff in the Ladakh sector, officials aware of the matter said on Thursday, August 31.
The exercise, Trishul, will be conducted by the air force’s Western Air Command (WAC) from September 4 to 14, the officials said, asking not to be named. The WAC, headquartered at Subroto Park in Delhi, is the IAF’s largest operational command, with its bases scattered across Ladakh, Jammu and Kashmir, Punjab, and Haryana.
The command has played a critical role in strengthening India’s military posture to deter the Chinese forces amid the row along the Line of Actual Control (LAC). The exercise will take place at a time when India is hosting the G20 Summit in Delhi on September 9-10.
The fighter aircraft that are expected to take part in the 10-day exercise include the Rafales, Sukhoi-30s and MiG-29s, the officials said.
C-17 heavy-lifters, Il-76 transport planes, C-130J special operations aircraft, An-32s, Apache attack helicopters, Chinook multi-mission choppers, and remotely piloted aircraft systems – platforms that have operated extensively in the Ladakh sector – will also feature in the exercise. The IAF’s Garud commandos will also be involved.
The WAC has airlifted tens of thousands of troops and a large quantity of military equipment, including infantry combat vehicles, tanks, artillery guns, surface-to-air guided weapons and radars, to forward areas in eastern Ladakh to strengthen the country’s military posture after the border row began in May 2020.
The Indian military is prepared for any eventuality in the Ladakh sector even as talks are on to defuse border tensions, the officials said. At the 19th round of talks between corps commanders of the two armies on August 13 and 14, both sides agreed to resolve the remaining issues along the LAC in Ladakh sector in a speedy manner through continued dialogue. That was the first time military talks were held over two days.
Despite four rounds of disengagement from Galwan Valley, Pangong Tso, Gogra (PP-17A) and Hot Springs (PP-15), the Indian and Chinese armies still have tens of thousands of troops each and advanced weaponry deployed in the Ladakh theatre.
The Indian and Chinese armies have held multiple rounds of talks on the border issue, but problems at Depsang in Daulet Beg Oldi sector and Charding Nullah Junction (CNJ) in Demchok sector are still on the negotiating table.
The IAF is also preparing to host a mega exercise early next year that is expected to bring together 12 global air forces, with a focus on improving interoperability, imbibing best practices from one another and boosting military cooperation among the participating countries.
The exercise, named Tarang Shakti, will be the biggest multi-nation air exercise to be conducted on Indian soil and will involve fighter jets, military transport aircraft, mid-air refuellers and airborne warning and control system (AWACS) aircraft.
Source: HT -
President’s nod to renaming of Nehru Memorial as Prime Minister’s Museum
President Droupadi Murmu has approved the renaming of the Nehru Memorial Museum and Library (NMML) in Delhi. It will now officially be called the Prime Ministers’ Museum and Library Society, the government said in a gazette notification. In mid-June, during a special meeting of the NMML Society, it was resolved to change the institution’s name to Prime Ministers’ Museum and Library Society. The meeting was presided over by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, vice president of the Society.
Sources told news agency Press Trust of India that some administrative processes were needed to finally put an official stamp on the new name. The name was formalised on India’s 77th Independence Day. The vice-chairman of the Prime Ministers’ Museum and Library’s executive council had posted the update on ‘X’, formerly Twitter.
“Nehru Memorial Museum and Library (NMML) is now Prime Ministers Museum and Library (PMML) Society w.e.f August 14, 2023- in tune with the democratisation and diversification of the remit of the society,” the post read.
The decision to rename the library, located in Teen Murti House – the official residence of India’s first Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru – had evoked sharp reactions from the Congress, which called it a deliberate move to erase Nehru’s legacy. -
‘One-nation, one-election’: Centre forms panel
The Centre has reportedly constituted a committee headed by former president Ram Nath Kovind to explore the possibility of much-talked-about “one nation, one election”. The development comes a day after the government called a special session of Parliament between September 18 and 22, the agenda for which is under wraps.
Over the years, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has pushed strongly for the idea of simultaneous Lok Sabha and state assembly polls, and the decision to task Kovind to look into it underscores the government’s seriousness as a host of elections approach.
Assembly polls are due in five states in November-December and they will be followed by the Lok Sabha elections in May-June next year.
However, the recent moves by the government have thrown open the possibility of advancing the general elections and some state polls, which are scheduled after and with the Lok Sabha contest. -
Parliament special session from September 18 to 22
The government on Thursday announced its decision to hold a special session of Parliament from September 18 to 22, catching the Opposition unawares. “The special session of Parliament — the 13th session of the 17th Lok Sabha and the 261st session of the Rajya Sabha — is being called from September 18 to 22 and will have five sittings. Amid Amrit Kaal, looking forward to fruitful discussions and debate in Parliament,” Union Parliamentary Affairs Minister Pralhad Joshi announced on X, formerly Twitter, prompting the Opposition to question the timing of the announcement — on the same day as 28 INDIA grouping parties commenced their two-day meeting in Mumbai. “This is all about managing the news cycle, Modi style. News today has been dominated by the latest revelations on the ‘Modani’ scam. Tomorrow the ever-growing INDIA parties meet in Mumbai. How to counter? So announce a five-day special session of Parliament when the monsoon session has just ended three weeks ago. Regardless, the demand for a JPC probe into Adani issue will continue to resonate inside and outside Parliament,” Congress chief whip in the RS Jairam Ramesh said.
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Chinese President Xi may skip G20 meet, Beijing mum
Chinese President Xi Jinping is likely to skip the G20 summit to be held here on September 9 and 10, according to reports from Beijing and here even as preparations are on in Nuh, Haryana, to hold the last G20 Sherpas’ meeting before finalising the documents. India has not yet received any confirmation from China in this regard, and there is no official word from New Delhi on the subject either. People familiar with the matter, however, say the chances of Xi’s in-person attendance at the conclave are “very low”.
Asked whether Xi was likely to skip the summit, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Wang Wenbin at a media briefing in Beijing said he had “nothing to offer at the moment”. Among those who have confirmed their attendance are the leaders of the US, UK, Japan, Canada, Australia, Indonesia, Turkey, Germany and France. Though top leaders of both Russia and China may skip the event, there is daylight in their respective approaches. Putin called up PM Modi and explained that he would like to concentrate on the special military operation in Ukraine. The Kremlin followed up by wishing India success in hosting G20. China and India, on the other hand, have contested each other’s versions of the Modi-Xi August 23 meeting. -
Azerbaijan slams French ‘interference’ on Nagorno-Karabakh
BAKU (TIP): Azerbaijan summoned France’s ambassador on August 31 and condemned its “direct interference” in Nagorno-Karabakh after several French councils sent a humanitarian aid convoy to blockaded Armenians in the enclave. Baku has been accused of blocking the Lachin corridor — the only road link between the enclave and Armenia — since December, cutting off Armenian-populated settlements in the disputed breakaway region. Azerbaijan said it had set up checkpoints on the short mountainous road for “security reasons”, while Yerevan has demanded that the UN intervene to prevent a “humanitarian catastrophe”.
On Wednesday, several French politicians, including Paris mayor Anne Hidalgo, joined a 10-lorry humanitarian convoy financed by French local councils, which was stopped from entering the enclave.
Hidalgo wrote on X (formerly Twitter) that “no humanitarian aid can get into” Nagorno-Karabakh “in total violation of human rights”. “This is a humanitarian crisis,” she insisted.
The stand-off has riled Azerbaijan, which summoned the French ambassador on Thursday.
“The ambassador received a note of protest over vehicles being sent to the Lachin border post… under the cover of ‘a humanitarian convoy’,” Baku said in a statement.
It also condemned the “provocative declarations (of French politicians) against Azerbaijan”, which they said were stirred up by a “campaign of lies and manipulation by Armenia”, a historic French ally.
“This constitutes direct French interference in Azerbaijan’s internal affairs,” it added.
The Caucasus neighbours have been locked in a deadly dispute over the enclave — internationally recognised as part of Azerbaijan — since the 1980s and fought two wars over the territory. (AFP)