NO RELIEF FOR RAHUL GANDHI FROM GUJARAT HIGH COURT IN 'MODI-SURNAME' DEFAMATION CASE

The Enforcement Directorate on Tuesday named Aam Aadmi Party MP Raghav Chadha in the supplementary chargesheet in Delhi liquor scam case. However, the leader has not been named as an accused. Two more leaders - Manish Sisodia and Satyendra Jain have already been named in the chargesheet.

According to the chargesheet, Manish Sisodia's PA C Arvind named Raghav Chadha in his statement. C Arvind said in his statement that there was a meeting at the residence of Manish Sisodia in which Raghav Chadha, Excise Commissioner of Punjab, Excise Officer and Vijay Nair were also present.

What else has been mentioned in the chargesheet

Vijay Nair arranged zoom calls with Arun Pillai, Abhishek Boinapalli and Buchi Babu

Delhi's new excise policy was the brain child of Kejriwal.

K Kavita held several meetings with Vijay Nair after the Excise Policy was formulated and implemented.

Magunta Srinivasa Reddy also had a meeting with Kejriwal

Vijay Nair had the support and immunity of Delhi Chief Ministers Arvind Kejriwal and Manish Sisodia for illegal activities in framing and implementing the excise policy.

Arun Pillai's aide was Abhishek Boinapalli Buchibabu

Vijay Nair told Sameer Mahendru that Arun and his associate group were keen to invest in the Delhi liquor policy because the group had a lot of money, political connections and were friends with Arvind Kejriwal Sameer Mahendru had asked Vijay Nair to arrange a meeting with Kejriwal to test Vijay Nair's credibility, after which Vijay Nair arranged a FaceTime meeting between Sameer Mahendru and Kejriwal. Initially he met Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Singh after which he came in contact with Delhi Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia at a partymeet.

MORINDA SACRILEGE INCIDENT:

ACCUSED JASVIR SINGH DIES AT MANSA CIVIL HOSPITAL, POLICE INFORM

Gujarat High Court on Tuesday reserved orders on Congress leader Rahul Gandhi's plea seeking a stay on conviction in 2019 'Modi surname' defamation case. Justice Hemant Prachchhak will pronounce the verdict after vacations. However, the Court refused to grant any interim relief to Rahul Gandhi until then.

Earlier on March 23, a metropolitan magistrate's court in Surat sentenced the formed Congress president to two years in jail after convicting him under Indian Penal Code (IPC) sections 499 and 500 (criminal defamation) in a 2019 case filed by Bharatiya Janata Party's (BJP) Gujarat MLA Purnesh Modi. Following the verdict, under the provisions of the Representation of the People Act, Gandhi, elected to the Lok Sabha from Wayanad in Kerala in 2019 was disqualified as an MP.

Court earlier refused to stay his conviction Gandhi, 52, then challenged the order in the Surat sessions court along with seeking a stay to the conviction. While granting him bail, the court on April 20 refused to stay the conviction.

The criminal defamation case against Rahul Gandhi was filed by Purnesh Modi over his 'How come all thieves have Modi as the common surname?' remark made during an election rally at Kolar in Karnataka on April 13, 2019. Earlier on April 29, 2023, Gujarat High Court adjourned the hearing to May 2 after Senior Advocate Abhishek Manu Singhvi, appearing for Rahul Gandhi, made lengthy arguments today before the court. He sought time to certain documents on record, after which the court allowed it and adjourned the hearing to May 2.

'NO PRIVILEGE OVER DOCUMENTS ON REMISSION OF CONVICTS IN BILKIS BANO CASE': CENTRE TELLS SC

NEW DELHI, (IANS) The Centre and Gujarat government on Tuesday told the Supreme Court that they would not claim privilege over the documents in connection with the remission of sentence of convicts in Bilkis Bano gang-rape and murder of her family members case during Gujarat riots, and agreed to share the documents with the apex court for its perusal.

Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, representing the Centre and Gujarat government, submitted before a bench headed by Justice K.M. Joseph that they do not claim privilege over files in connection with grant of remission to 11 convicts in the Bilkis Bano case. Mehta submitted that the Centre and state government will also not seek review of the apex court's earlier order directing them to bring on record documents in connection with the remission of the convicts.

The top court recorded Mehta's statement that Centre and Gujarat government are not seeking review of the order with the direct ion of production of records.

The apex court is likely to take up the matter later in May to ascertain the completion of service of documents and the case may come up for hearing in July. On April 18, the Centre and Gujarat government, before the Supreme Court, claimed privilege over files in connection with grant of remission to 11 convicts in the Bilkis Bano case. The Centre's counsel had said the government is likely to seek review of the court's March 27 order, asking them to be ready with the original files on remission granted to the convicts.

In the previous hearing, the top court had noted that a pregnant woman, Bilkis Bano, was gang-raped and several people were killed and the case cannot be compared with a standard Section 302 (murder) cases, and while stressing on the gravity of the offence and on the remission granted to 11 convicts, said: "Unequals cannot be treated equally."

The 11 men convicted in the case were released on August 15 last year, after the Gujarat government allowed their release under its remission policy. The convicts had completed 15 years in jail. A batch of the petitions have been filed against the release of 11 convicts, including the one filed by Bano. The other petitions were filed by CPI-M leader Subhashini Ali, Trinamool Congress MP Mahua Moitra, National Federation of Indian Women, Meeran Chadha Borwankar and others, Asma Shafique Shaikh and others.

'HAS GONE THROUGH CERTIFICATION', SC ON PLEA AGAINST RELEASE OF 'THE KERALA STORY'

NEW DELHI, (IANS) The Supreme Court on Tuesday declined to immediately hear a plea seeking a stay on the release of the controversial movie 'The Kerala Story'.

A bench comprising Justices K.M. Joseph and B.V. Nagarathna observed that the censor board has already cleared the movie and th e petitioners should rather challenge the film's certification before an appropriate authority. This bench is currently hearing matters in connection with hate speeches. The bench said that the exhibition of films entails a different process, therefore the plea seeking a stay on the release of the movie cannot be clubbed with the hate speech matters.

Senior advocate Kapil Sibal and advocate Nizam Pasha urged the bench to hear their plea saying that the movie will release on Friday.

During the hearing, the bench said, "This has gone through certification. We cannot make it a part of the hate speech case".

Pasha, on his part, submitted that the YouTube trailer of the movie already had 16 million views so far and this is the worst instance of hate speech and this is audio-visual propaganda.

The bench told the counsel, "You should move the high court or any other appropriate forum, but this cannot be here."

Pasha pressed that they do not have time for any other remedy. However, the bench declined to entertain the plea against the movie.

Emphasizing that it cannot tag the plea with hate speech case, the bench orally observed that there is a difference between this and "other matters you brought to our notice. Why don't you move the concerned high court first?"

Sibal urged the bench to look at the transcript of the YouTube trailer during the lunch recess and then take a call and added that they will also file a petition by Wednesday. Declining to entertain the plea, the bench said, "This has gone through a process of certification. Unless you challenge the certification, we can't do anything...you should go to the jurisdictional high court. You cannot start everything here at the Supreme Court..."

Jasvir Singh, accused of desecrating the Guru Granth Sahib and hitting two Sikh priests at the historic Kotwali Sahib gurdwara died on Monday. As per the information provided by the police, Singh who was lodged in a jail in Mansa district, died at the Mansa civil hospital after he complained of "discomfort".

Jasvir Singh was accused in the sacrilege incident that occurred at the historic Kotwali Sahib gurdwara in Morinda town on April 24. He was lodged in the Mansa jail on April 29 after his police remand ended. Mansa Senior Superintendent of Police Nanak Singh said the accused died at the civil hospital at around 9:10 pm. Singh was taken to the hospital in the afternoon after he complained of discomfort. The police further informed that the cause of death will be clear after the post-mortem release of the report.

Singh was experiencing difficulty in breathing

As per a report of PTI, a doctor at the Mansa civil hospital said Jasvir Singh was brought from the jail to the hospital at around 4 pm as he was experiencing difficulty in breathing. At around 8:30 pm, his condition deteriorated as his blood pressure and oxygen saturation level dropped considerably, the doctor said.

Singh died at around 9:10 pm despite the best efforts of the doctors to save him, he added.

What is Morinda sacrilege incident?

In a purported video that surfaced on social media platforms, Singh was seen entering the sanctum sanctorum of the gurdwara and hitting two granthis. He was also seen pushing the Holy book.

KASHMIR SET TO HOLD G20 SUMMIT DESPITE PAKISTAN, CHINA’S RESISTANCE

Kashmir is all set to host the first and biggest international summit this year. India will soon host the G20 tourism working group meeting in Srinagar from May 22 to 24, despite strong opposition from neighbouring countries— Pakistan and China. Notably, this is for the first time after the abrogation of Articles 370 and 35-A, Jammu and Kashmir will be hosting an international event. Kashmir, which is called heaven on earth, is the best for India place hold a tourism working group meeting. To make this event beautiful and historic, the city of Srinagar has been converted into a smart city. The world-famous Dhal Lake is being decorated like a bride and the Shikara (boat) present in the Dhal Lake are being decorated with new colours. G20 summit hoardings can be seen all over the place and everything is being renovated. More than 40 Shikaras have been booked for guests coming from 20 countries. Special care will be taken to ensure that there is no shortage in the hospitality of the guest. India took over the presidency of the G20 in December 2022. It is expected to host a total of 215 meetings across 55 locations this year. Around 50 delegates, who are expected to participate in the G-20 meeting in Srinagar, will be taken on a tour of the beautiful tourist places of Kashmir along with Dhal Lake, especially the Taj Gulmarg. The tourism department believes that due to this event, Kashmir will come on the global map. People across the world will get to see the real picture of the new Kashmir and Kashmir will benefit the most from this event in terms of tourism.

HINDUS, MUSLIMS, SIKHS FEATURE ON ROYAL MAIL STAMP MARKING KING'S CORONATION

LONDON, (IANS) A stamp depicting Sikhs, Hindus, Muslims and their places of worship feature on one of the four stamps issued by the Royal Mail to mark the coronation of King Charles III on May 6. Captioned "Diversity and Community", the stamp reflects a multi-faith community and the cultural diversity of contemporary British society, a news release stated.

The stamp features figures representing the Jewish, Islamic, Christian, Sikh, Hindu and Buddhist religions and is representative of all faiths and none. "The background shows aspects of both rural and urban Britain and includes some of the many different places of worship that are found around the United Kingdom," the release noted. Presented in a miniature sheet, the stamps illustrate the Coronation ceremony and the traditional street party, as well as some of the causes His Majesty has dedicated his years of public service to. This includes cultural diversity and community, the global ties of the Commonwealth, which he now leads, and sustainability and biodiversity. This is only the third time in history that Royal Mail has issued stamps to mark a Coronation. The previous two occasions were for King George VI in 1937 and Queen Elizabeth II in 1953. "Royal Mail is proud to issue this set of commemorative stamps which celebrate the Coronation, and some of the causes which His Majesty has championed throughout his many years of public service," Simon Thompson, Chief Executive of Royal Mail, said. "This is only the third time we have issued Coronation stamps and I am delighted that they mark the start of a new reign and a new chapter in our history," Thompson added. The stamps were designed by Atelier Works and feature newly commissioned wood engravings by British artist Andrew Davidson. Royal Mail will also be applying a special postmark to stamped mail to mark the event. The postmark will run from April 28 until May 10.

2024 POLLS TRUMP-BIDEN REMATCH BUT MAJORITY OF AMERICANS PREFER NEW CANDIDATES

WASHINGTON, (IANS) The 2024 Presidential race to the White House appears to be clearly a 2020 rematch between the GOP favourite Donald Trump and US President Joe Biden as current trends indicate that 70 per cent of Republicans back Trump despite his indictment and criminal investigations and multiple probes of tax frauds, incitement to violence and spiriting away of top secret documents.

Nearly 70 per cent of GOP voters stand behind Trump amid indictment and investigations, says an NBC poll but the majority of Americans are highly displeased with the Trump versus Biden rematch in 2024 as the current scenario emerges.

Almost two-thirds of Republican primary voters say they will back former President Donald Trump and show no concern about his eligibility, electability, despite his recent criminal arrest in a lower Manhattan court in New York for hush money paid to an adult star during his 2016 poll campaign, and other legal investigations into his past conduct, the NBC poll was reported in leading media outlets in the country.

Trump's double-digit lead over his nearest potential GOP rival, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis -- makes the former president the clear frontrunner in the primaries as of now in the Republican presidential nomination. Paradoxically, the Republican Party's continued enthusiasm for Trump contrasts sharply with a nation torn apart on critical issues such as abortion rights, gun laws, and high health care and higher education's costs clearly reflecting their displeasure towards the 2024 race and how it is shaping up, while Biden is trying to fix them.

Political strategists and multiple polls by agencies suggest that a huge majority of Americans do not want Trump or President Joe Biden to run for president in 2024, resulting in what they perceive as a potentially divisive and uninspiring general-election rematch between the two heavy weights -- one a rich billionaire with extreme right wing views promoting hard core capitalism, and the other a seasoned politician statesman coming off as a compassionate human wanting to do good for the urban middle class and the poor.

Biden's opponents cite his age (80) as the main reason for their opposition to him to run. Trump, however, is 76 years old.

Both appear too old for the job people feel, which is, however, rejected by senior Congressmen as older senators and Congressmen have contributed a lot to the country.

Democratic pollster Jeff Horwitt of Hart Research, which conducted this poll with Republican pollster Bill McInturff and his team at Public Opinion Strategies said: "Sequels are frequently hits at the box office, but apparently not at the ballot box."

McInturff, the GOP pollster, said: "It's clear that people do not want a Biden-Trump rematch." The NBC News poll -- conducted April 14-18 -came after Trump's arraignment in New York City over charges that he falsified business records to conceal damaging information in a hush- money case. It also followed grand juries in Atlanta and Washington, D.C., examining the former president's reported interference in Georgia's 2020 election results, his role in the January 6 attack on the Capitol and his inept handling of classified documents found at his Mar-a-Lago home seized by the FBI claimed to be CIA, FBI and National Security documents which ought to have been handed over to the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA).

Such is the popularity of the New York tabloid headliner, Donald Trump, who has occupied the headlines of Manhattans papers despite being out of politics for 30 years, that 46 per cent of Republican primary voters pick him as their first choice, while 31 per cent select DeSantis as the 2024 candidate they favor.

Mike Pence is pretty much a low choice at 6 per cent, and by former South Carolina Governor and US Ambassador to the UN Nikki Haley, Senator Tim Scott (who is exploring a 2024 bid), and former Arkansas Governor Asa Hutchinson, who are all tied at 3 per cent.

Businessman of Indian origin Vivek Ramaswamy has 2 per cent. Meanwhile, DeSantis is the second choice of 33 per cent of GOP primary voters, Trump is the second pick of 20 per cent, and Haley is the second choice of 14 per cent. What is striking is that nearly 70 per cent of Republican primary voters stated that they back Trump despite the various criminal investigations he is facing.

Sixty-eight per cent of GOP primary voters opine that investigations into Trump are politically motivated and are designed to stop him from being president again, and that they must support him now to stop his opponents from winning, reports said.

Contrast this with 26 per cent who say it is important to nominate a candidate other than Trump who would not be distracted and who can focus only on beating Biden in the general election.

Yet among all voters -- not just Republicans -- 52 per cent believe that Trump is being held to the same standard as anyone else accused of doing what he did as he faces charges in New York. Another 43 per cent disagree and say he is being unfairly targeted, the poll said.

PAK PM SHEHBAZ, HINA RABBANI KHAR'S DISCUSSION ON TIES WITH US LEAKED

ISLAMABAD, (IANS) The record of an important discussion between Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Hina Rabbani Khar was leaked wherein the two, along with an assistant, were talking about Pakistan's ties with the US, reports said on Sunday. The record of the discussion on crucial foreign policy, which has been named 'Discord Leaks', also reveals the Premier's conversation on the United Nations' voting on the Ukraine and Russia conflict, Geo News reported, citing the Washington Post.

As per the leaked documents, Khar said that Pakistan should avoid appeasing the West and that the country's desire to maintain a strategic partnership with the US would sacrifice the full benefits of its original strategic partnership with the long-term friendly nation China, Geo News reported. "According to one of the leaked documents, Hina Rabbani Khar, Pakistan's Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, argued in March that her country can 'no longer try to maintain a middle ground between China and the United States," it cited the US paper as reporting.

During the discussion, an aide advised the Prime Minister that supporting the resolution could jeopardise Pakistan's trade and energy deals with

Russia and would give the impression of a change in Pakistan's position. The story by Washington Post, in which the record has been leaked, revolved around the declining support for the US on the war between Russia and Ukraine.

"When the UN General Assembly voted February 23, Pakistan was among 32 countries that abstained," it noted.

ISLAMABAD, (IANS) At least 140 cases of threats and attacks against journalists, media professionals and media organisations were reported in Pakistan over the past year, indicating an annual increase of over 60 per cent.

The annual Pakistan Press Freedom Report, prepared by the media rights watchdog Freedom Network, showed that Islamabad was the riskiest place to practise journalism in Pakistan, as 56, or 40 per cent, violations took place in the city, Dawn reported. Punjab was the second worst, with 35 (25 per cent) cases of violations, followed by 32 (23 per cent) cases in Sindh.

The report, released ahead of the World Press Freedom Day celebrated on May 3, noted that the country's media environment became riskier and more violent in recent months, as the number of attacks surged 63 per cent to 140 between May 2022 and March 2023 from 86 in 2021-22, Dawn reported.

The report also documented the killings of at least five journalists in Pakistan in the period under review.

"The escalation in violence against journalists is disturbing and demands urgent attention," said Iqbal Khattak, the executive director of Freedom Network, which tracks press freedom violations around the year and publishes the annual report.

IMRAN KHAN SEES ILL INTENTIONS BEHIND BID TO HOLD POLLS POST-BUDGET

LAHORE, (IANS) Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan blamed the Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM)-led government's "ill-intentions" behind its proposal to hold elections simultaneously after this year's budget, local media reported. The budget is traditionally presented within the first two weeks of June and the federal government has maintained that it would be too early to hold general elections the next month, stressing for holding polls later this year, Geo News reported.

The federal government and the opposition party PTI are in negotiations over a date for holding elections across the country on directions of the Supreme Court - and a final meeting is expected next week. "(The government) is saying that first, it would pass the budget, and then hold the election. This shows its 'ill-intention'," Khan - who was ousted as the prime minister in April last yearsaid during a session with PTI workers in Lahore, Geo News reported. The deposed prime minister said his party would be ready to move forward with the negotiations if the government dissolves the national and provincial assemblies before May 14.

US OFFICIALS REPORT EXTENSIVE FRAUD IN H-1B VISA APPLICATIONS THAT SURGED THIS YEAR

NEW YORK, (IANS) The US immigration officials have reported that they have discovered extensive fraud in the huge surge of 61 per cent in applications filed for the 2024 fiscal year allocation of temporary work visas, known as H1-B, and promised a crackdown. US Customs and Immigration Service (USCIS) has "undertaken extensive fraud investigations, denied and revoked petitions accordingly, and is in the process of initiating law enforcement referrals for criminal prosecution", the agency said on Friday. According to the agency, some companies applying for H1-B visas may have colluded to submit multiple applications for the same person. The H1-B visas are allocated through a lottery system and having several applications for the same person increases their chances of getting the coveted visa.

Companies file the applications on behalf of persons they want to hire to work in the US.

The agency reported a gigantic increase in the number of applications received for 2024 fiscal year starting October: 780,884, which were 296,957 more than the previous year's 483,927.

"The large number of eligible registrations for beneficiaries with multiple eligible registrations - much larger than in previous years - has raised serious concerns that some people may have tried to gain an unfair advantage by working together to submit multiple registrations on behalf of the same beneficiary," the agency said.

"This may have unfairly increased their chances of selection," USCIS said, adding, "We remain committed to deterring and preventing abuse of the registration process, and ensuring only those who follow the law are eligible to file an H-1B cap petition."

MET GALA 2023:

Alia Bhatt Makes Dreamy Debut In White Embellished Prabal Gurung Couture

SALMAN KHAN, SRK TO START SHOOTING FOR 'TIGER 3' ON MAY 8

ALIA BHATT APPEARED AT THE MET GALA 2023, HOSTED AT THE METROPOLITAN MUSEUM OF ART IN NEW YORK CITY ON MAY 1 EST (MAY 2 FOR INDIA), LOOKING LIKE A LOVELY WONDER TO BEHOLD IN A BEAUTEOUS FLOWING WHITE GOWN. FOR 'FASHION'S BIGGEST NIGHT,' THE ACTRESS WORE A PEARL-ENCRUSTED WHITE GOWN BY PRABAL GURUNG. ALIA'S GOWN WAS ENCRUSTED WITH PEARLS AND FEATURED A FIGURE-HUGGING DESIGN ON THE BODICE THAT FLOWED INTO A VOLUMINOUS BALL SKIRT WITH A FLOOR-SWEEPING TRAIN. HER OUTFIT'S LOW NECKLINE CONTRIBUTED TO THE OOMPH FACTOR. YOU MUST ALSO SEE THE SPECIFICS OF HER MET GALA DEBUT GOWN. TO BEGIN, THE ACTRESS COMPLEMENTED HER ENSEMBLE WITH A FINGERLESS GLOVE. THIS YEAR'S MET GALA THEME, WHICH HONOURS FASHION DESIGNER KARL LAGERFELD, WAS ENHANCED BY THE ADDITION. THROUGHOUT HIS SEVEN-DECADE CAREER, THE DESIGNER, WHO WORKED WITH LUXURY FASHION HOUSES SUCH AS CHANEL, FENDI, AND CHLOE, FREQUENTLY WORE FINGERLESS GLOVES AS PART OF HIS SIGNATURE LOOK. ALIA CHOSE AN EMBROIDERED GOWN.

PRIYANKA CHOPRA SLAYS IN THIGH HIGH-SLIT GOWN WITH DRAMATIC TRAIL; TWINS IN BLACK WITH NICK

WHEN DEEPIKA PADUKONE FACED BACKLASH FOR SELLING KURTI WORN AT JIAH KHAN'S FUNERAL

MET GALA 2023: KYLIE JENNER GOES BOLD IN FIERY RED HIGH-SLIT GOWN

MUMBAI, (IANS) Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan is set to enter the 'Tiger' franchise through an adrenaline pumping action sequence. SRK and Salman Khan will be on the same set to shoot for 'Tiger 3' on May 8. A source said: "The two Goliaths in the history of Indian cinema - Salman Khan and Shah Rukh Khan - are coming together again for Aditya Chopra's Spy Universe and the shoot date to witness them together again is set for May 8th! The energy on the sets of Tiger 3 will be palpable when these two iconic megastars set foot on the shooting floor." "They will be doing some insane action sequences in Tiger 3 and this SRK & Salman set-piece was planned for over six months to make it a massive talking point. This is Pathaan's entry in Tiger's timeline so this sequence will be something to watch out for!" the source added. 'Tiger 3' starring Salman Khan, Katrina Kaif as Zoya & Emraan Hashmi as Tiger's nemesis is set to release this Diwali.

KAREENA KAPOOR TO RETURN TO ROHIT SHETTY’S COP UNIVERSE IN SINGHAM AGAIN?

Rohit Shetty‘s cop universe is getting bigger. After Deepika Padukone joined Singham Again as ‘Lady Singham’, there is another addition to the franchise. Reports suggest that Kareena Kapoor will become a part of the cop universe as well. This will not be Kareena’s first appearance in the franchise as she has previously been a part of Singham Returns, where she starred alongside Ajay Devgn. “Kareena has been roped in as the female lead. Details regarding her character are being kept under wraps. The film is expected to go on floors by the year-end, and the team is excited to have the lead pair back,” reported Mid-day quoting a source close to the project. It is yet to be known if Kareena will be reprising her role from Singham Returns.

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ROYAL CHALLENGERS BANGALORE THRASH LUCKNOW SUPER GIANTS IN LOW-SCORING THRILLER

DETAILED SCHEDULE ON PAGE 26

PRIYANKA CHOPRA SLAYS IN THIGH HIGH-SLIT GOWN WITH DRAMATIC TRAIL; TWINS IN BLACK WITH NICK

Priyanka Chopra made a dazzling entry in a thigh high-slit gown with a dramatic trail. She opted to twin in black with her husband-singer Nick Jonas, who kept it simple in a leather blazer paired with a crisp white shirt and black pants. The power couple twinned in black as they wore Valentino outfits. Before entering the venue, Priyanka and Nick Jonas waved, smiled and interacted with the paparazzi.

Priyanka styled her thigh-slit black off-shoulder gown with regal bell sleeves. She matched her white gloves with the sleeves of her dress. She rounded off her look in an 11-carat diamond necklace and her hairstyle added a pinch of extra drama to her look in a side-parted bun. Priyanka made her debut at the Met Gala in 2017. The Bollywood icon, draped in a Ralph Lauren trench coat dress made the heads turn. While her entrance alongside Nick Jonas caused a stir, it was the trench coat dress's extended train that caught the fashion world's attention. Chopra's sartorial prowess was in full display in 2018, as she flawlessly embodied the "Heavenly Bodies: Fashion and the Catholic Imagination" theme with a deep ruby-red velvet gown. In 2019, Chopra's Met Gala look continued to stun audiences, showcasing a stunning display of whimsy and extravagance in a statement Dior gown, keeping in mind the dress code that pays homage to Susan Sontag's 1964 essay, "Notes on 'Camp'. Referred to as "fashion's biggest night out," the Met Gala is a fundraising benefit for the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City. The event welcomes stars, young creatives, and industry paragons The annual fundraiser began in 1948. Publicist Eleanor Lambert came up with the idea to raise money for the newly opened Costume Institute exhibit. This year's theme is "Karl Lagerfeld: A Line of Beauty," based on the new Costume Institute exhibition exploring the work of the iconic designer. Lagerfeld, who died in 2019 at the age of 85, spent decades creating clothes for Balmain, Patou, Chloe, Fendi and Chanel in addition to his own namesake label.

ANUPAM KHER ON AAMIR KHAN’S ‘LAAL SINGH CHADDHA BOYCOTT’, SAYS ‘WASN’T A GREAT FILM’

Aamir Khan's previous film, 'Laal Singh Chaddha,' had a terrible box office run, failing to even surpass the 50 crore mark in its opening weekend. The film, directed by Advait Chandan, was a Hindi adaptation of the 1994 Hollywood film 'Forrest Gump,' and starred Kareena Kapoor. In an exclusive interview with ANI, actor Anupam Kher said about the 'Boycott Bollywood' trend, "I personally feel this trend will not affect the film." If your film is good, it will succeed; if it is awful, it will suffer, but not as a result of the trend. Everyone has the right to express themselves freely. If an actor, actress, or other individual in the film industry has the right to say anything about any scenario, he or she should also be bold enough to sort of go through the situation."

Anupam Kher further added that Laal Singh Chadda was not a great film. If it was a great film then no power would've stopped it. Aamir Khan's PK worked really well. He went to say that one should accept the truth. Anupam also stated that he believes the 'boycott Bollywood' movement will have no effect on a film. If a film is good, it will succeed; if a film is awful, it will fail, but not because of the boycott trend, he claims. Anupam went on to explain that everyone has the right to free expression and that if an actor has the right to speak anything about any scenario, they should also be bold enough to go through it. He seemed to be alluding to Aamir's prior comment.

SALMAN KHAN GIVEN Y+ SECURITY AFTER DEATH THREATS; KANGANA RANAUT SAYS 'THERE IS NOTHING TO FEAR'

Salman Khan has been provided Y+ security after continuous death threats by the Lawrence Bishnoi gang. The actor is seen amid tight security and is not allowed to go anywhere without it. Actress Kangana Ranaut on Sunday reacted to the same and said that the country is in the safe hands of PM Narendra Modi and there is no need to fear. Earlier, Kangana was also given security when she received death threats. Kangana Ranaut said, "We are actors. Salman Khan has been provided with security by the Centre. He is getting protection from Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah, then there is nothing to fear. When I was threatened, I was also given security by the government, today the country is in safe hands. We have nothing to worry about."

While Salman Khan has been given security, the superstar isn't too happy with it. During India TV Chairman and Editor-In-Chied Rajat Sharma's Aap Ki Adalat, Salman opened up about his experience and how is he dealing with it. The superstar said, "Security is better than insecurity. Yes security is there. Now it is not possible to ride a bicycle on the road and go alone anywhere. And more than that, now I have this problem that when I am in traffic, then there is so much security, vehicles creating inconvenience to other people. They also give me a look. And my poor fans. There is a serious threat that's why there is security." He added, "I am doing whatever I have been told. There is a dialogue 'Kisi Ka Bhai Kisi Ki Jaan' 'they have to be lucky 100 times, I have to be lucky once'. So, I got to be very careful." Following the death threat, a few days ago, a minor was arrested by Mumbai Police for allegedly threatening to kill Salman. Mumbai Police said that a threat call was made to the Mumbai Police control room on April 10. The caller, who identified himself as Rockey Bhai from Jodhpur in Rajasthan, said he was a Gau Rakshak (cow-vigilante). The caller threatened to "eliminate" Salman Khan on April 30.

'PS-2' MINTS RS 150 CR GLOBALLY IN 3 DAYS; IT TOOK 'KISI KA BHAI KISI KI JAAN' 9 DAYS

MUMBAI, (IANS) Mani Ratnams magnum opus 'Ponniyin Selvan: 2', which released recently and also had a special screening attended by the whos who of the Indian film industry, is doing what its predecessor did back in September 2022 - working wonders at the box-office. The film, which released on April 28, has so far minted Rs 150 crore at the global box office. Film trade analyst Ramesh Bala shared the update on the film's collection in a tweet. He tweeted: "Ponniyin Selvan 2 has crossed Rs 150 crore gross at the worldwide box office in 3 days (sic)". The film is having a great run at the North American box-office as it made over $3 million, around Rs 24 crore in just three days, according to production house Lyca Productions. Regarding the domestic box-office, the film is likely to cross the Rs 100 crore mark on M onday. It collected Rs 24 crore on its opening day, Rs 26.2 crore on its second day, and Rs 29.14 crore on its third day taking the collections close to Rs 79 crore. In India, the film is drawing huge footfalls in Tamil Nadu theatres; it collected Rs 18.52 crore on its first d ay. The Salman Khan-starrer 'Kisi Ka Bhai Kisi Ki Jaan' managed to cross the Rs 100 crore mark 10 days after its release as per box-office tracker Sacnilk Entertainment. Both the films star an ensemble cast with the latter riding mostly on Salman Khan's star power. Interestingly, S alman and Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, who plays dual roles in 'PS: 2', were together back in the 1990s. While Salman has ruled the box-office for long with his Eid releases ringing in deafening box-office noise, this time Aishwarya's work clearly has an edge over Salman's relea se.

LOS ANGELES, (IANS) Reality TV star Kim Kardashian, who was seen walking the Met Gala carpet in a bold pearl ensemble, talked about her upcoming role in 'American Horror Story: Delicate'. "We start shooting my stuff at the end of this month. But production has already started and I'm so excited," Kardashian said, reports 'Variety'. Although she couldn't tease much about the role, she did say, "It's really fun to step outside of your comfort zone and try something new and grow. I'm so excited for the experience." Asked if she was taking acting lessons to prepare, she said, "I am, of course. It's a challenge. I like to challenge myself." 'Delicate' is the twelfth season of the anthology show, which also stars Emma Roberts, Matt Czuchry, Cara Delevingne, Annabelle Dexter-Jones, MJ Rodriguez and Odessa A'zion. It's based on the upcoming novel 'Delicate Condition' by Danielle Valentine, and is said to be a scary tale in the vein of 'Rosemary's Baby'. Outside of her extensive work in reality television, Kardashian has also acted for scripted fare such as 2008's 'Disaster Movie', 2013's 'Temptation: Confessions of a Marriage Counselor' and 2021's 'PAW Patrol: The Movie.' Meanwhile, Kardashian's ornate Met Gala look was designed by Schiaparelli. A statement read: "She wore a draped skirt and top made from over 50,000 freshwater pearls and over 16,000 crystals, molded corset is in blush satin, with a bone white washed faille stole. Her choker, pearl drop earrings, and articulated ring are made in crystals and unique baroque pearls. Ms. Kardashian's look took one dozen artisans and over 1,000 hours to create, as each strand of pearls was strung and draped to her body."

ARYAN KHAN ALL SET FOR DIRECTORIAL DEBUT WITH WEB SERIES TITLED 'STARDOM'

MUMBAI, (IANS) Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan's son, Aryan Khan isn't interested in acting but has a knack for writing and direction. Aryan will make his directorial debut with an upcoming show titled 'Stardom'. It will be a streaming show with 6 episodes and will be set against the backdrop of the film industry. The series is currently in its production stage. It's being produced by Aryan's home production Red Chillies Entertainment owned by his father, who is fresh off the success of his blockbuster movie 'Pathaan'. A few years back, while talking to chat show host David Letterman, SRK told him that Aryan isn't interested in building a career in acting more so because he has the towering achievements of his father to match-upto but he harbours dreams of being a director or a producer.

ADAH SHARMA SPEAKS UP FOR 'THE KERALA STORY'; DON'T JUDGE FILM BY ITS TRAILER

MUMBAI, (IANS) Actress Adah Sharma has shared that her upcoming film 'The Kerala Story' has not shown Kerala in a "derogatory light". Adah took to Twitter, where she shared a selfie of herself in a pink saree with gajra in her hair. She said: "Many senior persons in high posts have commented on #TheKeralaStory after watching the 2 minute trailer." "My parents have always asked me to respect my elders so with due respect to all of them i hope they can take 2 hrs out of their busy schedule and watch the movie. I'm sure they will see that we haven't shown Kerala in any derogatory light. Jai hind." In 'The Kerala Story', actress Adah Sharma is playing the role of Fathima Ba, a Hindu Malayali nurse, who is among the 32,000 women who went missing from Kerala and were then recruited to the ISIS (Islamic State of Iraq and Syria) after being forced to convert to Islam.

Hollywood

OFFICIAL! ‘HARRY POTTER’ SERIES ADAPTATION ORDERED AT HBO MAX, WILL FEATURE ENTIRELY NEW CAST

MET GALA 2023: KYLIE JENNER GOES BOLD IN FIERY RED HIGH-SLIT GOWN

Kylie Jenner returned to the Met Gala in another eye-catching ensemble. The mother-of-two made a statement as she walked up the iconic carpeted steps of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, where the theme this year honours the late legendary designer Karl Lagerfeld. Jenner chose a custom-made Jean Paul Gaultier gown for the occasion, which featured an asymmetrical neckline, a thigh-high leg split, and a two-in-one train that also functioned as a glossy cornflower blue cape when wrapped around her shoulders. She completed her ensemble with red shoes and diamond stud earrings. Moments before arriving on the iconic steps of the museum, Kylie, who attended alongside sisters Kim Kardashian and Kendall Jenner, was seen leaving her hotel with 5-year-old daughter Stormi, 5.

HBO Max has officially greenlit a "Harry Potter" TV series. The show will be a "decade-long series" based on J.K. Rowling's seven novels, with a fresh cast. It is advertised as a "faithful adaptation of the beloved Harry Potter book series," and once completed, it will be available on HBO Max. Casey Bloys, Chairman and CEO of HBO Max said that the team is delighted to give audiences the opportunity to discover Hogwarts in a whole new way. Harry Potter is a cultural phenomenon, and it is clear that there is a lasting love and thirst for the Wizarding World. This new Max Original series will delve deep into each of the classic books that fans have come to adore for all of these years, in collaboration with Warner Bros. Television and J.K. Rowling. JK Rowling also added, “Max's commitment to preserving the integrity of my books is important to me, and I'm looking forward to being a part of this new adaptation, which will allow for a degree of depth and detail only afforded by a long-form television series”. The Harry Potter seven-book series was adapted into eight films that earned over $7 billion at the worldwide box office. Warner Bros. also has the Fantastic Beasts prequel series of films under its belt.

Actress Sharon Stone Breaks Down Revealing Silicon Valley Bank Collapse Cost Her Half Of Her Money

MET GALA 2023 CO-HOST DUA LIPA EXUDES ROYALTY IN 100-CARAT DIAMOND NECKLACE AND VINTAGE CHANEL DRESS

Dua Lipa made sure all eyes were on her when she arrived at the Met Gala 2023 in vintage Chanel on Monday. The "Levitating" div a looked like royalty in a white gown with a figure-hugging corset bodice and a low neckline, as well as a long skirt with pockets and t assels. The outfit was initially designed by the late Karl Lagerfeld for Chanel's fall/winter 1992 collection. Lipa accessorised her Lorenzo Posocco-styled outfit with a stunning Tiffany & Co. diamond necklace weighing more than 100 carats. She also wore a 9-carat ring for the event. It's no surprise that the Grammy winner, 27, wore a stunning ensemble, given she is co-chairing this year's Met Gala with Anna Wintour, Penélope Cruz , Roger Federer, and Michaela Coel. The "Karl Lagerfeld: A Line of Beauty" event (and associated museum exhibition) in 2023 honoured La gerfeld and paid respect to his legendary design work for Chanel, Fendi, Chloé, Balmain, and his namesake label.

American actress Sharon Stone claimed that she lost half of her money due to 'banking thing,' referring to the Silicon Valley Bank collapse, which has rattled markets throughout the world. During the recent fundraiser for the Women's Cancer Research Fund, the actress was honored with the Courage Award. She broke down while speaking at the event, urging the audience to contribute money to a cancer charity. The 'Basic Instinct' actress said, "I know that thing that you have to get on and figure out how to text the money is difficult. I’m a technical idiot, but I can write a fu--ing check. And right now, that’s courage, too, because I know what’s happening. I just lost half my money to this banking thing, and that doesn’t mean that I’m not here." Her remarks on losing money follow the collapse of Silicon Valley Bank, which resulted in a catastrophic week of stock market losses. Sharon additionally addressed the importance of mammograms for women and shared her own medical problems. She said, "Someone like me who was told that I had breast cancer because I had a tumor that was larger than my breast and they were sure that I couldn’t possibly have a tumor without it being cancer, it wasn’t. But I went to the hospital, saying, ‘If you open me up and it’s cancer, please take both my breasts,’ because I am not a person defined by my breasts. You know, that might seem funny coming from me since you’ve all seen them."

KANGANA RANAUT BACKS SAME-SEX MARRIAGE, APURVA ASRANI THANKS HER FOR SPEAKING UP

WHAT! NAWAZUDDIN SIDDIQUI AND NEHA SHARMA MAKE A WONDERFUL PAIR? INTERNET SAYS SO

Nawazuddin Siddiqui, a prominent actor in the Indian film industry, has been a constant topic of discussion in the media due to both his personal and professional lives. Although he is going through a difficult time in his personal life following a tumultuous divorce and custody battle with his estranged wife, Aaliya Siddiqui, he remains focused on his work. Recently, he has been seen in several music videos, including one featuring Neha Sharma and another with Nikki Tamboli. A video of him with Neha Sharma has gone viral, with fans commenting on their chemistry and expressing their approval of the pairing. The viral video shows the duo posing together with a furry friend, the perfect photobomber. They both looked absolutely stunning as they posed for the shutterbugs. As soon as the video surfaced on the internet, fans jammed the comment section, reacting to it. While some users praised their chemistry, others urged them to get married. One user wrote, "Shadi krlo ap dono ache lgte Ho sath me." Another user commented, "New bhabhi." A third user commented, "You both should marry." Earlier, Nawazuddin Siddiqui, in a social media post, reacted to the allegations by his wife Aaliyah and said, "This is not an allegation but expressing my emotions." He said, "I am termed as a bad guy everywhere because of my silence. The reason I have kept quiet is because all this tamasha will somewhere be read by my small children." He added, "First of all me and Aaliya do not stay together since several years, we are already divorced but we definitely had an understanding only for our kids.(sic)" He also added, "Does anyone know, why my kids are in India and not attending school for 45 days, wherein the school is sending me letters everyday that it’s been too long an absence. My kids have been made hostage for past 45 days & are missing their schooling in Dubai."

CONTROVERSY AT A.R. RAHMAN'S PUNE CONCERT AS POLICE HALT SHOW FOR VIOLATING TIME CONSTRAINTS

superhit song "Chal Chhaiya, Chhaiyaa" at the time and demanded that the show halt immediately. The legendary music director adhered to his instructions.

The audience, which had been enjoying the event for more than two hours, expressed their strong disagreement with a loud uproar as soon as the police officer stepped on stage and Rahman was directed to end his performance.

Amid the ongoing hearing on the validation of same-sex marriage, Kangana Ranaut has shared her opinion and backed it. Lending support to same-sex marriage, the actress has said people's preferences do not matter when their "hearts are one". The National Award winner further described marriage as "a bond of love". During a recent press conference, Kangana said, "Jo shaadi hoti hai, woh dil ke rishte hote hai, ye sab hi jante hai. Jab logo ke dil mil gaye hai, baaki kuch logo ki jo preference hai, usme hum kya bol sakte hai (Marriage is a matter of the heart, and everyone knows that. When hearts have met, what can we say about people's preferences)?” Apurva

Asrani, co-writer of her 2017 film "Simran", thanked the actor for backing "marriage equality" at a time when most stars are shy of speaking up. "A person 'cancelled' by the 'liberal' media has no right to an opinion right?

Even if her statement is humane, brave & timely all at once? Kangana Ranaut speaks for #marriageequality. Something that most movie stars have been shy of doing. From one Queen to another, Thankyou," Apurva, who is openly gay, wrote on Twitter.

RAJA KUMARI SAYS BUDDING ARTISTS SHOULD STRIKE BALANCE BETWEEN MUSIC, GLAM

Oscar-winning music composer A.R. Rahman recently held a concert in Pune. While the concert was going well, the police intervened and asked them to call it off due to time constraints. This disappointed thousands of audience members and admirers.

The event was held in a large open-air venue at Rajbahadur Mills, with many people enjoying some of Rahman's most popular tunes. However, at exactly 10 p.m., a senior police officer directed the organisers immediately to stop the show because it had gone over the allowed time frame.

The cop approached the music legend as he was performing his

Without causing any commotion or uttering any remarks, the artist left the stage calmly. Despite the continued screams of dissatisfaction from the crowd, the concert was brought to a close, and by early morning, the venue was emptied without any incident. On Monday, A. R. Rahman took to his Instagram account and shared pictures from the event. The actor did not write anything about the incident; however, he did mention that he would be back in Pune. His caption read, " Pune! Thank you for all the love and euphoria last night! Was such a roller coaster concert! No wonder Pune is home to so much classical music! We shall be back soon to sing with you all again."

'Crimes Aaj Kal' actor Vikrant Massey blames Net for spike in crime rates

MUMBAI, (IANS) Actor Vikrant Massey, who is receiving a good response to his recently released streaming show Crimes Aaj Kal, has shared that somewhere the Internet has become a tool for those with a criminal mindset to execute the crimes. For the actor, the show brought a unique opportunity to be a part of a genre that he has grown up watching as a member of the audience.

Talking about what appealed to the actor in him about the show, Vikrant told IANS, "I have grown up watching 'Crime Patrol' like most people from my generation, and when the same makers reached out to me with a similar format, I realised I have to be a part of it. The larger idea of the show is to make the younger generation aware about the crimes happening in our society". All the stories that have been a dapted into our show are inspired by true incidents. They also factor in the influence of the Internet on crime as the actor said, "Internet is an important catalyst to crime, the show presents how the younger generation is misusing the Internet for crime or for personal vendetta. It gave me a sense of responsibility to be a part of the show and make people aware, because awareness uplifts the society". To be a part of an artwork which digs the ugly side of the human mind, it can affect an actor n egatively on an emotional plane. Did it ever happen to him? The actor responded as he said, "It happened to me a couple of times, it gets difficult sometimes for me to detach but, I love my job and on most days I draw clear boundaries and not let it affect me on a personal level".

MUMBAI, (IANS) Hip-hop artiste Raja Kumari, who recently performed 'Pasoori' with Pakistani music star Ali Sethi at the Coachella music festival, has released her fourth independent album called 'The Bridge' which consists of 9 songs. She has shared her view on singers adopting a hybrid performance style and choosing to lip-sync the majority of the parts of a song. Commenting on it, Raja Kumari said, "I would encourage more people to focus on the musicality of things so we can become better performers to be on international stages. We should not just focus on the glitz and glam, India has been known for being a centre of arts and music for thousands of years, so let's not let that go". While Raja has given food for thought to many budding artistes, she is also focusing on building infrastructure and music education. She is writing a songwriter's manual to help those blessed with the gift of the gab to get better at their game. She is even working on some other exciting projects which she should talk about soon. The rapper, who released 'The Bridge' under her own music label, Godmother Records, mentioned, "Reward excellence.

WHEN DEEPIKA PADUKONE FACED BACKLASH FOR SELLING KURTI WORN AT JIAH KHAN'S FUNERAL

WHAT IS 'THE KERALA STORY' CONTROVERSY?

WILL IT BE BANNED IN INDIA BY CENSOR BOARD AFTER BACKLASH?

Bollywood film 'The Kerala Story' has been in the spotlight since the release of its trailer a few days ago. Directed by Sudipto Sen and produced by Vipul Amrutlal Shah, the film shows how ISIS abducted 32000 Hindu girls from Kerala to make them victims of love jihad and get them involved in terror-related activities. Adah Sharma is playing the lead role in the film, Many political leaders have objected to the film, claiming that it spreads hate and should be banned. The Kerala Story has courted controversy for portraying itself as a real story and for making false claims that thousands of women from Kerala are being converted to Islam and recruited into ISIS, it faces allegations of promoting the Sangh Parivar's agenda. Recently, political leader Shashi Tharoor slammed the makers and said that 'it may be *your* Kerala story. It is not *our* Kerala story.' He further tweeted, "Let me stress, I am not calling for a ban on the film. Freedom of expression does not cease to be valuable just because it can be misused. But Keralites have every right to say loud & clear that this is a misrepresentation of our reality."

In 'The Kerala Story', actress Adah Sharma is playing the role of Fathima Ba, a Hindu Malayali nurse, who is among the 32,000 women who went missing from Kerala and were then recruited to the ISIS (Islamic State of Iraq and Syria) after being forced to convert to Islam. "I'm glad we can spread awareness with this film and people giving me so much love and support feels good always. As for performance, I'd credit the makers entirely. The director, the writer, the cinematographer," said the actress. About the controversy that surrounds the film, Adah said, "Our film is about girls getting drugged, brainwashed, raped, human trafficking, forcefully impregnated and then raped again by multiple people sometimes, the child they deliver been taken away and them being made suicide bombers." "It's about life and death! for the few who are saying its propaganda, I guess once they watch the film with all the facts they will say otherwise."

Talking about the film, Vipul Shah earlier said, "The film is an amalgamation of years of research and true stories which have never been dared to be told before, it will uncover many hidden truths that have been hidden for long. It will uncover the dangerous threat radicalisation poses to the women of our nation and will create awareness about this conspiracy being hatched against India. The film aims to become the voice of tens of thousands of women across the globe who have been indoctrinated and exploited for terrorism and other crimes." Apart from Adah, the film also features Yogita Bihani, Sonia Balani and Siddhi Idnani. It is slated to hit theatres on May 5. Amid the political storm and severe backlash, it is speculated that 'The Kerala Story' may get banned in India by the Censor Board. Many political leaders have urged the BJP-led Centre to forbid the film from screening. Even the Kerala Government has refused to support the film. However, this decision to ban the film lies with the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) which hasn't made any announcement to ban the film yet.

Deepika Padukone's unparalleled success in the entertainment industry has established her as one of the most accomplished actresses of our time. With an enormous fan base, she has reached the pinnacle of her career. Although her personal and professional lives often make headlines, she unexpectedly came under scrutiny in 2021 after a Twitter user pointed out an unusual issue. In 2021, Deepika Padukone faced intense online criticism for putting up her outfit, which she wore to funerals, for auction. The move was unexpected and caused a stir among the public. According to reports, the proceeds from the sale were supposed to be donated to charity. A Twitter user shared images of Deepika wearing the same clothes at funerals and compared them with the images from the auction website. One of the images was of a short kurti worn by Deepika at Jiah Khan's funeral, which she auctioned for Rs. 8000.

Additionally, Deepika auctioned the outfit that she had worn to the funeral of Priyanka Chopra's father, Ashok Chopra.

A Twitter user called out the actress and wrote, "I am so shocked.. my favourite Deepika Padukone has auctioned her non couture clothes from 2013.. I repeat 2013 that she wore to different funeral events. Low blow."

After her tweet, several people flocked to the comment section to react to it. One user wrote, "Don't justify this by telling me she is doing it for charity.. you cannot be reselling Zara's .. jhoothis...10 15 year old ordinary brand clothes.. Why can't you just give it to needy or your househelp.(sic)" Another user commented, "The clothes you wear to a funeral are to be discarded or kept only for funerals. Also we don’t wear clothes of people who are not related, hell!! We don’t even wear used clothes within family.(sic)" A third user commented, "You have showed us the reality....this was very much required.(sic)"

Meanwhile, on the work front, Deepika is currently shooting for 'Fighter.' In the film, she will be sharing the screen with Hrithik Roshan. She is also working on Project K with Prabhas. She also has 'The Intern' remake with Amitabh Bachchan.

Hollywood

BOYCOTT AQUAMAN 2 TRENDS AFTER AMBER HEARD'S ROLE AS MERA CONFIRMED IN DC MOVIE

Sonam Bajwa Looks Hot In Sexy Backless Dress

Sonam Bajwa had the internet buzzing with photos from her latest photoshoot, and we must say she looks undeniably stunning. In the images, Sonam can be seen posing by the sea while wearing a short, backless pink dress. She struck several stances in or der to flaunt her dress. With the sun shining on her, she radiated a glow and looked every bit gorgeous. Her photos drew a lot of attention from people who couldn't stop praising her beauty and were left awestruck. Sharing the pictures, she wrote, "Farishtey My most favorite song fr om COJ3. Two days to go. Carry on Jatta 3 releasing worldwide 29th June." For the unversed, she will soon be seen in the film Carry On Jatta 3.

In the latest teaser of Aquaman 2, DC Studios officially revealed that Amber Heard will return as Mera despite the controversies surrounding ex-husband Johnny Depp. It seems fans aren’t happy and are ready to boycott the Aquaman sequel just because of Heard’s presence. Aquaman 2 will be the last DC movie of 2023, and Warner Bros. will have high hopes for the sequel after the first one became the biggest DC film of all time. Fans are fuming as Johnny Depp was instantly replaced in Fantastic Beasts as the scandal broke out. They said that this is unfair. Some said that this was plain misandry. Now #BoycottAquaman2 is trending on Twitter, clearly, fans are not at all liking Amber Heard's presence in the upcoming sequel. For the unversed, Johnny Depp and Amber Heard's trial was one of the ugliest slug fests in the history of Holl ywood. The actress had accused him of domestic abuse charges and said that he was a possessive husband. Johnny Depp had filed a defamation case in a Virginia court and he won the case. The trial ended with Depp being awarded $10 million in damages. Heard was awarded $2 million in damages as well for being "defamed" by Heard's lawyer who had accused her of creating a hoax. Heard has repeatedly accused Depp of physical and mental violence, which Depp has denied.

WARNER BROS. ANNOUNCES

‘GODZILLA X KONG’: THE NEW EMPIRE!

Isha Ambani Dazzles In Black Starry Sareegown By Prabal Gurung At Met Gala 2023

Isha Ambani, daughter of billionaire Mukesh Ambani and Nita Ambani, attended the Met Gala 2023 in New York City on May 2 (Tuesd ay) wearing a gorgeous saree gown. Keeping her best fashion foot forward, Isha Ambani walked the red carpet in a beautiful Prabal Gurung's black silk saree gown which was hand-embellished with thousands of crystals and pearls. It was styled by Priyanka Kapadia. At the fashion gala, held at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, Isha exuded exquisite beauty by showcasing an amalgamation of her Indian and western dressing. Isha's ensemble features black silk fabric draped over one shoulder, with thousands of crystals and pearls ha ndembellishments extended into a floor-length silk chiffon train. For the glam, she opted for minimal makeup look and she kept her hair straight. Enhancing her outfit, she wore an embellished choker with diamond necklaces from Lorraine Schwartz, statement earrings and ring s. She styled the look to perfection with the Chanel clutch that elevated Isha's look tenfold. Isha Ambani has attended the Met Gala before. She marked her debut at the fashion event in 2017 with a Christian Dior gown and then again in 2019 by wearing a lilac dress by Prabal Gurung. The Met Gala livestream is hosted by actor and producer La La Anthony, writer Derek Blasberg, and Saturday Night Live's Chloe F ineman. Internet multi-hyphenate Emma Chamberlain will return as Vogue's special correspondent. This year, the theme of Met Gala 2023 is Karl Lagerfeld: A Line of Beauty, based on the new Costume Institute exhibition exploring the work of the iconic designer. About 150 original looks will be displayed at the Met along with Lagerfeld’s sketches and several video interviews with the designer.

Warner Bros. has officially released the title for the latest edition in The MonsterVerse, indicating a hidden secret for the franchise that has yet to be revealed. The film, named Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire, will be released on March 15, 2024, and will be a direct sequel to Godzilla vs. Kong. While specifics about the new film are yet unknown, the teaser does show Kong sitting on his throne among the skeletal remnants of the Hollow Earth. With a title alluding at a New Empire, the cryptic nature of the future project can lead to a lot of speculation. The film will, however, centre on the two eponymous titans as fans are brought to a fresh new world of creatures worthy of being seen on the big screen.

Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire will be directed by Adam Wingard, who previously directed the franchise's previous edition. Rebecca Hall reprises her role as Dr. Ilene Andrews in the film, with Brian Tyree Henry as Bernie Hayes and Kaylee Hottle as Jia. Godzilla vs. Kong was regarded as one of the first pandemic-era cinema success stories, grossing $470 million at the global box office in March 2021, when theatres were just beginning to recover from pandemic-era mass closures.

JENNIFER LAWRENCE'S 'NO HARD FEELINGS' SET TO RELEASE IN INDIA ON JUNE 23

ELEGANCE. RECENTLY, THE ACTRESS MADE HEADLINES WITH HER STUNNING

SHE WORE FOR HER FIRST LIVE EVENT. UNDOUBTEDLY, SHE LOOKED CAPTIVATING.

The comedy film ‘No Hard Feelings,’ starring Jennifer Lawrence and directed by Gene Stupnitsky, is all set to release on June 23 in India. The announcement was made by the production team. The release date, originally set for June 16, 2023, was pushed back a week to June 23, 2023, following the rescheduling of the release of ‘The Flash.’ The movie is being touted as a hilariously daring venture that is sure to keep audiences in splits.

The official synopsis of the movie states that Maddie (Jennifer Lawrence), who is about to lose her childhood home, finds an intriguing job opening where affluent helicopter parents are seeking someone to 'date' their shy 19-year-old son, Percy, before he heads off to college. However, Maddie is shocked to learn that the uncomfortable Percy is not a definite thing.

Apart from Jennifer Lawrence, many other well-known artists such as Andrew Feldman, Kyle Mooney, Laura Benanti, Ebon MossBachrach, Scott MacArthur, Natalie Morales, Hasan Minhaj, and Matthew Broderick are also featured in No Hard Feelings. The makers also unveiled the first trailer for the movie. Sony Pictures Entertainment India will be distributing it in Indian theaters since it was revealed in October 2021 that Sony had defeated Universal Pictures, Netflix, and Apple Studios to get a cinema release for an R-rated comedy package supported by produceractor Jennifer Lawrence and director Gene Stupnitsky.

KAREENA KAPOOR, NOT PREITY ZINTA, WAS FIRST CHOICE FEMALE LEAD FOR KAL HO NAA HO

AISHWARYA RAI, VIKRAM ARE HEART AND SOUL OF MANI RATNAM'S MAGNUM OPUS

When ace Mani Ratnam, who has helmed films such as Dil Se, Iruvar, and Guru, decided to take on the project of Ponniyin Selvan and bring it to the big screen, everyone was aware that he had a massive responsibility on his shoulder. The revered novel by Kalki was and is loved by many people and is often talked about even today. If that wasn’t enough to make me aware of the books, the numerous women who were named Nandini because of the books in my class at school stood as a constant reminder of the 1955 novel continues to influence families. When I watched Ponniyin Selvan 1, it was evident that Ratnam was under pressure to come through with people’s expectations. As someone who has not read the books, Ponniyin Selvan 1 felt like a never-witnessed-before experience. However, the writing was weak, especially since Ratnam expected that the audience would be aware of the backgrounds and the characters from the book. The narrative also was patchy at the time. Why am I saying all this right now? It’s because, fortunately, Ponniyin Selvan 2 irons out the big narrative problem I had with PS1. PS2 doesn’t start off where PS1 ends. Instead, it shows you who will be the heart and soul of this film — Nandini (Aishwarya Rai Bachchan) and Aditha Karikalan (Vikram). We are finally given a lowdown of what prompted Nandini’s fight for the throne, her history with Aditha, and also given a hint at how an orphan entered the circle of royals. Ratnam makes you invest in their story so well that for a split second, you forget that it is a story about Arunmozhi Varman aka Ponniyin Selvan (Jayam Ravi). Soon enough, the director brings us back to Arunmozhi. As the trailers have already revealed, Arunmozhi is alive despite falling into tormented waters in the first film and is preparing for the war to save the Cholan throne. He has his sister Kundavai aka Ilaya Pirattiyar (Trisha), Princess of the Chola Empire, by his side to support her while his brother Aditha is out to keep the Chola Empire intact. Although the battle and safety of the thrones are the primary plots of Ponniyin Selvan 1, Ratnam develops a crucial subplot about Nandini and Aditha. In Ponniyin Selvan 2, Ratnam actually gives time to allow the viewers to understand their relationship. He lets you learn a little more about the motive behind Nandini’s animosity against Aditha, her impact on the decisions of the throne, and her origin story, letting you empathise with her when the climax nears. He also tries to give you a better perspective on the plotting and the impact of each troupe in the war better in the sequel.

However, once the final twist of the film sets in, he returns to rushing through the impact of the twist and even ends the war in a matter of minutes. What remains seamlessly between Ponniyin Selvan 1 and 2 is the performances and the magnanimous cinematography. Aishwarya reminds us that she flourishes as an actress under the guidance of Ratnam. She conveys her inner turmoil, her heartbreak, and her wounds so effortlessly. You could tell that the camera surrendered to her. She is brilliantly supported by Vikram. Their first scene together is nothing but them locking eyes and exchanging a few lines but Vikram emotes the emotion of hurt admirably. One of the best scenes in the film is their confrontation scene. Another star that shone in the first part and continued to carry it forward in PS 2 is Karthi. Playing the role of Vallavaraiyan Vandiyadevan, he balances humour and emotional scenes with equal prowess.

Trisha continues to be a scene-stealer in the second one. Prakash Raj as a wounded Sundara Cholan stands out in the scenes he’s given. Unfortunately for me, Jayam Ravi in the titular role wasn’t as impactful as I thought he would be. Given that he was kept under wraps for most parts of PS 1, I expected him to truly come forward and shine in the scenes as the great leader. But it did not come through. Ponniyin Selvan 2 excels on the cinematography and music fronts. Cinematographer Ravi Varman helps Mani deliver some of his statement wide-angle shots. One of my favorites is the top-angle shot in which a heartbroken Sundara Cholan confides in Kundavai about his past and falling on his back on the elevated floor. Another scene is the heavily lit chambers in which Aishwarya and Vikram are talking and the gravity of the discussion is conveyed with the growing closeups. Ratnam’s long-time music collaborator, Oscar-winner AR Rahman also helps the director in elevating the film’s magnitude. The film ends with a song sung by Rahman, which feels like a perfect seal of conclusion to the two-part series. Having watched both films now, I feel Ponniyin Selvan deserved a tad more depth, given the various characters and plotlines. The two-part series could have been explored as a grand web series of sorts, something similar to Game of Thrones, or even as a three-part film series, allowing the characters to be fleshed out fully and letting people pick their favourites. Overall, when Ponniyin Selvan was announced, it appeared like a great door-opener for those who weren’t aware of the five-part novel. However, the two-part series concludes as a great cinematic experience that fell short on storytelling.

BAD BOY REVIEW: NAMASHI CHAKRABORTY SHINES IN A WEAKLY WRITTEN LOVE STORY

Love at first sight, boy chases girl, girl falls in love, then boy impresses girl’s family - Bollywood’s typical notebook for romantic comedies may have different shades for us to watch, experience and enjoy, but what does one do when it looks repetitive and doesn’t make you laugh? Well, that’s what Rajkumar Santoshi’s Bad Boy does. The film is a quintessential love story that has the right intentions to tickle your funny bones and make you root for the lovers, but unfortunately, it fails to come through.

Given Santoshi’s illustrious career with films like Andaz Apna Apna and Ajab Prem Ki Ghazab Kahani, 90s’ and 2000s’ charm with overthe-top background music, comedy, and dialogues may work their wonders, but they don’t hold you long enough in this film. Of course, the idea and intention of love winning over everything may strike the right chord, but bad writing and screenplay let you down.

Namashi Chakraborty, the younger son of veteran actor and icon Mithun Chakraborty makes his debut with the film. As someone who hasn’t grown up watching Mithun’s magic in the cinemas, looking at Namashi’s performance with a clean slate - without the baggage of comparisons with his father, was a complete win. There’s so much honesty and conviction in how he plays Raghu. His emotions are pure, his acting is top-notch, so much so that you’d root for him till the end. The story opens with a good-for-nothing Raghu bumping into a grumpy old man, only to fall in love with his daughter, Ritu with one glance. While the first half may quickly establish the narrative and predictability, there are moments where Ritu will remind you about Ek Villain’s Ayesha, while Raghu will remind you about Ajab Prem Ki Ghazab Kahani’s Prem. Although their love story, the comic timings, and the music keep you entertained, an overdose of it just makes it tedious. The second half of the story drives smoothly, with the dramatic twists and turns making it look interesting. Johnny Lever’s extended cameo appearance with his humorous dialogue keeps you hooked. He lights up every frame effortlessly. Apart from that, the film’s climax may rile you up for its writing, for all the good reasons as it quickly lets you off the hook.

Amrin Qureshi, who also makes her debut in the movie, brings in a different sense of charm and sensitivity with her on-screen presence.

While she portrayed her part with honesty, she deserved a better character arc. Despite holding on to her roots, Ritu lacks the necessary complexity and character depth that modern audiences expect from female protagonists in cinemas. While Namashi and Amrin’s performances are brilliant individually, their on-screen chemistry fails to give the same vibe. They may talk about innocent love, but it only looks good if watched with rose-tinted glasses. All in all, Raghu and Rituparna’s love story does give out an important message about respect, and emotional maturity.

Saswata Chatterjee as a grumpy old man who’s constantly looking out for high quality and high-standard in everything does a splendid job on his part. He has surely outdone himself in some scenes, but if looked at his filmography, this film could have been an easy pass for him. Mithun’s on-screen aura in his cameo appearance may charm you over.

Overall, Bad Boy offers an overdose of over-the-top entertainment, and cringe-worthy dialogues, and will take you back to the 90s-style comedy. It may also serve you as a guilty pleasure watch, but it fails to deliver a good cinematic experience due to its predictable plot and poor writing. The film’s message about love and respect being the strongest emotion is commendable, but it is lost amidst the film’s lack of novelty and repetitive plot.

Shah Rukh Khan, Saif Ali Khan and Preity Zinta starrer Kal Ho Naa Ho was one of the highest-grossing Indian films in 2003. The movie, written by Karan Johar and directed by Nikhil Advani, was a huge box-office success and received an immensely positive response. The characters — Naina played by Preity, Aman Mathur by Shah Rukh and Rohit Patel by Saif — are still remembered and have a special place in the hearts of movie lovers. But do you know who was the initial choice for the role of Naina? Let’s take a look. Everyone knows about Karan Johar’s friendship stories in Bollywood and that he shares a special bond with Shah Rukh, Kajol and Kareena Kapoor. But when Karan was set to produce Kal Ho Naa Ho, he argued with Kareena and the two did not speak to each other for almost a year. According to reports, Kareena first met Karan at a party. Karan was so impressed with 18-year-old Kareena’s confidence that he selected her for the iconic role of Poo in the superhit film Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham. After this movie, Kareena’s popularity increased a lot. However, when Karan decided to produce Kal Ho Na Ho, Nikhil Advani was roped in as the director, and Kareena was his first choice. But the actress rejected the offer. According to sources, when Karan offered Bebo the role of Naina, she said, “I have recently worked in the film Mujhse Dosti Karoge!, which was produced by Yash Raj Films and directed by Kunal Kohli making his directorial debut and the film didn’t do well. Now Nikhil is directing your film, I don’t trust him." Not only this, but Kareena had also put a demand for a huge fee in front of Karan.

In the book An Unsuitable Boy written by Karan Johar, he talked about Kal Ho Na Ho where he stated that Kareena asked for a huge fee, saying, “I want what Shah Rukh Khan is getting. But I denied it because that time we were not doing well. In the meantime, I called Kareena, but she didn’t answer. We didn’t talk to each other for nearly one year. Even at parties, we used to ignore each other." However, later Kareena called Karan when his father Yash Johar was sick and getting treatment for cancer in New York, following which they started talking again.

AMITABH BACHCHAN TO KIARA ADVANI, FILM CELEBRITIES WHO CHANGED THEIR NAMES

As a stepping stone to success, Indian superstars are known to change their real names or spelling. This can be attributed to a variety of factors ranging from numerology to a producer’s decision. Some of these changes, however, are well known. For example, everyone knows that Akshay Kumar’s real name is Rajiv Bhatia, and Katrina Kaif was born Katrina Turquotte. So, here are a few more Indian celebrities whose real names you might not know.

Prabhas has reached superstardom, unlike any other Indian celebrity despite having done only 22 films in his career. The actor has inspired fans throughout the country with box-office successes such as the Baahubali franchise. His most recent bilingual feature, Saaho, became the second highest-grossing Indian film of 2019. According to Indian Express, one of our country’s top stars is named Venkata Satyanarayana Prabhas Raju Uppalapati. Ranveer Singh is a force to be reckoned with among Indian celebs. His energy and acting abilities are enough to blow away the opposition. And as if that wasn’t enough, he is one half of the DeepVeer power couple, thanks to his marriage to Deepika Padukone. According to the Times of India, another unknown truth about the Gully Boy star is that his full name is Ranveer Singh Bhavnani.

Kiara Advani has quickly won the hearts of people throughout the country since her debut in the industry. Her portrayal of Preeti in Kabir Singh established her as a household name.

Alia Advani is Kiara Advani’s real name. According to Pinkvilla, Salman Khan encouraged her to change her name so that she would not be overshadowed by Alia Bhatt.

Amitabh Bachchan is one of India’s most famous actors. His voice, like his onscreen presence, has gravitas. However, it appears that the actor’s father, Harishvansh Rai Bachchan, had a different idea. He was first given the name Inquilaab Srivastava after the patriotic motto “Inquilaab Zindabad" by his father. Later, his name was changed to Amitabh Bachchan.

John Abraham is another celebrity who changed their name. Farhan Abraham is John’s real name. He changed it to John because that is what his father used to call him.

ROYAL CHALLENGERS BANGALORE THRASH LUCKNOW SUPER GIANTS IN LOW-SCORING THRILLER

IN THE MATCH PLAYED AT LSG'S HOME GROUND, EKANA CRICKET STADIUM, RCB

Royal Challengers Bangalore registered win in the low-scoring thriller against Lucknow Super Giants on Monday. In the match played at LSG's home ground, Ekana Cricket Stadium, RCB beat LSG by 18 runs in a low scoring thriller. Coming to bat first, RCB registered a total of 126/7 (20 overs). Coming to chase, LSG batters managed to score just 108 runs. Coming to chase a target of 127 runs, LSG batters kept losing wicket which resulted in the collapse of their line-up. Moreover, they suffered a big blow as their skipper KL Rahul got injured and could only come to bat towards the end. For Lucknow only Krishnappa Gowtham 23 (13) scored more than 20 runs. RCB bowlers had the grip from the beginning as LSG lost 4 wickets in the powerplay. RCB bowled 66 dot balls and restricted the opposition to 108. While Josh Hazlewood and Karn Sharma scalped two wickets each. Mohammed Siraj, Glenn Maxwell, Wanindu Hasarangaamd Harshal Patel took 1 wicket each.

On the low-scoring pitch, RCB batters managed to score 126 runs with Faf du Plessis 44 (40) registering the most runs.Virat Kohli, who came to open, scored 31 runs. After this Anuj Rawat got out after

RUNS

MESSI SET TO PLAY FOR HIS BOYHOOD CLUB NEWELL’S OLD BOYS ON JUNE 24

Argentina world cup winning star Lionel Messi is all set to play a match for his early days club, Newell’s Old Boys this summer. Former Liverpool winger Maxi Rodriguez, who retired from playing football in 2021 after his third spell with Newell’s Old Boys, had invited Messi and former Argentine teammate Sergio Aguero to play in his testimonial game on June 24. The covid pandemic had led to the postponement of his retirement game which will be played in June. Aguero, who had to retire from football due to a cardiac arrhythmia, was Messi’s roommate during the Qatar World Cup where Argentina won its first World Cup trophy since 1986. Sharing the plan with Football Transfers, Rodriguez said, “Hopefully, it’ll be an unforgettable day. Messi’s invited, that’s for sure. We want him there, but he’ll decide as the game approaches. Leo, like everyone else you can imagine, will try to be there.” Meanwhile, Newell’s Old Boys club had put up a banner of support for their country’s captain in their stadium following the attack against his wife Antonela Roccuzzo’s family business in March this year. A threatening hand-written message to the PSG forward was left on a supermarket belonging to the Roccuzzos after two people on motorcycles shot the business. The message of support from Newell’s was posted on social media hours before their home game against Barracas Central in the Argentine league.

Novak Djokovic Prepared To Miss Grand Slams Rather Than Have Covid Vaccine

scoring only 9 runs. At the same time, star batsman Glenn Maxwell scored for 4 runs. At the same time, Suyash Prabhudessai (6), Dinesh Karthik (16), Mahipal Lomror (3) and Karn Sharma (2) returned to the pavilion early.

Naveen-ul-Haq took 3 wickets from Lucknow. Whereas Amit Mishra and Ravi Bishnoi took 2-2 wickets.

KL RAHUL’S INJURY BIG CONCERN FOR LSG AS THEY GET READY FOR CSK CHALLENGE

Hit by injuries to skipper KL Rahul and seamer Jaydev Unadkat, Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) would be wary of Chennai Super Kings’ ability to bounce back when the two sides face each other in an Indian Premier League match here on Wednesday. LSG would also be facing the heat after failing to chase down a meagre total of 126 in their own den, getting bundled out for just 108 in 19.5 overs by Royal Challengers Bangalore on Monday. Rahul sustained injury on his right thigh during the match against RCB here on Monday, while Unadkat slipped badly while bowling at the nets, resulting to a nasty fall on Sunday. The extent of both the injuries is yet to be ascertained but Rahul came out to bat at No. 11 in LSG’s unsuccessful run chase, facing three balls without opening account. His inclusion in the LSG team for Wednesday’s match is doubtful. Players like Kyle Mayers, Nicholas Pooran, Marcus Stoinis and Krunal Pandya have chipped in individually as well as collectively in previous games to keep the Lucknow franchise afloat while skipper Rahul has not been at his best after the two half centuries (74 against Punjab Kings and 68 against Gujarat Titans). LSG’s performance this season has swung wildly. While on the one hand, they have given commanding performances that have become the envy of other sides, they also have a self-destruction button hidden somewhere, which goes off automatically. Their match against Punjab Kings on April 28 was a reminder what the team can achieve collectively, while their game against RCB on Monday was an example of how calamitously a team could lose while chasing a miniscule total of 126. The 257 for five against Punjab Kings, resulting to a 56-run win, had class and composure written all over it, with Mayers, Badoni, Stoinis, Pooran, Naveen-ul-Haq and Yash Thakur all chipping in, while they failed collectively against RCB.

Mohammad Rizwan Unhappy With Number Five Slot In Pakistan Batting Order

Pakistan’s Mohammad Rizwan said he is not happy with being pushed down the order to number five for the first two One-Day Internationals against New Zealand and the wicketkeeper-batsman wants to move back up a slot.

The 30-year-old has made the number four slot his own since 2019, scoring both his ODI hundreds at that position, but Shan Masood and Abdullah Shafique have been given the place in the opening two games of the five-match series. While Rizwan has excelled in the finisher’s role at five, helping his team win both games, he said he did not want to stay there.

“If you ask me honestly, I am not happy batting at number five (in ODIs), because I want to bat at number four,” he told a news conference on Monday.

“But it is not important that I get what I want. “The captain and coach will do what they like. It is my own wish to bat at number four. But I have not complained to anyone.” Rawalpindi hosted the first two ODIs but the series now switches to Karachi for the remaining three. The teams are scheduled to resume the series with game three on Wednesday.

Novak Djokovic is prepared to miss the French Open and Wimbledon rather than have a COVID-19 vaccination but is not an anti-vaxxer, the world number one said in his first interview since his failed attempt to play at the Australian Open. After an 11-day rollercoaster involving two visa cancellations, two court challenges and five nights in two stints at an immigration detention hotel, the unvaccinated Djokovic was deported before the tournament began. The debacle deprived the 34-year-old the chance to win a recordextending 10th Australian Open and a men’s record 21st Grand Slam title. Instead career-rival Rafa Nadal won the title and moved to 21 and with Djokovic unwilling to have a vaccine limiting where he might be able to play, the Serb is jeopardising his dream of ending his career with the most Grand Slam titles. “I understand the consequences of my decision,” Djokovic told the BBC, adding that he had been prepared not to travel to Australia due to his unvaccinated status.

“I understand that not being vaccinated today, I am unable to travel to most of the tournaments at the moment. Yes, that is the price that I’m willing to pay. “Because the principles of decision making on my body are more important than any title or anything else.”

Encouragingly for Djokovic’s hopes of trying to defend his French Open and Wimbledon titles, travel rules in France and Britain have been eased for unvaccinated travellers and they no longer need to undergo quarantine. His prospects of playing in the United States, including the U.S. Open, look bleak at the moment, however, as vaccination certificates remain compulsory. Defending his right to shun vaccines, Djokovic, who follows a strict diet, said: “I just don’t have enough clarity of how the COVID vaccine will affect me and whether it’s going to create a certain effect on my game and I wouldn’t have the benefits that I would normally have.” However, he said he respected the global vaccine programme and did not entirely rule out having a jab in the future. “I understand that globally, everyone is trying to put a big effort into handling this virus and seeing, hopefully, an end soon to this virus,” he said. “As of today this is kind of my decision and my stance and I know I will suffer the consequences. I keep my mind open and you know, we’ll see what happens.”

The volcano has finally erupted. Virat Kohli and Gautam Gambhir added another chapter to their fierce rivalry on Monday night as the two superstars of Indian got into a heated argument following a tense clash between Lucknow Super Giants and Royal Challengers Bangalore at the Ekana Cricket Stadium in IPL 2023. Kohli was seen wildly celebrating every time an LSG wicket fell as RCB successfully defended a low total of 127. This after last month Gautam Gambhir of LSG was seen shushing the crowd at M Chinnaswamy Stadium following his team’s thrilling one-wicket against RCB. All was well when Gambhir and Kohli shook hands as is customary after a match after RCB defeated LSG by 18 runs on Monday to exact revenge for last month’s defeat. However, Kohli’s brief chat with LSG opener Kyle Mayers after the match seems to have triggered Gambhir following which the two got involved in a fiery argument. Interestingly, Naveenul-Haq was captured arguing with Kohli during the post-match handshake with the LSG bowler being restrained by Glenn Maxwell. Gambhir looked the more animated of the two and was repeatedly held back from charging towards Kohli. The two eventually came close, surrounded by players, match officials and support staff of the two teams.

Amit Mishra played the peacekeeper as he tried calming down Kohli.

This isn’t the first time that the two have exchanged words on the field. IPL 2023 Points Table: Check Team Standings, Team Points, Wins, Losses Way back in 2013, Gambhir was still playing in IPL and captaining Kolkata Knight Riders.

During their match against RCB, as Kohli was walking back to the dug-out after being dismissed in the 10th over, Gambhir and the RCB batter charged towards each other aggressively before being separated.

Gambhir had later cla rified that there’s no personal rivalry between the two. “…there was nothing personal (then) and there never will be personal against Virat. I say it again and again that what he’s achieved, I am not surprised. That’s the kind of player he was when we saw him early but what he’s transformed into, I think from a fitness point of view and the way he’s worked on his skills is tremendous", Gambhir had said.

WILL MS DHONI RETIRE AFTER IPL 2023? CSK HEAD COACH STEPHEN FLEMING GIVES AN UPDATE

Chennai Super Kings (CSK) skipper MS Dhoni continues to hog the limelight in the ongoing season of the Indian Premier League (IPL). The fans are anticipating a special knock from him wherever CSK are playing this season and the team is getting a huge support even in away games thanks to Dhoni. Many reckon that the veteran stumper will retire from IPL as well after this season. However, CSK head coach Stephen Fleming has stated that the 41-year-old hasn't yet explicitly stated anything about his retirem ent to either him or the team. "No, he hasn't indicated anything," Fleming said in the post-match press conference on Sunday evening after the CSK vs PBKS clash. Speculations are rife about Dhoni's retirement ever since he has spoken about the fans giving him farewell after the match against Kolkata Knight Riders.

"I will just say thanks for the support, they came in big numbers. Most of these guys will come in a KKR jersey next time. They are trying to give me a farewell, so thanks a lot to the crowd," Dhoni had said. Moreover, MS Dhoni had also admitted that this is the last phase of his career while speaking to Harsha Bhogle earlier in the season after a match at CSK's home ground Chepauk.

"All said and done, it's the last phase of my career, however long I play. After two years, the fans have had the opportunity t o come here and watch, feels good to be here. The crowd has given us a lot of love and affection. Not getting enough chances to bat, but no complaints," the CSK captain had said. While the CSK skipper likes to his keep his cards close to him, the fans will not complain if he walks out for the toss even in IPL 2024. However, for now, the focus of MS Dhoni will be to help CSK qualify for the playoffs this season.

Virat Kohli And Gautam Gambhir Get Into A Fiery Argument After Ipl 2023 Match Between Lsg And Rcb Main

TORONTO / NEW YORK TIMINGS

Paceman Josh Hazlewood handed Australia an Ashes boost as he made a successful return from an Achilles injury to help Royal Challengers Bangalore beat Lucknow Super Giants by 18 runs in the Indian Premier League. Hazlewood took 2-15 in his three overs as RCB successfully defended a modest total of 126 for nine on Monday. On his spell and bowling on the Lucknow pitch, Hazlewood said,”It was a good change up. We have played a lot of cricket at Chinnaswammy, which has been a batting paradise. I think it’s good to have occassionally one for the bowlers in a low scoring affair. It was quiet a tight match and exciting as well. One team was really never out of it.”

DINESH KARTHIK COULD NOT PROVE EVEN ONCE IN THE LAST 8 MATCHES: IRFAN RIPS THROUGH RCB’S DESIGNATED FINISHER

It’s a topsy-turvy season and a bag of mixed results for the Royal Challengers Bangalore so far. In eight games in the 2023 Indian Premier League so far, they have four wins and as many losses, sitting fifth in the 10-team points table. While Faf du Plessis (422), Virat Kohli (333) and Glenn Maxwell (258) have been among the runs on top, the RCB middle order have failed to contribute. Part of them, the franchise’s designated finisher who was instrumental with the bat last season. Dinesh Karthik scored 330 runs last season in 16 outings at a strike rate of 183.33. A season that helped him earn a spot back in India’s shortest format side and be part of the T20 World Cup squad in Australia. This season however, Karthik has only been able to amass 83 runs from the eight matches so far. A strike rate of 131.75. Former India seamer Irfan Pathan also spoke on the middle order dilemma facing RCB.

MET GALA 2023: GIGI HADID IN BLACK, KARDASHIANS HONOURING KARL LAGERFELD TO JARED LETO AS CAT

VOLKSWAGEN’S NEW ELECTRIC VEHICLE BATTERY PLANT WILL CREATE THOUSANDS OF NEW JOBS

From mining critical minerals to building batteries and cars, Ontario and Canada continue to attract historic, transformational investments across the electric vehicle supply chain to secure more good-paying jobs for workers today and for decades to come. Last month, Ontario and Canada secured a historic investment from Volkswagen, Europe’s largest automaker. Volkswagen is investing $7 billion to establish its first overseas electric vehicle battery manufacturing plant in St. Thomas, Ontario. This is the largest electric vehiclerelated investment in Canadian history, signaling a strong vote of confidence in Ontario and Canada’s highly-skilled workers, strong economies, and competitive business environments. Premier Doug Ford and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau were joined today by Vic Fedeli, Minister of Economic Development, Job Creation and Trade, and the federal Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry, François-Philippe Champagne, to highlight this generational deal for St. Thomas, Ontario, and Canada’s entire electric vehicle supply chain.

LINE OF BEAUTY."

FOLLOWING A DECLINE IN 2023, GTA HOME PRICES TO RISE AGAIN IN 2024 AND 2025

We expect that, after reaching a record high in 2022, the GTA’s average MLS® price will decline in 2023, then increase in 2024 and 2025. We expect MLS® sales to follow a similar path. The continued elevated mortgage rate environment will be the primary factor moving the average MLS® price lower in 2023. According to our estimates, the average household required nearly 22% more disposable income than was being earned to qualify for a mortgage on the average priced GTA home in Q4 of 2022. If mortgage rates remain high in 2023, so too will the required income needed to qualify for a mortgage. High mortgage rates in 2023 will, therefore, prompt: • a continued decline in prices; and • a shift in sales toward lower-priced homes (further weighing down the average price). In 2024 and 2025, there should be a gradual decline in mortgage rates. The decline will bring back to the market a share of buyers who were sidelined in 2022 and 2023. This, along with a large millennial cohort (in their prime homebuying years) and strong expected population growth via immigration (Toronto has historically received the largest share of international migrants to Canada), will translate into increased sales. Meanwhile, new listings aren’t expected to increase significantly due to the modest nature of 2023’s economic slowdown. They will then be outpaced by sales in 2024 and 2025, resul ting in renewed upward pressure on the GTA’s average price. Additionally, fewer newly completed homes will be listed on the resale market, due par ticularly to decreased ground-oriented housing starts in 2023. This is another factor that will contribute to rising prices in 2024 and 2025. There are 2 significant downside risks to our resale market forecasts:

• a deeper recession in 2023 than is assumed in our projections could result in extensive job losses and more listings coming to market than anticipated; and

• should mortgage rates remain higher for longer, highly indebted households may be compelled to sell.

HERE'S WHY YOU NEED TO STOP DRINKING TEA FIRST THING IN THE MORNING

NEW DELHI, (IANSLIFE) Tea is not only a tasty beverage to drink with friends, to welcome guests with, or to have by our sides when we want to be alone with our thoughts, but it also has many health benefits, such as the catechins and antioxidants in black tea, which can enhance immunity and metabolism. Drinking bed tea first thing in the morning is a typical practice in the majority of Indian households. While tea can be a delicious and comforting beverage, it does contain caffeine, which is a stimulant that can have an i mpact on the body. Drinking tea or any other caffeinated beverage first thing in the morning on an empty stomach can lead to increased acidity and digestive discomfort. This is because caffeine can stimulate the production of stomach acid, which can cause irritation and inflammation. Additionally, drinking tea in the morning can interfere with the body's natural cortisol production.

2023 MET GALA RED CARPET: ALL THE FASHION, ALL THE DRAMA

PARENTING TIPS: HOW TO HELP YOUR CHILD DEAL WITH STRESS

Is your child suffering from exhaustion, headaches, digestive problems, anxiety, sadness and more. If yes, then there is a high possibility of him/her suffering from stress. The lifestyle of today negatively affects adults, teenagers, and even children which further contributes to poor mental health. Children between the age of 9-13 get exposed to social networking sites like Instagram, Twitter, Snapchat and many more. Many times, busy parents hand a gadget to their highly active child to keep him/her busy. That child is distracted, and it becomes convenient for the parents to go on with their tasks.

THE MET GALA IS A RIOT OF FASHION, WITH A THEME—THIS YEAR, “KARL LAGERFELD: A LINE OF BEAUTY” (THE SUBJECT OF THE METROPOLITAN MUSEUM OF ART’S COSTUME INSTITUTE EXHIBIT, MAY 5-JULY 16)—THAT SOME STICK TO, AND SOME, WELL, GO THEIR ON WAY. VOGUE EDITOR IN CHIEF ANNA WINTOUR, WHO WIELDS HER RED PEN WITH RUTHLESS PRECISION WHEN IT COMES TO THE GUEST LIST, CAME WITH RUMORED BEAU BILL NIGHY. PENÉLOPE CRUZ AND DUA LIPA, TWO OF THE CO-CHAIRS OF THE EVENING, ARRIVED IN CHIC WHITE. AND THEN THE GAMES BEGAN! THERE WAS EVEN A CLIFFHANGER AND MYSTERY: RIHANNA FINALLY ARRIVED HOURS LATE IN, NATURALLY, A COMPLETELY BONKERS OUTFIT.

MOUNI ROY'S WARDROBE IS A VERSATILE MIX OF SUBTLETY, BLING AND ABSOLUTE HOTNESS

This is bound to increase the stress levels of children leading to anxiety, and worse, depression. How can the parents tackle such situations, and how can they prevent their children from experiencing stress? Look at some tricks for treating a child’s stressed mind and ways to prevent stressful situations-

1. Keep Them Active:

Most children are extremely active in their early years, with elevated athletic capabilities. Any kind of physical activity will surely help your child in relieving stress. Some activities such as, swimming, hoola-hooping, bike/scooter rides, dancing, running games and many more, are highly effective.

2. Spend Time Together-

Children want additional love, care and support in their initial stages, especially when suffering with something so troubling. Parents, instead of giving them gadgets when they need attention, should put their work on hold, and spend quality time together. This is a definite booster of emotional bonds and relationships, between the child and the parent.

3. Teach Coping Skills-

In a world of harmful coping mechanisms, it is highly important for parents to teach their children healthy ways to cope with stress. They can make them meditate and perform breathing exercises. Motivating them to create artistic items, and inspiring them to learn music, dance, and more, drastically reduces stress.

4. Make Them Write-

Children sometimes have a hard time expressing themselves and fail to make sense of what goes on in their little minds. It is imperative that they learn to communicate their needs in healthy ways. Writing is one such great method, which enhances their capability of channelising their thoughts and emotions.

Powerful New Obesity Drug Poised To Upend Weight Loss Care

MOUNI ROY IS A THROUGH-AND-THROUGH FASHIONISTA WHO IS ALWAYS IN SYNC WITH THE LATEST TREND AND MAKES SURE TO MAKE FULL USE OF THEM. HER KNOW-HOW OF WHAT TO WEAR WHEN IS JUST PHENOMENAL, SHE IS ALWAYS DRESSED ACCORDING TO THE MOOD OF ANY EVENT. FROM THE MOST GORGEOUS SAREES TO THE MOST OUTSTANDING PARTY DRESSES, TO SOME EXTREMELY SUMMER-FRIENDLY CLOTHING, SHE HAS IT ALL IN HER WARDROBE.

WHAT CAUSES WARTS AND HOW TO GET RID OF THEM?

NEW DELHI, (IANSLIFE) Warts is an unpleasant and unattractive skin condition. Skin warts typically seem like little blister-like growths on a person's hands or feet. It might also manifest in other areas of the body. The human papillomavirus (HPV), which is what causes it, is an infection. More than 15,000 viruses make up the HPV virus category. Actually an STD/STI, HPV is a sexually transmitted infection or disease. Anyone who engages in sexual activity has the risk of contracting HPV if their partner has the virus.

How is it transmitted?

Apart from HPV which is sexually transmitted infection warts are also spread through skin contact by shaking hands, turning door knobs or typing on keyboards used by many; sharing common shoes or towels also causes warts. Yes, people do get warts from other people with warts; they don't get them from anywhere else.

If you have any type of skin wart, it means that you came in contact with a wartcausing virus sometime in the past, though it could have been months ago.

Who are at risk?

Any person who has very sensitive or damaged or wet skin is more prone to catch the infection. Apart from this person being sexually active, having weak immune system, under prolonged stress, having hormonal disorders and being exposed to external effects such as radiation, chemical emissions of industrial cities, oily or junk food is at risk to get warts once in a lifetime. Also, the wart virus is transmitted most rapidly in areas having warm and humid air like spas, saunas, swimming pools, gyms or clubs.

Precautions

The first and foremost way to prevent skin warts is to avoid coming into contact with the virus. Make sure you wash your hands properly each time before you touch anything. Do not share your shoes or towels with anybody. Also do not use anybody else's towels or shoes. Keep your skin healthy and well moisturised in all seasons be it winter or summer; do not keep your skin dry for long. Do not bite your fingernails; also while shaving make sure that you use a sharp razor that won't tear or cut your skin.

Air Pollution Now Linked With Increased Risk Of Irregular Heartbeat

New Delhi: Long-term air pollution has now been found to be associated with an increased risk of arrhythmia or irregular heartbeat, researchers report. Air pollution is a modifiable risk factor for heart disease, but the evidence linking it with arrhythmia ha s been inconsistent to date. To determine whether there is a link, Chinese researchers evaluated hourly exposure to air pollution and the sudden onset of symptoms of arrhythmia using data from 2025 hospitals in 322 Chinese cities.

Air pollution in China is well above the World Health Organisation's guidelines for air quality, and the researchers conducted their analyses using air pollutant concentrations from monitoring stations closest to the reporting hospitals.

"We found that acute exposure to ambient air pollution was associated with increased risk of symptomatic arrhythmia," said Dr R enjie Chen, School of Public Health, Fudan University, Shanghai, China.

The risks occurred during the first several hours after exposure and could persist for 24 hours.

"The exposure-response relationships between 6 pollutants and 4 subtypes of arrhythmias were approximately linear without disce rnable thresholds of concentrations," Chen noted in a study published in the Canadian Medical Association Journal (CMAJ).

The common arrhythmia conditions atrial fibrillation and atrial flutter, which can progress to more serious heart disease, affe ct an estimated 59.7 million people globally.

The study included 190,115 patients with acute onset of symptomatic arrhythmia, including atrial fibrillation, atrial flutter, premature beats (originating in either the atria or ventricles of the heart) and supra-ventricular tachycardia.

"Although the exact mechanisms are not yet fully understood, the association between air pollution and acute onset of arrhythmi a that we observed is biologically plausible," the authors wrote. Some evidence has indicated that air pollution alters cardiac electrophysiological activities by inducing oxidative stress and systemic inflammation, affecting multiple membrane channels, as well as impairing a utonomic nervous function, they added.

WASHINGTON: As a growing number of overweight Americans clamour for Ozempic and Wegovy — drugs touted by celebrities and on TikTok to pare pounds — an even more powerful obesity medicine is poised to upend treatment.

Tirzepatide, an Eli Lilly and Co. drug approved to treat type 2 diabetes under the brand name Mounjaro, helped people with the disease who were overweight or had obesity lose up to 16 per cent of their body weight, or more than 34 pounds, over nearly 17 months, the company said on Thursday.

The late-stage study of the drug for weight loss adds to earlier evidence that similar participants without diabetes lost up to 22 per cent of their body weight over that period with weekly injections of the drug. For a typical patient on the highest dose, that meant shedding more than 50 pounds. Having diabetes makes it notoriously difficult to lose weight, said Dr. Nadia Ahmad, Lilly’s medical director of obesity clinical development, which means the recent results are especially significant. “We have not seen this degree of weight reduction,” she said.

Based on the new results, which have not yet been published in full, company officials said they will finalise an application to the US Food and Drug Administration for fast-track approval to sell tirzepatide for chronic weight management. A decision could come later this year. A company spokeswoman would not confirm whether the drug would be marketed for weight loss in the US under a different brand name. If approved for weight loss, tirzepatide could become the most effective drug to date in an arsenal of medications that are transforming the treatment of obesity, which affects more than 4 in 10 American adults and is linked to dozens of diseases that can lead to disability or death. “If everybody who had obesity in this country lost 20 per cent of their body weight, we would be taking patients off all of these medications for reflux, for diabetes, for hypertension,” said Dr. Caroline Apovian, a director of the Centre for Weight Management and Wellness at Brigham and Women’s Hospital. “We would not be sending patients for stent replacement.” Industry analysts predict that tirzepatide could become one of the top-selling drugs ever, with annual sales topping USD 50 billion. It is expected to outpace Novo Nordisk’s Ozempic — a diabetes drug used so commonly to shed pounds that comedian Jimmy Kimmel joked about it at the Oscars — and Wegovy, a version of the drug also known as semaglutide approved for weight loss in 2021. Together, those drugs made nearly USD 10 billion in 2022, with prescriptions continuing to soar, company reports show. In separate trials, tirzepatide has resulted in greater weight loss than semaglutide, whose users shed about 15 per cent of their body weight over 16 months. A head-to-head trial comparing the two drugs is planned.