- Saturday, July 27, 2024
The Delhi high court on Thursday (25) sought the stand of the Centre on a plea seeking action against filmmaker Nisha Pahuja and Netflix for allegedly revealing a minor gang rape survivor's identity in a documentary film in violation of the law. Dev Patel was one of the executive producers…
THE INDIAN government has released a commemorative stamp celebrating the 100th birth anniversary of the legendary singer Mukesh. This special stamp was unveiled at a ceremony hosted by India's Ministry of Culture at Akashwani Bhawan in Delhi on Wednesday (24). Federal minister of culture and tourism, Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, who…
THE UK said on Wednesday (24) it had launched a new technology security initiative with India aimed at boosting economic growth, fostering collaboration on telecoms security and unlocking investment in emerging technologies. The government said the agreement would see the two countries work more closely together on critical technologies including…
India is facing new allegations of kidney trafficking, months after a Telegraph investigation exposed a similar issue involving Myanmar citizens being lured to Delhi to sell their organs. According to The Times of India and other local media outlets, Delhi Police have arrested a 50-year-old surgeon for alleged involvement in…
Foreign secretary David Lammy started a two-day visit to India on Wednesday to push forward negotiations for the long-awaited Free Trade Agreement (FTA) and to explore opportunities for cooperation in areas like clean energy, new technologies, and security. This visit marks the first high-level engagement between India and the UK…
The family of Jagtar Singh Johal, a Sikh man from Scotland imprisoned in India, has requested the foreign secretary to address his case during this week's trade talks between the two countries. Johal, 37, a blogger and activist from Dumbarton, was in India for his wedding in 2017 when he…
Several prominent Indian Americans welcomed the possibility of vice president Kamala Harris becoming the Democratic Party's presidential nominee, describing it as a historic moment for their community. Harris, 59, announced her run for the presidency after US president Joe Biden said he would not seek re-election and endorsed her as…
The parameters of the India-UK free trade agreement (FTA) negotiations will be revisited this week with foreign secretary David Lammy's visit to India on Tuesday. FTA talks began in January 2022 under the Conservative government, aiming to significantly enhance the GBP 38.1 billion annual bilateral trade. However, the discussions were…
TESLA CEO Elon Musk has congratulated Indian prime minister Narendra Modi on being the most followed world leader on social media platform 'X'. Taking to X, Musk stated, "Congratulations PM @NarendraModi on being the most followed world leader!" Musk's statement came after Modi became the world's most followed leader in…
INDIAN football icon Sunil Chhetri might have ended his international career, but he cares about the team and said he would do everything in his power to take the country to the “promised land”. Speaking at a function attended by the country’s president Droupadi Murmu, who flagged off the trophy…
After a report that India plans to spend £781 million to expedite the construction of 12 hydropower stations in the northeastern Himalayan state of Arunachal Pradesh, China has asserted that India has no right to carry out development in the area China calls South Tibet. This statement from China’s foreign…
A SCULPTOR has made a bronze bust of Rishi Sunak just as he did with the Indian prime minister Narendra Modi three years ago. “I have the Rishi bust at home in London – I haven’t had a chance to offer it to him,” Nadey Hakim told Eastern Eye. The…
SRI LANKA will wrap up talks with international bondholders on restructuring £9.7 billion in debt within a few weeks, foreign minister Ali Sabry said on Tuesday (9). This will mark a major step for the island nation to emerge from its worst financial crisis in the past decades. Sri…
India’s prime minister Narendra Modi told Russian president Vladimir Putin on Tuesday (9) that the death of innocent children was very painful, a day after a lethal strike on a children's hospital in Kyiv. The Indian leader made the televised remarks at a meeting with Putin in the Kremlin. [caption…
INDIAN prime minister Narendra Modi arrived in Russia on Monday (8), as he treaded a fine line between maintaining a longstanding relationship with Moscow and courting closer Western security ties. The visit is Modi's first since Russia launched its campaign in Ukraine and since he was returned to power last…
PRIME minister Keir Starmer spoke to his Indian counterpart Narendra Modi on Saturday (6) and said he was keen to conclude a Free Trade Agreement that worked for both sides, Downing Street said. India and the UK have been negotiating a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) for over two years with…
The chief organiser of a religious event in India where a stampede killed 121 people this week surrendered to police on Friday. This occurred after police had launched a manhunt. Devprakash Madhukar, identified as a key suspect, was named in an initial police report with charges including attempted culpable homicide.…
Like every Indian who experienced emotions of ecstasy and pride during T20 World Cup winning Team India's homecoming on July 4, superstar Shah Rukh Khan also got emotional after Team India brought the T20 World Cup trophy home and took part in a victory parade in Mumbai. SRK took to…
PRIME minister Narendra Modi will visit Russia and Austria from July 8 to 10, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) announced on Thursday. He will visit Moscow to attend the 22nd India-Russia annual summit to review bilateral ties. This will be Modi's first trip to Russia since it invaded Ukraine…
MORE than seven per cent of all deaths in 10 of India's biggest cities are linked to air pollution, a large study said Thursday, leading researchers to call for action to save tens of thousands of lives a year. Smog-filled Indian cities, including the capital Delhi, suffer from some of…
India's foreign minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar met his Chinese counterpart Wang Yi on Thursday in Kazakhstan. The two agreed to increase talks to resolve border issues, according to a statement from New Delhi. India and China share a long Himalayan border that is poorly marked. Relations have been strained since a…
Introduction The Indian real estate market is undergoing a great revolution in recent years. With the introduction of the concept of fractional ownership, the market has seen a rise in investments since investors can now co-own high-value properties. The office space in Delhi has seen a significant impact through this revolution. …
MORE THAN hundred people were crushed to death at a Hindu religious gathering in northern India, with scores of others injured, a senior government official said Tuesday (2). "We have confirmed 97 deaths so far and are focusing on providing relief and medical aid for the victims," said Chaitra V.,…
THE Law Society of England and Wales hosted the Bar Council of India at its premises in Chancery Lane in London on Thursday (27). The Bar Council of England and Wales also participated in the discussions, building on a joint Memorandum of Understanding aimed at strengthening legal exchange, transitional legal…
PRIME MINISTER Rishi Sunak and wife Akshata Murty sought divine blessings on the last weekend ahead of the July 4 general election at the BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir in London, popularly known as Neasden Temple. The couple were greeted with loud cheers as their convoy drove into the mandir grounds…
FANS in blue India jerseys shed tears of joy and danced on tabletops at a sports bar in New Delhi on Saturday (29) as Rohit Sharma's team edged South Africa to win the T20 World Cup and end a global title drought. India won a thrilling final by seven runs…
New Delhi on Friday rejected the US State Department's 2023 religious freedom report on India, calling it "deeply biased" and one that does not understand the South Asian nation's social fabric. The report, released on Wednesday, noted violent attacks on minority groups, especially Muslims and Christians, including killings, assaults and…
The United Nations human rights commission has expressed concern over India's use of the anti-terror law to stifle dissent, calling for authorities to dismiss cases against author Arundhati Roy and former professor Sheikh Showkat Hussain for their remarks on Kashmir. "#India: We are concerned by use of #UAPA anti-terror law…
THE roof of a terminal building at New Delhi's international airport partially collapsed in heavy rains early Friday (28), killing one person, rescuers said, months after a refurbishment project was inaugurated by prime minister Narendra Modi. Images posted online showed vehicles crushed under giant steel girders at the departure forecourt…
The stakes are high, the expectations higher and, if early trends are anything to go by, "achhe din" could be back for the Indian movie industry with 3D spectacle Kalki 2898 AD set to cross earnings of Rs 200 crore globally on its opening day Thursday, according to trade experts. The…
The US State Department's 2023 religious freedom report on India noted violent attacks on minority groups, particularly Muslims and Christians, including incidents of killings, assaults, and vandalism of houses of worship. The report, released on Wednesday, stated that in 2023, senior US officials continued to "raise concerns about religious freedom…
AS WITH Kedleston Hall in Derbyshire, the National Trust is keen for British Asians to visit Powis Castle in Welshpool in Wales, because it is taking a critical look at how Britain came to establish colonial rule in India. From the Asian point of view, they are perhaps two of…
RENOWNED Indian opera singer Anando Mukerjee has said that Byron Jackson’s diverse production of Wagner’s The Flying Dutchman will break barriers in opera. The play is the UK’s first ethnically led Wagner production with artistic direction from Jackson and stage direction by Iqbal Khan. Jackson, a dramatic baritone of British…
Actor Junaid Khan, who recently garnered critical acclaim for his role in the Netflix film Maharaj, has teased fans with news of his latest cinematic venture. The actor, who is the son of Bollywood star Aamir Khan, revealed that he has commenced shooting for an untitled film in Delhi. In…
LABOUR PARTY has criticised the Tories, led by prime minister Rishi Sunak, for failing to meet their promises on India relations. Speaking at the India Global Forum (IGF) last week, shadow foreign secretary David Lammy said that if Labour wins the July 4 general election, they are prepared to swiftly…
INDIA has said that Canada's act of glorifying militancy was 'deplorable', and no country should overlook the threat of terrorism emanating from its soil for political gains. In a statement on the 39th anniversary of the 1985 Kanishka bombing, the Indian High Commission in Ottawa said that terrorism knows "no…
INDIA'S domestic airline market has registered robust growth in the last decade, and it is now the third-largest in the world, up from the fifth position a decade ago, according to global travel data provider OAG. In its 2014 survey of large domestic aviation markets, India figured fifth on the…
INDIAN prime minister Narendra Modi on Saturday (22) held extensive talks with his visiting Bangladeshi counterpart Sheikh Hasina to further shore up cooperation in diverse areas including trade and connectivity. The Bangladesh prime minister began her two-day visit to India on Friday (21). It is the first incoming bilateral state…
NEW DELHI is in touch with the family of an Indian man who is accused of plotting with an Indian government official to kill a Sikh separatist in the US, the foreign ministry said on Friday (21) in reaction to a report. Nikhil Gupta, extradited to the US this month…
A CANADIAN court has rejected bid by two Sikh extremists to get off the country's no-fly list, saying there are "reasonable grounds" to suspect they will indulge in terrorist activities. The Federal Court of Appeal in its ruling this week dismissed an appeal by Bhagat Singh Brar and Parvkar Singh…
THE DELHI high court on Friday (21) stayed a lower court's order granting bail to opposition leader and Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal in a liquor graft case. The court said the interim stay will remain until the Enforcement Directorate's (ED) petition is heard. The directorate had challenged Aam Aadmi…
Thousands of yoga enthusiasts worldwide gathered to celebrate the 10th International Day of Yoga on Friday. Recognising its universal appeal, the UN proclaimed 21 June as the International Day of Yoga in December 2014, following a proposal by India endorsed by 175 member states. Indian prime minister Narendra Modi highlighted…
The simple exercise of walking is enough to bring relief to those having a history of low back pain, according to research published in The Lancet journal. Following around 700 adults who had recovered from a recent episode of low back pain, researchers divided the participants into three groups -…
An elderly Indian couple planning to fly from New Delhi to Newark in the US by Air India were shocked to learn that they had been placed on different flights to separate destinations on different dates. The airline carried out these changes without informing the couple and they got to…
A group of senior US lawmakers including former House speaker Nancy Pelosi met Wednesday (19) with the Dalai Lama and the Tibetan government-in-exile in India, sparking heavy criticism from China. The bipartisan group of US lawmakers, led by Congressman Michael McCaul and Pelosi, visited the 88-year-old Buddhist spiritual leader at…
LISTENING to Reform leader Nigel Farage and other politicians on the need to cut immigration, the average voter would have no idea of the extent to which the British economy is being propped up by companies from India. This is one reason why Vikram Doraiswami, the Indian high commissioner to…
ADANI group will invest over $100 billion (£78.55bn) in energy transition projects and manufacturing capability to produce components required to generate green energy. The coal-to-ports conglomerate is building solar parks, wind farms, and facilities to manufacture solar panels, wind power turbines, and electrolysers for making green hydrogen. At an event…
Indian Americans have significantly contributed to the India-US relationship, according to Neera Tanden, a top White House official. Tanden, US president Joe Biden's domestic policy advisor, discussed this in a fireside chat with former US ambassador to India Tim Roemer during the US-India Strategic and Partnership Forum's (USISPF) seventh annual…
INDIA and the US on Monday (17) committed to action to address barriers to bilateral strategic trade, technology and industrial cooperation. The commitment was made at a meeting between the national security advisers of the two countries, Ajit Doval and Jake Sullivan, during Sullivan's two-day visit to New Delhi. The…
An Indian man suspected by the US of involvement in a failed plot, allegedly backed by the Indian government, to kill a Sikh separatist on American soil pleaded not guilty on Monday to murder-for-hire conspiracy charges in federal court in Manhattan. Nikhil Gupta is accused by US federal prosecutors of…
An Indian man suspected of involvement in an unsuccessful plot to kill a Sikh separatist on American soil has been extradited to the United States from the Czech Republic, according to the US Federal Bureau of Prisons website. Nikhil Gupta has been accused by US federal prosecutors of plotting with…
INDIAN prime minister Narendra Modi on Friday (14) held a brief conversation with his Canadian counterpart Justin Trudeau against the backdrop of severe strain in India-Canada ties over the case relating to the killing of Khalistani extremist Hardeep Singh Nijjar last year. On the sidelines of the G7 summit in…
Delhi's federally-appointed lieutenant-governor (LG) VK Saxena has approved the prosecution of Booker Prize-winning author Arundhati Roy and former professor Sheikh Showkat Hussain under the anti-terror law, Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA), for comments made about Kashmir in 2010. The case began with a police complaint filed by social activist Sushil…
INDIAN prime minister Narendra Modi on Friday (14) met his British counterpart Rishi Sunak and reaffirmed his commitment to further strengthen the India-UK strategic partnership in the third term of the NDA government and reviewed the progress made in the ongoing FTA negotiations. The two leaders greeted each other with…
A consumer court in Mumbai has ordered Air India to pay a compensation of Rs 100,000 (£939) to a business class passenger for allotting defective seats on an international flight, Economic Times reports. Rear Admiral (retired) Anil Kumar Saxena flew from Delhi to Toronto on June 3, 2023 and Toronto…
India's foreign secretary, Vinay Kwatra, said on Wednesday that they have been pressing Russia to ensure the safety and repatriation of its nationals employed by the Russian Army. This announcement came a day after India's Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) reported that two more Indians serving with the Russian military…
Kuwait said authorities have identified the bodies of 45 Indians and three Filipino nationals killed in the tragic fire incident in a building housing foreign workers. The Gulf Kingdom vowed to promptly investigate the incident and assured full support in repatriating the mortal remains of the victims. At least 49…
GROWING up in an environment where financial discussions were commonplace, combined with her outstanding academic success, first connected Shreyaa Kapoor to a finance-focused career. That natural inclination towards numbers and analysis further nurtured her interest in understanding economic dynamics and investment strategies. This has led towards a successful career and…
MANY distinguished authors featured at the Jaipur Literary Festival (JLF) at the British Library last weekend, but one of the stars was Mishal Husain who was interviewed by fellow BBC journalist, Anita Anand. In Broken Threads: My Family From Empire to Independence, Mishal talked about how her grandparents, born in…
MAHARASHTRA, followed by Karnataka and Delhi, are the top three states of India bringing in foreign direct investment (FDI) into the UK, according to a new joint report produced by the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) and the High Commission of India in the UK. Indian Assets: Charting the Journeys…
Two Indian nationals recruited by the Russian army were killed in the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict, the Indian foreign ministry said on Tuesday. The Indian embassy in Moscow has contacted Russian authorities, including the ministry of defence, to ensure the prompt repatriation of the remains, according to a statement from the…
THE opening of a grand Hindu temple three months ahead of India’s general election was supposed to be a crowning moment for prime minister Narendra Modi that would carry his Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) to a dominant victory. It didn’t work out that way. Instead, the BJP lost the seat…
India's monsoon rains have lost momentum after covering western regions ahead of schedule, and their arrival in northern and central states could be delayed, extending a heatwave in the grain-growing plains, two senior weather officials told Reuters. Summer rains, critical to spur economic growth in Asia's third-largest economy, usually begin…
NARENDRA MODI was sworn in as prime minister of India last Sunday (9) for the third time, but newspapers around the world have all been asking the same set of searching questions. Why did the exit polls get it so wrong in predicting a “super majority” of anything up to…
INDIA will focus on finding solutions to the border issues with China that has long strained ties between the neighbouring countries, Indian foreign minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar said on Tuesday (11) after assuming charge for a second straight term. India and China share a 3,800 km (2,400 mile) border - much…
The exit polls and results of the Indian general election have attracted considerable attention recently. Using an analogy of electrical circuits, I also think the organisation and implementation of election processes should be considered as part of the hidden wiring of democracy. I was appointed in 2001 as one of…
India’s prime minister Narendra Modi unveiled his new cabinet on Monday (10), with key posts unchanged, signalling broad policy continuity. That includes Modi's Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) loyalists Rajnath Singh, Amit Shah, Nitin Gadkari, Nirmala Sitharaman and S Jaishankar - the defence, interior, transport, finance and foreign ministers respectively, staying…
More than a dozen parliamentarians from southern states and six MPs from Gujarat were inducted into Indian prime minister Narendra Modi's third-term government. More than a dozen parliamentarians from Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Kerala, Telangana, and Tamil Nadu were inducted on Sunday into the council of ministers led by Modi. This…
As the third Modi government formed on Sunday, 33 first-timers joined its ranks, with at least six from well-known political families. Narendra Modi was sworn in on Sunday, and his government comprises 71 ministers, including 30 cabinet ministers, five with independent charge, and 36 ministers of state. The specific portfolios…
Indian prime minister Narendra Modi was sworn in on Sunday (9) for a third term after worse-than-expected election results left him reliant on coalition partners to govern. In the new coalition government, there will be 71 ministers, 30 of them are cabinet ministers, five independent charge, and 36 ministers of…
INDIA's prime minister Narendra Modi is set to be sworn in Sunday (9) for a third term after worse than expected election results left him reliant on coalition partners to govern. With Modi yet to announce the makeup of this cabinet, the ceremony at the presidential palace on Sunday evening…
Actress and BJP MP Kangana Ranaut said she was hit in the face and abused by a woman CISF constable during security check at the Chandigarh airport on Thursday, the ugly fracas breaking out two days after she was elected to the Lok Sabha from Mandi in Himachal Pradesh. The…
Behind the scenes, many Bollywood celebrities have had their fair share of controversies and confrontations, some of which have unfolded in the most public and dramatic ways. The latest example is the award-winning actress-turned-politician Kangana Ranaut who was slapped by a CISF female jawan at the Chandigarh airport on June…
Companies based out of Maharashtra, Karnataka, and Delhi were the top Indian investors in the UK in 2023, says a joint report by the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) and the Indian High Commission. In 2023, India was the second largest source market for the UK, bringing in 118 new…
A DAY after the humbling election outcome for his Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), following a strong performance by the opposition 'INDIA' bloc, Indian prime minister Narendra Modi's 15 alliance partners met at his New Delhi residence and named him as their leader. The BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) won 293…
PRIME MINISTER Rishi Sunak spoke to India's Narendra Modi on Wednesday (5) to congratulate him on his election victory, which he said will see the bilateral relationship “thrive”. Both leaders agreed to stay in touch in the coming days before they meet at the G7 Summit in Italy, where Modi…
With voters favouring many celebrity faces -- trusted and new -- this election season, eyes will be on the performance of first-time MPs like Kangana Ranaut and Arun Govil as they take their place in the 18th Lok Sabha along with returning star politicians Hema Malini and Manoj Tiwari. The…
TENTS made by skilled workers in Rajasthan have been shown at this year’s Chelsea Flower Show. They have been imported from India by the Raj Tent Club, a company co-founded in the 1990s by Nicola Marks. One of the company’s employees, Davina, told Eastern Eye: “Nicky adores India. She is…
INDIA-CHINA relations are expected to remain antagonistic for the foreseeable future, a new report has said, citing a lack of trust as well as engagement. According to the 11th edition of the Asia-Pacific Regional Security Assessment by the London-based thinktank, the International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS), New Delhi’s expanding…
INDIAN prime minister Narendra Modi faced Wednesday (5) the prospects of a far tougher-than-expected third term after his party failed to secure an outright majority for the first time since sweeping to power a decade ago. The release of the results on Tuesday (4) upended conventional wisdom throughout the six-week…
Preparing to take office for a third consecutive term, Narendra Modi pledged on Tuesday to work with all states to build a developed India, regardless of the party in power. In his first speech after the 2024 Lok Sabha election results, Modi emphasised significant decisions and the fight against corruption.…
Indian film stars shone brightly in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections with voters showing their trust in newcomers Kangana Ranaut and Arun Govil as well as returning MPs Hema Malini, Manoj Tiwari, and Ravi Kishan. The country went to the polls from April 19 to June 1 in seven phases…
Indian opposition leader Rahul Gandhi, mocked by Narendra Modi and his supporters for nearly a decade, marked a notable comeback on Tuesday, even though the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party-led alliance appears set to form the government again. Modi looked set to retain power at the head of a ruling coalition,…
During the India elections, the opposition's INDIA alliance made a significant comeback in several crucial Hindi heartland states. Vote counting trends showed the alliance ahead in 42 out of 80 seats in Uttar Pradesh, with progress also noted in Rajasthan, Bihar, Haryana, and Jharkhand states. However, prime minister Narendra Modi's…
Prajwal Revanna, arrested in sexual harassment case, loses in Karnataka's Hassan. BJP minister Rajeev Chandrasekhar concedes Congress leader Shashi Tharoor. BJP's Raebareli candidate concedes defeat to Congress leader Rahul Gandhi. BJP candidate loses in Ayodhya where Ram Mandir is located. Former Jammu & Kashmir chief minister Omar Abdullah concedes defeat…
Actress Kangana Ranaut is on the way to become a parliamentarian as the BJP candidate from Himachal Pradesh's Mandi is leading by a margin of over 75,000 votes, according to Election Commission trends. Ranaut, the four-time National Award-winning actress, has been fielded against Vikramaditya Singh of the Congress. Ramayan actor…
Production banner Roy Kapur Films along with Trickitainment Media on Monday said they have acquired the rights to produce a biopic on the life of Sukumar Sen, India's first Chief Election Commissioner. The announcement comes a day before the vote counting of the 18th general election on Tuesday. A mathematician-turned-civil…
A record temperature of 52.9 degrees Celsius (127.22 Fahrenheit) reported for New Delhi was too high by 3 C, the Indian government said on Saturday, attributing it to a weather sensor error. The Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) investigated the reading from the weather station at Mungeshpur, a densely packed area…
INDO-CHINESE relations are expected to remain antagonistic for the foreseeable future, a new report has said, citing a lack of distrust as well as engagement. New Delhi’s expanding defence role and partnerships will likely further contribute to the increasingly competitive nature of India–China relations, according to the 11th edition of…
Passengers of a San Francisco-bound Air India flight that got inordinately delayed faced a harrowing time on Thursday at the Delhi airport. Some of them fainted as the aircraft's air-conditioning system wasn't working before the flight was finally rescheduled for Friday. There were around 200 passengers onboard the Boeing 777…
Extreme temperatures across India are having their worst impact in the country's teeming megacities, experts said Thursday, warning that the heat is fast becoming a public health crisis. India is enduring a crushing heatwave with temperatures in several cities sizzling well above 45 degrees Celsius (104 degrees Fahrenheit). Temperature readings…
THE National Trust is encouraging British Asian visitors – especially Eastern Eye readers – to engage with their own history at Kedleston Hall, a magnificent estate in Derbyshire. This was once the home of the imperial ruler whose influence on India, Pakistan and Bangladesh lives on to this day. George…
INDIA will send four tigers to Cambodia this year in a “historic” bid to revive the kingdom’s big cat population, Delhi’s ambassador said last Thursday (23). Cambodia’s dry forests were once home to scores of Indochinese tigers, but conservationists say intensive poaching of both tigers and their prey has devastated…
The owner of Britain's struggling Royal Mail said Wednesday it had accepted a takeover proposal from Czech billionaire Daniel Kretinsky worth £3.6 billion. It comes after Kretinsky's conglomerate EP Group formalised an improved offer for International Distribution Services. "The IDS board believes that the offer from EP is fair and…
Temperatures in India's capital reached a record high of 52.3 degrees Celsius on Wednesday, according to figures from the government's weather bureau. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) warned of dangerous heat levels in the city. The IMD reported "severe heat-wave conditions" and posted the temperature automatically on its website after…
Candlelight Concerts, known for their intimate live music experiences worldwide, is set to perform in India in June this year. The concerts will kick off in Mumbai and Delhi in June, and then move to Faridabad in July. Grand Hyatt Mumbai will host the premiere with Best Movie Soundtracks on…
Who is Nancy Tyagi? That is suddenly an oft-asked question -- and not just in the world of high fashion -- with the young woman who stitched her own clothes and modelled them too in the Cannes film festival the new toast of the glamour world for her dramatic rise…
Talat Hussain, one of Pakistan's most accomplished and celebrated actors, died on Sunday at a private hospital here following a prolonged illness. He was 83. A radio, TV, theatre, and cinema veteran, Hussain was known for serials such as Bandish, Karwaan, Hawain, and Parchaiyan as well as movies Chiragh Jalta…
Six phases of the marathon India elections are over, and on June 1, the 43-day-long electoral exercise with close to a billion voters will come to an end. With every phase, the controversies, confrontations, and the contest have intensified. The elections started with Narendra Modi as the clear favourite to…
Six newborn babies have died after a fire tore through a children's hospital in the Indian capital, with people charging into the blaze to rescue the infants, police said Sunday. "All the 12 newborn babies were rescued from the hospital with the help of other people," senior police officer Surendra…
PAKISTAN-occupied Kashmir (PoK) is a part of India and "we will take it", Indian home minister Amit Shah asserted on Saturday (25) as he castigated the Congress for trying to "frighten us" by saying that the neighbouring country possesses atom bombs. "The PoK hamara hai, hamara rahega aur hum ise…
In an unprecedented and momentous event, Anasuya Sengupta has become the first Indian actress to win the prestigious Best Actress award at the Cannes Film Festival. This historic achievement was for her remarkable performance in The Shameless, a gripping film that competed in the Un Certain Regard section of the…
NASA is set to offer advanced training to Indian astronauts in preparation for a collaborative mission to the International Space Station, said a senior US diplomat. Eric Garcetti, the US Ambassador to India, disclosed this development during the "US-India Commercial Space Conference: Unlocking Opportunities for US & Indian Space Startups,"…
India proceeded to the penultimate phase of its general election on Saturday, with over 111 million people across 58 constituencies in eight states and federal territories eligible to vote. Despite sweltering conditions in New Delhi, voters turned out in force to participate in this pivotal stage of the election. Narendra…
INDIAN police are working with detectives from neighbouring Bangladesh to investigate the suspected murder of a lawmaker from Bangladesh's ruling party, police officials said Thursday (23). Mohammad Anwarul Azim, a member of Bangladesh's Awami League party, disappeared in Kolkata this month while seeking medical treatment in the Indian city, according…
Mitchell Starc took three early wickets to help Kolkata Knight Riders reach the IPL final with an eight-wicket victory over Sunrisers Hyderabad in Ahmedabad on Tuesday. Kolkata, two-time champions, bowled out Hyderabad for 159 as Starc recorded figures of 3-34 in the first playoff, qualifier 1, at the world's largest…
Deepa Mehta’s film Fire, released in 1996, is a seminal work in Indian cinema and a landmark for the LGBTQ community. As one of the first mainstream Indian films to depict a romantic relationship between two women, Fire challenged societal norms and sparked significant controversy and dialogue about sexuality and…
Indian authorities in the capital have ordered schools shut early for the summer holiday, after temperatures hit 47.4 degrees Celsius (117 degrees Fahrenheit) with Delhi gripped by a "severe heatwave". Delhi city officials asked schools to shut with "immediate effect" due to the blistering heat, according to a government order…
The two highest-priced players in the IPL, Australia's Pat Cummins and Mitchell Starc, will face off on Tuesday for a spot in the final as the Twenty20 league enters the playoffs. Sunrisers Hyderabad captain Cummins was bought for £1.97 million at auction, but Kolkata Knight Riders paid £2.35 million for…
Critics' Week is one of the few sections of the 77th Cannes Film Festival that do not officially include an Indian entry. But dig just a little into the selection of the parallel segment and one finds an Indian name attached to an exceptional short fiction film. The film is…
SUSPECTED rebels shot dead an activist from Indian prime minister Narendra Modi's party in Kashmir, local authorities said Sunday (19) after the latest violent attack in the disputed region. Police named the victim as Aijaz Ahmad, a local leader of the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) who was fired upon…
With new photographic and video evidence, an Indian court battle over the origins of the world famous butter chicken is set to get spicier. Two Indian restaurant chains have been sparring since January at the Delhi High Court, both claiming credit for inventing the dish in a lawsuit that has…
INDIA's weather bureau has warned the country was facing its second heatwave in three weeks, including in areas where millions of people are set to vote in the six-week election. Analysts have blamed a dip in turnout compared to the last national poll in 2019 on widespread expectations that prime…
India granted citizenship on Wednesday to a first batch of 14 people under a controversial law that has been criticised for discriminating against Muslims, midway through general elections in which religious divisions have taken centre stage. The Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) grants citizenship to Hindus, Parsis, Sikhs, Buddhists, Jains, and…
The India Pavilion, rechristened the Bharat Pavilion, was formally opened on Wednesday morning at the 77th Cannes Film Festival. Explaining the rationale behind the renaming, Mr. Sanjay Jaju, secretary of the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, said: "It symbolises the country's assertion of its traditional storytelling practices while it actively…
India's Supreme Court has ordered the release of the founder-editor of a news portal accused by police of receiving illegal funding from China, saying his arrest was invalid more than seven months afterwards, his lawyers said on Wednesday. Police arrested Prabir Purkayastha early in October and raided the New Delhi…
Tristan Stubbs' unbeaten fifty, alongside Abishek Porel's solid knock, propelled Delhi Capitals to a crucial victory over Lucknow Super Giants in their last league match of the IPL. Despite the win, Delhi's playoff hopes hang by a thread due to their negative run-rate. Delhi skipper Rishabh Pant expressed optimism about…
An Indian court has informed Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, former chief of India's wrestling federation and a member of prime minister Narendra Modi's Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), about charges of sexual harassment and criminal intimidation against him. The court on Friday ordered the framing of charges against Singh in a…
With an entry in almost every major section of the 77th Cannes Film Festival, which kicks off on Tuesday evening with French musician-filmmaker Quentin Dupieux's Le Deuxieme Acte (The Second Act), India will have no dearth of action during the 12-day event. Never before in history have Cannes and its…
Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) clinched their fifth consecutive victory to bolster their Indian Premier League (IPL) playoff aspirations by defeating Delhi Capitals by 47 runs on Sunday. Posting 187-9, Bengaluru's Cameron Green's unbeaten 24-ball 32 proved crucial. In response, Delhi Capitals were dismissed for 140 in 19.1 overs at the…
INDIA's six-week election resumed Monday (13) including in Kashmir, where voters are expected to show their discontent with prime minister Narendra Modi's cancellation of their disputed territory's semi-autonomy and the security crackdown that followed. Modi remains popular across much of India and his Hindu-nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is widely…
A fourth Indian was charged by Canadian authorities Saturday (11) in the 2023 killing of a separatist Sikh leader in Vancouver. Amandeep Singh, 22, was already being held for unrelated gun charges before being charged with "first-degree murder and conspiracy to commit murder" in the slaying of Hardeep Singh Nijjar.…
Britain's national security advisor (NSA), Tim Barrow, met with his Indian counterpart, Ajit Doval, in New Delhi on Thursday. The talks were focused on boosting India-UK cooperation in the areas of critical technologies and security. During this meeting, discussions were held on the "Technology and Security Initiative, which will be…
THE third phase of India’s elections saw a voter turnout of nearly 62 per cent across 93 constituencies in 11 states and union territories. Assam state recorded the highest turnout at 75.53 per cent, followed by Goa at 74.47 per cent and West Bengal at 73.93 per cent. The lowest…
In a significant boost for the opposition alliance in the country, India's top court granted temporary bail to Delhi's chief minister, Arvind Kejriwal, in a graft case, allowing him to campaign in the ongoing general elections. The bail is extended until June 1, the final day of voting, following which…
INDIAN boxer Lovlina Borgohain will step onto the scales a bit heavier at the Paris Olympics. The boxer from Assam is set to compete in the women’s 75kg event this summer after the 69kg division, in which she won a bronze at the Tokyo Olympics, was scrapped from the Paris…
India and the European Union (EU) have pledged to expand cooperation in the Indo-Pacific to tackle shared security challenges and foster peace and stability in the region. This commitment was discussed during a security and defence dialogue held in Delhi on Monday. Co-chaired by Vishvesh Negi from India's defence ministry…
WITH Narendra Modi tipped to win a third term as India’s prime minister, there will probably be even greater interest in a new book, Hindu Nationalism in the Indian Diaspora: Transnational Politics and British Multiculturalism. This is because the assertive Hindu nationalism – labelled as ‘Hinduvta’ – is associated with…
RESEARCHERS have described the prospect of the UK and India concluding a free trade agreement as “prolonged optimistic caution”, adding that issues the ongoing general election and immigration visas will play a major part in how any deal is concluded. Last month, a delegation led by a senior UK government…
Three Indian nationals accused of killing Khalistan separatist Hardeep Singh Nijjar last year have appeared before a Canadian court through video for the first time to face homicide charges in a case that has soured Canada-India relations. Karan Brar, 22, Kamalpreet Singh, 22, and Karanpreet Singh, 28, all Indian nationals…
AIR INDIA EXPRESS has cancelled more than 80 flights since Tuesday (7) night with a section of senior cabin crew reporting sick to protest against alleged mismanagement at the Tata Group-owned airline, leaving hundreds of passengers stranded at various airports in the country. Scores of Air India Express passengers, mostly…
Delhi Capitals continued their charge towards securing a playoff berth in the Indian Premier League (IPL) with a 20-run victory over Rajasthan Royals on Tuesday. Rajasthan skipper Sanju Samson's valiant 86 went in vain as Delhi managed to defend their imposing total of 221-8 at the Feroz Shah Kotla ground.…
Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal faced a setback in India's apex court on Tuesday as the two-judge bench adjourned without issuing a verdict. Kejriwal was seeking interim bail to participate in the Indian election campaigning. Kejriwal faces accusations of money laundering in connection with the alleged Delhi excise scam. Justices…
Canada's investigation into alleged Indian involvement in the assassination of a Sikh separatist in Vancouver last year is a "political compulsion", India's foreign minister S. Jaishankar said after three Indian citizens were arrested over the killing. Canadian police on Friday arrested the trio for the murder of Hardeep Singh Nijjar,…
INDIAN police said Saturday (4) they had arrested the social media chief of the country's main opposition party over accusations he doctored a widely shared video during an ongoing national election. The Congress party's Arun Reddy was detained late Friday (3) in connection with the edited footage, which falsely shows…
Two phases of India's elections are over, and the third phase will take place on Tuesday (7 May), but still, we are not even halfway through the world's biggest polls which began on 19 April. Not only has the contest between the prime minister Narendra Modi-led Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)…
Canada has arrested and charged three Indian men with the murder of Sikh separatist leader Hardeep Singh Nijjar last year and is investigating possible ties to the Indian government. Nijjar, 45, was shot dead in June outside a Sikh temple in Surrey, a Vancouver suburb with a large Sikh population.…
A string of senior Australian ministers on Wednesday refused to confirm reports that a "nest" of Indian spies had been uncovered in the country and expelled, allegations that threaten to damage a burgeoning alliance. Australia's prime minister, and foreign, defence and treasury ministers all dodged questions about allegations that Indian…
KHUSHWANT SINGH was my father. One of the best-known writers of the post-Partition generation (Train to Pakistan, A History of the Sikhs, Delhi, a Novel), he was also an editor (Illustrated Weekly of India), and the most widely read Indian columnist. His weekly column, With Malice Towards One and All,…
India's food safety regulator said on Thursday it had ordered testing and inspections at all companies making spice mixes, widening an investigation into the sector as global regulators look into suspected contamination in two popular local brands. Hong Kong last month suspended sales of three spice blends made by India's…
India has a "treasure box" of stories and many Korean companies are looking to back good content, says Dragon Park, the general manager of Korea Creative Content Agency India (KOCCA) ahead of the agency's plan to establish a liaison office in the country. KOCCA, a non-profit organisation working under South…
DOZENS of schools in India's national capital region were evacuated on Wednesday after they received a bomb threat by email, police said, adding that "nothing objectionable" was found during searches of the schools. More than 50 schools in Delhi and the adjoining suburb of Noida received the threatening email, officials…
Rishabh Pant is set to make his comeback to international cricket as he was named in India's squad for the T20 World Cup in June, marking his return after a car crash 16 months ago. The 26-year-old wicketkeeper-batsman, who has shown impressive form in the Indian Premier League this year,…
Choreographer Sahil Kumar found fame showcasing folk dances on TikTok, but his profile has been dormant since the video he posted four years ago supporting India's decision to ban the platform. The world's most populous country offers a glimpse of what the social media landscape could look like in the…
INDIA on Tuesday (30) denied a media report which alleged involvement of a spy agency official in the assassination plot of Sikh separatist leader Gurpatwant Singh Pannun in the US, stating it makes 'unwarranted and unsubstantiated imputations on a serious matter'." The Washington Post newspaper on Monday (29) reported that…
In an Indian Premier League (IPL) clash at Kolkata's Eden Gardens, the Kolkata Knight Riders emerged victorious by seven wickets against the Delhi Capitals. Phil Salt's aggressive batting, coupled with Varun Chakravarthy's exceptional bowling, set the stage for Kolkata's triumph. Salt's innings of 68 runs proved instrumental, while Chakravarthy's spell,…
AUSTRALIA's Jake Fraser-McGurk smashed 84 off 27 deliveries to fire Delhi Capitals to 257-4 and a 10-run win over Mumbai Indians in another IPL high-scorer on Saturday (27). In the second match of the day, skipper Sanju Samson hit an unbeaten 71 as Rajasthan Royals all but confirmed their play-off…
The medical advancement has reached at peak and is still growing. The proof of this advancement is Ayesha Rashan, a 19-year-old girl from Karachi who aspires to become a fashion designer. Ayesha was admitted to a hospital in 2019 when she suffered a heart attack leading to heart failure. She…
A man arrested by India's National Investigation Agency (NIA) for illegal acts in connection to the Indian High Commission attack in London in March 2023 was earlier held at the Attari border while crossing from Pakistan into India last year. Inderpal Singh Gaba, a resident of Hounslow in west London,…
India has dismissed a US State Department report critical of human rights in the country, calling it deeply biased. The report flagged significant abuses in Manipur state and highlighted instances of violence against minorities, journalists, and dissenting voices across the nation. Indian foreign ministry spokesperson Randhir Jasiwal minced no words,…
Rishabh Pant's unbeaten 88 led Delhi Capitals to a narrow India Premier League (IPL) victory over Gujarat Titans on Wednesday, bolstering his bid for a spot in India's T20 World Cup squad. Delhi struggled early, slipping to 44-3 in the first six overs at Arun Jaitley Stadium. However, a resilient…
Farhan Akhtar and Ritesh Sidhwani are set to make a film Operation Trident under their production banner Excel Entertainment. The announcement of the project was held at Nausena Bhawan in New Delhi, in presence of Admiral R Hari Kumar, Ritesh Sidhwani (Producer, Excel Entertainment), Kassim Jagmagia and Vishal Ramchandani (Co-Producers,…
Filmmaker Karan Johar on Tuesday said producer Aditya Chopra and superstar Shah Rukh Khan are the "two pillars" in his life to whom he owes his 25-year career in cinema. Johar assisted and featured in a brief role in Chopra's hit directorial debut Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge, the 1995 musical…
ALTHOUGH almost everyone says prime minister Narendra Modi will be elected for a third term with a huge majority in India’s general election, currently in full swing, it’s wiser to wait until the results are officially declared on June 4. There are so many differences between the north and the…
Veteran actor Mithun Chakraborty was conferred with India’s third-highest civilian award, the Padma Bhushan, by President Droupadi Murmu on Monday. Mithun Chakraborty received the prestigious award in the presence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and Home Minister Amit Shah, among others at Rashtrapati Bhavan in Delhi. Fondly called 'Mithun Da'…
Travis Head's stunning knock of 89 runs off just 32 balls propelled Sunrisers Hyderabad to a massive total of 266-7 against Delhi Capitals, securing a commanding 67-run victory in the Indian Premier League (IPL) clash on Saturday. Hyderabad, known for their explosive batting this season, showcased their dominance once again,…
The contender challenging Sadiq Khan for London mayor, Tarun Ghulati, aims to lead the city with a business mindset. Ghulati, originally from Delhi, believes his experience as a businessman is what London needs to attract investment and prioritise safety. Standing as an independent candidate among 13 contestants, Ghulati vows to…
THE first of India's almost one billion voters cast ballots on Friday (19) in the country's multi-day election, as prime minister Narendra Modi seeks a rare third term on the back of issues such as growth, welfare and Hindu nationalism. Friday's vote covered 166 million voters in 102 constituencies across…
TECH billionaire Elon Musk postponed a planned trip to India where he was to meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi, citing obligations at his Tesla automaker and saying he aimed to reschedule the visit for later this year. "Unfortunately, very heavy Tesla obligations require that the visit to India be delayed,…
The Indian Premier League, or IPL as it is commonly known, is sporting extravaganza that is at par with the likes of club football tournaments in Europe and Super Bowl in the United States, due to its immense popularity. According to the data released by India’s top broadcasting body, Broadcast…
EIGHT people from India have been honoured in Time magazine's prestigious list of the 100 most influential people of 2024. World Bank president Ajay Banga, Bollywood actress Alia Bhatt, Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella, Olympian wrestler Sakshi Malik and actor-director Dev Patel are among the Indians on the list. It also…
THE India-US deal to jointly produce fighter jet engines for the Indian Air Force is revolutionary, US defence secretary Lloyd Austin told lawmakers on Wednesday. The landmark deal was announced last June during the historic official state visit of prime minister Narendra Modi to the US. The General Electric signed…
Delhi Capitals, guided by Rishabh Pant's leadership and sharp wicketkeeping, secured a decisive six-wicket victory over Gujarat Titans, who were restricted to their IPL season-low score of 89 on Wednesday. In the match held in Ahmedabad, Delhi's medium-pacer Mukesh Kumar delivered an outstanding performance, claiming 3-14, and playing a pivotal…
India's general elections, set to begin this Friday (April 19), mark a significant democratic exercise as the country hosts the world's largest electoral event. More than 18 million first-time voters, including young individuals like 20-year-old Roushan Kumar from West Bengal, are poised to cast their ballots, with many prioritising employment…
SHIRIN WHEELER has talked to Eastern Eye about the book she has written about her father, Sir Charles Wheeler, who was once the BBC’s star foreign correspondent. He had served in Delhi, Berlin and Washington, before returning home to report on the multicultural Britain in which he always believed and…
As India heads to a general election, the streets of Manipur, a tiny state hit by ethnic strife since May last year, are largely quiet. Although Manipur and some other regions will be the first to vote in the seven-phase election starting on Friday, campaign meetings are being held behind…
THE government has said that it continues to work towards striking an “ambitious” trade deal with India as a negotiating team from Delhi resumed talks with their British counterparts in London this week. The Department for Business and Trade (DBT) reiterated its stance of only signing a free trade agreement…
India and the United Kingdom on Monday engaged in discussions aimed at expediting actions under the mutual legal assistance treaty and prioritising extradition requests. The need to expedite the extradition of several fugitives from India, including former Kingfisher Airlines promoter Vijay Mallya, diamantaire Nirav Modi, arms dealer Sanjay Bhandari, Punjab…
DESPITE economic challenges, Pakistan continued upgrading its nuclear capabilities, driven by its ongoing tensions with India, top US intelligence official told Congress. The remarks by Lt Gen Jeffrey Kruse, director of the Defence Intelligence Agency came during a Congressional hearing on China on Monday (15). Kruse told lawmakers that Pakistan…
Sunrisers Hyderabad set a new Indian Premier League (IPL) benchmark by scoring an all-time high of 287-3 in their match against Royal Challengers Bengaluru, securing a 25-run victory. This game not only surpassed Hyderabad’s previous record of 277 but also marked the highest aggregate score in a T20 match, with…
DELHI airport has been named among the world's top 10 busiest airports for 2023, according to the Airports Council International (ACI) World. The Indira Gandhi International Airport in the national capital is ranked tenth while Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport tops the list, followed by Dubai and Dallas airports. Among the…
India's top court on Monday did not grant any relief to Arvind Kejriwal, the Chief Minister of Delhi, regarding his recent arrest. Instead, the Supreme Court has asked the probe agency Enforcement Directorate (ED) to respond by April 24 to Kejriwal’s challenge against his detention, which is connected to a…
INDIA said on Monday it is likely to receive above-average monsoon rainfall in 2024, in a potential boost for the country which depends heavily on the summer rains for its farm output. The lifeblood of India's economy delivers nearly 70 per cent of the rain needed to water crops and…
Ahead of his meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Elon Musk's Tesla has struck a deal with Tata Electronics to acquire semiconductor chips for its global operations. The Economic Times newspaper, citing sources, reported that the strategic deal between Tesla and Tata Electronics was executed discreetly a few months ago.…
INDIAN prime minister Narendra Modi's Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) promised on Sunday to create jobs, boost infrastructure and expand welfare programmes if it wins a third term, seeking to address key voter concerns ahead of next week's elections. The general election will be held in seven stages from April 19…
INDIA said that it remains open to all ideas that could help achieve early restoration of peace in Ukraine. This week, the Switzerland government announced plans to host a high-level summit on Ukraine. External affairs ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said India has been consistently pressing for resolution of the Russia-Ukraine…
Jake Fraser-McGurk marked his Indian Premier League (IPL) debut with a striking half-century, propelling the Delhi Capitals to a six-wicket victory over the Lucknow Super Giants on Friday. The win rekindled Delhi's prospects in the tournament. Fraser-McGurk, who turned 22 the day before the match, partnered with team captain Rishabh…
As India heads towards another general election, prime minister Narendra Modi is confident of not just winning, but improving his party Bharatiya Janata Party's (BJP) tally in the Lok Sabha - the lower house of the parliament. While replying to Newsweek's written questions, followed up with a 90-minute conversation at…
Jasprit Bumrah's five-wicket haul, along with fifties from Ishan Kishan and Suryakumar Yadav, propelled Mumbai Indians (MI) to a comfortable seven-wicket victory over Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) in an Indian Premier League (IPL) match on Thursday. Bumrah's figures of 5-21 earned him the player-of-the-match award as RCB posted 196-8, following…
Lindy Cameron has been appointed as the new British high commissioner to India. She will succeed incumbent Alex Ellis. "Lindy Cameron CB OBE has been appointed British High Commissioner to the Republic of India in succession to Alex Ellis CMG who will be transferring to another diplomatic service appointment," a…
THE Science Museum has inaugurated an “Adani Green Energy Gallery” that was funded by an Indian business house. The gallery, which has been three years in the making, explores how mankind could combat the effects of climate change. One exhibit from India shows how water funnelled through terracotta pots can…
Less than a week after reports saying Tesla will send a team from the United States to India to study sites for an electric car plant in India, company CEO Elon Musk has confirmed that he is coming to the country. "Looking forward to meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi…
Indian folk singer Maithili Thakur thought she was successful, with millions following her Hindu devotional tunes on social media - but then Prime Minister Narendra Modi sent her popularity into the stratosphere. With India's marathon general elections set to start on April 19, critics say Modi's ruling Bharatiya Janata Party…
US Ambassador to India Eric Garcetti has said if anyone wants to see the future they should come to India. Speaking at an event, Garcetti was all praise for India and said that it was a “great privilege” to be the leader of the US mission in the country, reported…
An Indian court on Tuesday dismissed an appeal against the arrest of Delhi chief minister and key opposition leader Arvind Kejriwal in a graft case. Kejriwal was arrested on March 21 by the financial crime probe agency Enforcement Directorate (ED). "The court is of the view that the arrest of…
Amid rising tensions over Pakistan's accusations against India, the United States has decided to stay out of it. The US has urged both countries to engage in dialogue instead of escalating the situation. US State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller responded to questions about Washington's position on a recent UK media…
Uzbekistan Airways has initiated bi-weekly direct flights from Mumbai to Tashkent, marking a significant milestone in air travel connectivity between India and Uzbekistan. The inaugural flight, which took off on Tuesday, April 2nd, 2024, was ceremoniously flagged off by Sardor Rustambaev, the Hon’ble Ambassador in the Embassy of the Republic…
Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman said dialogue was needed to resolve heightened friction between arch-rivals Pakistan and India during a meeting in Riyadh with visiting Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif. Sharif was making his first overseas visit since winning power in elections in February. He met with bin Salman…
Shaharyar Khan, the former Pakistan Cricket Board chairman and esteemed diplomat, passed away at the age of 89 on March 23. A pivotal figure in the restoration of cricket ties with India in the early 2000s, Khan, born in Bhopal, was also a cousin of former India captain Mansur Ali…
Mumbai Indians (MI) registered their first win in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 by beating Delhi Capitals by 29 runs at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai on Sunday. An all-round batting performance helped Mumbai score a big total of 234/5, and in reply, Delhi could score only 205/8 in…
PAKISTAN has denounced "provocative remarks" made by Indian defence minister Rajnath Singh in which he said India would enter Pakistan to kill anyone who escapes over its border after trying to carry out militant attacks. Singh's comments on Friday (5) came after the Guardian newspaper published a report stating the…
The Indian National Congress unveiled its manifesto on Thursday for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections, outlining a slew of promises aimed at addressing various socio-economic issues across the country. Titled 'Nyay Patra', the manifesto emphasizes five key pillars of justice and 25 guarantees and was released at the All India…
Makers of action-thriller Kill starring debutant Lakshya in the lead role have finally released its teaser. The makers on Thursday took to its official Instagram account to share the teaser. A regular train trip to New Delhi turns into a battleground as two commandos face a group of attacking bandits.…
WITNESSING "infinite demand" in the strong Indian aviation market, British carrier Virgin Atlantic said it will start an additional daily flight connecting Mumbai and London from October. The airline added that it will look to expand its codeshare partnership with IndiGo. Currently, Virgin Atlantic operates two daily flights to London…
INDIA's first Olympic medallist in boxing, Vijender Singh, who took a plunge in politics in April 2019 by joining the Congress, switched to prime minister Narendra Modi's party on Wednesday (3). Addressing a joint press conference with BJP leaders in New Delhi, Singh praised Modi and said that the respect…
India's former prime minister and architect of India's economic reforms Dr Manmohan Singh has exited public life with his retirement from the Rajya Sabha. Soft-spoken, erudite, and modest, Singh (91) exited public life without any fanfare, somewhat akin to how this reluctant politician entered it 33 years ago. The man…
If you thought 200 runs in a T20 game was a big deal, Kolkata Knight Riders' (KKR) batting performance on Wednesday will make you rethink about the format, especially in the Indian Premier League (IPL). West Indies' Sunil Narine scored a smashing 39-ball 85 to lead KKR to the second-best…
THE G7 price cap on Russian oil shipments is cutting the revenue that Moscow has available to support its invasion of Ukraine, and the mechanism's effectiveness is helped by the recent actions of Indian refiners, US officials will say in New Delhi on Thursday (4), according to prepared remarks. The…
The five- or six-yard beauty weaved in different parts of India, with unique designs and cultural and ethnic imprints on the fabric, the saree, has now become a global fashion. But in many villages and parts of India, many women drape sarees as everyday wear, which has been further revealed…
SRI LANKA is optimistic about reaching an agreement soon with bondholders to restructure about $12 billion (£9.54bn) in debt, a top official said on Monday (1), a big step that will help the island nation emerge from its worst financial crisis in decades. China, the world’s and Sri Lanka’s…
New pace bowling sensation Mayank Yadav clocked the quickest ball of the new IPL season at 156.7 km/h in a fiery spell to power Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) to a 28-run win over Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) on Tuesday. Riding on Quinton de Kock's 56-ball 81 and an unbeaten 40…
Pakistan's Defence Minister Khawaja Asif has expressed hope that ties with India will improve after the general elections in the neighbouring country. Asif's comments came days after External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar in Singapore said that Pakistan is sponsoring terrorism almost at an "industry level" and the mood in India…
THE crew of 20 Indians and a Sri Lankan of the crippled container vessel that collided with a key Baltimore bridge last week is busy with their normal duties and will remain on board until the investigation into the accident is completed, the company that owns the vessel has said.…
INDIA rejected China's renaming of about 30 places in its northeastern Himalayan state of Arunachal Pradesh on Tuesday (2), calling the move "senseless" and reaffirming that the border province is an "integral" part of India. Beijing says Arunachal Pradesh, which its calls Zangnan, is a part of South Tibet -…
Actor Ayushmann Khurrana has been roped in by the Election Commission of India to urge youngsters to vote in the upcoming Lok Sabha elections. The 39-year-old actor features in the ECI's campaign video that encourages the youth to exercise their franchise in the upcoming elections. Khurrana, known for critically acclaimed…
Rishabh Pant led from the front with his first IPL fifty since his comeback from a horror car crash as Delhi Capitals beat Chennai Super Kings by 20 runs on Sunday. Captain Pant hit 51 off 32 balls after fellow left-hander David Warner smashed 52 and helped Delhi to 191-5…
AN Indian court sent Delhi chief minister and key opposition leader Arvind Kejriwal to jail until April 15 in a liquor graft case on Monday (1), local media reported, less than three weeks before the country begins voting in national elections. India's financial crime-fighting agency had arrested Kejriwal in connection…
Indian opposition parties united on Sunday to hold a 'Loktantra Bachao' (save democracy) rally against the arrest of a prominent leader weeks before a national election, accusing Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his party of rigging the vote and harassing them with large tax demands. "Narendra Modi is trying match-fixing…
Elites may usually dislike populist leaders globally, but Prime Minister Narendra Modi is seeing increasing support among educated voters, The Economist has said. In an article titled 'Why India's elites back Narendra Modi', the publication said, "Three factors - class politics, economics, and elite admiration for strongman rule - help…
IPL debutant Mayank Yadav turned an unlikely hero after he picked up three crucial wickets to help Lucknow Super Giants to their first season win on Saturday. Lucknow beat Punjab Kings by 21 runs in their home ground after they posted 199-8, powered by Quinton de Kock's fifty and a…
A SPOKESPERSON for UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has said he hopes that in India people's "political and civil rights are protected" and everyone can vote freely during the forthcoming general elections that will kick off from April 19. Spokesperson Stephane Dujarric made these remarks on Thursday (28) while he was…
US authorities have begun interviewing personnel, including Indian crew members, onboard the crippled container ship 'Dali' that collided against a key bridge in Baltimore this week. The 2.6-km-long, four-lane Francis Scott Key Bridge over the Patapsco River, came crashing down after the 984-foot ship collided against it. Shipping company Synergy…
Riyan Parag's unbeaten 45-ball 84 propelled Rajasthan Royals to 185-5 and sealed a 12-run win over the Delhi Capitals in Indian Premier League in Jaipur on Thursday. Rishabh Pant-led Delhi won the toss and chose to field first and maintained a stranglehold over the game until the second half of…
UKRAINE'S Minister of Foreign Affairs Dmytro Kuleba will arrive in New Delhi on his maiden visit to India amid the festering Russia-Ukraine conflict. His visit on Thursday (28) comes at the invitation of External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said in a statement. During his…
SPIRITUAL leader Sadhguru was discharged from a private hospital in New Delhi on Wednesday (27), days after he underwent an emergency brain surgery after suffering "life-threatening" bleeding in the skull, the Isha Foundation said. The foundation issued a statement that quoted joint managing director of the Apollo Hospitals Group, Sangita…
ENTEPRENEUR Dinesh Dhamija has told Eastern Eye he wrote The Indian Century because he wants the 30 million-strong Indian diaspora across the world, but especially in the UK, to invest back in the mother country. The interview about his new book, in which he gives an upbeat assessment of the…
India on Wednesday summoned a top United States diplomat after Washington said it was "closely watching" events following the jailing of a senior opposition leader Arvind Kejriwal weeks ahead of parliamentary elections. The US State Department had urged India to ensure a "fair, transparent, and timely legal process" for Kejriwal,…
One of the seven wonders of the world and also recognised as a UNESCO World Heritage site, the Taj Mahal was built by Shah Jahan, in the Indian city of Agra. While everyone knows the monument and the love story behind it, nobody knows about this replica of this popular…
PRIME MINISTER of Sri Lanka on Wednesday (27) announced that China has committed to enhancing the strategic deep-sea port and the capital's airport of the island nation following discussions with his counterpart in Beijing. Prime minister Dinesh Gunawardena said China -- the island's biggest bilateral creditor -- would "assist" Sri…
THE family of a cyclist who died following a road accident said the London School of Economics (LSE) student wanted to "bring all her expertise back to India to change lives". Cheistha Kochhar, who was pursuing her PhD in behavioural research, died following a collision involving a refuse lorry on…
Every woman, irrespective of her background and profession, deserves dignity, actress Kangana Ranaut said on Tuesday as Congress leaders’ comments on Mandi from where she is contesting the Lok Sabha elections snowballed into a massive political row. Ranaut, who makes her political debut as a BJP candidate from Mandi in…
Grammy-nominated producer and DJ Marshmello recently delivered smashing performances across Bengaluru, New Delhi, Mumbai, and Pune over the Holi weekend, dishing out some of his biggest hits including 'Happier', 'Alone', 'Friends', 'Blocks', 'Wolves', 'Find Me' and 'Silence'. He shared his experience performing in India. “Performing in India is always an…
An Indian student pursuing her PhD at the London School of Economics died while cycling to her apartment last week. The victim, Cheistha Kochhar (33), died on the spot after being hit by a garbage truck on March 19. The accident took place on Clerkenwell Road, near the junction with…
Music connects people, says American singer-songwriter Allen Ling, who was recently in India along with Flipsyde guitarist Dave Lopez to promote their latest single "Closer" in the country. The artist, primarily a physical therapist who began his music career a year ago, has swiftly climbed to the top of the…
A 24-year-old Indian professional died in a car accident in the US state of Pennsylvania. The consulate general of India in New York said in a post on X on Saturday that Arshia Joshi lost her life in a tragic car accident in Pennsylvania on March 21. The consulate said…
Pakistan will “seriously” consider restoring trade ties with India that remained suspended since August 2019, Foreign Minister Muhammad Ishaq Dar has said, indicating a potential shift in the country's diplomatic stance. Dar made these remarks during a press conference in London following his participation in the Nuclear Energy Summit in…
After India's democratic credentials faced a series of downgrades by various international agencies, the Narendra Modi administration is planning to develop a homegrown democracy ratings index to counter the Western narrative, Al Jazeera reports. Though the Indian government has been publicly dismissive of these reports, it is keen to retain…
VARIOUS constituents of the INDIA bloc condemned Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal's arrest on Thursday (21) and claimed that the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is scared of the outcome of the upcoming polls and acting out of panic to create problems for the opposition. Soon after Kejriwal's arrest by…
Gone are the days of mundane drugs like cocaine, marijuana, or even injectable drugs; the Indian ravers are more interested in experimenting with snake venom! Yes, as untrue as it sounds, the winner of Indian Bigg Boss season 2 on OTT, also a Youtuber, Elvish Yadav, has been arrested for…
AN Indian investigation has found that rogue officials, not authorised by the government, were involved in a foiled plot to kill a Sikh separatist leader in the US, Bloomberg News reported on Wednesday (20). The report, citing unnamed senior officials, said at least one person directly involved in the alleged…
Renowned DJ Alan Walker is set to enthrall the Indian audience. Alan Walker will perform from September to October this year, covering places like Mumbai, Bengaluru, Delhi-NCR, Ahmedabad, Kochi, Hyderabad, Pune, Shillong, Chennai and Kolkata. The Norwegian musician will be touring in support of his WalkerWorld, the first installment of…
DOZENS of Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) members were apprehended in New Delhi, with scattered demonstrations breaking out across India in opposition to the arrest of the party's prominent figure on corruption charges, just ahead of the upcoming general elections. Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal was taken into custody by India's…
THE top politician in India's capital New Delhi was arrested Thursday (21) in a graft probe his supporters say is aimed at sidelining opponents to prime minister Narendra Modi ahead of national elections. Arvind Kejriwal, Delhi's chief minister and a key leader in an opposition alliance challenging Modi in next…
INDIAN prime minister Narendra Modi held separate phone calls on Wednesday (20) with Russian president Vladimir Putin and Ukraine's Volodymyr Zelenskiy and discussed strengthening ties with both, ahead of a visit by the Ukrainian foreign minister to New Delhi. India has traditionally had close economic and defence ties with Moscow…
CHENNAI SUPER KINGS are set to commence their Indian Premier League title defense against Royal Challengers Bengaluru, marking a potentially pivotal season for Mahendra Singh Dhoni, who resigned as captain on Thursday (21). Dhoni played his last international in 2019 but remains one of the country's most popular players, and…
SPIRITUAL leader Sadhguru, who underwent an emergency brain surgery at a private hospital in New Delhi after suffering “life-threatening” bleeding in the skull, is recovering well and making steady progress, Isha foundation said on Thursday (21). In an Instagram story posted on Wednesday (20), Sadhguru’s daughter Radhe Jaggi wrote, “For…
? TV Show Alert ?, "Made in Heaven" ?Current Season: 2? The story of two wedding planners in Delhi, whe... Drama ?Prime Video #MadeinHeaven #season2 #PrimeVideo #Drama pic.twitter.com/wn7neSXlCc — Mufasa (@Mufas_a_) August 11, 2023 Premiering on 8 March 2019 on Amazon Prime Video, Made in Heaven is an Indian romantic…
A 2022 report showed that Amazon Web Services (AWS) had plans to extend data centres into four regions of India within two years. These regions, Kolkata, Bengaluru, Delhi and Chennai, were part of AWS's larger vision of reaching 32 such local areas in 26 countries by 2024. Better Customer Experiences…
Cricket's 'Super Bowl' Indian Premier League (IPL) is set to return this week with a blockbuster opening clash between defending champions Chennai Super Kings (CSK) and Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) in a South Indian derby at their home arena--MA Chidambaram Stadium on Friday. Making it more special actors Akshay Kumar,…
Five short films from India, Spain, the Philippines, the UK, and the US showcasing LGBTQIA+ narratives that resonate with resilience and authenticity are being screened in 10 cities across India. British Council in partnership with British BFI Flare: London LGBTQIA+ Film Festival launched the 10th edition of the 'Five Films…
NOW that it has been announced that the Indian general election will be held between April 19 and June 1, many books and articles both for and against Narendra Modi will be written about the country’s prime minister. Firmly in the latter category is Christophe Jaffrelot’s Gujarat Under Modi: Laboratory…
THE world needs books from India because they reflect the spiritual values of Indian culture and civilisation. “Books are important for mental health,” said Yuvraj Malik, director of the National Book Trust (NBT) of India, which took a pavilion for the first time at the 2024 London Book Fair.…
VIRAT KOHLI and Rishabh Pant will be under scrutiny on their return to action as the Indian Premier League begins on Friday (22), with the T20 World Cup hot on its heels. The 17th edition of the world's richest cricket league is expected to end close to the June 1…
As the holy month of Ramadan approaches, Muslims around the world eagerly anticipate a time of reflection, spiritual growth, and communal celebration. Alongside the spiritual significance, Ramadan also offers a platform for individuals to express their cultural heritage and personal style through fashion. This year, fashion enthusiasts are embracing a…
THE latest round of trade talks between Britain and India has concluded without a deal, with a British official saying an agreement could not be finalised ahead of the upcoming Indian elections. The two countries have held stop-start talks over a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) for two years and both…
PAKISTAN remained one of the world's three smoggiest countries in 2023, as Bangladesh and India replaced Chad and Iran, with particulate matter about 15 times the level recommended by the World Health Organization, data published on Tuesday (19) showed. Average concentrations of PM2.5 - small airborne particles that damage the…
ROYAL CHALLENGERS BANGALORE grabbed their first Women's Premier League (WPL) title by restricting Delhi Capitals to 113 runs. They sealed an eight-wicket victory with just three balls left in New Delhi on Sunday (17). Aggressive knocks from Ellyse Perry and Sophie Devine buoyed Bangalore at the right moment to seal…
THE fourteenth round of trade talks between Britain and India concluded on Friday (15) without a deal, while India heads to a general election. The Election Commission of India is expected to announce the general election schedule on Saturday. Formal talks will not take place during India’s pre-election period. The…
A New Delhi-based innovator whose low-cost electric invention helps overcome power cuts, a mental health campaigner from Haryana and a student from Dubai who helps to empower girls across the developing world are the Indian winners of the Diana Legacy Awards this year. Uday Bhatia, founder of Uday Electric, Manasi…
Lakshmi Mittal, the UK-based executive chairman of multinational steel manufacturer ArcelorMittal, is among the prominent buyers of the recently scraped electoral bonds for making political donations in India. He bought Rs 350 million worth of bonds in his individual capacity. The Election Commission displayed the data on electoral bonds on…
THOUSANDS of farmers rode buses and trains from across India to gather on Thursday (14) at a rally in the capital, New Delhi, pressing a demand for higher guaranteed prices for their crops, as they faced down police barricades and tough security. The rally, days before general elections are expected…
ENGLAND batsman Harry Brook has withdrawn from the Indian Premier League following the death of his grandmother. Brook pulled out of England's recent Test tour in India in January, citing personal reasons. The 25-year-old has now revealed the reason was because his grandmother "was ill and didn't have long left".…
Behind the doors of a small, nondescript office in the heart of New Delhi lies the headquarters of an electoral trust run by just two men that is the largest-known donor to India’s ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), according to a Reuters review of public records. The Prudent Electoral Trust…
LEGENDARY actor Shashi Kapoor left behind a remarkable body of work that ranged from commercial Hindi cinema entertainers to Englishlanguage projects that opened the doors for Bollywood stars in international projects. He broke creative ground, tackled taboos and added a new dimension to big screen entertainers. This resulted in a…
INDIA this week implemented the contentious 2019 Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA), sparking sporadic protests and a war of words between prime minister Narendra Modi's government and opposition groups weeks before national elections are held. Here is a look at the law, its implications and the concerns surrounding it. What is…
Comedian-actor Daniel Sloss is set to perform in India. From Delhi to Mumbai and Bengaluru, Daniel will be seen showcasing his comic talent among Indian fans in eight cities. His shows will be held between March 15 and March 24. Excited about the shows, Daniel said, "I am delighted to…
JAMMU AND KASHMIR has been transformed and integrated with the rest of India, prime minister Narendra Modi said last Thursday (7), crediting the change to his government’s decision to revoke its special status. Visiting the Kashmir Valley for the first time since 2019 – the year the status was revoked…
INDIA on Tuesday (12) rejected Chinese objections to prime minister Narendra Modi's weekend visit to Arunachal Pradesh, saying the northeastern border state has always been "an integral and inalienable part of India". The Indian foreign ministry's comments came a day after Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Wang Wenbin said Beijing was…
Sporadic protests have erupted in India against a citizenship law that has been criticised for discriminating against Muslims, after Prime Minister Narendra Modi's government implemented the legislation just days before a general election is announced. Protests broke out in the eastern state of Assam and the southern state of Tamil…
INDIA has begun withdrawing military personnel operating surveillance aircraft in the Maldives after the new pro-China president ordered them to leave, local media reported Tuesday (12). The Mihaaru newspaper reported that 25 Indian troops deployed in the southernmost atoll of Addu had left the archipelago ahead of March 10, the…
INDIA has begun deporting the first group of Myanmar refugees who sought shelter there after a military coup in 2021 and plans to send back more in the coming days, weeks after saying it would end a visa-free border policy with Myanmar. Thousands of civilians and hundreds of troops from…
Indian authorities said they had detained members of a "trafficking" network sending citizens of the country to fight for the Russian army in Ukraine after raiding several travel agents. Two years since Russia's invasion began, tens of thousands of its soldiers have been killed in Ukraine and Moscow is on…
India's embassy in Moscow has confirmed the death of a citizen recruited by the Russian army, days after a relative told AFP he had been sent to fight in Ukraine. Two years after Russia's invasion began, tens of thousands of its soldiers have been killed in Ukraine and Moscow is…
BEING born into a famous film family could quite easily have taken Navya Naveli Nanda down the well-trodden path of acting in Bollywood, partying and flashy holidays. The socially conscious entrepreneur has smashed all those stereotypes about star kids and dared to do things differently. The granddaughter of India’s greatest…
THE First Minister of Wales, Mark Drakeford, was at the Indian High Commission in London last Thursday (29) to announce that 2024 would be a year of close collaboration between his country and India. “Wales in India”, his government said in a formal statement, “is a 12-month series of events…
Netflix on Tuesday dropped the official trailer for Murder Mubarak, its upcoming dark comedy film starring Pankaj Tripathi, Sara Ali Khan, and Karisma Kapoor in lead roles. The trailer introduces the setting of the crime at the Royal Delhi Club, where a series of strange events disrupt the peace and…
A team of British negotiators have left for India to iron out differences and clinch the multibillion-pound free-trade agreement (FTA), The Guardian reports. Led by a civil servant, the team has been mandated to resolve thorny issues like goods and services chapters, the daily added. The Sunak administration is eager…
Actress Karisma Kapoor says she picks up roles only when she finds them interesting and she feels lucky that she has the choice to say 'yes' or 'no'. The Bollywood star, who ruled the industry in the 90s and 2000s with films such as Raja Hindustani, Dil To Pagal Hai,…
India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi congratulated Pakistani counterpart Shehbaz Sharif on Tuesday for his return to the premiership, a rare expression of goodwill between leaders of the two nuclear-armed rivals. Sharif was officially sworn in Monday as prime minister for a second time after a poll marred by claims of…
Sri Lanka on Friday awarded the construction of three solar and wind hybrid power generation facilities to an Indian company after scrapping a tender won by a Chinese firm. New Delhi has long been concerned about growing Chinese influence in the island nation, which sits near key global shipping lanes…
Three Indian men have appeared in court after the gang rape of a tourist with Brazilian-Spanish dual nationality, with police hunting four other suspects, reports said Monday. The incident took place on Friday night in eastern India in Jharkhand state's Dumka district, where the victim and her husband were camping.…
The Red Fort, Qutub Minar, and Humayun's Tomb were the most popular historical sites among domestic tourists visiting India, according to a recent Delhi Economic Survey. These three historical landmarks in Delhi attracted the highest number of domestic visitors (Indians) as of February 2023. Red Fort received the most visitors…
India's richest man has kicked off lavish pre-wedding parties for his son by feeding more than 50,000 people in his hometown, with celebrations in the coming days expected to include some of the world's most influential figures. Global tech CEOs, industry titans, Bollywood stars, pop icons, and politicians are among…
BRILLIANTLY balancing acclaimed work in multiple mediums, from sculptures to paintings, with philanthropy has turned Rouble Nagi into arguably the most important Indian artist of this generation. The combination of creativity and giving back to society has transformed the lives of thousands in deprived areas with in - spiring projects,…
One of the world’s richest men, Mukesh Ambani is gearing up for the big fat Indian wedding of his younger son Anant Ambani with Radhika Merchant. The pre-wedding ceremonies are set to start on March 1-3 in Jamnagar, Gujarat, the home of Ambani’s massive oil refineries. Several high-profile personalities from…
Actor Anupam Kher says that while he has participated in protests in an individual capacity, he believes artists shouldn't act as activists. The negative impact of demonstrations and rallies is the subject of his next film Kaagaz 2. Directed by VK Prakash, the film highlights the hardships of an ordinary…
Several Indians who worked as support staff to the Russian army were discharged following India's demand, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said on Monday. It said India remains committed, as a matter of "top priority", to actively pursuing with the Russian authorities all the relevant cases of Indian nationals…
A UK-based professor of Asian origin was denied entry by the immigration authorities at Bangalore airport in India on Friday (23) despite being an invitee for a function organised by the Karnataka state, according to multiple reports. Nitasha Kaul, who teaches at the University of Westminster, recounted her ordeal on…
A man of Indian origin was arrested in Chicago related to an investigation of a human smuggling incident from January 2022. This case involves an event where a family of four, including two children from Gujarat, was discovered frozen to death. They were attempting an illegal entry into the US…
Superstar Aamir Khan on Friday said one cannot ignore the fact that Artificial Intelligence (AI) is taking the world by storm and believes one should make the best use of the technology. “We will continue to see new kinds of technology (around us). AI is taking the world by storm,…
A global consortium of semiconductor industry groups has asked India to reconsider its plan to push for duties on cross-border digital e-commerce and data transfers at an upcoming global trade meeting, warning that India's stance will stifle its own chip design industry. Ministers from across the globe are convening for…
The film Article 370 has been in the news ever since the makers dropped its trailer a couple of weeks ago. Directed by Aditya Suhas Jambhale and starring Yami Gautam and Priya Mani in central characters, the film delves into one of the most contentious and debated issues in Indian…
Social media platform X said on Thursday it took down certain accounts and posts following an order by the Indian government, which local media reports say are linked to ongoing protests by farmers demanding higher prices for crops. The platform formerly known as Twitter did not provide details of the…
Indian prime minister Narendra Modi said on Thursday his government is committed to the welfare of farmers and is on a mission to make them entrepreneurs and exporters, amid a protest by thousands of farmers seeking higher prices for their produce. Modi's comments on farmers were his first since the…
Britain's minister for South Asia in the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office Lord Tariq Ahmad arrived in India on Wednesday to participate in the Raisina Dialogue in New Delhi and also discuss the progress made in the ongoing negotiations for an India-UK free trade agreement (FTA). Ahmad leads the British…
THE INDIAN government last Friday (16) gave initial approval for purchase of 15 maritime patrol aircraft from Airbus and six air-refuel aircraft, officials said. The defence acquisition coucil, the top defence ministry body for arms acquisition, approved projects worth ₹845.6 billion (£8.07 billion) for the country’s armed forces and coast…
INDIAN police fired tear gas on Wednesday (21) to scatter thousands of protesting farmers as they sought to resume a march to Delhi after rejecting a government offer on prices for their produce, while authorities offered a fresh round of negotiations. Fleeing the stinging gas and clouds of smoke, the…
LEGAL doyen and veteran advocate Fali S Nariman died in New Delhi on Wednesday (21) at the age of 95. He was suffering from multiple ailments, including cardiac issues. Born on January 10, 1929, Nariman was enrolled as an advocate at the Bombay High Court in November 1950 and was…
In a notable recognition of his contributions to fostering UK-India relations, Amarjit Singh, the founder, and CEO of the India Business Group (IBG), has been honoured with the Hind Rattan 2024 Award by the NRI Welfare Society of India, in New Delhi. This award, translating to "Jewel of India," celebrates…
Farmer leader Sarwan Singh Pandher on Tuesday said the Centre should convene a daylong Parliament session to bring legislation on the minimum support price (MSP) for crops, a key demand of protesting farmers. He also urged the Centre to accept the other main demands of the farmers, including farm loan…
The Indian government has offered guaranteed support prices for pulses, corn and cotton in a bid to break a deadlock with protesting farmers, trade minister Piyush Goyal said after week-long clashes between security forces and protesters. Tear gas and barricades were used to deter the farmers, who form an influential…
Actress Suhani Bhatnagar, who played young Babita Phogat in Aamir Khan-starrer wrestling drama Dangal, has died at the age of 19. Suhani's father Sumit Bhatnagar said his daughter was suffering from Dermatomyositis, a rare inflammatory disease that causes skin rash and muscle weakness. She was admitted to All India Institute…
Ajay Singh, the head of SpiceJet, together with Busy Bee Airways and the Sharjah-based Sky One, have submitted bids for the bankrupt airline Go First, which ceased operations over nine months ago. The announcement by Singh comes at a time when the crisis-hit SpiceJet is raising funds and rationalising costs,…
India's main opposition Congress party said on Friday its bank accounts with Rs 2.1 billion (£20 million) in deposits had been frozen by the income tax department in connection with a dispute, just months before general elections. The party called the action "a deep assault on India's democracy", adding that…
Eleven people died in a fire that engulfed a paint factory in India's capital, an official said on Friday (16) as rescue teams continue their search for survivors amidst the aftermath. The fire broke out on New Delhi's northern outskirts late Thursday, fire services director Atul Garg told AFP. "There…
Actress-producer Alia Bhatt on Thursday said she decided to support the upcoming web series Poacher as it uncovers an important true-life story that's told with a lot of genuineness. Bhatt is an executive producer on the Prime Video series that marks director Richie Mehta's return to streaming space with a…
Two key border points between Delhi and Haryana state remain closed for traffic as farmers' 'Delhi Chalo' agitation entered the third day on Thursday. Multiple layers of concrete blocks and metal spikes have been put in place at Delhi’s Singhu and Tikri borders with Haryana as well as at the…
DESCRIBING India as its biggest partner in South Asia, the Biden administration has said it is working with New Delhi to deploy a multi-billion-dollar climate infrastructure and a new fund that will include a $500 million investment contribution from its development finance institution. “With India, which of course is our…
AN elderly Asian woman is inspiring those who have abandoned their fitness aspirations by joining younger individuals in the gym. Roshni Devi found renewed vitality in 2023 with the help of her devoted son, Ajay Sangwan, who trains her in the gym. From challenging planks to lifting heavy weights, she…
WHO really invented butter chicken? The competing claims of two rival restaurants in Delhi – Moti Mahal and Daryaganj – have now gone global. The dispute has ended up in the courts with the owners of Moti Mahal also demanding £200,000 in damages. Foreign correspondents based in the Indian capital…
IN the dynamic landscape of international relations, the influence of non-state actors, including transnational religious organisations, plays a crucial role in shaping a nation’s global standing. India, with its rich tapestry of religious diversity, has witnessed the emergence and growth of various such organisations that contribute significantly to the country’s…
THE Bochasanwasi Shri Akshar Purushottam Swaminarayan Sanstha (BAPS) Hindu Mandir in Abu Dhabi, UAE, is envisioned as a Spiritual Oasis for Global Harmony. Rooted in the aspiration to promote love, harmony, and tolerance, the fundamental ethos of the mandir transcends borders. Each carving within the mandir tells compelling stories of…
INDIANS are becoming victims of frequent muggings in London, especially for Rolex watches in Mayfair, with police allegedly doing little to respond to their appeals for help. The traumatic experience of senior lawyer Vijay Goel, founder of the Indo-European Business Forum, as relayed to Eastern Eye, appears to be fairly…
India and the UAE have signed 10 agreements for cooperation in crucial areas such as energy, infrastructure, investments, and archives management during prime minister Narendra Modi's visit, aimed at enhancing the bilateral ties, announced foreign secretary Vinay Kwatra said on Wednesday (14). Addressing a press conference on the second day…
SWAMI BRAHMAVIHARIDAS is one of the most respected and admired of Swaminarayan figures who lead the global organisation that is BAPS today. He has led the project to build the spectacular Akshardham Temple in Abu Dhabi since its conception. In this exclusive and very special interview with Shailesh R Solanki,…
Indian riot police deployed tear gas on Wednesday (14) against groups of farmers driving tractors who attempted to break through heavily fortified roadblocks in a bid to march on the capital, demanding guaranteed prices for their crops. Farmers in India this week launched the "Delhi Chalo", or "March to Delhi",…
THE UKRAINE war has forced India to focus its military spending more on fostering domestic industry - as Russia, its largest supplier - prioritised its domestic needs, a new report said on Tuesday (13). As a result of the conflict, New Delhi set aside a record 75 per cent of…
Pakistan's political stalemate after inconclusive elections last week showed no signs of ending on Tuesday as major parties struggle to cobble up alliances to pass the floor test. In the latest development, jailed former Prime Minister Imran Khan has said that independent members of parliament backed by Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI)…
Canadian police reported on Monday (12) that shots seem to have been fired at the Canadian home of a Sikh separatist activist, following recent claims by Ottawa and Washington that Indian dissidents residing abroad in both countries have been subjects of assassination attempts. Constable Tyler Bell-Morena said Peel Regional Police…
Indian security forces deployed tear gas on Tuesday (13) to halt the advance of thousands of farmers who, after unsuccessful negotiations with the government were marching towards New Delhi to demand minimum prices for their crops. Local broadcasters showed thick clouds of tear gas fired to disperse protesters near Ambala,…
The Supreme Court on Monday permitted Indian Oil Corporation (IOC) and ArcelorMittal Nippon Steel India Limited (AMNSIL) to initiate arbitral proceedings to resolve their dispute relating to Essar Steel India Limited (ESIL). A bench headed by Chief Justice D Y Chandrachud, which had reserved the judgment on the pleas on…
The nostalgia of the '80s and '90s is in the air as Ali Campbell, the lead voice behind the iconic band UB40, is set to perform in Delhi on February 16. The Delhi concert, a joint initiative of Eva Live, Hungama Digital Entertainment, and Ten Events & Entertainment, is a…
The trade deal talks between India and the UK have run into a deadlock with both sides hardening their stands amid elections scheduled in both the countries. The UK has alleged that India was pushing for a watered-down trade deal as time runs out to conclude an agreement before negotiations…
The foreign ministry of India announced on Monday (12) that Qatar had released eight former navy veterans, whom it had previously detained and sentenced to death, reportedly on charges of spying for Israel. The foreign ministry has not given details on the eight Indian nationals or their alleged crimes, and…
I was introduced to Baroness Flather exactly 30 years ago, soon after my wife Heather and I were married. At our wedding, Julie Barnes, the wife of one of my best friends from boarding school, who was a senior journalist working at the Maidenhead Advisor, said I must meet her…
The much anticipated 71st edition of Miss World will be held in India from February 18 to March 9, the organisers said on Friday. With its latest edition, the coveted international beauty pageant is making a return to the country after nearly three decades. The pageant will commence with "The…
Actors Ali Fazal and Richa Chadha are expecting their first child. On Friday, the couple took to Instagram and shared the good news with their fans and followers. They posted an image saying 1 + 1 = 3, confirming the news with a caption that says, "A tiny heartbeat is…
THREE people were killed in India and dozens more injured after religious clashes sparked by the destruction of a madrassa, officials said Friday (9), the latest in a spate of demolitions targeting Islamic structures. Hindu nationalist groups have been emboldened in their campaign against Muslim religious structures since prime minister…
The anti-India sentiment is once again on the boil in Bangladesh amid allegations of interference by the Indian government in general elections held last month. Opposition party groups and Bangladeshi diaspora have given calls to boycott Indian goods in Bangladesh and are running social media campaigns in this regard. Last…
Rapper G-Eazy is super excited to perform in India. In a statement, he said, "I can't wait to come and perform for all my amazing Indian fans and take some time off to explore the sights and sounds of a country I have heard so much about! See you soon…
INDIAN travellers feel they have to “look over their shoulder” in posh London areas as several businesspersons have had their expensive watches and bags mugged, according to a Delhi-based entrepreneur. The issue featured during discussions with UK shadow foreign secretary David Lammy, who is in New Delhi for talks on…
INDIA wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant revealed he feared the amputation of his right leg after being involved in a horrific car crash 13 months ago. Pant was driving from Delhi to his hometown of Roorkee, in north India, to meet his family when his car crashed into the median divider on…
THE US State Department has approved the potential sale of 31 armed MQ-9B SkyGuardian drones, related missiles and equipment to India for nearly $4 billion (£3.17bn), the Pentagon said last Thursday (1), years after the two countries started discussing a deal. India has long expressed interest in buying large, armed…
Streaming platform Prime Video on Tuesday announced that actress Alia Bhatt is turning executive producer for its upcoming Amazon original series Poacher. Emmy Award winner Richie Mehta of Delhi Crime fame has directed the crime drama, which is set to premiere on Prime Video on February 23. It is produced…
Labour party’s shadow foreign secretary David Lammy and shadow business and trade secretary Jonathan Reynolds on Monday (5) began a three-day visit to India to strengthen diplomatic and trade ties. The Labour leaders will visit Delhi and Mumbai to meet senior Indian politicians and business leaders and discuss their party’s…
Grammy-nominated producer and DJ Marshmello is set to enthrall Indian fans at the Sunburn Holi Tour. As per a statement, Marshmello will begin his India Tour with his first stop in Bengaluru on March 22, followed by his acts in New Delhi on March 23, Mumbai on March 24, and…
South superstar Thalapathy Vijay on Friday officially announced the name of his political party as ‘Tamilaga Vetri Kazham’ (TVK). Vijay, in a statement, said, “We are not going to contest the 2024 elections and we are not going to any party. We have made this decision on General and Executive…
BULLDOZERS have knocked down a centuries-old mosque in India's capital, a member of the building's managing committee said Thursday (1), during a demolition drive to remove "illegal" structures from a forest reserve. The demolition comes at a sensitive time in India with nationalist activists emboldened in their long campaign for…
Korean artists are set to showcase their work at the world's largest art fair, The India Art Fair, which celebrates its 15th anniversary this year. Korean Cultural Centre India participates in the Institutions section of the India Art Fair 2024. Korean Cultural Centre India will represent world-renowned media artist Lee…
Amidst concerns of dwindling support from the UK's largest ethnic minority, Keir Starmer’s Labour Party is implementing new strategies to reengage with British Indians. Recent initiatives include recruiting two community outreach volunteers, revitalising the Labour Friends of India group, and arranging a visit to India for senior shadow ministers David…
THE UK and Indian governments are striving to establish a modern relationship, Alex Chalk, the lord chancellor and justice secretary, said last Friday (26). He was speaking at the Guildhall in the City of London where the Indian High Commissioner, Vikram Doraiswami, hosted a reception to mark the 75th anniversary…
BUTTER CHICKEN – one of India’s best-known dishes globally – is delicious and apparently also contentious, with two Indian restaurant chains doing battle in court over claims to its origins. The lawsuit – which has become a hot topic in India – was brought by the family behind Moti Mahal,…
PAKISTAN’S rice exports are likely to jump to a record high in the year ending in June as India’s decision to curb its own shipments forces buyers to purchase more from Islamabad. The record exports are helping to alleviate tight supplies following the restrictions imposed last year by India, the…
THOSE familiar with the work of producer and director Rohit Shetty in Bollywood will know that his films are largely defined by stunning action and mostly poor storylines. While it’s easy to get away with a product that is style over substance in cinema, the same is not the case…
THE vigilante action drama, Shahenshah, generated a tidal wave of excitement when it was released on February 12, 1988. Amitabh Bachchan’s return to the big screen after more than two years away from it gave him another career-defining role and was the secondhighest grossing movie of that year. Tinnu Anand’s…
INDIA is cooperating with Canada and bilateral ties are improving after tensions spiked over the murder of a Sikh separatist leader in British Columbia, a top Canadian official told CTV in an interview published on Friday (26). Diplomatic relations soured after prime minister Justin Trudeau last year said Canada was…
INDIA and France have agreed to work together on the joint production of defence equipment including helicopters and submarines for the Indian armed forces and production for friendly countries, New Delhi said. The deal was reached during a visit by French president Emmanuel Macron, who met prime minister Narendra Modi…
THE Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) has found that a 17th century mosque in one of Hinduism's holiest cities was built after destroying a Hindu temple that existed there, a lawyer for Hindu petitioners said, a possible new flashpoint in a decades-long dispute. Muslim lawyers in the legal case being…
PRESIDENT Emmanuel Macron arrives as the guest of honour in India on Thursday (25) with a sumptuous palace feast and colourful military parade, as France eyes lucrative deals with the world's fifth-biggest economy. Macron will be offered a red carpet welcome by prime minister Narendra Modi with dinner in a…
THE number of study permits Canada issued to Indian students fell sharply late last year after India ejected Canadian diplomats who would process the permits and fewer Indian students applied due to a diplomatic dispute over the murder of a Sikh separatist leader in Canada, a top Canadian official told…
SOME of the old witticisms are the best. Take, for example, this observation on America in The Picture of Dorian Gray by Oscar Wilde: “When good Americans die, they go to Paris.” “Where do bad Americans go?” “They stay in America.” It seems nothing can stop Donald Trump from becoming…
THE new Ram idol consecrated at the temple on Monday (23) will be known as “Balak Ram” as it depicts the deity as a five-yearold boy in a standing posture. Arun Dixit, a priest associated with the consecration ceremony, said, “The reason for naming the idol of Lord Ram as…
To Kill A Tiger, set in a small Indian village, was on Tuesday nominated for the best documentary feature at the 2024 Academy Awards. A Canadian production, To Kill A Tiger is directed by Delhi-born Nisha Pahuja, an Emmy-nominated filmmaker based in Toronto. Oscar-nominated actor Dev Patel and actress-producer Mindy…
THOUSANDS of men queued in India’s northern state of Haryana during a recruitment drive to send workers to Israel, where the offensive in Gaza, now in its fourth month, has caused a shortage of labour. Masons, painters, electricians, plumbers and some farmers said they were looking for jobs in Israel.…
THE minister of state at the FCDO (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office), Lord Tariq Ahmad, has spoken to Eastern Eye about his recent trip to India, during which he tried to negotiate deals on such issues as climate change, pharmaceuticals, cyber and education with the prosperous states of Tamil Nadu…
INDIA's stock market has edged out Hong Kong to become the world's fourth-largest, a milestone that underscores growing global investor optimism about New Delhi's economic prospects, Bloomberg said Tuesday (23). The total value of shares listed on Indian exchanges hit $4.3 trillion on Monday (22), slightly higher than Hong Kong's…
Dev Patel is in the news for a special documentary film he is executive-producing along with Mindy Kaling. Titled To Kill A Tiger, the documentary charts the emotional journey of Ranjit, a farmer in Jharkhand, India, who forces a social reckoning after his 13-year-old daughter is the victim of a…
INDIAN prime minister Narendra Modi led a ceremony on Monday (22) to consecrate a grand new temple to the Hindu god-king Ram, delivering on a campaign promise his political party made more than three decades ago. The construction, begun in 2020, had been a contentious issue as the temple stands…
British Sikhs urged French President Emmanuel Macron on Thursday (18) to withdraw from India's Republic Day parade due to the alleged targeting of Sikhs in other countries. India announced last month that Macron had accepted an invitation from Prime Minister Narendra Modi to be guest of honour at the January…
Celebrity couple Priyanka Chopra and Nick Jonas recently celebrated their daughter Malti Marie Chopra Jonas's second birthday. On Wednesday, the actress took to Instagram and shared a string of pictures from her daughter's second birthday celebrations. She captioned the post, "She is our miracle. And she is 2," followed by…
INDIAN and Chinese soldiers clashed at least two times in 2022 along their Himalayan frontier where they have been involved in a bitter standoff since 2020, according to new details that have emerged from the Indian Army's gallantry award citations. The incidents involved hand-to-hand combat and came as New Delhi…
DHAIRYA KARWA was working as a data analyst when the acting bug bit him so hard that he quit his 9-to-5 job and landed up in Mumbai. After a few successful modelling assignments, he notched up his first role in the critically and commercially successful film Uri: The Surgical Strike…
INDIAN purchases of Russian crude in defiance of Western pressure over the Ukraine war have fallen to an 11-month low as the price tag on the discounted oil rises, figures show. Since the invasion of Ukraine nearly two years ago, India has bought hundreds of millions of barrels of cut-price…
THE Maldivian president told India last Sunday (14) to withdraw its nearly 100 troops by March 15, a day after returning from China where he signed a raft of deals. New Delhi considers the Indian Ocean archipelago to be within its sphere of influence, but the Maldives has shifted into…
The dense fog and extreme cold that enveloped Delhi on Tuesday (16) disrupted air and rail travel, leaving thousands of passengers stranded. Approximately 30 trains, including the Rani Kamalapati-Hazrat Nizamuddin Vande Bharat and Howrah-Delhi Rajdhani Express, were delayed at New Delhi Railway Station. #WATCH | Delhi: Passengers face difficulty at…
The award-winning comedian-actor Vir Das, who is known for his witty responses to social media users, recently praised an IndiGo cabin crew member for standing up alone in front of a passenger who assaulted a pilot because the aircraft was delayed for 13 hours. However, his praise did not go…
Emmy-award-winning director Richie Mehta, who was behind the hit series Delhi Crime, is returning to the streaming universe with new crime drama Poacher, which is set to premiere on Prime Video on February 23. The show, produced by QC Entertainment, the Oscar-winning production and finance company responsible for feature film…
After returning from China, Maldives president Mohamed Muizzu asserted that despite its small size, the Maldives would not tolerate bullying. The statement came following the signing of several deals in China as tensions with New Delhi intensified. New Delhi considers the Indian Ocean archipelago to be within its sphere of…
Veteran lyricist-writer Javed Akhtar says he has to write Hindi dialogues in the Roman script for the new generation of actors today because "they can't read anything else". The 79-year-old poet was speaking at a session titled 'Hindi & Urdu: Siamese Twins', held on Thursday evening at the India International…
American rapper G-Eazy has a surprise for his fans in India. The 'Good Life' hitmaker is all set to perform in India in February. As per a statement, G-Eazy will first enthrall the audience of Bengaluru on February 10. After Bengaluru, he will perform in Delhi-NCR on February 11. His…
Official sources have confirmed that the centre has approved a security deployment exceeding 150 CISF personnel for the Ayodhya airport, in anticipation of the upcoming consecration ceremony at the Ram temple on January 22. The "Maharishi Valmiki International Airport, Ayodhyadham" is the country's 68th civil airport terminal to come under…
In the foreseeable future, an estimated daily footfall of over 300,000 individuals is anticipated in the north Indian town of Ayodhya. The layout for the temple town has been crafted by Dikshu Kukreja, the chief architect overseeing the project, drawing insights from various global destinations like Vatican City, Cambodia, and…
INDIA’s defence minister Rajnath Singh arrived in London on Monday (8) for a three-day visit focusing on the India-UK defence partnership as well as security and industrial cooperation. Singh has been accompanied by a Ministry of Defence delegation comprising officials from the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), Service Headquarters,…
The Agra Summit in 2001 collapsed primarily due to Pervez Musharraf's public airing of hawkish Kashmir views, his insufficient actions against terrorism, and his insistence on linking overall progress to developments in Kashmir, not solely due to LK Advani's firm stance. This is what Ambassador Ajay Bisaria, who served as…
Multiple Award-winning actor Manoj Bajpayee said that he was mocked mercilessly for his poor English when he first enrolled at Delhi University. The actor, who hailed from a small town in the Indian state of Bihar, said that he wanted to ‘transform’ himself into a whole new person after enrolling…
INDIAN defence minister Rajnath Singh will discuss bilateral issues with his UK counterpart Grant Shapps during his official visit, the ministry of defence said in a statement. Singh arrived in UK on Monday (8) night. Notably, this marks the first visit of a sitting Indian defence minister to the UK…
Several renowned personalities, including the Hind movie actors Salman Khan and Akshay Kumar, alongside cricket legend Sachin Tendulkar, have urged people to discover "Indian islands" and coastal getaways. Their appeal emerged during a controversy sparked by derogatory comments made by Maldivian ministers against Narendra Modi following the prime minister’s recent…
India and Saudi Arabia inked a bilateral agreement on Sunday (7), designating New Delhi a quota of 175,025 pilgrims for the 2024 annual Haj pilgrimage. Minority Affairs Minister Smriti Irani accompanied by Minister of State for External Affairs V Muraleedharan signed the Bilateral Haj Agreement 2024 with Saudi Minister of…
INDIA's top court ruled Monday (8) that 11 murderers convicted of a gang rape that drew global outrage but who were released early must return to jail. Bilkis Bano and two of her children were the only survivors among a group of Muslims attacked by a Hindu mob in the…
Well-known Hindi film actor Ajay Devgn is officially returning to headline the sequel to his 2018 hit Raid, the makers announced on Saturday. Titled Raid 2, the movie is being directed by Raj Kumar Gupta, who also helmed the first part that saw Devgn playing the role of IRS officer…
BILLIONS of voters across south Asia, the UK and the US will go to polls in the next 12 months in what will be a test of democracy, analysits have told Eastern Eye. In the UK, prime minister Rishi Sunak has to call a general election by January 28, 2025,…
THE Indian Navy on Friday (5) rescued the crew of a merchant vessel after its attempted hijack in the Arabian Sea and said it had not found any pirates on board. An Indian Navy warship intercepted the Liberian-flagged MV Lila Norfolk bulk carrier less than a day after it received…
India expressed deep concern on Thursday (4) over reports indicating that certain members of the Indian community in the Canadian province of British Columbia received “extortion calls.” The comments by External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal came in response to a question at a media briefing. "It is a matter…
A head-on collision between a truck and a bus claimed the lives of at least 12 people, leaving 38 others injured in Assam's Golaghat district on Wednesday (3). The collision occurred amidst dense fog that blanketed sections of eastern, northern, and central India, severely limiting visibility. Delhi experienced a bone-chilling…
Music icons Kavita Krishnamurthy and L. Subramaniam are all set to enthrall the Delhiites with the 33rd edition of Lakshminarayana Global Music Festival (LGMF). The couple will present music enthusiasts with a symphony of world music at the upcoming edition of LGMF, which will kickstart in the national capital on…
WHETHER it was in cinemas, streaming sites or at festivals around the world, audiences were offered an interesting variety of films from diverse genres and languages. From artistic gems and groundbreaking narratives to huge blockbusters, they entertained film fans from different backgrounds. Eastern Eye revisited 2023 to reveal 21 entertaining…
Saveera Parkash, the first Hindu candidate vying for the general elections from the Buner constituency in the tumultuous Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, said she would facilitate diplomatic connections between Pakistan and India if she is elected. A doctor by profession, 25-year-old Saveera last week filed her nomination papers from the Pakistan…
INDIA’S prime minister, Narendra Modi, does not give press interviews, so why did he choose to give one just before Christmas to the Financial Times, of all papers? The FT, a respected newspaper with digital subscribers all over the world, has been sustained in its relentless attacks on the ruling…
Streaming services Netflix, Prime Video, Disney+ Hotstar, SonyLIV, and ZEE5 are packing ample programming, including new as well as returning shows to keep audiences entertained throughout 2024. Here are some of the most anticipated shows of the year: Netflix Killer Soup: The first new original series from the streamers stars…
India and Pakistan on Monday (1) engaged in their annual practice of exchanging a list of their nuclear installations under a bilateral agreement. This pact, initiated in 1992, prohibits either side from targeting the other's atomic facilities. The exchange of the list took place under the provisions of an agreement…
According to a UK media report, Prime Minister Rishi Sunak aims to secure a free trade agreement (FTA) with India by Easter, which falls at the end of March 2024. The India-UK FTA talks began in January last year, aimed at significantly enhancing the £36-billion bilateral trading partnership. A new…
Pop singer Dua Lipa, who is on vacation with her family in India, on Sunday, penned a heartwarming note about ending 2023 in the country The Grammy winner, known for songs such as "Levitating" and "Houdini", also thanked the Indian people for extending their love and hospitality to her and…
A wealthy Indian American couple and their teenage daughter were found dead in their $5 million mansion in the US state of Massachusetts in an apparent domestic violence incident, according to media reports. The bodies of Rakesh Kamal, 57, his wife, Teena, 54, and their 18-year-old daughter, Ariana, were found…
PRIME MINISTER Narendra Modi has accepted an invitation to inaugurate the Hindu temple in Abu Dhabi in February next year, the BAPS Swaminarayan Sanstha said in a statement. Swami Ishwarcharandas, Swami Brahmaviharidas and other BAPS representatives visited the prime minister at his New Delhi residence to extend an invitation for…
SCORES of cow protectors in recent years have been accused of using violence to carry out extra-judicial activities in India, often finding themselves at odds with law enforcement, even as many won acclaim for defending the Hindu faith. Now some of these operatives are transferring their clout into grassroots political…
INDIA's foreign ministry said Thursday (28) that Qatar had reduced the sentence of eight ex-navy personnel, arrested reportedly for spying for Israel and put on death row. Indian media have reported that the eight Indian nationals -- among them former high-ranking and decorated officers, including captains who once commanded warships…
PRESIDENT Vladimir Putin on Wednesday (27) invited prime minister Narendra Modi to visit Russia next year as external affairs minister S Jaishankar called on the Russian leader at the Kremlin. "We will be glad to see our friend, prime minister Modi in Russia," Putin told Jaishankar. Jaishankar, who is in…
Officials examining the blast near the Israeli embassy in New Delhi that occurred on Tuesday (26) believe it was a well-coordinated plan. They suggest the perpetrators were aware of the absence of CCTV cameras on Prithviraj Road, police sources said on Wednesday (27). A low-intensity blast occurred in the area…
INDIA may be forced to forfeit a Davis Cup play-off hosted by rival Pakistan, with the local tennis association saying Thursday (28) that the team was waiting on government approval to travel. The nuclear-armed neighbours have fought several wars since winning independence from British rule in 1947, and sporting contests…
Robert Vadra, the son-in-law of former Congress president, Sonia Gandhi was accused by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Tuesday (26), of renovating and staying in a London property that is considered as “proceeds of crime” in a money laundering case involving alleged middleman Sanjay Bhandari. Bhandari fled to the UK…
Ace filmmaker Karan Johar on Tuesday penned a long appreciation post for the lead cast of his film Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani, Alia Bhatt, and Ranveer Singh. Taking to Instagram, Karan shared a new selfie with both the actors. About Alia, KJo wrote in his caption, "Before the…
Singer Dua Lipa is currently enjoying her vacation in India along with her family members. After recently visiting Rajasthan, she headed to New Delhi and sought blessings at the famous Bangla Sahib Gurudwara and visited the Humayun's tomb. Taking to Instagram, Dua Lipa's father Dukagjin Lipa shared a string of…
THE Indian navy said it is deploying three warships and reconnaissance aircraft in the Arabian Sea to "maintain a deterrent presence" after a string of recent shipping attacks. Three guided-missile destroyers as well as P8I long-range maritime reconnaissance aircraft were being deployed following "the recent spate of attacks in the…
India's financial crime-fighting agency has arrested two senior employees working for Chinese smartphone maker Vivo's India unit, a source directly involved with the case said on Saturday, which the company vowed to challenge legally. The arrests come two months after the Enforcement Directorate arrested four industry executives, including one Chinese…
South Korean filmmaker Kim Shin Ho-San, whose critically acclaimed short My Unnie (My Elder Sister) was screened in New Delhi recently, says she has always thought that Indians and Koreans share a common love for movies and are good at mathematics. The film, which won the grand prize at the…
FRENCH president Emmanuel Macron will be the guest of honour at India's Republic Day parade in January, New Delhi announced Friday (22), days after US president Joe Biden backed out. Macron "will be visiting India as the chief guest for the 75th Republic Day celebrations" on prime minister Narendra Modi's…
Villagers in the Indian state of Madhya Pradesh, residents had been worshipping stone balls they discovered as "Kuldevtas," only to later discover that these were fossilised dinosaur eggs. According to local beliefs, the villagers in Padalya, Dhar, regarded these stones, found during farming, as sacred entities named "Kakad Bhairav" or…
THE US Sikh man, who was the intended victim of a purported assassination scheme allegedly orchestrated by an Indian government official, has revealed that he continues to receive hundreds of threats daily, reported The Guardian. Despite India's pledge of investigating the murder-for-hire conspiracy, Gurpatwant Singh Pannun remains under the persistent…
PRIME MINISTER Narendra Modi said India will investigate any evidence provided regarding an alleged plot to kill a Sikh separatist in the US, the Financial Times reported Wednesday (20). The US Justice Department last month charged an Indian citizen with plotting to assassinate a Sikh separatist leader on US soil,…
The family of the late Sikh activist Avtar Singh Khanda has urged the Home Office to appoint a police force for a comprehensive and impartial investigation into his sudden death last June, which took place at the same time as a murder and an attempted murder of Sikh separatists in…
CANADIAN prime minister Justin Trudeau said he senses a change in India's tone with Ottawa after the United States warned New Delhi about its involvement in a thwarted plot to kill a Sikh separatist leader on US soil, the CBC reported on Wednesday (20). "I think there is a beginning…
The Delhi Police on Wednesday tracked down four suspects who were involved in uploading Indian actress Rashmika Mandanna’s deepfake video online. However, the hunt for the creators of the wildly circulated video and the main conspirator behind it is still on. Mandanna, who is a popular name in India’s southern…
A NEW round of discussions in the ongoing free trade agreement (FTA) between India and the UK will begin in the New Year after the 13th round was completed last week, a joint outcome statement issued by the British government said on Monday (18). The Department for Business and Trade…
Four suspects involved in uploading a deepfake video of actress Rashmika Mandana online have been tracked and the hunt is on to nab the main conspirator, police said on Wednesday. However, the four suspects turned out to be uploaders, not creators, the police said, adding that they were looking for…
NEARLY 100 opposition MPs were temporarily barred from India’s parliament for demanding a debate into last week’s protest when a smoke canister was released in the legislature. The 92 suspended MPs include opposition leaders in both houses of parliament. Six people were arrested after the protest last Wednesday (13), when…
Prime Minister of India, Narendra Modi, and the Sultan of Oman Haitham bin Tarik on Saturday (16), adopted a vision document aimed at bolstering cooperation in approximately 10 crucial sectors. Their "productive" discussions focused on reviving India-Oman strategic ties and emphasised the need to swiftly conclude a comprehensive economic partnership…
OAK casks, once used to store bourbon and wine, are stacking up in a distillery near New Delhi, filled with ageing whisky as workers churn out almost 10,000 bottles a day of Indian single malt Indri, recently named the world's best whisky. Sugarcane and mustard fields, not peat bogs, ring…
Former Japanese world champion and Olympic medallist shuttler Nozomi Okuhara recently recounted a challenging travel experience during her visit to India, where she fell victim to notorious taxi drivers in Delhi and faced a four-hour wait before being allotted a hotel room in Cuttack, Odisha. The 28-year-old Okuhara, took to…
Researchers have pinpointed a potential concealed reservoir of the Covid virus or the SARS-CoV-2 virus within body cells, shedding light on its persistence and potential for reoccurrence. The researchers at the Institute of Liver and Biliary Sciences, New Delhi, India explored extracellular vesicles (EVs)--microscopic particles released by cells--and uncovered an…
FORMER India fast bowler S Sreesanth last Thursday (7) alleged that ex-teammate Gautam Gambhir called him a “fixer” during a Legends League Cricket (LLC) match. The World Cup-winning players were involved in a heated exchange during an Eliminator match between Indian Capitals and Gujarat Giants. The umpires had to intervene…
A MAN jumped into the MPs' area of the lower house of India's parliament on Wednesday (13), in a major security breach on the 22nd anniversary of a deadly attack on the complex. TV channels showed a man wearing a black jacket jump from the visitors' area into the MPs'…
SOME of the world's top women cricketers netted lucrative deals during Saturday's (9) Women's Premier League auction in India, with Australian all-rounder Annabel Sutherland snapped up for $240,000 by Delhi Capitals. Sutherland, 22, hails from a prominent cricketing family and was the equal most-expensive player at auction alongside Indian all-rounder…
After visiting Japan and Italy, the third season of the Our Man In... series brings James May to India, with the popular presenter touring Mumbai, Rajasthan, Delhi, Agra, Kolkata, Darjeeling, and more scenic and vibrant tourist destinations. Prime Video on Tuesday dropped the trailer for James May: Our Man in…
A court has asked the Indian government whether it was willing to grant permission to the mother of Kerala nurse, Nimisha Priya, who is on death row in Yemen, along with three others to travel to that country. They wanted to travel to Yemen to negotiate with the victim’s family…
DR HENRY KISSINGER, who died last Wednesday (29), aged 100, was an American diplomat of Jewish-German extraction who served as national security adviser and secretary of state to US presidents Richard Nixon and his successor, Gerald Ford. Kissinger’s long life was proof of the old adage, “You can fool all…
KRYSTLE KAUL, an Indian-origin foreign policy and national security expert with roots in Kashmir, has announced that she will run for the US House of Representatives from Virginia with a focus on core issues like public safety, education and healthcare. Kaul, if elected in 2024, would be only the second…
AUSTRALIA all-rounder Glenn Maxwell says the Indian Premier League (IPL) has been so good to him that he will play in the lucrative T20 competition until he "can't walk anymore". The IPL has been the perfect platform to showcase Maxwell's explosive batting and the 35-year-old is one of four foreign…
A US delegation, headed by White House deputy national security adviser Jon Finer, visited New Delhi on Monday (4). During the visit, Finer acknowledged India's establishment of an investigative panel to examine an unsuccessful plot involving the assassination of a Sikh separatist in the US. "Mr. Finer acknowledged India's establishment…
INDIA has ordered an investigation into allegations of a cash-for-kidney scam against a prominent Delhi hospital, official sources said on Tuesday (4). It follows a report in the Sunday Telegraph (3) which claimed “desperate young villagers” from Myanmar are flown to Indraprastha Apollo Hospital and “paid to donate their kidneys…
INDIA and China both on Saturday (2) refrained from signing the pledge at the COP28 climate summit to triple the world's renewable energy capacity by 2030 even though New Delhi already committed to it as part of its G20 presidency. During the UN's climate talks in Dubai, 118 countries committed…
HENRY KISSINGER, known for his disdain for India's leadership in the 1970s, has been advocating stronger US-India ties in the past decade under prime minister Narendra Modi. After Modi came to power in 2014, Kissinger, also the former US National Security Advisor, has been advocating strong ties with India. When…
The 28th edition of the European Union Film Festival, which spotlights the best in European Cinema and offers an immersive experience with a focus on celebrating women's stories told by women filmmakers, is set to open on December 1, 2023, in New Delhi. This year’s line-up includes 28 films in…
Canada urged India on Wednesday (29) to cooperate in an investigation regarding the murder involving a Sikh separatist in British Columbia. The request came after the US revealed it had prevented an assassination attempt against a Sikh separatist on its soil. The U.S. Justice Department said earlier on Wednesday it…
An Indian national has been charged with conspiring to assassinate a Sikh separatist leader on US territory, the Justice Department said on Wednesday (29). The allegations suggest the involvement of an Indian government official in the planning process. The Justice Department unsealed murder-for-hire charges against Nikhil Gupta, 52, "in connection…
INDIA paid tribute Wednesday (29) to the hundreds of US servicemen killed during World War II with the opening of a museum near its strategic border with China honouring the dramatic Himalayan airlift dubbed "The Hump". Telling the story of how Allied pilots flew the perilous route to supply Chinese…
INDIA last Tuesday (21) asked private firms to ramp up investments in new coal-fired power plants to meet a dramatic rise in electricity demand and bridge nearly 30-gigawatts of additional requirement by 2030, despite international pressure to stop building such facilities. India’s power and renewable energy minister, RK Singh, in…
PERHAPS the most unique creative partnership of the year has seen Canadian Oscar-nominated director Deepa Mehta teaming up with India-based transgender woman Sirat Taneja. They have collaborated on I Am Sirat, which has delighted audiences at major film festivals like London and Toronto. The acclaimed documentary film follows Delhi-based Sirat…
INDIA will formally investigate security concerns aired by the United States in a warning to New Delhi about its links to a foiled plot to murder a Sikh separatist leader, the foreign ministry said on Wednesday (29). The issue comes at a delicate time for both India and the Biden…
Pro-Khalistan activists heckled the Indian ambassador to the United States, Taranjit Singh Sandhu, during his visit to a gurdwara in New York on Sunday (26), forcing him to leave the premises. Videos circulated widely depicted the activists shouting and accusing Ambassador Sandhu of plotting the assassination of Khalistani terrorist Hardeep…
AFGHANISTAN'S embassy in India announced its "permanent closure" on Friday (24), more than two years after the Taliban returned to power in Kabul following the collapse of the Western-backed government. Most foreign nations - including India - do not officially recognise Afghanistan's Taliban government, but acknowledge them as the de…
There's no greater feeling than embracing parenthood and Ranbir Kapoor is no exception, as he got her daughter Raha's name inked on her collarbone. Ranbir, who is busy promoting his upcoming action thriller Animal, recently revealed his tattoo. A video of Ranbir went viral on social media in which he…
Jamtara director Soumendra Padhi is back to woo audiences with yet another intriguing tale in his new film Farray, which translates to chits. It is based on the Thai film Bad Genius, which in turn was inspired by true-life events. Farray has been in the news for quite some time…
A court in Qatar has admitted the Indian government’s appeal against the death penalty handed down to eight former Indian Navy personnel in that country, according to media reports. The Qatari court on Thursday (23) admitted the appeal filed by the Indian government and the next hearing is to be…
In his little over a 15-year career, Bollywood star Ranbir Kapoor says many lessons have been learned but patience and sacrifice are the two key elements an aspiring actor should swear by. Ranbir made his debut with 2007's Saawariya and is regarded as one of the most talented actors of…
US authorities thwarted a plot to kill a Sikh separatist in the country and issued a warning to India over concerns the government in New Delhi was involved, a senior Biden administration official said. The US is treating the plot with utmost seriousness and has raised the issue with the…
He is still "just a guy on a stool" for whom the audience's laughter will always be more precious than accolades, says Vir Das, the first Indian comic to win an International Emmy Award. Das won the award for his Netflix stand-up special Vir Das: Landing in the Best Comedy…
AN INSPIRATIONAL businessman whose company has donated over a billion pounds to charitable causes was crowned the Business of the Year at the 25th anniversary of the prestigious Asian Business Awards, held at the Park Plaza hotel on Wednesday (22). Nirmal Sethia is an internationally renowned entrepreneur whose business empire…
THE family of a Scottish man who has been detained in India for six years has appealed to the new foreign secretary to intervene and potentially save his life. Jagtar Singh Johal, a 36-year-old Sikh activist, faces terror charges in connection with political violence in India. His family has written…
INDIA played the tournament’s best cricket for nearly six weeks but it was the familiar sight of Australia celebrating with the trophy when the 13th edition of the ICC World Cup came to a close last Sunday (19). Just five months after beating India in the World Test Championship final…
THE Institute of Civil Engineers (ICE), an independent professional association for civil engineers and a charitable body in the UK representing 95,000 members, has elected the first Indian-origin president in its 205-year history in professor Anusha Shah (top). As the institution’s 159th president, Shah took charge of her new role…
THE president of the Maldives, Mohamed Muizzu, formally requested last Saturday (18) that India withdraw its troops from his strategically located archipelago, fulfilling an election pledge on his first day in office. In a conversation with a visiting Indian minister, Muizzu asked New Delhi to recall personnel deployed to operate…
INDIA’S money laundering investigators on Tuesday (21) said they seized properties worth ₹7.52 billion (£72 million) in a probe linked to a nine-year-old complaint against opposition Congress party leader Rahul Gandhi and his mother Sonia. The complaint, lodged by an MP from prime minister Narendra Modi’s Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)…
INDIA resumed issuing e-visas for Canadian tourists and business travellers on Wednesday (22), two months after it suspended such services following a row over Ottawa's accusation of possible Indian government involvement in the murder of the Canadian Sikh separatist leader Hardeep Singh Nijjar. Though the move is likely to ease…
Indian rescuers on Tuesday (21), publicly released the first video footage featuring the workers confined within the Silkyara tunnel for the past ten days. The visuals were captured using an endoscopic camera sent in through the alternative 6-inch food pipeline. In the video, the workers, wearing yellow and white helmets,…
Actor-comic Vir Das has become the first Indian to win the International Emmy Award for his Netflix stand-up special Vir Das: Landing in the best comedy category and has dedicated the honour to his home country, India. The 51st International Emmy Awards Gala was held at the New York Hilton…
An evaluation of data from the National Organ and Tissue Transplant Organisation (Notto) in India has revealed that a significant majority of organ donors in India are women. Between 1995 and 2021, among the 36,640 patients who underwent transplants, approximately four out of five living donors were women. Correspondingly, four…
The High Commission of India in collaboration with the Ismaili Centre, and the Nehru Centre, London are jointly hosting an exhibition entitled “Delhi and Hyderabad: A Green Renaissance” from 18 to 25 November 2023. This exhibition will highlight projects in India by the Aga Khan Trust for Culture, a press…
During a media briefing in Delhi on Thursday (16), India urged Canada to facilitate a conducive environment in accordance with the Vienna Convention on diplomatic relations, to enable its officials to perform their duties without impediments or security issues. India's fresh call to Ottawa came days after certain pro-Khalistani elements…
INDIA is worried about Britain's possible tax on imports of high-carbon goods like steel and wants a mechanism in their planned free-trade agreement (FTA) to address issues arising from such a measure, three Indian sources said. Earlier this year, Britain initiated consultations with domestic stakeholders on measures such as a…
INDIAN external affairs minister S Jaishankar has said that India is not ruling out an investigation into Canada’s allegations about the involvement of the government’s agents in the killing of a Khalistani separatist in that country but wants it to provide evidence to back its claims. Jaishankar made the comments…
BRITAIN's Sikh population, whose ancestors first migrated from the Punjab more than a century ago, have long been admired as a model of integration and for maintaining a strong identity. Lauded in their country of origin and beyond for their valour, industriousness and charity, Sikhs took those values to Britain,…
MY INSTINCT is that the return of David Cameron as foreign secretary is good for Rishi Sunak, for the government and for the country. Let’s not forget that Rishi was elected an MP in 2015 during Cameron’s last year as prime minister. Cameron has disagreed with Rishi’s decision to cancel…
AT LEAST 150,000 metric tons of pigeon peas bound for India are held up at ports in Mozambique awaiting export permission from customs despite multiple requests from sellers over the past few weeks, five industry officials said last Wednesday (8). India, the world’s biggest producer and consumer of pigeon peas,…
The European Union Film Festival (EUFF) will return with its 28th edition in New Delhi on December 1. The 10-day film gala, which aims to celebrate the cultural connect between India and the European Union through the world of cinema, will take place across three locations -- the Indian Habitat…
DAVID CAMERON has replaced James Cleverly as Britain’s foreign secretary, but just how the job is done at the coal face is explained by Andrew Fleming, who took over last week as the new British deputy high commissioner in Kolkata. Just before leaving for India, Fleming sat in the Page…
THE Chinese and Pakistani navies are holding weeklong drills in the Arabian Sea days after the Russian Pacific Fleet and Myanmar practised repelling attacks in their first maritime exercise, while India and the United States pledged security cooperation. At a naval base in Karachi on Saturday (11), the Chinese and…
Prime minister Justin Trudeau has emphasised that Canada does not seek a "fight" with India at the moment, but reiterated his allegations, expressing Ottawa's desire to "work constructively" with New Delhi on this "very serious matter". Addressing the media on Friday (10), Trudeau also alleged that India violated the Vienna…
TWO Indian cities joined New Delhi to be among the world's worst 10 for pollution on Monday (13) morning, with smoke heavy in the air a day after revellers let loose with firecrackers for Diwali - the annual Hindu festival of light. The capital New Delhi took, as it often…
Officials have reported nearly a twofold increase in the number of Indian weddings hosted at star-category properties in Oman this year compared to the same period last year. A representative of the Ministry of Heritage and Tourism, Sultanate of Oman said Omani officials began communicating with Indian wedding planners many…
NAFIS ANSARI, a school principal who is Muslim, was enlisted this year by the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) as a "Modi Mitr", or friend of Indian prime minister Narendra Modi. The resident of the central state of Madhya Pradesh promotes the party to neighbours and relatives at events such…
INDIA and the US announced progress on key defence deals and said they would expand their growing partnership in the face of geopolitical challenges as their top diplomats and senior ministers met on Friday (10). US secretary of state Antony Blinken and defense secretary Lloyd Austin met Indian foreign minister…
ALLAN DONALD will leave his post as Bangladesh's fast-bowling coach following the World Cup, officials and media said Friday (10), days after his public criticism in the wake of the "timed-out" row. Bangladesh will wrap up a disappointing Cricket World Cup campaign in India against Australia in Pune on Saturday…
WELSH first minister, Mark Drakeford, has announced a new Welsh and India economic initiative during the Indian government Diwali event in Cardiff, according to a statement. The Year of Wales in India 2024 plans to create greater economic and cultural ties between the two countries, the statement added. The official…
In an effort to combat air pollution in New Delhi, the Delhi government intends to artificially induce rainfall through cloud seeding this month, Environment Minister Gopal Rai announced on Wednesday (8). Rai held a meeting with scientists from IIT-Kanpur who explained that cloud seeding can only be attempted when there…
Prime minister Rishi Sunak and his wife, Akshata Murty, lit ceremonial lamps for Diwali at a special reception at 10 Downing Street, welcoming guests from the Indian diaspora, parliamentarians, entrepreneurs, and Hindi movie celebrities. The prime ministerial residence was decorated in a theme of vibrant marigolds and candles on Wednesday…
THE enemy is nearly invisible and there are no soldiers, but the Indian capital’s new “Green War Room” is battling air pollution that is cutting lives of residents by over a decade. “It’s a pollution emergency”, said Gopal Rai, environment minister for the rapidly expanding megacity of over 20 million…
Actor Vicky Kaushal said on Tuesday he initially thought he was not good-looking enough for the role of Field Marshal Sam Manekshaw in filmmaker Meghna Gulzar's Sam Bahadur. At the film's trailer launch event held at the Manekshaw Centre in New Delhi, Kaushal said Gulzar told him about her desire…
HEAVY pollution-fuelled smog forced authorities to close schools and markets this week in Pakistan's most populous province, including the eastern city of Lahore which has risen to one of the world's worst cities for hazardous air quality. "The government has decided to close down markets for four days from 9…
THE rapid rise of educational content creators has taken social media users from scrolling for influencers, dance videos and comedy to something more enlightening. One of those reshaping that online landscape into something more informative is Kavya Karnatac. The rapidly rising Indian star has gained over million Instagram followers since…
A landmark study conducted in India has revealed that breathing polluted air elevates the risk of type 2 diabetes. Researchers in Delhi and Chennai observed that exposure to high levels of PM2.5 particles in the air is linked to elevated blood sugar levels and a higher incidence of type 2…
CANADA’S police probe into the June murder of a Sikh separatist in British Columbia has been damaged by a high-level official’s public statements, India’s high commissioner to Canada, Sanjay Kumar Verma, told the Globe and Mail in an interview published last Saturday (4). Canada has alleged Indian involvement in the…
US SECRETARY of state Antony Blinken and defence secretary Lloyd Austin will hold talks with India this week that officials say will focus on security challenges in the Indo-Pacific and concerns over China, rather than the wars in Gaza and Ukraine. The talks in New Delhi on Friday (10) with…
AS A YOUNG girl being brought up in South Africa, Hollywood star Charlize Theron says watching Bollywood films was a Sunday routine as her native country has a sizeable Indian population. Theron, the star of countless and critically acclaimed Hollywood titles such as Mad Max: Fury Road, Blonde, Monster, The…
SRI LANKA's Angelo Mathews branded Bangladesh captain Shakib Al Hasan as "disgraceful" after he became the first player in 146 years of international cricket to be given "timed out" in a bitter World Cup clash. Mathews was adjudged to be out after failing to take strike within the two-minute time…
The medical community in Delhi, India has raised alarms about the severe air pollution in the city. According to doctors, the polluted air not only impacts the lungs but also affects vital organs like the heart and brain in individuals of all age groups. There has been a sudden increase…
NEW DELHI will restrict the use of private vehicles for a week in a bid to offer residents some respite from the toxic smog choking the megacity, authorities announced Monday (6). Delhi, home to 30 million people, is blanketed in acrid smog at the onset of winter every year, primarily…
CANADA'S police probe into the June murder of a Sikh separatist in British Columbia has been damaged by a high-level Canadian official's public statements, India's high commissioner to Canada, Sanjay Kumar Verma, told the Globe and Mail in an interview published on Saturday (4). Canada has alleged Indian involvement in…
As a young girl being brought up in South Africa, Hollywood star Charlize Theron says watching Bollywood films was a Sunday routine as her native country has a sizeable Indian population. Theron, the star of countless and critically acclaimed Hollywood titles such as Mad Max: Fury Road, Blonde, Monster, The…
Actress Kangana Ranaut offered prayers at Shree Somnath Jyotirlinga and Dwarkadhish temple in Gujarat. She took to Instagram to share glimpses of her visit on Friday. She captioned the post in Hindi, "Today had darshan of Baba Somnath ji, and also went to Ram temple of Somnath with the help…
British rock band Deep Purple, set to headline the Bandland music festival in December, will perform in Gurugram ahead of their show in Bengaluru, said online ticketing platform BookMyShow on Thursday. According to the organisers, the band has added a stopover in Gurugram after an overwhelming response from fans of…
PEOPLE in New Delhi woke up to a thick layer of toxic haze on Friday (3), and some schools were ordered to be shut for two days as the air quality index (AQI) entered the "severe" category in several parts of the Indian capital. A filthy smog forms over Delhi…
INDIA'S cyber security agency is investigating complaints of mobile phone hacking by senior opposition politicians who reported receiving warning messages from Apple, information technology minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said. Vaishnaw was quoted in the Indian Express newspaper as saying on Thursday (2) that CERT-In, the computer emergency response team based in…
Oscar-winning Mexican director Alejandro Gonzalez Inarritu, known for films such as Birdman and The Revenant, was looking for an "Indian everyman" for a project, and filmmaker Mira Nair says she suggested Irrfan Khan's name, but it was not meant to be. According to Nair, Inarritu was looking for an Indian…
INDIA is unlikely to sign onto a global pledge to reduce cooling-related emissions at the COP 28 climate meeting, citing the need for the world’s most populous country to have affordable cooling, two government officials told Reuters. The pledge to cut coolingrelated carbon dioxide emissions by at least 68 per…
SCIENTISTS from China and Sri Lanka are conducting joint “marine scientific” activities on board a Chinese research vessel, a senior official said on Tuesday (31), amid concerns voiced by India and the US. Scientists from the National Aquatic Research Agency (NARA), personnel from the Navy and the University of Ruhuna…
IT IS not yet 7am and the sun has still to rise above a hazy Mumbai sky. But there is already a steady stream of cricketers of various ages heading into the city’s Oval Maidan, a large public park. Some are clad in traditional whites, with the children among them…
AN UNUSUAL exhibition by Manish Pushkale, an Indian artist who has been inspired by a “bird whisperer” in the remote Andaman Islands, opened last week in Paris. The exhibition, in a series called Carte Blanche, will run at the Guimet National Museum of Asian Arts until spring next year. The…
INDIAN opposition leader Rahul Gandhi on Tuesday (31) accused prime minister Narendra Modi's government of trying to hack into senior opposition politicians' mobile phones, after they reported receiving warning messages from Apple. Some of the lawmakers shared screenshots on social media of a notification quoting the iPhone manufacturer as saying:…
In the heart of Tashkent, a city known for its rich history, stands an Indian restaurant celebrating the legacy of legendary Bollywood actor Raj Kapoor and the love of the Uzbeks for him even 35 years after his death. Styled on the Bollywood theme, the 'Raaj Kapur' restaurant which is…
INDIA'S foreign minister on Monday (30) said the country would "make all efforts" to secure the release of eight ex-navy personnel sentenced to death by a court in Qatar, reportedly for spying for Israel. Subrahmanyam Jaishankar said he had met the families of the detained Indians and told them the…
Filmmaker Vidhu Vinod Chopra, who was nominated for an Academy Award in 1979, for his 1978 documentary short, An Encounter with Faces, said in a recent interview that he had no money to attend the prestigious awards ceremony in the US. He also revealed that he did not have a…
A NEW seed fund aimed at awarding grants for joint projects between scientists in India and the UK has been launched by Imperial College London. The India Connect Fund, to be formally announced at events in New Delhi and Bengaluru next week, is designed to back projects that have the…
Facing a formidable opponent on foreign soil, England's war-weary cricket team gears up for their World Cup challenge against India at a venue historically significant for intense battles, adding to the pressure of the already tense tournament. The past and present cricket powerhouses meet Sunday (29) in Lucknow not far…
It will be a couple of hours of letting your hair down, enjoying a night out, and reliving the special memories of teenage years, says Westlife member Nicky Byrne about the Irish band's upcoming three-city tour to India. The global best-selling pop band, comprising Byrne, Kian Egan, Shane Filan, and…
Singer-actor Harrdy Sandhu on Friday announced his first ever all-India tour titled In My Feelings. The musical tour, which will kickstart on November 18 and conclude in December, will travel to cities such as Delhi, Indore, Mumbai, Kolkata, Jaipur, Pune, and Bhubaneswar. Sandhu, known for songs such as "Bijlee Bijlee",…
INDIA will reopen visa services for Canadians, its embassy in Ottawa announced, a move that could ease tensions in a high-profile dispute over the killing of a Sikh separatist on Canadian soil. Relations between India and Canada plunged after prime minister Justin Trudeau last month publicly linked Indian intelligence to…
INDIA said on Thursday (26) that eight of its citizens had been sentenced to death by Qatar in a case that media reported involved high-ranking ex-naval officers accused of spying. New Delhi said it would "take up the verdict with Qatari authorities" and would continue to "extend all consular and…
Actress Kangana Ranaut on Wednesday met Israeli Ambassador Naor Gilon and expressed confidence that the country will emerge victorious in its "war against terrorism". The actress, who is promoting her upcoming movie Tejas, shared photos and a video of her interaction, in which she discussed the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict, with…
INDIA’S competence to stage the Olympics, which prime minister Narendra Modi wants to do, has been questioned by Simon Wilde, cricket correspondent of The Times, who has written a blistering article about the alleged mismanagement of the World Cup currently under way. Wilde took the Board of Control for Cricket…
WHAT is the most important difference between Ireland and the United Kingdom? The answer is Brexit. Ireland is taking full advantage of its continued membership of the European Union – and seeking to attract new investment from India. This is why Ireland has opened a consulate in Mumbai, India’s commercial…
