The Adani Group is reportedly exploring acquisition of several cement companies. On Gautam Adani’s radar is Hyderabad-based Penna Cement, Gujarat-headquartered Saurashtra Cement, cement business of Jaiprakash Associates and ABG Shipyard owned Vadraj Cement, as per a report in the Economic Times. For the same, the Adani Group has earmarked $3 billion as the conglomerate aims at increasing its cement production capacity.
Adani Group is also focussing aggressively on surpassing Aditya Birla Group’s UltraTech to become India’s largest cement manufacturer within the next three to four years, the report added.
Month: June 2024
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Adani Group plans major cement acquisitions
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India’s retail inflation eases to 12-month low of 4.75%
Retail inflation eased to a one-year low of 4.75 per cent in May as prices of some kitchen items declined marginally, according to government data released on Wednesday, June 12.
The Consumer Price Index (CPI) based retail inflation was 4.83 per cent in April 2024 and 4.31 per cent in May 2023 (previous low).
Inflation in the food basket was 8.69 per cent in May, marginally down from 8.70 percent in April, according to the data released by the National Statistical Office (NSO).
Headline inflation has seen sequential moderation since February 2024, albeit in a narrow range from 5.1 per cent in February to 4.8 per cent in April 2024. The government has tasked the Reserve Bank to ensure the CPI inflation remains at 4 per cent with a margin of 2 per cent on either side.
Earlier this month, the RBI projected the CPI inflation for 2024-25 at 4.5 per cent, with Q1 at 4.9 per cent, Q2 at 3.8 per cent, Q3 at 4.6 per cent, and Q4 at 4.5 per cent. The central bank mainly factors in the retail inflation while arriving at its bi-monthly monetary policy. -
Water frost discovered on Mars’ tallest volcanoes for the first time
In a surprising find that challenges previous beliefs about Mars’ climate, the European Space Agency’s spacecraft have detected water frost on the towering Tharsis volcanoes near the Red Planet’s equator – a region thought to be too warm for such frozen formations.
The frost was first spotted by ESA’s ExoMars Trace Gas Orbiter (TGO) atop the massive Olympus Mons volcano, which at nearly three times the height of Mount Everest is the tallest in the solar system. Subsequent observations by TGO’s NOMAD instrument and the Mars Express orbiter confirmed the unexpected presence of frost across multiple volcanoes in the Tharsis region.
“We thought it was impossible for frost to form around Mars’s equator, as the mix of sunshine and thin atmosphere keeps temperatures relatively high at both surface and mountaintop,” said lead researcher Adomas Valantinas of Brown University, who made the initial discovery during his PhD at the University of Bern.
Despite being incredibly thin – about one-hundredth of a millimeter or the width of a human hair – the frost patches cover vast areas within the volcanoes’ summit calderas. The amount represents a staggering 150,000 tonnes of water swapping between the surface and atmosphere each day during Mars’ cold seasons, equivalent to 60 Olympic-sized swimming pools.
The frost is present for just a few hours around sunrise before evaporating in the daylight. Its existence hints at “exceptional processes” creating a frost-friendly microclimate inside the deep volcanic calderas, according to the researchers.
“Winds travel up the slopes, bringing relatively moist air that condenses and settles as frost,” explained Nicolas Thomas of the University of Bern, principal investigator for TGO’s imaging system. “We see this on Earth and elsewhere on Mars causing clouds, but the frost appears to favor the shadowed, colder caldera regions.” -
Apple not paying OpenAI for ChatGPT integration into iOS
At the Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) on Monday, Apple made an exciting announcement about teaming up with OpenAI to integrate ChatGPT into Apple’s upcoming iOS 18. This news has generated a lot of buzz, but the specifics of the deal were initially unclear. A recent report from Bloomberg has shed some light on the details of this intriguing partnership.
According to the Bloomberg report, Apple is not paying OpenAI for this collaboration. Mark Gurman, a well-known tech journalist at Bloomberg, explained that the partnership is not expected to bring in significant revenue for either company, at least in the beginning. Instead, neither Apple nor OpenAI will exchange any money for the integration. The true value lies in the exposure and integration of ChatGPT into Apple’s vast ecosystem.
Apple believes that integrating ChatGPT into iOS 18 will give OpenAI’s technology a huge visibility boost. By embedding ChatGPT into Siri and other new writing tools, Apple is providing OpenAI with a platform that reaches hundreds of millions of users. This kind of exposure is seen as potentially more valuable than direct financial compensation. Sources close to the matter, who requested anonymity, indicated to Bloomberg that Apple views this promotional opportunity as equally, if not more, valuable than cash.
Looking ahead, Bloomberg reports that Apple plans to establish revenue-sharing agreements with AI companies in the future. This would mean that Apple would receive a share of the revenue generated by AI partners who monetise their services on Apple platforms. This strategy aligns with Apple’s broader vision of integrating advanced AI capabilities into its devices while also creating new revenue streams.
For users, the integration of ChatGPT into iOS 18, iPadOS 18, and macOS Sequoia will be free but optional. Users who subscribe to ChatGPT Plus will be able to access additional features by logging into their accounts. Currently, OpenAI’s standalone ChatGPT app for iOS allows users to pay for ChatGPT Plus through Apple’s In-App Purchase system, which gives Apple a 15-30 per cent share of those subscriptions.
In summary, Apple’s partnership with OpenAI is about strategic value and future potential rather than immediate financial gain. By incorporating ChatGPT into its operating systems, Apple enhances its AI capabilities and gives OpenAI a significant boost in visibility. This sets the stage for potential revenue-sharing models down the line, highlighting a mutually beneficial relationship that could shape the future of AI integration in consumer technology. -
Elon Musk’s X begins hiding all likes for users
Elon Musk on July 12 confirmed the roll out of a new feature that will hide all likes by default for X users. X is rolling out “private likes” which will likely show up on users’ timelines from July 12. This means that users’ likes on the platform will be hidden by default and they “will be able to like content without worrying about who might see it”. Musk said that it is “important to allow people to like posts without getting attacked for doing so”.
Last month, Haofei Wang, X’s director of engineering, had said the upcoming change is meant to protect users’ public image.
“Yeah, we are making likes private. Public likes are incentivising the wrong behaviour,” he had posted on X.
For example, many people feel discouraged from liking content that might be “edgy” in fear of retaliation from trolls, or to protect their public image.
“Soon you’ll be able to like without worrying who might see it. Also a reminder that the more posts you like, the better your ‘For you’ algorithm will become,” Wang had said.
According to the social media platform, like is visible between you and the author. “The author will be notified, but not anyone else. Bookmark is only visible to you. We could even make it customisable for users,” according to Wang. -
Google developing new ChromeOS
Google has announced that ChromeOS will soon go through a transformation. As per the company, the large portions of ChromeOS will be the Android stack. With this update, Google aims to bring AI features at a faster pace to ChromeOS. The tech giant stated that it will be embracing things like the Android Linux kernel and Android frameworks “as part of the foundation of ChromeOS.”
In a detailed blog, Google explains that these changes won’t be just AI features. They said that the addition will also help simplify engineering efforts and help different devices like phones and accessories work better together with Chromebooks.
With these recent announcements around new features powered by Google AI and Gemini, Chromebooks now offer the opportunity to put powerful tools in the hands of more people to help with everyday tasks.
The blogpost states, “To continue rolling out new Google AI features to users at a faster and even larger scale, we’ll be embracing portions of the Android stack, like the Android Linux kernel and Android frameworks, as part of the foundation of ChromeOS.” -
Alcohol consumption can increase mood instability in bipolar disorder
A new study has found that drinking alcohol can worsen symptoms of bipolar disorder by destabilising mood and affecting work efficiency.
Contrary to the common belief that mood swings drive alcohol consumption, the research indicates that alcohol itself may be a contributing factor to these mood disturbances.
Bipolar disorder is characterised by significant shifts in emotions, energy, and activity levels, often accompanied by hallucinations and delusions.
Researchers from the University of Michigan, USA, aimed to explore the long-term effects of alcohol consumption on mood and functioning in adults with bipolar disorder.
The findings, published in The Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) Network Open, suggest that alcohol can significantly impact the condition.
The study involved 584 adults diagnosed with bipolar disorder, who were part of the larger ongoing Prechter Longitudinal Study of Bipolar Disorder (PLS-BD) for at least five years. Data was collected over a follow-up period of 5 to 16 years.
Participants’ alcohol consumption was assessed using the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test, a WHO-approved questionnaire designed to screen for problematic drinking. Other standardised questionnaires were used to evaluate depression, mania or hypomania, anxiety, and overall functioning.
The study revealed that exceeding one’s typical alcohol consumption led to worse depressive and manic or hypomanic episodes, as well as decreased work performance. -
Scientists develop new methods to detect Huntington’s disease progression
A team of scientists in the UK developed non-invasive measurement techniques and novel analysis methods to decode disease progression and evaluate the effect of potential treatments or lifestyle changes in people with Huntington’s disease.
Huntington’s is a genetic disease where the brain’s nerve cells (neurons) gradually break down and die. The condition leads to dementia, with a progressive decline in an individual’s movement, memory, and cognition. There is currently no cure.
The team from Lancaster University in the UK showed that Huntington’s disease not only affects nerve cells in the brain but also has widespread effects on microscopic blood vessels.
The changes were also observed before symptoms of the disease appeared, demonstrating the potential for this research to predict brain health and evaluate the beneficial effects of lifestyle changes or treatments.
Professor Aneta Stefanovska of Lancaster University said that they hope that the novel method can help “monitor the disease progression and evaluate the effect of potential treatments or lifestyle changes” in people with “Huntington’s and other neurodegenerative diseases.”
Professor Aneta added that the study would also lead to “new treatments of Huntington’s disease targeting the vasculature and brain metabolism.”
In their study, published in the journal Brain Communications, the team investigated changes in the coordination between neuronal activity and the brain’s oxygenation in Huntington’s disease.
They combined non-invasive measurement techniques and novel analysis methods—probes emitting infrared light were placed on the heads of participants in the study. Source: IANS -
Health benefits of chewing raw garlic on an empty stomach
Garlic isn’t just your regular spice that lends flavour and taste to your meals. Its powerful nutritional profile can help prevent many chronic health conditions and boost your overall well-being. Even more than its cooked form, raw garlic can work wonders for your health from lowering cholesterol and blood pressure to improving digestive health. Raw garlic has an enzyme called allicin that has anti-inflammatory, antioxidative, antibacterial, and anticancer properties. Chewing raw garlic can unlock sulphur-containing compounds which in turn translates into a range of benefits.
As per a study, after chewing of garlic, participants experienced decrease in systolic and diastolic blood pressure by 5%, 8%. Similarly, cholesterol and triglyceride reduced to 4-10%. Ingestion of garlic by chewing or crushing it can reduce cholesterol, triglyceride, MDA, systolic and diastolic blood pressure even in the presence of increasing fat intake. Swallowing garlic on the other hand has no significant effect on serum lipids (TG, Chol, LDL and HDL), diastolic blood pressure, and BUN, Cr and cyclosporine serum level.
How many raw garlic cloves can you eat?
1-2 garlic cloves are ideal for reaping its many benefits. Eating more than the recommended amount can lead to acidity, heart burn or bleeding.
One clove of raw garlic is packed with manganese, Vitamin C, selenium, fibre, calcium, copper, phosphorus, iron, Vitamin B1, Vitamin B6, and potassium.
Benefits of chewing raw garlic
Chewing raw garlic on an empty stomach can have numerous health benefits.
Here are six impressive benefits, explained by Dietitian Rashi Tantia, HOD – Dietetics , Metro Hospital, Faridabad.
– Boosts immunity: Raw garlic is rich in antioxidants and sulfur-containing compounds, which help strengthen the immune system. Regular consumption can help protect against infections and illnesses.
– Anti-inflammatory properties: Garlic contains anti-inflammatory compounds like diallyl disulfide, which can help reduce inflammation in the body, potentially alleviating symptoms of conditions like arthritis.
– Improves heart health: Garlic is known to improve cardiovascular health by reducing blood pressure, lowering cholesterol levels, and preventing the hardening of arteries. These benefits collectively reduce the risk of heart disease and stroke.
– Detoxifies the body: The sulfur compounds in garlic help detoxify heavy metals from the body. It supports liver function and helps cleanse the body of toxins, promoting overall health.
– Enhances digestive health: Consuming garlic on an empty stomach can stimulate digestion and improve gut health. It promotes the production of digestive enzymes and has antimicrobial properties that can help balance gut flora.
– Antimicrobial and antiviral effects: Garlic has potent antimicrobial and antiviral properties. Chewing raw garlic can help fight off pathogens, including bacteria, viruses, and fungi, reducing the risk of infections and promoting oral health.
Source: HT -
Paneer samosa
Ingredients
Paneer – 250 gms, finely chopped, Maida – 2 cups
Onion – 1, finely chopped, Green chillies – 2, finely chopped, Red chilli powder – 1 tsp, Cumin seeds – 1/2 tsp, Lemon juice – 1 tsp, Butter – 50 gms, melted, Salt as per taste, Oil as required
Method
– Combine the maida, butter and salt in a bowl, Mix well to a puri dough consistency. Fry the cumin seeds for 30 seconds.
– Add the onions, green chillies and saute for a minute or two, Add red chilli powder, lemon juice, salt and paneer, Mix well and stir-fry
– Remove from flame. Make small balls of the dough and roll them in small/ medium puris. 10.
– Shape the prepared puris into cones and add 1 or 2 tblsp of the paneer mixture. -
Mango Custard
Ingredients
Ripe Mangoes – 3 to 4 (approximately 200 gms), Vanilla Flavoured Custard Powder – 1 tblsp, Milk – 500 ml, Fresh Cream – 500 ml, Sugar – 1/4 cup (adjust as per taste)
Method
– Peel and finely chop the mangoes into small pieces. Reserve a few pieces for garnishing and grind the remaining to a thick pulp. No need to add water.
– Mix the custard powder with 100 ml (1/2 cup) of milk and stir until fully mixed without any lumps. Boil the remaining milk over medium flame. Add the custard mixture and stir gently.
– Ensure no lumps form and keep stirring constantly. Add sugar and switch off the flame.
– Add the mango puree, cream and mix well.
– Stir gently for a minute and keep it in the fridge for 4 to 6 hours. -
Perk up your skin with coffee
Coffee can perk up your skin. The caffeine in coffee has a number of benefits for your skin, from treating redness and inflammation, to reducing the appearance of under-eye circles, to getting rid of cellulite. By incorporating caffeine into your skin care routine, you can reveal evenly toned, smooth skin all over your body.
Reduces Inflammation
Caffeine has potent anti-inflammatory properties that make it ideal for reducing inflammation and redness in your skin. In a 1981 study performed at the Seoul National University, researchers found that caffeine is able to reduce inflammation almost as well as aspirin in rats; in a 1978 performed at the University of Tennessee, researchers found that adding caffeine to anti-inflammatory creams significantly increased their effectiveness. Overall, use of skin care products containing caffeine will reduce and prevent inflammation and redness, leaving you with a beautiful, even skin tone.
Helps get rid of under-eye circles
Dark under-eye circles can be caused by a number of factors, including dehydration, allergies, lack of sleep or genetics. Although caffeine cannot completely erase hereditary dark circles, applying caffeine under your eyes will reduce the puffiness and inflammation associated with dark circles. Additionally, caffeine reduces the build-up of blood under your eyes which contributes to dark shadows. Several eye creams contain caffeine, or you can apply moist tea bags to your eyes for five minutes to reduce puffiness and give you a more alert appearance.
Gets rid of cellulite
Caffeine can also reduce the appearance of cellulite. In a 2008 study performed at the University of São Paulo, researchers found that an application of skin cream containing caffeine to cellulite reduced the size of cellulite fat cells by 17 percent. -
Use coconut, argan oil for smooth lips
Besides drinking water it is important to use coconut and argan oil based products like lip balms, scrubs, lipsticks with the natural oils as its base to save your lips from chapping, suggest experts.
Don’t lick your lips
This common practice is quite harmful for your lips as when you put saliva on the lips, it dries out and make our lips even more dry.
Use coconut oil
Coconut oil is very good for lips as it acts as a good nourishing moisturiser and will give you cracked free lips. For a deep hydrating result we recommend butterstick lip treatment which has coconut oil and lemon butter and comes with SPF.
Use argan oil
The thin skin of your lips loses moisture rapidly, especially in the winter. So make sure lips are covered with lip balm as often as possible. Argan oil is your lips best friend. Make sure you use lipsticks with argan oil or shea butter so that your lips don’t crack in the cold.
Try lip scrub
Our lips are not protected by hair or sebaceous glands (oil glands), so they start to chap, therefore weekly exfoliation is a must. Lip scrub works great to gently exfoliate dry lips. For a homemade lip scrub, mix brown sugar and honey and gently scrub lips until the sugar crystals melt. Wash and pat dry.
Keep a gloss handy
If you’re a matte enthusiast, and your lips begin to feel dry, always keep a gloss handy. Start your make-up routine by moisturising your lips for which you can use the good old Vaseline. Keep it on for a minute, blot the excess and go ahead with the lipstick application.
Use a lip balm
This will lock in the moisture and help to heal cracks and splits in the skin. Look for a healing ointment that contains petrolatum, essential oils or glycerin. Another important ingredient is sunscreen — there still is sun in the winter.
Avoid lip balms containing camphor, eucalyptus and menthol. These substances actually dry out your lips and make the problem worse. In response, you apply more of this kind of lip balm, and the cycle continues. Avoid brushing or rubbing your lips when they are flaky or peeling. It’s better not to scrub your lips or pick the peeling skin off with your teeth or your fingers. That just creates cracks and sores on your lips and can make things worse. Instead, apply a very heavy ointment-based balm that will be soothing and help to heal your lips.
Treat cracks right away
If you let them go, they can become worse and possibly get infected or lead to a cold sore.
At night, apply lip balm before you go to bed. Many people sleep with their mouths open. Eight hours of breathing in and out through your mouth can dry your lips. -
Naomi Watts, Billy Crudup marry once again
A year after their courthouse wedding, Hollywood actors Naomi Watts and Billy Crudup had a very special wedding anniversary celebration, and it was by exchanging vows once again in a grand way in Mexico.
According to People magazine, Naomi on Saturday got married to Billy in front of family and friends during a second wedding ceremony in Mexico. Earlier, they said ‘I do’ in a courthouse in New York in June 2023.
The news was confirmed by Naomi’s photographer brother, Ben Watts, who shared moments from the lavish wedding on his Instagram. He shared a video which showed the actor in an elevator wearing a white gown and holding a bouquet of white flowers, while Billy is seen standing behind her wearing a dark suit.
For the second wedding, Naomi, 55, kept it simple in a white, sleeveless gown with her hair pinned back. Meanwhile, Billy, 55, opted for a timeless vibe in a black tuxedo.
Kai, whom Naomi shares with ex Liev Schreiber, along with son Sasha, 16. and the actor’s niece Ruby appeared to serve as bridesmaids. They are wearing strapless nude gowns. The whole group is seen smiling and waving at the camera as the elevator doors close, going on to reveal that Ben is filming in the reflection of the doors.
“Off they go Naomi x Billy x family #benwatts #scrapbooking,” Ben wrote alongside the video, which was posted with Frank Sinatra’s song, Love and Marriage.
Naomi’s brother shared a few more details from the special event on his Instagram Stories. In one photo, he posed in bathing shorts beside his sister, writing, “Getting ready for tonight,” and tagging Naomi.
The next clip showed his daughter Ruby getting ready in what appeared to be a hotel room. “Rubys getting ready to be a bridesmaid,” Ben wrote over the video.
One clip showed a room filled with chairs arranged in rows and guests, including Justin Theroux and Nicole Kidman, sitting and mingling in formal wear. “Let the ceremony begin,” Ben wrote over the clip. -
Kevin Spacey breaks down over mounting financial woes
Kevin Spacey was seen breaking down in tears while talking about having to sell his Baltimore home because he “can’t pay the bills” that have stacked up. In a recent interview with British broadcaster Piers Morgan, Spacey claimed that he has been facing financial woes because of the several legal bills for the criminal charges have have piled up, stepping from sexual assault allegations against him.
“This week where I have been living in Baltimore is being foreclosed on, my house is being sold at auction,” an emotional Spacey said during the interview. “So I have to go back to Baltimore and put all my things in storage. I’m not quite sure where I’m going to live now. I’ve been in Baltimore since we started shooting ‘House of Cards’ there.” When Morgan asked him why his home was being foreclosed, Spacey said, “Because I can’t pay the bills that I owe.” On being asked if he was facing bankruptcy, Spacey said that although he had come close, he managed to “dodge” it a few times. When Morgan asked him how much money he had now, Spacey replied, “None.” -
‘Ant-Man and the Wasp’ star Evangeline Lilly announces retirement from acting
Marvel star Evangeline Lilly has announced her retirement from acting. In an Instagram post on Monday, June 3, the 44-year-‘Lost’ actor expressed her joy and contentment, stating she is ready to live out her vision.
She shared a 20-year-old video of herself and wrote, ‘I am so filled with joy and contentment today as I live out my vision. Praise God, I feel so grateful for my blessings. Stepping away from what seems like the obvious choice (wealth and fame) can feel scary at times, but stepping into your dharma replaces the fear with fulfillment. I might return to Hollywood one day, but, for now, this is where I belong. A new season has arrived, and I AM READY…and I AM HAPPY (sic).”
Lilly mentioned she might return to Hollywood one day but, for now, she feels this is where she belongs. The video shows a younger Lilly discussing her dreams of becoming a retired actress with a family and two children.
She also shared her wish to become a writer and engage in humanitarian work.
Lilly is best known for her role as Kate Austen in the ‘Lost’ series. She has a daughter and a son with her longtime partner Norman Kali. Lilly starred as Hope van Dyne in Marvel’s ‘Ant-Man’ and reprised her role in ‘Ant-Man and the Wasp’, and ‘Avengers: Endgame’.
Recently, she appeared in ‘Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania’. She also starred in ‘Smallville’, ‘Real Steel’, and two films in the ‘Hobbit’ franchise. -
Alec Baldwin announces family reality show
Alec Baldwin and his wife Hilaria will star in a new reality series about their family life. The show, titled ‘The Baldwins,’ is set to release in 2025. Baldwin announced the TLC reality show, which will feature their life with seven children under the age of 10.
In a video shared on Instagram, Baldwin said the show will capture the ups and downs of their family life. The couple joked about more pregnancies but confirmed they are done having kids. Sharing the clip, they wrote, “We’ve got an exciting announcement to share! Coming in 2025… (sic).” Baldwin and Hilaria married in July 2012 and had their first child in August 2013. Baldwin was previously married to actor Kim Basinger, with whom he has a daughter, Ireland. This announcement comes as Baldwin prepares for trial for involuntary manslaughter related to the 2021 fatal shooting on the set of the film ‘Rust.’ The trial is set for July in Santa Fe, and Baldwin has pleaded not guilty. -
Kartik Aaryan addresses being notorious for his dating life
Kartik Aaryan is busy with promotions for his next film Chandu Champion. In a new interview for Raj Shamani’s YouTube channel, the actor addressed the attention on his dating life, and admitted that he is currently single. Kartik has been linked to several actors in the industry, including Sara Ali Khan, Ananya Panday and Janhvi Kapoor.
When Kartik was quizzed about his ‘notorious’ dating rumors, the actor said, “Mera personal life at one point pe kaafi talked about ho gaya tha uss moment pe. Tab se aaj tak wahi chal raha hai. Main toh privately bhi date nahi kar raha hu. Abhi toh dara dara ghum raha hoon shayad (My personal life was talked about a lot at one point of time. Till now, it has been the same thing. I am not even dating privately. Just roaming around scared, I guess).” He also added how dating is different in his position because the number of people he meets have become limited. “You meet very few people after getting famous. Because of your work, you meet a very limited number of people. Your day goes in that zone. It becomes like that. You might earn a lot, and become famous, but one thing is for sure that you can’t buy love…. I’m not dating anyone. I’m even called romantic hero, but I have been unlucky in love.” -
Salman, Rashmika to begin shooting for ‘Sikandar’ on June 18
Salman Khan’s upcoming film ‘Sikandar,’ co-starring Rashmika Mandanna, will begin shooting on June 18 in Mumbai. The movie is directed by A R Murugadoss.
It’s celebratory news that Salman Khan’s ‘Sikandar’ is set to kick-start shooting in Mumbai. The first shooting schedule will commence with a spectacular action scene, 33,000 feet above sea level, aboard an aircraft featuring the ‘Tiger’ actor.
Ever since the film was announced, it has captivated audiences, generating immense buzz and anticipation. As ‘Sikandar’ gears up for its first schedule, the excitement continues to build.
The film is bankrolled by Sajid Nadiadwala. Earlier, Sajid and Salman have collaborated on various films like ‘Kick’, ‘Har Dil Jo Pyar Karega’, ‘Mujhse Shaadi Karogi’, and ‘Jaan-E-Mann’ among others. The film is set to hit the screens on Eid 2025. -
Sonakshi Sinha, Zaheer Iqbal to get married on June 23
Film actor Sonakshi Sinha will reportedly get married to her longtime partner, actor Zaheer Iqbal, later this month.
News of the wedding comes just a month after the premiere of Netflix series ‘Heeramandi: The Diamond Bazaar’, in which Sinha played the dual role of Rehaana and Fareedan.
While there is no official confirmation about the ceremony, sources close to the Sinha’s family said “the reports are true”.
According to insiders, the wedding will be an intimate affair attended by family and close friends at a fine-dining restaurant in Mumbai on June 23. Sinha and Iqbal, who have been dating for a while, co-starred in the 2022 comedy drama ‘Double XL’.
The two are yet to publicly confirm their relationship, but their Instagram feed is filled with photos of each other. They are often spotted attending events and social gatherings together. -
Karisma stuns on magazine cover ahead of 50th birthday, fans call her ‘timeless beauty’
Karisma Kapoor is still one of the most fashionable actors in Bollywood, and her latest photoshoot is proof. Karisma, 49, features on the cover of Grazia magazine’s June issue and rocks a rather different style of outfits than what she is known for. On the cover, she is seen wearing a pastel blue top with a beige trench coat and matching pleated pants. Her hair gives off a easy breezy vibe and her make up is mostly minimal with red lips and lot of blush with bare eyes. More pictures show her in similar easy outfits such as a blue tank top, a blue co-ord shirt and shorts sets, some shiny leather loafers and an overall relaxed aesthetic. Fans of the actor loved her new look. Fashion designer-actor Masaba Gupta wrote, “She’s the chicest.” A person called her ‘Timeless beauty!’ Karisma celebrates her 50th birthday on June 25 this year. Another fan wrote, “Holy cow, this lady doesn’t seem to age at all. I had a crush on her from Dil Toh Pagal Hai and I still have a crush on her to this day.” Another comment read, “One of the finest actress in Bollywood.” In the accompanying interview to the magazine, Karisma talked about what inspires her now. “I think today it’s fun that I get to do a job where I can dress for myself – whether it’s events or endorsements – I can be myself. Yes, we’re working but I can portray myself the way I am and how I want to be. And maybe that can be inspirational to others as well. One compliment I really take well is that a lot of people like my fashion sense and it’s not just for the movies I did. I’m just being myself. I dress for myself. I don’t follow trends and brands and things,” she said.
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SC notice to govt, NTA on plea over CBI probe into NEET row
New Delhi (TIP)- The Supreme Court on Friday, June 14, issued notices to the Centre and the National Testing Agency (NTA) on petitions seeking a CBI probe into alleged paper leak and irregularities in NEET-UG 2024 in which 67 students got a perfect score of 720 out of 720.
Asking the Centre and the NTA to respond to the petitions seeking a CBI probe into alleged paper leak and malpractices in NEET-UG 2024, a Vacation Bench led by Justice Vikram Nath asked them to respond in two weeks and posted the matter for further hearing on July 8 when certain other petitions on the issue would also be taken up.
As the petitioners’ advocates said it’s a question of lakhs of students and that candidates were committing suicides, the Bench asked them not to make any emotional arguments. It said no ex-parte order could be passed on their plea for a CBI probe without hearing the counsel for the Centre and the NTA.
“We understand that…we are conscious of all that,” said Justice Nath, adding they could argue it on July 8. Besides a CBI probe into alleged paper leak, the petitioners have also sought cancellation of the NEET–UG, 2024, results of which were declared on June 4. The Bench also issued notices to various parties on NTA’s petition seeking transfer of cases pending in various high courts on the NEET-UG row to the top court to avoid multiplicity of litigation. Now both petitions will be taken up for hearing on July 8.
Meanwhile, Union education minister Dharmendra Pradhan said on June 14 said the government will not tolerate malpractice and irregularities in the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET), but indicated that scrapping the entire entrance examination was unlikely as the sanctity of the process could not be judged by irregularities in a handful of sessions.
Pradhan spoke hours after groups of students protested outside the education ministry and submitted a memorandum asking for a re-exam for everyone, a Central Bureau of Investigation probe into the skewed results, and transparency from the National Testing Agency (NTA).
He also met some of the agitating students and their parents, but reiterated that there was no concrete proof to establish the allegations of paper leaks during the exam this year. He also said there were more toppers this year because 300,000 more students appeared for the test and the authorities had rationalised the syllabus.
“I assured the students that their interest will be taken care of. I told them not to judge the sanctity of the exam on the basis of the issues reported at a few centres,” he said.
His comments came a day after the Supreme Court allowed the Centre to scrap grace marks awarded to 1,563 students and conduct a NEET for them amid chaos and allegations engulfing the premier examination that threaten to jeopardise the futures of hundreds of thousands of children. -
Kuwait fire tragedy: Victims’ relatives grieve as bodies brought to India
Kochi (TIP)- Two days after they were killed in a devastating apartment fire in Kuwait’s Al Ahmadi governorate, the bodies of 45 Indian workers were on June 14 brought back to India by an Indian Air Force C130J aircraft, and given a guard of honour by senior government officials, including minister of state for external affairs Kirti Vardhan Singh and Kerala chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan.
The aircraft carrying the coffins first landed in Kochi on Friday morning, where 31 were unloaded and sent to respective villages in three states — Kerala, Tamil Nadu and Karnataka — and then made its way to New Delhi, where it was received by three members of Parliament. The rest of the 14 dead are from nine different states, most of them in northern India.
The June 12 fire in the Al-Mangaf building, the worst building fire in the Gulf country’s history, broke out at around 4.30am, and most deaths were due to smoke inhalation with most residents caught unawares. NBTC group, an engineering and construction firm partially owned by KG Abraham, 69, an industrialist originally from Kerala, had rented the building to house 195 workers, most of them workers from southern states.
Investigations in Kuwait have revealed that the fire was caused by an electrical short circuit, and two people have been held on charges that include “killing and injury by error due to negligence of security and safety precautions against fires”. A team probing the fire have found that inflammable material was used as partitions between apartments and between rooms, causing thick black smoke which suffocated people as they tried to run down the stairwell. Of the 49 people dead, 45 were from India, authorities said on Thursday. On Friday, Kuwaiti foreign minister Abdullah Al-Yahya said that one more person succumbed to injuries, taking the death toll to 50, of which 46 were Indians. When 31 bodies — 23 from Kerala, seven from Tamil Nadu and one from Karnataka — were brought out of the IAF aircraft on Friday morning, they were given a guard of honour by the Kerala police and Kerala CM Vijayan, and a host of others ministers — Union minister of state for petroleum and tourism Suresh Gopi and Tamil Nadu minister for minorities welfare KS Masthan. Each of them, as well as several ministers in the state government, MLAs, MPs and leaders of political party them sombrely placed wreaths on each coffin.
“The people who have succumbed in this tragedy were those who had gone (to Kuwait) as part of earning their livelihood. As much as we help their families, it will never be enough. I implore the Indian government to work with Kuwait to speed up the process of granting them adequate compensation. This is indeed a massive tragedy for Kerala and its people,” Vijayan said.
MoS Kirti Vardhan Singh, who flew to Kuwait on the instructions of PM Narendra Modi on Thursday to facilitate relief and rescue efforts, and travelled back with the bodies on Friday, said: “The moment our government found out that this incident had taken place, Prime Minister immediately convened a meeting and instructed us to reach Kuwait to take all possible steps so that the mortal remains can be brought back as soon as possible.” Source: HT -
NDA government formed by mistake, can fall anytime: Congress chief
Congress national president Mallikarjun Kharge on June 14 targeted Prime Minister Narendra Modi and said that the coalition government at the Centre has been formed by mistake and could fall anytime. In the recently concluded Lok Sabha polls, the BJP bagged a total of 240 seats, falling short of the majority mark of 272, and the party relied on its allies to form the government. “NDA government has been formed by mistake. Modi ji doesn’t have the mandate. It’s a minority government. This government can fall anytime. We would like it to continue. Let it be good for the country. We should work together to strengthen the country. But our Prime Minister is habitual of not letting something go on well to continue. But we will cooperate towards strengthening the country…,” Mallikarjun Kharge said.
Kharge’s jibe at PM Modi and the coalition government got a prompt response from his political rivals in Bihar.
While JDU reminded Kharge of the scorecards of prime ministers of Congress-led coalitions, RJD preferred toeing his line. Former Bihar IPRD minister and JDU MLC Neeraj Kumar questioned Kharge’s intellect and asked him the scorecards of the Congress-led governments of PV Narasimha Rao and Manmohan Singh.
In the 1991 general election, the Congress won a similar number of seats as the BJP won in 2024. When no party could fetch a majority, Congress formed a minority government under the nearly-retired Narasimha Rao. The Congress party just-about managed to form the government.
Source: India Today