- Tuesday, April 23, 2024
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'…
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…
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…
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…
It is just one week before India goes for general elections, the world's largest polls, and the campaigning is at its peak now. The tussle between the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party-led government and the opposition has intensified with promises, accusations, and controversial statements being made from both sides. Nearly a…
A film inspired by the life of the late Lance Naik Nazir Wani, a militant-turned-soldier who laid down his life fighting a group of terrorists in Kashmir, is under development at production house Baweja Studios. The action drama, whose title signifies brotherhood in the military, will showcase Wani's journey from…
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…
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…
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…
Amnesty International has partnered with more than 20 human rights organisations campaigning against enforced disappearance in south Asia and created Footprints - a digital museum recording the stories of the victims. Enforced disappearance is a crime under international law, but is used by states across the world to silence dissent…
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…
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…
Bangladesh prime minister Sheikh Hasina has criticised opposition leaders demanding a boycott of Indian products, questioning how many Indian sarees their wives own and why they aren't burning them. Speaking at a gathering of the ruling Awami League, she targetted Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) leaders for their boycott stance, alleging…
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…
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…
Actress-producer Priyanka Chopra Jonas on Tuesday introduced Women of My Billion, an upcoming documentary narrating the true story of a woman’s journey from Kanyakumari to Kashmir to meet women who have faced violence. Chopra Jonas and production banner Purple Pebble Pictures have produced the movie, which will be released on…
India will begin voting in seven phases starting April 19 to elect a new parliament, and the results will be announced on June 4. Chief election commissioner Rajiv Kumar said on Saturday the other phases will be on April 26, May 7, May 13, May 20, May 25, and June…
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…
Former bureaucrats Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Gyanesh Kumar have been named as the new election commissioners by a panel chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, a committee member and Congress leader Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury said on Thursday. Addressing reporters at his residence soon after the meeting ended, Chowdhury said six…
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…
Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif announced the key members of his cabinet, tasking them with leading the country out of a crippling economic crisis fuelled by debt, spiralling inflation and a feeble rupee. Pakistan's 19 new ministers took their oath of office Monday, after an election marred by allegations of…
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…
PAKISTAN's newly formed parliament elected Shehbaz Sharif on Sunday (3) as prime minister for a second time, three weeks after uncertain national elections caused delays in the formation of a coalition government. "Shehbaz Sharif is declared to have been elected the prime minister of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan," National…
India has refuted Pakistan's allegations of human rights violations in Jammu and Kashmir in the UN Human Rights Council and countered it by highlighting Islamabad's poor track record in treating its minorities. At the 55th Regular Session of the UN Human Rights Council, India exercised its 'Right of Reply' to…
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,…
IN AN industry dominated by men, Meghna Gulzar stands out as one of the few female filmmakers whose work transcends mere entertainment. She delves deep into the human experience to unearth riveting tales of resilience, sacrifice, and triumph. The daughter of legendary writer Gulzar and veteran actress Raakhee, Meghna has…
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…
Actress Yami Gautam's action political thriller film Article 370 has been banned in the Gulf countries. While Article 370 has been riding high on success at the domestic and overseas box office, garnering praise from both audiences and critics alike, the ban in the Gulf is another dampener on the…
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…
WHEN Kabhi Kabhie was released in cinemas on February 27, 1976, it took everyone by surprise. It was a great romantic movie made during an era dominated by action and presented a reigning superstar in a way thought unimaginable. By combining the rule-breaking approach with a strong storyline, a big…
Bollywood actor Vikrant Massey, who is riding high on the huge success of his latest film 12th Fail, has found himself at the center of a controversy as a now-deleted tweet that he shared in 2018 has gone viral once again on social media. The said tweet is related to…
Prime minister of India, Narendra Modi on Tuesday (20) said that the revocation of Article 370 played a crucial role in promoting the overall development of Jammu and Kashmir. He further emphasised his government's commitment to transforming the Valley into a tourist destination capable of competing with Switzerland. Addressing a…
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi referred to actress Yami Gautam’s upcoming film Article 370 while he was addressing a gathering in Jammu on Tuesday. He said, “I have heard that a film on Article 370 is going to be released this week... It is a good thing as it will…
LADY SHREELA FLATHER, who has died, aged 89, came into her own when she entered the House of Lords in 1990, the first ethnic minority woman to be given a peerage. Her passing last week was announced by the Lord Speaker, Lord McFall of Alcluith, who said: “My Lords, I…
A HINDU group closely linked to Indian prime minister Narendra Modi is installing Muslims loyal to it in leadership positions at Muslim universities as part of a push to garner Muslim votes ahead of national elections, officials said. The Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), which Modi joined in his youth and…
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…
Bollywood's love affair with Europe has given us some of the most memorable recent cinematic moments. As you plan your next holiday, why not travel to the enchanting landscapes of Europe and walk in the footsteps of your favorite Bollywood stars? From the romantic streets of Paris to the historic…
Actor-turned-author Twinkle Khanna recently added a new feather to her cap when she completed her master’s programme in fiction writing from the prestigious Goldsmiths, University of London. Sharing insights into her experience of moving to London with her daughter Nitara, she said that she ‘had to create a bio, stand…
Uttarakhand, a small northern Indian state governed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi's Hindu nationalist party, is set to pass a bill to replace religion-specific civil laws with a Uniform Civil Code, which could be used as a template by other states. The bill, being debated by Uttarakhand's legislature on Wednesday,…
AN INDIAN state where prime minister Narendra Modi’s Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is in power is set to introduce contentious common personal laws that will apply across religions this month, a template other state officials said they will look to follow. Currently, India’s Hindus, Muslims, Christians and large tribal populations…
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…
BOLLYWOOD queen Shreya Ghoshal excels in captivating live audiences, evident in the sold-out tours she has performed worldwide. The superb singer with a bank of brilliant songs returns to the UK in February for big arena shows in London (9) and Manchester (11). Ahead of the tour, Eastern Eye asked…
Stories of Kashmir never cease to fascinate moviegoers and the recently released teaser of Article 370 has surely created a lot of intrigue about the film which is inspired by true events. The teaser of the genre-defining film gave us a glimpse of the powerhouse actresses Yami Gautam and Priya…
FROM playing larger than life heroes to winning supporting roles, evil antagonists and quirky characters, Jackie Shroff’s glittering career is filled with standout moments. Born on February 1, 1957, the popular Indian actor will be celebrating his 67th birthday next week. Eastern Eye decided to mark the occasion by going…
CHINA has assured Islamabad of its support in defending its sovereignty and territorial integrity even while welcoming on Tuesday (23) the restoration of diplomatic ties between Tehran and Islamabad after their recent air strikes against each other. As China’s foreign minister Sun Weidong visited Pakistan on a mediation mission, a…
Actress Yami Gautam will next be seen in the political drama Article 370, which will be released in theatres on February 23, the makers have announced. Backed by Jio Studios & B62 Studios, the film will present a "powerful narrative inspired by true events that shaped the fate of Kashmir",…
As snowfall continues to elude the picturesque valley of Kashmir, local line producers and others associated with the Indian film industry are in a state of despair as shooting requests are drying up due to a snowless winter. The mighty mountains of Pir Panjal region, which are draped in a…
THE leader of India’s main Congress opposition party, Rahul Gandhi, last Sunday (14) began a new cross-country march from a troubled northeastern state, aiming to generate political momentum to take on prime minister Narendra Modi in general elections due by May. The “Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra”, or Unite India Justice…
In its first overseas deal, India has acquired exploration and production rights for lithium blocks in Argentina, marking a strategic move to diminish reliance on China for the essential green technology metal. Coal and Mines Minister Pralhad Joshi said the "historic" $24 million deal will ensure a "resilient and diversified…
INDIA said it had lodged a protest over a senior British diplomat's visit to Pakistan-controlled Kashmir, saying the trip last week had infringed on India's "sovereignty and territorial integrity". Kashmir is claimed in full, but controlled only in part, by nuclear-armed India and Pakistan, which have fought two wars and…
Vivek Ranjan Agnihotri, known for helming The Kashmir Files and The Tashkent Files, never misses a chance to appreciate good cinema of other filmmakers and storytellers. He has time and again extended his support to such films and filmmakers. Recently, he heaped praises on the epic fantasy drama film Hanu…
KL SAIGAL was arguably the most influential singer in Hindi cinema history. The first singing superstar of India helped define Bollywood music and inspired all those who followed in his giant footsteps, including music icons like Lata Mangeshkar, Kishore Kumar, Mohammed Rafi and Mukesh. Born on April 11, 1904, Saigal…
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…
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…
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…
ZEE5 Global’s commitment to pushing the boundaries of narrative in the digital age is evident through a myriad of shows that cater to a wide spectrum of preferences. From mystical friendships to historical sagas, true crime narratives, and the comedy of life, the platform unfolds a kaleidoscopic array of unique…
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's army has launched an investigation into the alleged deaths of three civilians taken into military custody after a deadly rebel attack on soldiers in Kashmir, police said Tuesday. The three men were among a group of eight detained by the army last week in Poonch, near the frontier that…
TENSIONS among nuclear powers, mainly in Asia, carry the risk of escalating into major conventional wars, a new survey cautioned. Significant Asian conflicts, such as in Kashmir and Afghanistan, have seen reduced violence since a ceasefire began in February 2021, said the Armed Conflict Survey 2023 by the London-based geopolitics…
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…
Veteran actor Anupam Kher has hailed the Supreme Court's decision to uphold the abrogation of Article 370. Taking to Instagram, Kher shared a still from the film where he was seen holding a board with "Remove Article 370" written on it. Sharing the still, he wrote, "#PushkarNath would've been the…
INDIA'S Supreme Court upheld on Monday (11) a 2019 decision by the government of prime minister Narendra Modi to revoke special status for the state of Jammu and Kashmir and set a deadline of September 30 next year for state polls to be held. India's only Muslim-majority region, Jammu and…
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…
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…
INDIA’S purchase policies “softened” the oil and gas markets by its decision to continue transactions with Russia, and New Dehi should be “thanked for managing global inflation” as a consequence, the country’s external affairs minister S Jaishankar said last week. His remarks came in response to a question of India…
A Muslim officer has encouraged individuals from various communities, especially South Asians, to consider pursuing roles as prison officers. Hammad Butt, prison officer at HMP Norwich in Norfolk, has asked people to consider joining the service, as applications for the role of prison officer are currently open. The Lammy Review…
A recent study indicates a significant decline in the number of individuals within Bradford's Pakistani community marrying cousins over the past decade. Factors such as increased educational achievements, evolving family dynamics, and modifications in immigration regulations are believed to contribute to this decline, the BBC reported. Juwayriya Ahmed, a 52-year-old…
At least 36 individuals were killed, and 19 sustained injuries in a tragic incident in Jammu and Kashmir's Doda district on Wednesday (15). The accident occurred when a bus, carrying passengers, skidded off the road, rolling down into a 300-foot gorge, officials said. The bus bearing registration number JK02CN-6555 was…
THREE Bangladeshi tourists died in India's Kashmir region when some of the houseboats stationed in the picturesque Dal lake caught fire on Saturday (11), a police official said. Police said a fire broke out in one houseboat in the early hours and quickly spread to other boats moored nearby. "Three…
Renowned filmmaker Shekhar Kapur will be the jury head for the international competition of the International Film Festival of India (IFFI) 2023 in Goa next month. The five-member jury also includes cinematographer Jose Luis Alcaine, producers Jerome Paillard, Catherine Dussart, and Helen Leake, according to a press release. "The International…
Celebrity chef Ranveer Brar has announced that the new season of the reality show "MasterChef India" aims to highlight the diversity of India through its microcuisines. Brar, who is returning as one of the judges for season eight, said that the show will offer a platform to chefs hailing from…
In Quetta, an undercover BBC journalist recently encountered a people smuggler named Azam, orchestrating illicit passages out of Pakistan. Azam explained his business model, asserting that individuals aged between 12 and 18 were also viable clients. For a sum of 2.5 million Pakistani rupees ($9000; £7,500), a young man could,…
PAKISTAN and China have signed 20 deals during the maiden visit of interim prime minister Anwar-ul-Haq Kakar to enhance cooperation under the Beijing-backed Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), according to a joint statement last Friday (20). Kakar visited China from last Monday (16) to Friday (20) and attended the Third…
INDIA has said it will treat a reference by Pakistan to Kashmir during a security council meeting on the Israel-Gaza situation with the contempt it deserves and will not dignify it with a response. The remarks by India’s deputy permanent representative at the UN, Ambassador R Ravindra, came on Tuesday…
Author Salman Rushdie last Friday (20) called for a "cessation" in fighting between Israel and Palestinian Islamist militant group Hamas, saying he was filled with "horror" and "foreboding". Making a rare public appearance since a near-fatal stabbing attack in the United States last year, Rushdie said he was horrified at…
What could be more satisfying than attaining your dream? The same thing happened to a young Kashmiri singer Afaq Shafi, who made it to the Top 20 of the singing reality show Indian Idol 14. Hailing from Shalimar, Afaq has longed to perform on the stage of the singing reality…
ROCKING revolutionary Shammi Kapoor introduced the kind of swagger into Bollywood that enabled the Hindi film hero to connect with a more globalised audience. From his cool style and good looks to high energy performances, he became a magnificent movie icon and delivered marvellous musicals filled with magical moments. Then…
Indian President Droupadi Murmu on Tuesday presented screen icon Waheeda Rehman with the prestigious Dadasaheb Phalke Award and honoured other winners of the 69th National Film Awards, including popular stars Allu Arjun, Alia Bhatt and Kriti Sanon. The National Film Awards were announced in August honouring the best in cinema…
Actress Kirti Kulhari is set to make her international feature debut with a slice-of-life film Sach is Life. The movie is based on the true story of an Indian immigrant Munshi family based out of the US. It is written and directed by Harsh Mahadeshwar, who has earlier worked on…
LABOUR MP Khalid Mahmood has criticised a top Mulsim group of the UK for not condemning Hamas which committed atrocities in Israel earlier this month. Hamas gunmen sneaked across the border into southern Israel from the Gaza Strip on October 7, killing about 1,400 people and abducting dozens. In its…
Veteran Bollywood actress Asha Parekh slammed the makers of the blockbuster film The Kashmir Files (2022), directed by Vivek Agnihotri. She questioned how much money the makers donated from their profit to help Hindus living 'without water and electricity' in Jammu and Kashmir. During an interview with News18, Asha was…
PAKISTAN and China have agreed to invite third parties to participate in the $60 billion (£48.86bn) China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), a key part of Beijing’s Belt and Road Initiative, a top Pakistani diplomat has said. The state-run Associated Press of Pakistan reported that the country’s ambassador to China, Moinul Haque,…
BOOKER Prize-winning Indian novelist Arundhati Roy could be prosecuted for a 2010 speech about Kashmir after a top official signed off on the move, local media reported. Roy, 61, is one of India's most famous living authors, but her writing and activism, including her trenchant criticism of prime minister Narendra…
THE Indian government freed Kashmir’s chief Muslim cleric and influential separatist leader, Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, last Friday (22) after more than four years of house arrest. The 50-year-old was detained along with other political leaders and thousands of residents when the government cancelled the region’s constitutional semi-autonomy and imposed federal…
PAKISTAN is striving to get donors to release $10 billion (£8.22bn) in pledges to help it recover from devastating floods by launching rebuilding projects that hinge on the funding, care taker prime minister Anwaar-ul-haq Kakar said last Friday (22). Donors from around the world stepped up after Pakistan was hammered…
China has refused to further expand cooperation in the areas of energy, water management, and climate change under the multi-billion-dollar China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), it emerged on Tuesday (26) signalling a strain in the 'ironclad' friendship between the allies. Cash-strapped Pakistan also gave up its opposition to setting up a…
ANTI-MUSLIM hate speech incidents in India averaged more than one a day in the first half of 2023 and were seen most in states with upcoming elections, according to a report by Hindutva Watch, a Washington-based group monitoring attacks on minorities. There were 255 documented incidents of hate speech gatherings…
National award-winning filmmaker Vishal Bhardwaj says he didn’t watch movies like The Kashmir Files and The Kerala Story as he wanted to stay out of such sensitive subjects. Both The Kashmir Files (2022) and The Kerala Story (2023) were huge commercial hits but kicked up a political storm with many…
APPLE farmers and political activists in Indian Kashmir protested on Wednesday (13) against the federal government's decision to remove an additional 20 per cent duty on the fruit imported from the US saying cheaper American apples will hurt local growers. The decision to remove the additional duty was one of…
QUEEN frontman and rockstar Freddie Mercury’s Parsi heritage was celebrated more than 30 years after his death, as Sotheby’s in London conducted the first of six auctions of his belongings last Wednesday (6). A 16th-century Indian miniature depicting A Prince on Horseback With His Entourage sold for £266,700, against an…
Leaders from various countries, including heads of state, who participated in the G20 Summit held in Delhi, were presented with a carefully curated assortment of handcrafted artifacts and products that reflect India's vibrant cultural heritage, officials announced on Tuesday (12). They said a number of these gifts were painstakingly created…
Filmmaker Vivek Ranjan Agnihotri on Tuesday claimed his directorial The Vaccine War will "expose the usual suspects" who tried to sabotage the development of an indigenous vaccine during the Covid-19 pandemic for their political agenda. The film, according to the director, is India's "first-ever bio-science" movie. It is based on…
Actor Vicky Kaushal, on Sunday, visited Kashmir to attend the Gulmarg Festival organised by the Indian Army. From shaking a leg with performers to his songs to praising the beauty of Gulmarg, Vicky added a top-notch entertainment level to the festival. Take a look at the pictures and videos from…
Filmmaker Vivek Agnihotri on Saturday released the first poster of his next feature directorial venture The Vaccine War. The film stars Anupam Kher, Nana Patekar, Sapthami Gowda, and Pallavi Joshi in the lead roles. Agnihotri, known for directing films such as The Kashmir Files and Hate Story, shared the poster…
IN TERMS of ability, longevity, versatility, body of work and global impact, Asha Bhosle is regarded by most as India’s greatest singer of all time. Born on September 8, 1933, the most recorded artist in history changed the face of commercial music in India and entertained countless people across different…
Industrialist and philanthropist Cyrus S Poonawalla welcomed the Miss World 2023 team in Pune. He expressed his excitement and said, “I am deeply honoured to extend a warm welcome to esteemed Ms Julia Morley, Chairperson and CEO Miss World Organisation, Mr Jamil Saidi, Chairman, PME Entertainment along with Current Miss…
He became a household name with Devon Ke Dev - Mahadev but actor Mohit Raina says he took a break from television as he felt his creative hunger was getting lost there. The actor, who is known for his performance across three mediums: TV, films, and streaming such as Devon…
Superstar Shah Rukh Khan offered prayers at the revered shrine of Mata Vaishno Devi atop Trikuta hills in the Reasi district of Jammu and Kashmir, ahead of the release of his much-anticipated film Jawan. According to an official, the 58-year-old actor reached the shrine late Tuesday night to pay his…
Miss World Karolina Bielawska, who is excited to be in India for Miss World 2023, shared her aspirations to work in Bollywood films, especially with King Khan a.k.a Shah Rukh Khan. Speaking to ANI, Karolina said, "It would be lovely to be in a movie of Shah Rukh Khan. I've…
THE Miss World beauty contest will be held in Indian Kashmir as part of a month-long series of events across India, organisers have said. Miss World Organization chair Julia Morley said India will host a month-long series of events for the annual international beauty pageant from November to December, with…
Miss World Karolina Bielawska on Monday arrived in Kashmir on a day-long tour for an event. Poland's Bielawska, along with other pageant winners, including Miss World India Sini Shetty, enjoyed breakfast with other dignitaries at a five-star hotel here. For the day-long tour, Bielawska and Shetty will be joined by…
Mimi actress Kriti Sanon, Gangubai Kathiawadi filmmaker Sanjay Leela Bhansali, and Sardar Udham director Shoojit Sircar on Thursday expressed happiness after their films won big at the 69th National Film Awards. Sanon and Pankaj Tripathi won the Best Actress and Best Supporting Actor honours, respectively, for their film Mimi. Sanon…
The 69th National Film Awards were announced at a press conference in New Delhi today. Alia Bhatt and Kriti Sanon share the Best Actress award for their performances in Gangubai Kathiawadi and Mimi, respectively. Telugu superstar Allu Arjun, on the other hand, was named Best Actor for his successful film…
Actor Vijay Deverakonda is presently busy promoting his upcoming Telugu film Kushi, which is written and directed by Shiva Nirvana, and also stars Samantha Ruth Prabhu opposite him. Deverakonda shared his experience of working with co-star Samantha and the director, Shiva. Vijay told ANI, "The entire process of shooting it…
India’s Independence Day commemorates the sacrifice of freedom fighters who laid down their lives in the pursuit to free India. It also marks a day of celebration for our nation’s vibrant culture and heritage. ZEE5 Global presents an exciting line-up of titles to honour different milestones of India as it…
Filmmaker Vidhu Vinod Chopra's film 12th Fail is set to hit the screens on October 27, the makers announced on Thursday. Based on Anurag Pathak's best-selling novel about the incredible journey of IPS officer Manoj Kumar Sharma and IRS officer Shraddha Joshi, the movie stars Vikrant Massey in the lead.…
SEPARATIST leader Yasin Malik on Wednesday (9) virtually appeared before the Delhi high court from jail in connection with the National Investigation Agency’s plea seeking death penalty for him in a terror funding case. Last week, the high court had directed that the Jammu and Kashmir Liberation Front chief, who…
Three soldiers were killed in a clash with suspected rebels amidst the fourth anniversary of New Delhi's direct rule imposition in Indian-administered Kashmir. The confrontation occurred as an army patrol, searching for armed insurgents in the forests of Halan in the southern Kashmir valley, engaged in an exchange of fire…
INDIA's Ankita Raina made the most of her lucky loser place to reach the last 16 of the Prague Open on Wednesday (2), securing her first win on the main WTA Tour in 2023. The 30-year-old, who had been defeated in qualifying before winning a reprieve in the main draw,…
PAKISTAN prime minister Shehbaz Sharif offered talks with India to address all serious and outstanding issues as he said 'war is not an option' for both countries as they fight poverty and unemployment. Sharif made the remarks while addressing the inaugural session of the Pakistan minerals summit. The meeting, organised…
CHINA will continue to work with its all-weather ally Pakistan to take their strategic ties to new heights, Chinese President Xi Jinping has said as the two countries celebrated the 10th anniversary of the launch of the ambitious CPEC infrastructure projects in the South Asian country for regional connectivity. In…
Organised by the Fashion Design Council of India (FDCI), the 19th edition of India Couture Week (ICW) 2023 commenced in New Delhi on July 25, with Falguni Shane Peacock presenting the opening show and setting the tone for the glamorous event. Renowned designers like Rohit Gandhi and Rahul Khanna, Tarun…
'The Kashmir Files Unreported' to arrive on ZEE5 on Aug 11 The non-fiction series The Kashmir Files Unreported, directed by Vivek Agnihotri, will start streaming on ZEE5 from August 11. ZEE5 announced the premiere date of the show on its official Twitter handle on Saturday. "Still can't get over the…
Muhammad Naeem Butt, a Pakistani man, spent several weeks in Libya attempting to reach Europe illegally. However, he decided to turn back, giving up on his perilous journey after witnessing a tragic incident at sea. The overloaded fishing trawler he had hoped to board sank off the coast of Greece,…
THE UK’s watchdog for solicitors said on Thursday (27) that it is investigating legal firms and individuals suspected of breaching rules in advising clients on making false asylum claims. The Solicitors Regulatory Authority (SRA) said it is looking to take “urgent action” after UK justice secretary Alex Chalk wrote to…
Filmmaker Vivek Agnihotri on Friday released the trailer of his upcoming series The Kashmir Files Unreported here and said the show consists of the research, archival footage, and interviews he did for his 2022 movie The Kashmir Files. The seven-part ZEE5 series delves into the "historical, ethnical, and geopolitical details,…
CHINA'S top diplomat Wang Yi told the Indian foreign minister bilateral ties need to be stabilised, as the neighbours searched for ways to ease simmering military tensions along their vast border. On the sidelines of ASEAN meetings in the Indonesian capital of Jakarta, Wang told India’s external affairs minister, Subrahmanyam…
St Mary's Guildhall, a 700-year-old Grade-1 listed heritage venue, has collaborated with leading south Asian artists to celebrate the rich culture intertwined with Britain's history. The Guildhall, which survived World War II Luftwaffe bombing raids and underwent a £5.5m restoration last summer, will mark south Asian Heritage Month by hosting…
Cinema halls made a return to north Kashmir after three decades as Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Saturday inaugurated 100-seater multipurpose film theatres in Baramulla and Handwara towns of the union territory. Similar theatres were inaugurated by the LG in Shopian and Pulwama districts, while a private company set up…
INDIA'S top court on Tuesday (11) began considering a challenge to the 2019 imposition of direct rule in Kashmir, where prime minister Narendra Modi's government suspended a section of the constitution that guarantees limited autonomy to the region. The Supreme Court in New Delhi will weigh whether the move was…
Days of intense monsoon rains across northern India have left at least 29 people dead, rendering many areas inaccessible with bridges smashed and roads blocked, officials said Monday. Television footage showed flash floods and landslides triggered by torrential rain, washing away vehicles, demolishing buildings and ripping down bridges in the…
LONDON mayor Sadiq Khan has received more racial abuse from India in the first six months of 2023 than he did all of last year, new analysis has shown. Khan, who has armed security detail and is among the most heavily guarded politicians in the UK, has been targeted by…
Filmmaker Anurag Kashyap, who has also shown his acting prowess in a couple of films, has added one more film to his acting credits. He has signed on to play an important role in the much-anticipated Tamil-language film Leo. Helmed by Lokesh Kanagaraj, Leo stars Tamil superstar Thalapathy Vijay in…
AN INDIAN court on Friday fined Twitter $61,000 after dismissing its plea challenging orders to remove tweets and accounts critical of prime minister Narendra Modi's government. The world's biggest democracy petitions Twitter for content removals more than almost any other country, and the platform regularly takes down or blocks content…
The Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) on Thursday dismissed reports that the trailer of 72 Hoorain was denied certification, saying the matter is "under due process". On Tuesday, the film's co-producer Ashoke Pandit claimed the censor board refused to give a certificate to the trailer of the movie, set to…
Makers of the upcoming romantic film Rocky aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani on Wednesday unveiled the much-awaited track of the film “Tum Kya Mile”. Taking to Instagram, director Karan Johar shared the song which he captioned, "Any love story deserves a fitting love song! And I'm blessed that Tum Kya…
Ashoke Pandit, co-producer of the film 72 Hoorain, on Tuesday, said the censor board has refused to give a certificate to the trailer of the movie set for release on July 7. Directed by Sanjay Puran Singh Chauhan, the film stars Pavan Malhotra and Aamir Bashir in the lead and…
PAKISTAN and several African nations called for more protections for migrants at the UN Human Rights Council on Monday (26) following the shipwreck off the Greek coast. At least 82 people died and hundreds more are feared dead in the June 12-13 shipwreck along the world's most deadly migration route…
PAKISTAN'S foreign ministry on Monday (26) summoned the US embassy's deputy chief of mission to express concern over a statement last week by US president Joe Biden and India’s prime minister Narendra Modi that called on Pakistan to ensure its territory was not used as a base for militant attacks.…
MORE than 280 Pakistani families fear their relatives drowned when a migrant boat sank off Greece last week, making it one of Pakistan's worst man-made disasters, the government said on Friday (23). The rusty trawler packed with travellers capsized in the Ionian Sea on June 14 after setting sail from…
US president Joe Biden and Indian prime minister Narendra Modi called on Pakistan to act to ensure that its territory is not used to launch extremist attacks, the White House said in a joint statement. "They strongly condemned cross-border terrorism, the use of terrorist proxies and called on Pakistan to…
DIAMONDS are a girl’s best friend, it is said, and prime minister Narendra Modi swerved clear of any controversy by gifting an eco-friendly lab-grown 7.5 carat diamond to US first lady Jill Biden. President Joe Biden and his wife hosted Modi for an intimate dinner at the White House on…
PAKISTAN authorities arrested 14 alleged human traffickers last Sunday (18), days after hundreds of migrants were feared drowned off the Greek coast. Every year, thousands of young Pakistanis embark on perilous journeys attempting to enter Europe illegally in search of a better life. Local media said as many as 300…
Prior to embarking on a journey aboard a dilapidated fishing trawler from Libya to Europe, which he hoped would take him to a brighter future in Europe, 21-year-old Pakistani, Muhammad Akash, reached out to his family for a final conversation. "He made a heartfelt phone call to his brother, urging…
PAKISTAN authorities arrested 10 alleged human traffickers on Sunday, days after hundreds of migrants were feared drowned off the Greek coast.Every year, thousands of young Pakistanis embark on perilous journeys attempting to enter Europe illegally in search of a better life.Media reports said as many as 300 Pakistanis had died…
Five suspected militants had been killed near the heavily fortified frontier that separates the disputed territory from Pakistan, police in the Indian-controlled part of Kashmir said on Friday (15). According to police chief Vijay Kumar's Twitter statement, the individuals, identified as "foreign terrorists," died during an encounter with government forces…
India's top anti-terrorism investigation agency last Friday (26) again sought the death sentence for a leading Kashmiri independence figure and former rebel leader after he was given life in prison, official sources said. Muhammad Yasin Malik, 57, chief of Jammu Kashmir Liberation Front (JKLF), pleaded guilty last year to funding…
At least 11 people died after an avalanche hit members of a nomadic tribe as they crossed a mountainous area in northern Pakistan, the country's disaster management agency said on Saturday (27). Another 13 people were injured in the avalanche which struck a group of families at Shounter Top Pass…
UK opposition leader Sir Keir Starmer has expressed the need to expand the India-UK relationship in various crucial domains in his foreign policy pitch leading up to the anticipated general election next year. Starmer emphasised the immense potential for mutual benefits that can be derived from enhancing bilateral ties. According…
Toplined by Adah Sharma, filmmaker Sudipto Sen’s The Kerala Story has been hitting headlines ever since entering cinemas on May 5, 2023. Despite facing opposition from several states and political leaders, the film has been performing exceptionally well in India and some key international territories. Resultantly, it has managed to…
The Group of Twenty (G20) is now “the premier forum for international economic cooperation.” The G20 comprises 19 countries and the European Union. Founded in 1999 and upgraded after the 2007-08 financial crisis, “it plays an important role in shaping and strengthening global architecture and governance on all major international…
India is "abusing" its presidency of the G20 by holding a tourism conference in the portion of Kashmir it controls, Pakistan's foreign minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari said. "I wish I could say I was surprised, but I think that this is a continuation in what is becoming a norm now,…
Popular actress Saumya Tandon is in Kashmir, shooting and spending a good vacation. The Bhabhi Ji Ghar Par Hai actress is in all praise of the changes she can witness in the state especially in terms of development in the status of women and destination feeling "nicer and safer". She…
Jammu & Kashmir is hosting the 3-day long G20 Tourism Working Group (TWG) meeting in Srinagar. It is the first big event to be organised in Kashmir after the Indian government revoked Article 370 in 2019. As the G20 summit gets underway and around 60 delegates and 20 journalists from…
RRR star Ram Charan on Monday said Kashmir is the "coolest" place to shoot films in India and it is a surreal feeling to visit the Valley. The actor was speaking at the 'Film Tourism for Economic and Cultural Preservation' event here at Sheri Kashmir International Convention Centre (SKICC), being…
Hundreds of people rallied in Pakistan-administered Kashmir on Monday (22) to protest arch rival India's decision to host a G20 tourism meeting in its part of the disputed Himalayan region, said a government official. New Delhi is hosting the key conference in Kashmir's summer capital Srinagar from Monday to Wednesday,…
Commencing on Monday (22), a G20 tourism meeting began in Indian-administered Kashmir amidst increased security measures, triggering criticism from China and Pakistan due to the disputed status of the territory. In anticipation of the G20 meeting, which marks the first diplomatic event in the region since New Delhi's revocation of…
As the nation prepares to celebrate Armed Forces Day on 20th May 2023, it's worth noting that the Indian military has a unique bond with the film industry. Many actors and actresses in Bollywood come from military families. They've gone on to make a name for themselves in the entertainment…
Security measures in the Jammu and Kashmir region have been heightened by Indian authorities due to a surge in militant attacks leading up to a G20 meeting focusing on tourism in the Himalayan territory. Officials confirmed the increased security measures on Wednesday (17), as the city of Srinagar, the summer…
The G20 meeting, which is scheduled to be held in Srinagar for the first time, is just a few days away. Like many, even Oscar-winning The Elephant Whisperers' producer Guneet Monga can't keep calm and shared her excitement with her fans. Guneet took to Twitter and posted a video message…
The much-awaited teaser for the upcoming Bollywood film Satya Prem Ki Katha starring Kartik Aaryan and Kiara Advani is finally out to redefine romance. Kartik took to Instagram and treated his fans with a big surprise in the form of a teaser. The teaser begins with Kartik's voice-over, expressing his…
Amid political turmoil in neighbouring countries, India, as the current G20 presidency, is poised to make a bold statement by hosting the third G20 tourism working group meeting in the picturesque region of Kashmir. From May 22 to 24, the Sher-i-Kashmir International Conference Centre (SKICC) in Srinagar will be abuzz…
The love story might have blossomed in the soil of London, but they are desi at hearts! Parineeti Chopra got engaged to her 'Ishaqzaade' Raghav Chadha in an intimate ceremony on Saturday. The ceremony was observed following Sikh rituals. After months of speculations, the duo put an end to it…
A retrospective on screen icon Amitabh Bachchan, Anurag Kashyap's detective drama Kennedy, and Joram starring Manoj Bajpayee are some of the Indian films that are heading to the 70th Sydney Film Festival. In total the festival, which will be held in Sydney from June 7 to June 18, will play 90…
The Indian government has changed the rules for obtaining the Indian visa. The aim is to support the tourism industry in the country. Tourists will be able to spend more time in India and discover new attractions, like for instance the filming locations of some of the most famous Bollywood…
Three people on the ground died in India on Monday (8) when a Russian-made MiG-21 military aircraft suffered an "onboard emergency" and obliterated a house, authorities said. India's air force has seen a string of crashes in recent years, many of them linked to decades-old planes supplied by the former…
India gave a frosty reception Friday (5) to Pakistan's foreign minister during the first official visit by a senior official from its arch-rival neighbour since 2016. Relations between the countries have remained tense in recent years with both sides trading barbs over the disputed territory of Kashmir, with Friday no…
Pakistan's foreign minister, Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, arrived in India Thursday (4) to take part in an international conference, the first official visit by a senior Pakistani official to India since 2016. Bhutto Zardari is in Goa for a Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) meeting of foreign ministers, along with counterparts from…
The world's tallest railway bridge is now in India, standing at 359 metres (around 1,180 feet) above the Chenab River in the Jammu and Kashmir region. At 29 metres (over 95 feet) taller than the Eiffel Tower, the Chenab Bridge is a remarkable feat of engineering. The construction of the…
In flood-hit southeastern Pakistan, villagers are trading tents and tarpaulins provided by aid agencies for local materials such as lime, mud and bamboo to build their own low-cost and water-resistant homes as part of a post-disaster recovery rethink. They have been designed by Yasmeen Lari – Pakistan’s first certified female…
A plan by the Indian government to train and arm civilians in Kashmir to fight off rebel attacks has divided opinions among local residents. Known as Village Defence Guards, the militia units were launched last year after several murders targeting police officers and Hindu residents of Kashmir. The scheme has…
Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan is currently flying high on the massive success of his recently released action thriller film Pathaan. Meanwhile, speculations around his resuming the shoot of his upcoming film Dunki started spreading on social media after he was spotted at the Mumbai Airport on Monday. SRK jetted…
The much-anticipated world premiere of the action-comedy film Money Back Guarantee- MBG was held with great fanfare and glamour on Thursday, April 20 2023 at Nueplex Cinema DHA Karachi. The multi-ensemble cast of MBG who attended the premiere included Javed Sheikh, Fawad Khan, Hina Dilpazir, Shayan Khan, Mikaal Zulfiqar, Mirza…
Five soldiers were killed on Thursday (20) in disputed Indian-administered Kashmir after suspected insurgents opened fire and dropped explosives at an army convoy, according to a military statement. According to the report, the car caught fire "due to likely use of grenades" thrown by the unidentified attackers in the southern…
Pakistan foreign minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari will participate in the Shanghai Co-operation Organisation (SCO) meeting in India next month. Foreign Office spokesperson Mumtaz Zahrah Baloch said in Islamabad on Thursday (20): “…Zardari will be leading the Pakistan delegation to the SCO Council of Foreign Ministers (CFM) being held on May…
Veteran actor Mithun Chakraborty on Friday said it is unfair to draw comparisons between him and his son Namashi, who is set to make his acting debut with Bad Boy. The movie, scheduled to hit the theatres on April 28, is directed by veteran filmmaker Rajkumar Santoshi and produced by…
Indian security forces brought down a Pakistani drone that crossed the Line of Control (LoC) in Rajouri district of Jammu and Kashmir and launched a search operation in the area. Officials reported the recovery of five AK-47 rifle magazines, 131 rounds of fire, Rs 2 lakh in cash, and other…
Pakistan criticised India's announcement to conduct G20 meetings in the disputed Kashmir region next month and described it as an "unwise" decision. Kashmir is claimed by both countries but governed partially. The two nations, which have fought three wars, including two over Kashmir, are armed with nuclear weapons. India currently…
The third edition of the Jammu Film Festival commenced with a grand opening at Abhinav Theatre on Saturday. The venue was beautifully decorated with art installations, and the festive ambience was further enhanced with folk dances outside the hall to welcome the guests. The opening ceremony was a grand affair,…
According to a senior official from the Wildlife department, the wetlands of Kashmir were visited by a record-breaking 13 to 14 lakh birds from Eastern Europe and Central Asia this winter. The wildlife department conducted a census, which revealed the notable rise in bird arrivals, attributed to the efforts made…
Imran Khan alleges that General Qamar Javed Bajwa, the former Army chief, had urged him to establish cordial relations with India. The relationship between the two countries has been fraught with tension over the Kashmir issue and cross-border terrorism from Pakistan. However, their relationship took a nosedive after India repealed…
I (FELICITY) am apparently descended from a lineage of Sikhs, whose legendary kingdom once spanned Punjab, Peshawar and Kashmir. In the 19th century, its 12-year-old maharaja was coerced into surrendering the empire’s most treasured possession to Viscount Henry Hardinge, signifying a British victory over the Lahore Darbar. It is in…
ACCLAIMED British author Mirza Waheed has followed up his first two books The Collaborator, and The Book of Gold Leaves with his newly published novel Tell Her Everything. He tells a compelling story of a remorseful father getting ready to confess something to his estranged daughter and recalling the long…
The US state department in its yearly report on human rights practices stated that India had "significant human rights issues" and instances of abuse, which included the targeting of dissidents, journalists, and religious minorities. This report was released almost a year following secretary of state Antony Blinken's statement that the…
The police in northern India extended a mobile internet blackout across a state with a population of around 30 million on Monday (20), as they continued their search for a radical Sikh preacher, Amritpal Singh. The extension followed reports of Singh's supporters vandalising India's consulate in San Francisco and a…
Dubai's Emaar Group has announced plans to construct a $60 million office and shopping complex at Srinagar in Jammu and Kashmir. This is the first foreign investment in the region, which has been grappling with Muslim separatist conflict against the government for many years. The project, valued at $60.50m (£49.4m)…
While filmmaker Vivek Ranjan Agnihotri is gearing up for his next The Vaccine War, his last release The Kashmir Files continues its winning streak at award functions. The film just has added yet another glory to its book by winning the Iconic Gold Awards 2023 for 'Best Film Of The…
After winning audiences’ hearts with their intense chemistry in the 2020 Pakistani television series Sabaat, produced by Momina Duraid under MD Productions, popular Pakistani actors Mawra Hocane and Ameer Gilani have joined hands once again for an upcoming drama. Yes, you read that absolutely right! The pair is set to…
A man who pretended to be a senior official from Prime Minister Narendra Modi's office has been arrested by the police, The BBC reported on Friday (17). Kiran Patel was apprehended by security officials during his visit to the Kashmir valley on March (02) and was charged with cheating, impersonation,…
India has invited Pakistan defence minister Khawaja Asif to attend the meeting of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) to be held in New Delhi in April, according to a media report. India currently holds the presidency of the SCO, which comprises China, India, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, Pakistan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan.…
Asia's largest tulip garden, Indira Gandhi Memorial Tulip Garden, situated in Kashmir between Dal Lake and the Zabarwan hills, is fully bloomed and set to open for tourists from Sunday (19). The garden will showcase 1.5 million tulips in different colours along with other spring flowers such as hyacinths, daffodils,…
During a press conference on Friday (10), Pakistan's Foreign Minister, Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, acknowledged the difficulty of getting the Kashmir issue to the forefront of the United Nations' agenda, calling it an "uphill task." Zardari also stumbled when referring to India, initially describing it as "our friend" before correcting himself…
During a Congressional hearing in the US on Wednesday (08), the Office of the Director of National Intelligence submitted its annual threat assessment report, stating that the American intelligence community anticipates heightened tensions and potential conflicts between India and Pakistan, as well as India and China. The report highlights that…
Today, the Indian film industry lost one of the most prolific gems it ever had. With the news of veteran actor Satish Kaushik passing away, the entire film fraternity is mourning his loss. Filmmaker Vivek Ranjan Agnihotri, who has worked closely with late actor Satish Kaushik as he had jointly…
The art of creating intricate wicker products was on the brink of extinction due to diminishing returns and a lack of incentives. However, the Jammu and Kashmir administration intervened in a timely manner, reviving the craft that was originally introduced by the British in the Valley. Wickerwork is the newest…
RAHUL GANDHI, the former president of India’s opposition Congress, said he is not afraid of criticism and asserted the fight in his country is between “courage and cowardice”.During his interaction with the Indian diaspora, organised by the Indian Overseas Congress in London on Sunday (6), he said of the governing…
INDIA imposed by far the highest number of internet shutdowns in the world in 2022, internet advocacy watchdog Access Now has said, as the country topped the list for the fifth successive year. Out of 187 internet shutdowns globally recorded by Access Now, 84 took place in India, including 49…
Vivek Ranjan Agnihotri is unstoppable and how! Last year the filmmaker delivered one of the most successful films of Indian cinema in the form of The Kashmir Files and won acclaim from the audience to critics. The filmmaker and the cast of the film have won back-to-back awards ever since…
RAHUL GANDHI, the former president of India’s opposition Congress, arrived in the UK on Tuesday (28) to kick off his week-long tour with an address at the University of Cambridge. He will also hold discussions with Indian diaspora groups in London. The MP, who is a visiting fellow of the…
Vivek Ranjan Agnihotri’s highly acclaimed film The Kashmir Files (2022) garnered love across the world last year and even after one year of its release, the film is getting applauded for its amazing filmography and incredible performances. This time, The Kashmir Files won accolades at Zee Cine Awards 2023 for…
Actor Anupam Kher recently attended the 'Global Kashmiri Pandit Conclave' in New Delhi where he spoke at length about the ordeals of Kashmiri Pandits and how his film The Kashmir Files highlighted them. He cited the atrocities that were meted out to the Kashmiri Pandits and urged the audience to…
A BIG streaming site success this month has been Class, the Hindi adaptation of the hit Spanish drama Elite. The eight-episode Netflix series about working-class students enrolled at an elite school with wealthy classmates has received a positive response from critics and audiences alike. Exciting newcomer Chintan Rachchh has been…
An Iranian foundation has praised the man who attacked novelist Salman Rushdie last year, leaving him severely injured and said it will reward him with 1,000 square metres of agricultural land, state TV reported on Tuesday through its Telegram channel. Rushdie, 75, lost an eye and the use of one…
The Hindi film industry is still a "little ageist" with few roles for women of a certain age like there are in Hollywood for Meryl Streep, Judi Dench, or Maggie Smith but things are changing, albeit slowly, says veteran actor Sharmila Tagore. Streaming space could be a game changer, says…
Playing a diva, a woman who has a mind of her own or performing "messy" action sequences, Kriti Sanon says as an actor she wants to do it all without limiting herself to one genre. The actor, best known for her work in films such as "Bareilly Ki Barfi" and…
Reacting to home minister Amit Shah's statement on the restoration of statehood in Jammu and Kashmir, JKNC MP Farooq Abdullah said that they (the government) will give a truncated statehood after elections. Union home Minister Amit Shah said that the restoration of statehood to Jammu and Kashmir will come up…
Any media organisation functioning in India will have to follow the rules and regulations of the country, the BJP spokesperson Gaurav Bhatia said on Tuesday, amid the ongoing 'survey' operations on BBC offices by the IT department. Addressing a press conference here on Tuesday, Bhatia said, "Income Tax department lawfully…
The country’s first lithium reserve, found in Jammu and Kashmir, is of the best quality, a senior government official said here on Saturday, as upbeat villagers expressed hope the discovery will bring them a bright future. The 5.9-million ton reserve of lithium, a crucial mineral for the manufacturing of electric…
The Supreme Court on Friday dismissed a plea seeking to impose a complete ban on the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) in India in wake of a controversial documentary regarding the 2002 Gujarat riots, terming it "entirely misconceived" and "absolutely meritless". A bench comprising Justices Sanjiv Khanna and M M Sundresh…
A review into the UK government's scheme set up to prevent terrorism has flagged the radicalisation of UK Muslims over Kashmir and "potentially toxic" pro-Khalistan extremism as some of the areas of growing concern and made recommendations for improvements to tackle Islamist extremism as the "primary threat" to the country.…
The government on Thursday said lithium reserves have been found for the first time in the northern state of Jammu and Kashmir. Lithium is a non-ferrous metal and is one of the key components in EV batteries. "For the first time, lithium reserves have been discovered and that too in…
Shah Rukh Khan’s latest outing Pathaan (2023) has been enjoying a great run at the box office ever since its release on January 25. Helmed by Siddharth Anand, the film has already clocked approximately £80 million at the global box office and is now eyeing to enter the much coveted…
Filmmaker Vivek Ranjan Agnihotri is not new to controversies. Ever since the release and earth-shattering success of his last directorial The Kashmir Files (2022), the filmmaker has been mired in one controversy after another. He has sparked an online furor yet again as he threw shade on celebrities opting for…
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Tuesday linked the massive rise in the business fortunes and personal wealth of businessman Gautam Adani to the Modi government coming to power in 2014, as he launched a sharp attack on the BJP dispensation over the Adani issue. His charges in Lok Sabha, the…
Pakistan's former military ruler General (retd.) Pervez Musharraf, the architect of the Kargil War in 1999, died on Sunday in Dubai after a prolonged illness.The four-star general, who ruled Pakistan in a dictator-style and passed away on Sunday at the age of 79, was born in Delhi. During his reign…
It was the "Kargil episode" of 1999 that created the biggest rift between then Pakistan president Parvez Musharraf and then prime minister Nawaz Sharif after he denied any knowledge of it to make himself look clean, according to a book written by the deceased ex-military ruler.The book 'In the Line…
After a long wait, the makers of Tamil superstar Vijay’s upcoming film revealed the official title of the project through a promo video released on Friday. Lokesh Kanagaraj is attached to helm the forthcoming film that has been titled Leo. It was tentatively named Thalapathy 67. The director took to…
Rajya Sabha MP, the upper house of Indian parliament, and senior Supreme Court advocate Mahesh Jethmalani on Thursday lashed out at "BBC apologists" for seeking proof of the Chinese tech giant Huawei's payments to the British Broadcasting Corporation, and alleged that the UK-based broadcaster has 18 other Chinese clients. https://twitter.com/JethmalaniM/status/1620974901128761344?s=20&t=V56PfN6BxJtgGvPYWH1dFA…
Ajay Piramal, chairman of the Piramal Group and Pratham Education Foundation, on January 18 released the 17th Annual Status of Education Report (ASER) 2022 in New Delhi, India. ASER is an annual survey which aims to give reliable estimates of children’s enrolment and basic learning levels for each district and…
India has asked Pakistan to change a decades-old water-sharing agreement by barring third parties from intervening in disputes, an Indian government source said, a suggestion likely to rile Islamabad. The nuclear-armed neighbours and foes have been arguing over hydroelectric projects on the shared Indus river and its tributaries for many…
Actor Chinmay Mandlekar delivered a very nuanced performance in Vivek Ranjan’s Agnihotri The Kashmir Files (2022). He played the character of terrorist Farooq Malik Bitta in the blockbuster film and impressed everyone with his riveting act. The actor can be currently seen in Rajkumar Santoshi’s latest directorial Gandhi Godse: Ek…
For Chayn Sanjay Kohli, a second-year BSc student in Management at Warwick Business School, her journey towards gender equality and women’s empowerment started during a football league in Mumbai, her home town some years ago. At the football event, women players between 18 and 35 had taken part and since…
India has invited Pakistan's foreign minister to a meeting of the Shanghai Co-operation Organisation (SCO) that it is hosting in May, Indian media reported on Wednesday, signalling a possible thaw in relations between the nuclear-armed rivals. The invitation came days after Pakistani Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif called for talks with…
Former US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo has claimed that he was awakened to speak to his then-Indian counterpart Sushma Swaraj who told him that Pakistan was preparing for a nuclear attack in the wake of the Balakot surgical strike in February 2019 and India is preparing its own escalatory…
Viewed as India’s most eligible bachelor by some, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi says he’ll get married when the right girl comes along and part of the problem is that his parents' “really lovely marriage” has set the bar very high. In a free-wheeling, light-hearted chat on food and travel platform…
Pakistani minister of state foreign affairs Hina Rabbani Khar on Thursday (19) said her country does not see a “partner” in Indian prime minister Narendra Modi for working towards peace between the two countries, but it saw a partner in his predecessors Manmohan Singh and Atal Bihari Vajpayee. Speaking at…
Actress Smriti Kalra made her acting debut with the popular TV show 12/24 Karol Bagh, and post that has entertained us with some hit shows like Suvreen Guggal, Dil Sambhal Jaa Zara, and many more. After working in television for quite a long time, Smriti made her big screen debut…
Vivek Agnihotri's directorial The Kashmir Files, which was released in theatres last year and proved to be a blockbuster hit, is all set to hit the silver screens once again this year on January 19, which the Kashmiri Hindu community observes as 'Exodus Day'. Actor Anupam Kher who essays a…
In a major diplomatic victory for India, Abdul Rehman Makki was designated a global terrorist by the UN after China lifted its hold on a joint India-US proposal to blacklist the deputy chief of Pakistan-based terror group Lashkar-e-Taiba. The UN Security Council’s 1267 ISIL (Da’esh) and Al Qaeda Sanctions Committee…
Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has sought "serious" and "sincere" talks with his Indian counterpart Narendra Modi for the resolution of the "burning" issues, including on Kashmir, and said the UAE could play an important role in facilitating the resumption of dialogue between the two nuclear-armed neighbours. Prime Minister Sharif…
Pakistan on Friday said it has always welcomed the international community playing a role in promoting peace in the region, including in facilitating a dialogue with India for the resolution of the core issues, including on Kashmir. Foreign Office spokesperson Mumtaz Zahra Baloch made these comments during the weekly press…
She started working towards improving gender equality in India at the age of 14 and last year, the efforts culminated in Chayn Sanjay Kohli receiving the Student Award for Excellence in Gender Equality in 2022. A second-year student of BSc in Management, Kohli has worked on the issue of gender…
Makers of the upcoming action thriller film 'Pathaan' starring Shah Rukh Khan, Deepika Padukone, and John Abraham unveiled the trailer on Tuesday. King Khan thanked actor Ram Charan for his shoutout to the movie in his trademark style. The 'RRR' star who is in Los Angeles for the Golden Globe…
Indian blockbusters RRR, The Kashmir Files, Kantara, and Gangubai Kathiawadi have made it to the Oscars 2023 reminder list. The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (AMPAS) released a remainder list of 301 feature films eligible for the Oscars 2023. Previously, Pan Nalin's Gujarati film Chhello Show was announced as…
Anupam Kher is officially a part of filmmaker Vivek Agnihotri's next directorial The Vaccine War and has commenced shooting for the film, the veteran actor announced on Monday. The film marks the fourth collaboration between Agnihotri and Kher after movies such as "Buddha in a Traffic Jam", "The Tashkent Files" and…
2022 was a year filled with many box office hits. While many big-budget films performed below expectations at the box office, many unexpected ones did extremely well. Check to see if your favourite actor made the cut. 1. Kartik Aaryan 2022 was a successful year for Kartik Aaryan who gave…
Filmmaker Rajkumar Santoshi, known for delivering such notable films as Ghayal (1990), Damini (1993), Andaz Apna Apna (1994), Ghatak (1996), and Lajja (2001), is set to make his directorial comeback after a long gap of 10 years. His last directorial venture was Shahid Kapoor and Ileana D’Cruz starrer Phata Poster…
Sargam Koushal was named Mrs World 2022, besting contestants from 63 countries to bring the title back to India after 21 years. Mrs World 2021 Shaylyn Ford of the US presented the crown to Mumbai-based Koushal at a ceremony held at Westgate Las Vegas Resort & Casino on Saturday evening.…
The BJP on Friday slammed Pakistan’s Bilawal Bhutto for his objectionable comments against Prime Minister Narendra Modi, saying the foreign affairs minister of the neighbouring country represents a “morally, intellectually and financially bankrupt” nation which has no credibility due to its support to terrorism. Union minister Anurag Thakur said Bhutto’s…
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday (14) hailed BAPS leader Pramukh Swami Maharaj as a reformer who devoted his life to selfless service of others and recalled his long association with the late saint, who he said, treated him like a son. Recalling his conversation with Pramukh Swami Maharaj when…
A war of words erupted between filmmakers Vivek Agnihotri and Anurag Kashyap on Twitter on Wednesday after the 'The Kashmir Files' director shared his disagreement over Mr Kashyap's statement on recent movies. Taking to Twitter, Mr Agnihotri shared a screenshot of Anurag Kashyap's interview which read, "Films like Kantara and…
Controversies go synonymous with the Entertainment industry! And 2022 was rather full of them. Bollywood celebrities are known to get involved in some controversy or another and as mentioned above, this year was no different. As 2022 is coming to an end, we thought of going down memory lane and…
Lancashire’s fast bowler Saqib Mahmood hopes to return to the England team before the next summer as he is recovering from a stress fracture of the back suffered in May this year.The 25-year-old cricketer, who made his Test debut against the West Indies in March is now training in the…
LIVE PERFORMANCE PADMAVATI - AN AVATAR When: Saturday December 10 Where: The Bhavan, 4A Castletown Road, London W14 9HE What: Renowned artist Bala Devi Chandrashekar presents a dance drama interpretation of an immortal classic from Gita Govindam. This production gives glimpses into the character of Padmavati, the divine consort of…
Pakistani actress Mahira Khan made her dream Bollywood debut in Raees (2017) opposite none other than Shah Rukh Khan. The film, which also featured Nawazuddin Siddiqui in a significant role, turned out to be a box office hit despite clashing with Hrithik Roshan and Yami Gautam’s Kaabil at the ticket…
The Federation of Western India Cine Employees (FWICE) has issued a statement condemning Nadav Lapid's controversial remarks on the film 'The Kashmir Files' at IFFI. FWICE in a statement called asked the Israeli filmmaker to issue an unconditional apology. "The FWICE, the oldest and the largest organisation of the workers,…
Bengali filmmaker Sudipto Sen has finally opened up on 'The Kashmir Files' row at the 53rd International Film Festival of India (IFFI). In a conversation with ANI, the 'Lucknow Times' filmmaker, who was a part of the jury board at the IFFI, said he found it 'unethical' on the part…
Pakistan’s newly-appointed Army chief General Asim Munir on Saturday (3) said that if his country is attacked, the Pakistani armed forces will “not only defend every inch of our motherland, but to take the fight back to the enemy.” Munir made the remarks during his first-ever visit to troops in…
Offering a "total apology" if his remarks on "The Kashmir Files" had been misinterpreted, Israeli filmmaker Nadav Lapid has said his aim was not to insult the Kashmiri Pandit community or those who had suffered. Lapid, who was the international jury chair at the recent International Film Festival of India…
Veteran Israeli filmmaker Dan Wolman says it was "improper" for his colleague and friend Nadav Lapid to express his personal opinion about "The Kashmir Files" at the closing ceremony of the 53rd International Film Festival of India. Lapid, who served as the chairperson of IFFI's international jury, termed "The Kashmir…
Veteran actor Anupam Kher, who played the protagonist in the blockbuster 'The Kashmir Files', which documents the alleged genocide and exodus of Kashmiri Pandits from the Valley, on Tuesday spoke up on the raging controversy over International Film Festival of India (IFFI) jury head and Israeli filmmaker Nadav Lapid's statement…
A day after Israeli filmmaker Nadav Lapid termed his film a "propaganda", "The Kashmir Files" director Vivek Agnihotri in a cryptic social media post said truth is the most dangerous thing as it can make people lie. Agnihotri's reaction comes after veteran actor Anupam Kher, who starred in "The Kashmir…
The debate over "The Kashmir Files" will strengthen relations between India and Israel, Israel's Consul General to Midwest India Kobbi Shoshani said on Tuesday while distancing himself and the state from filmmaker Nadav Lapid's remarks on the film. Shoshani, who shared the dais with actor Anupam Kher at a press…
South actor Prakash Raj, on Friday, confronted actor Akshay Kumar for calling out Richa Chadha over her comment about the 2020 Galwan clash, in which several Indian Army soldiers died. Taking to Twitter, Prakash Raj reacted to Akshay's tweet and wrote, "Didn't expect this from you @akshaykumar..having said that @RichaChadha…
Actors Anupam Kher, Kay Kay Menon and Ranvir Shorey are the latest cine personalities to criticise Richa Chadha over her comment on the 2020 deadly Galwan Valley clash. Chadha, in her now deleted tweet, had written "Galwan says hi" in response to the Northern Army Commander Lt General Upendra Dwivedi’s…
Bollywood actor Richa Chadha has issued an apology statement through a tweet after being slammed on social media for posting a tweet on the 2020 Galwan clash, in which several Indian Army soldiers died. Taking to Twitter, Richa wrote, "Even though it can never be my intention in the least,…
Veteran actor Anupam Kher is one fit actor! Even though he's in his 60s, he's regular at the gym, and going by his social media posts, it looks like he doesn't ever miss his workout! The Padma Bhushan awardee, known for "reinventing" himself on screen, is also aiming to "reinvent"…
Following the invitation to controversial Islamic preacher Zakir Naik by Qatar to FIFA World Cup, India ruling party, Bharatiya Janata Party's (BJP) Savio Rodrigues on Tuesday appealed to the government, Indian Football Associations and Indians travelling to the host nation to boycott the sporting event. Zakir Naik, who is an…
Indian fugitive preacher Zakir Naik, who faces charges of money laundering and hate speech in India, is set to give religious lectures at the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar, according to social media posts. "Preacher Sheikh Zakir Naik is present in Qatar during the World Cup and will give…
Vivek Ranjan Agnihotri has created a rage among the audience with his last release 'The Kashmir Files'. While the filmmaker received immense love and support from the audience and the critics, they are eagerly waiting for yet another cinematic wonder from him. While raising the anticipation for his upcoming film,…
LABOUR does not take the British south Asian vote for granted, party leader Sir Keir Starmer told Eastern Eye. He also revealed his determination to work as “grown up” partners with the communities and his ambition to be the next prime minister. In an exclusive and wide-ranging interview prior to…
Vivek Agnihotri slams Bollywood yet again; calls it ‘blind, deaf and dumb’ Filmmaker Vivek Agnihotri has slammed Bollywood yet again. Taking a swipe at Hindi filmmakers for releasing films that fail to strike a chord with the audience and perform poorly at the ticket window. The filmmaker took to Twitter…
Kashmiri celebrity chef Sanjay Raina's latest social media post featuring the new UK prime minister Rishi Sunak in the backdrop is a heartwarming treat for netizens to watch. The video, in which the UK prime minister is referring to chef's uncle as 'Mama' is seen as yet another leaf of…
China on Thursday said India and Pakistan should resolve the Kashmir issue through dialogue and consultations and avoid taking “unilateral actions” that could further complicate the situation. Replying to a question on the Kashmir issue raised by a Pakistani journalist, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning during a media briefing…
Salman Rushdie lost sight in one eye and the use of one hand following an attack on stage at a literary event in western New York in August, his agent said. Andrew Wylie, who represents literary giants such as Saul Bellow and Roberto Bolano, described the extent of the injuries…
Helmed by Vivek Ranjan Agnihotri, The Kashmir Files is one of the highest-grossing films of 2022, which received a thunderous response from the audience and ran for a couple of months in cinemas. Made on a shoestring budget, the film went on to collect a whopping amount at the ticket…
RRR, which hit screens in March 2022, is yet not done. The SS Rajamouli magnum-opus, starring Ram Charan and Jr. NTR, was not selected as India’s official entry to Oscars 2023. However, the film has finally made it to the Oscar race and how. After being rejected as India’s official…
A ten-year-old girl from Kashmir's Sopore has taken the internet by storm with her social media videos. Known as the youngest social media influencer from the Kashmir Valley, Aqsa Masrat has enthralled hundreds of thousands of people who watch her videos regularly. The young girl puts videos not just about…
The festive season is here. Great food, festivity, and of course dressing up to make many heads turn is what we all aspire for, isn’t it? Are you also looking for ways to add the dapper factor to your Indian look this time? Dheeraj Dhoopar may have a perfect solution…
HE MAY have enjoyed big success in Malayalam cinema, but Dulquer Salmaan has always been willing to cross new horizons with Hindi, Tamil, and Telugu films. The versatile actor followed up a winning performance in smash hit Telugu language period romance Sita Ramam with a darker role in newly released…
British member of parliament (MP) Bob Blackman on Thursday (22) came forward in support of the Hindu community after violence between Hindu and Muslim communities have affected areas such as Leicester, saying he condemned "violent attacks on Hindu temples in Leicester and Smethwick" and cautioned that the Hindu festivals of…
External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar has slammed the mainstream American media, including The Washington Post, for their “biased” coverage of India. “I look at the media. You know, there are some newspapers you know, exactly, what they are going to write including one in this town,” Jaishankar told a gathering…
Indian-American Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi has said that Pakistan's spy agency ISI considers him an "enemy" because of his stand against the radicals in the South Asian country. The Democratic Party lawmaker from Illinois said this while addressing community members during a fundraiser hosted by him in Boston at the residence…
Outsiders are coming to Leicester to cause tensions among the city’s south Asian communities, sources have told Eastern Eye. In the past three weeks, police arrested 47 people following violence in the city. Last weekend (16-17), they arrested 18 suspects, and some of those were from outside the city, sources…
Emraan Hashmi has dismissed reports that he was injured in stone pelting during the shooting of his upcoming film in Kashmir. A few weeks ago, a Bollywood actor shared a picture on Instagram after he headed to Srinagar to shoot for his upcoming film. Some reports claim that the actor…
Allrounder Moeen Ali said Sunday that captaining England against Pakistan -- where his family have roots -- was a "huge and proud moment". England are on their first tour of Pakistan in 17 years, and will play seven Twenty20s. The first T20 will be played in Karachi on Tuesday. Captain…
Vivek Ranjan Agnihotri is unstoppable! The Indian film director has always managed to make it to the headline for every move he makes. The director has strong opinions and never shies away from putting forward his point. Now after all the accomplishments the filmmaker has achieved this year, Vivek Ranjan…
Pakistan's Finance Minister Miftah Ismail said on Wednesday the government will consider importing goods from India after consulting its coalition partners and key stakeholders, as the cash-strapped nation seeks to stabilise soaring food prices triggered by flash floods that have wrought havoc across the country. The idea to import edible…
LABOUR’S deputy leader Angela Rayner has defended the party’s decision to raise concerns over alleged human rights breaches in Indian Kashmir, saying, “we stand up for human rights and we will never shirk from that responsibility”. In an exclusive interview with Eastern Eye, Rayner said Labour would be respectful in…
Veteran Bollywood actor and Padma Bhushan awardee Anupam Kher, on Monday, spoke about the boycott trends on social media and targeted Aamir Khan starrer 'Lal Singh Chaddha' by stating good movies find ways to work. Speaking to ANI, Kher said that boycott trends can't affect a movie if it is…
With Baahubali: The Beginning and Baahubali: The Conclusion, filmmaker SS Rajamouli shot to overnight fame and his latest directorial RRR has established him as one of the most popular filmmakers in the world. Starring Jr NTR and Ram Charan in lead roles, RRR is touted as one of the biggest…
The man accused of stabbing novelist Salman Rushdie last week in western New York pleaded not guilty to second-degree attempted murder and assault charges on Thursday and was held without bail. Hadi Matar, 24, is accused of wounding Rushdie, 75, on Friday just before the "The Satanic Verses" author was…
Thirty interesting facts about iconic Indian film to celebrate its 30th anniversary This week marks the 30th anniversary of iconic Indian film Roja. The Tamil romantic thriller about a man kidnapped in Kashmir by terrorists and his wife’s desperate attempts to get him free resonated strongly with audiences when it…
A British Asian paediatric neurosurgeon led complex surgeries to separate Brazilian twins conjoined in the head. Nearly four-year-old Bernardo and Arthur, born with their heads fused, are the oldest twins to undergo such a procedure whose success is considered a “remarkable achievement.”Noor ul Owase Jeelani, who works at the UK’s…
Superstar Salman Khan on Monday said films from the south are doing "really well" and though every artist wants to make a good movie, there is no formula to guarantee box office success. Khan recently came on board to present the Hindi version of Kichcha Sudeepa's upcoming Kannada fantasy action-adventure…
Telangana Chief Minister K Chandrashekar Rao on Sunday said that the floods in the state's Godavari region were triggered by the cloudburst which is suspected to be a "foreign conspiracy". Addressing the press at Badrachalam, KCR said, "A new phenomenon Cloud Burst has emerged. There is a conspiracy behind it.…
Internet Movie Database (IMDb) on Wednesday took to its social media handles to release the list of top 10 Indian movies and streaming shows of 2022 so far. Vikram, starring Kamal Haasan, Fahad Faasil, and Vijay Sethupathi, bagged the top spot. Yash, Sanjay Dutt, and Raveena Tandon starrer KGF: Chapter…
Among the high-profile aspirants in the Tory leadership race is a relatively unknown minister at the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office - Rehman Chishti, who promises “fresh ideas”.The MP for Gillingham and Rainham in southeast England announced his candidacy on social media on Sunday evening, speaking of "aspirational conservatism, fresh…
Veteran actor-director Deepti Naval says it was unfortunate the Indian film industry was being labelled as "the worst place in the world", a perception she wants to change through a future book. Naval, known for her starring roles in Chashme Buddoor, Katha, Kissi Se Na Kehna, and Saath Saath, was…
Pakistan is reaching out to its close allies in the group of twenty - China, Turkey and Saudi Arabia to boycott the G20 meeting in Jammu and Kashmir. "Pakistan to ask China, Turkey and Saudi Arabia to boycott the G20 meeting in J-K," tweeted WLVN Analysis, geopolitics, defence, and national…
For foreign dignitaries, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has often chosen gifts that showcase India's rich cultural and artistic traditions, and it was no different this time as he picked a variety of products for the heads of governments at the G7 Summit. It was distinct artistic products identified with different…
PAKISTAN's Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari on Thursday (16) made a strong pitch for re-engaging with India, saying cutting ties with New Delhi would not serve the country's interests as Islamabad was already internationally isolated and disengaged. Addressing the Founding Day ceremony at the Institute of Strategic Studies in Islamabad, Bilawal…
THE House of Lords on June 9 hosted a lunch in the honour of Indian filmmaker Vivek Agnihotri and actor-producer Pallavi Joshi, his spouse. The luncheon party for the makers of Bollywood film ‘The Kashmir Files’ was hosted by Lord Rami Ranger CBE. In his welcome address, Lord Ranger said,…
INDIAN film director Vivek Agnihotri has urged Hindus to be united and spread the peaceful message of Dharma during his humanity tour in the UK, according to a report. While speaking at the Speaker's Corner at Hyde Park in London, the director of The Kashmir Files said that when Indians found…
Filmmaker Ahmed Khan and Zee Studios are set to bankroll a high-profile film that will feature Bollywood's top action stars in lead roles. Titled Baap, the film will star Mithun Chakraborty, Sunny Deol, Sanjay, Dutt, and Jackie Shroff while Vivek Chauhan has been roped in to call the shots. A…
Protests broke out in some states on Friday including outside Delhi's Jama Masjid over the controversial remarks on Prophet Mohammad by two now-suspended BJP functionaries with demonstrators in Jharkhand injuring a few policemen while authorities in Jammu imposed a curfew in a few areas and parts of Kashmir observed a…
Veteran Bollywood actor Naseeruddin Shah has spoken about the film industry’s silence on the BJP leader’s remarks about Prophet Mohammed. With particular emphasis on the three Khans of Bollywood – Salman, Shah Rukh, and Aamir, Shah said in an interview that the biggest stars in the country have too much…
WRITER REVEALS HOW WORKING IN CONFLICT ZONES GLOBALLY INSPIRED HER DEBUT NOVEL IT WAS perhaps always going to be inevitable that Nandita Dinesh would write her newly published debut novel This Place/That Place. Hailing from Coimbatore in Tamil Nadu and now living in San Francisco, she spent years working on…
"Divided internally, India becomes weak externally. BJP's shameful bigotry has not only isolated us, but also damaged India's standing globally," Gandhi wrote on Twitter. His remarks came in the wake of international outrage over controversial remarks made by two BJP functionaries against Prophet Mohammad, after which they were suspended and…
Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Sunday claimed that Kashmiri Pandits were being forced to leave the Valley due to the targeted killings and demanded the Centre put forth an action plan to stop such incidents.Addressing the Aam Aadmi Party's 'Jan Aakrosh Rally at Jantar Mantar in Delhi, he also…
Four-time National Film Award-winning actress Kangana Ranaut has strongly reacted to the recent killing in Kashmir. For the uninitiated, tension has been rising in Jammu and Kashmir following the recent killings of Kashmiri Pandits. In a recent terror attack, a bank manager was shot dead in Kulgam. Later, The Resistance…
Targeted killings of civilians and the pervasive fear among the people in Kashmir belie the government's claims of normalcy in Jammu and Kashmir, NC president Farooq Abdullah said Thursday, alleging the administration has its head in sand. "This ostrich approach will push the situation to a point of no return,"…
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Wednesday slammed the government over the killing of a Hindu woman teacher in Kulgam, saying Kashmiri Pandits are protesting but the BJP is busy celebrating eight years of the Modi government. "In Kashmir, 15 security personnel have been martyred and 18 civilians have been killed…
Filmmaker Vivek Agnihotri, whose recent film The Kashmir Files (2022) dealt with the issue of the Kashmiri Hindus’ exodus in the Kashmir valley in the early 1990s, has called the Oxford University “Hinduphobic”. His comments come after the University cancelled his address at the last moment. For the uninitiated, Agnihotri…
Kashmiri Pandits, employed under the PM package, on Tuesday threatened to undertake mass migration from the valley if the government did not relocate them to safe places within the next 24 hours as employees from the community hit the streets at various places to protest against the killing of a…
India on Friday described as "unacceptable" the comments made by OIC-IPHRC (Independent Permanent Human Rights Commission) criticising New Delhi for the court ruling against Kashmiri separatist leader Yasin Malik.External Affairs Ministry Spokesperson Arindam Bagchi said the world seeks "zero tolerance" against terrorism and urged the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC)…
Actor Darshan Kumar, who made his acting debut opposite none other than Priyanka Chopra in Omung Kumar’s Mary Kom (2014), is presently basking in the earth-shattering success of his recent release, The Kashmir Files (2022). Helmed by Vivek Ranjan Agnihotri, The Kashmir Files sheds light on the killings and exodus…
AN INDIAN court on Wednesday (25) ordered life in jail for Kashmiri separatist leader Yasin Malik for funding "terrorist" activities and many other charges, prompting street protests outside his residence and condemnation from Pakistan's prime minister.Malik, head of the Jammu and Kashmir Liberation Front (JKLF), had pleaded guilty to the…
INDIA's ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Tuesday (24) questioned Congress leader Rahul Gandhi's meeting with former Labour Party leader Jeremy Corbyn. BJP’s Kapil Mishra slammed Gandhi and raised questions over the meaning of the meeting. Earlier, Corbyn was criticised for his ‘anti-semantic’ views and he has been a vocal…
Indian former media executive Indrani Mukerjea walked out of a Mumbai jail on bail Friday (20), nearly seven years after being arrested for allegedly murdering her daughter. The sensational case, centred on Indrani and then-husband Peter Mukerjea -- a former chief executive of then-Fox-owned broadcaster Star India -- received breathless…
The upcoming Telugu-language film, starring Tollywood stars Samantha Ruth Prabhu and Vijay Deverakonda in principal roles, has locked its official title. Billed as a family entertainer, the film has been titled Kushi. Apart from announcing the official title of the film, the makers also unveiled the first look poster and…
Police fired tear gas and used batons Friday in Indian-administered Kashmir to break up a protest against the killing of a minority Hindu by suspected separatist rebels. Clashes are frequent in the divided territory, which is also claimed by Pakistan, but the police operation was the first in the Muslim-majority…
INDIA's Supreme Court on Wednesday (11) suspended a colonial-era sedition law that activists say is often used by prime minister Narendra Modi's government to target free speech and dissent. Modi's critics say that the law, which was once used by Britain to target independence hero Mahatma Gandhi, has been abused…
Racist, divisive politics which pit Hindus against Muslims and Indians against Pakistanis must stop, say MPs and the mayor of London. The issue is something Eastern Eye has reported several times. But it has reared its head once again after last week’s local elections (5 May). Sources have told this…
Indian filmmaker Vivek Agnihotri’s Hindi film The Kashmir Files, which hit theatres in India on March 11 and went on to emerge as one of the most successful films of recent times, has been banned in Singapore. The film is based on the exodus of Kashmir Pandits from the Kashmir…
Filmmaker Chandraprakash Dwivedi on Monday said the team of his upcoming historical film Prithviraj has been respectful in depicting the life of the legendary warrior king Samrat Prithviraj Chauhan on the big screen. Earlier this year, the Delhi High Court had refused to entertain a plea seeking to modify the…
A MARINE pilot, who loves to blend classic French food with Indian spices, is declared BBC One’s MasterChef 2022 Champion, becoming the 18th amateur cook to claim the title.Eddie Scott, from Beverley in East Yorkshire, faced off strong competition in the final week from eventual runners up Pookie Tredell and…
A REMARKABLE rise has seen Hussain Manawer impact the British cultural landscape with perfectly written poetry. This has not only drawn attention to the power of words, but broken new ground for creative talent, including him becoming the first poet to open Soccer Aid, the FA Cup and BAFTA awards.…
INDIA’S prime minister promised peace and development for Jammu and Kashmir last Sunday (24), during his first public event in the region since it imposed a sweeping security clampdown nearly three years ago. Narendra Modi’s bharatiya Janata Party-led government has sought to quell a long-running insurgency in Indian Kashmir and…
THE more things change in Pakistan, the more they remain the same. At the time of writing, reports from Pakistan indicate Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari is to be his country’s new foreign minister in Shehbaz Sharif’s government. The 33-year-old is the son of Benazir Bhutto, Pakistan’s first and only woman prime minister…
New Delhi on Thursday ruled out any formal talks with Pakistan unless India's neighbour stops supporting "cross-border terrorism", as a new government comes to power in Islamabad. The recent appointment of Shehbaz Sharif as Pakistan's new prime minister has raised hopes of an easing of tensions between the nuclear-armed rivals,…
Speed demon Umran Malik is being backed to win a place in India's bowling attack after lighting up the IPL with deliveries of more than 150kph (93mph) and wickets galore. The 22-year-old returned figures of 5-25, becoming the first player on a losing team this season to be awarded man…
Afghanistan's Rashid Khan hit two sixes off the final two balls to pull off a sensational chase for Gujarat Titans after Sunrisers Hyderabad pace sensation Umran Malik took his first IPL five-for on Wednesday. Needing 196 for victory, Gujarat slipped to 140-5 but Rashid (31) joined Rahul Tewatia (40) to…
INDIA's prime minister will on Sunday (24) hold his first public event in the disputed territory of Jammu and Kashmir since New Delhi imposed a sweeping security clampdown there more than two years ago. Narendra Modi's Hindu nationalist government has sought to quell a long-running insurgency in Indian-administered Kashmir and…
CONGRESSWOMAN Ilhan Omar made a rare visit by a US lawmaker to the Pakistan-administered part of the disputed Himalayan region of Kashmir on Thursday (21) and said the issue should get more attention from the United States, prompting an angry response from India.The Muslim-majority Kashmir region has long been the…
THE POPULARITY of the Indian multi-language movie KGF: Chapter 2 has caught the imagination of Manchester City. The English Premier League club posted a photo collage of three of its stars - Kevin De Bruyne, İlkay Gündoğan, and Phil Foden - on Instagram with the words “K.G.F, Kevin Gundo Foden”…
PAKISTAN prime minister Shehbaz Sharif has written a letter to his Indian counterpart Narendra Modi pitching for "meaningful" engagement between the two countries.Sharif's communication came in response to a letter from Modi congratulating him on becoming the prime minister, people familiar with the development said on Sunday (17).In his letter…
South Africa's David Miller on Sunday said coming in to bat early made him "shine" as his unbeaten 94 led Gujarat Titans to a thrilling three-wicket IPL victory over holders Chennai Super Kings. Chasing 170 for victory, Gujarat slipped to 48-4. But Miller put on an attacking 70-run sixth wicket…
PAKISTAN’S new prime minister Shehbaz Sharif is a ‘hard-core realist’ and has over the years earned the reputation as a matter-of-fact person.Shehbaz, the younger brother of three-time prime minister and Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) supremo Nawaz Sharif, has served as the chief minister of the country's most populous and politically…
Kane Williamson hit 57 to win the battle of captains against Hardik Pandya as Sunrisers Hyderabad handed newcomers Gujarat Titans their first loss in the Indian Premier League On Monday. Chasing 163 for victory, Hyderabad started strongly with a 64-run opening stand between Williamson and Abhishek Sharma (42) before Nicholas…
THE NUMBER of visitors to the cave shrine of Amarnath in the south Kashmir Himalayas is expected to be the “biggest ever” this year, according to the Jammu and Kashmir administration.Officials said on Monday (11) that the administration is preparing to welcome about 800,000 pilgrims to the shrine during the…
INDIA's Kashmir region is attracting record tourists after the easing of pandemic restrictions and some improvement in the security situation, bolstering local businesses. Tourist arrivals are set to touch a ten-year high this year after more than 340,000 tourists have come since January, local tour operators and government officials said,…
AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL's former India chief said Wednesday (6) he was stopped from flying to the US because of government legal action against the human rights watchdog. Prime minister Narendra Modi's administration has long been accused of trying to silence critics, and activists say they have been targeted for harassment since…
An Indian court granted bail Wednesday to three students jailed for celebrating India's defeat to arch-rival Pakistan in a T20 World Cup cricket match last year, their lawyer said. The students were arrested in the northern Indian state of Uttar Pradesh in October and charged with sedition just days after…
Days after her remarks on hijab made headlines, Miss Universe 2021 Harnaaz Sandhu on Wednesday said as a youth of the country she simply shared her perspective when asked to comment on the issue. The 24-year-old, who won the coveted pageant earlier this year, said the matter in question was…
SANJU SAMSON led from the front with a blistering 55 as Rajasthan Royals opened their season campaign in the IPL with an emphatic 61-run win over Sunrisers Hyderabad on Tuesday (29). The captain, playing his 100th match for Royals who won the inaugural Indian Premier League edition under late Australian…
Acclaimed Indian filmmaker SS Rajamouli’s latest directorial venture RRR (2022) is unstoppable at the domestic box office in India. The film, which hit screens on March 25, opened to packed houses across the country and recorded a thunderous opening. It made a killing over the weekend and continued its fantastic…
Chennai Super Kings' star all-rounder Moeen Ali has secured his India visa and will be available for selection from the second game of the upcoming IPL, the franchise's CEO Kasi Viswanathan said. Though the England player arrived in Mumbai on Thursday, the defending champions will missed the services of Moeen…
INDIA said on Friday (25) ties with China could not be normal until their troops pulled back from each other on the disputed border, but Beijing struck a conciliatory note during a meeting of their foreign ministers in New Delhi. Both nations have deployed thousands of troops on the high-altitude…
CHINA's foreign minister Wang Yi drew a rebuke from the Indian government ahead of his expected but unconfirmed visit to New Delhi on Friday (25), upsetting his hosts with remarks made in Pakistan this week concerning the disputed Kashmir region. Relations between the two nuclear-armed Asian powers turned chilly two…
FOREIGN ministers of Muslim nations began meeting in Pakistan on Tuesday (22) as the country's leader trumpets his Islamic credentials while at the same time battling the most serious challenge to his rule in four years.The Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) is meeting in Islamabad with an ambitious agenda that…
Filmmaker Vivek Agnihotri, who is riding high on the massive success of his latest directorial venture The Kashmir Files (2022), is reportedly in talks with Kangana Ranaut for one of his forthcoming films. Agnihotri has become one of the most sought-after filmmakers in Bollywood following the worldwide success of The…
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday praised filmmaker Vivek Ranjan Agnihotri’s The Kashmir Files, a film based on the exodus of Kashmiri Pandits from the Kashmir Valley in the 1990s. He said the film is "bringing the truth in its correct form" and history has to be presented in…
US president Joe Biden has announced his intent to nominate Indian-origin political activist Shefali Razdan Duggal as his envoy to the Netherlands, according to the White House. Duggal, 50, is an Indian immigrant to the US from Jammu and Kashmir. She has been raised in Cincinnati, Chicago, New York and Boston.…
AN INDIAN court upheld on Tuesday (15) a ban on wearing the hijab in classrooms in the southern state of Karnataka, a ruling that could set a precedent for the rest of the country which has a big Muslim minority.The ban last month by the state sparked protests by some…
INDIA has said it had accidentally fired a missile into Pakistan this week because of a "technical malfunction" during routine maintenance, giving its version of events after Pakistan summoned India's envoy to protest.Military experts have in the past warned of the risk of accidents or miscalculations by the nuclear-armed neighbours,…
PAKISTAN’S prime minister Imran Khan has hit out at Islamabad-based Western envoys who last week urged the south Asian country to condemn Russia's actions in Ukraine, asking them if they thought Pakistan was their "slave".The heads of 22 diplomatic missions, including those of European Union member states, released a joint…
INDIA's opposition on Wednesday (2) stepped up pressure on the government to condemn the Russian invasion of Ukraine, a day after an Indian student died during shelling in the eastern city of Kharkiv. India is yet to criticise long-standing arms supplier Russia publicly, instead urging both sides to cease hostilities,…
RUSSIA'S invasion of Ukraine has left India's traditional balancing act between Moscow and the West looking wobblier than ever, with experts saying New Delhi has few good diplomatic options.Last week India abstained on a UN Security Council resolution deploring Russia's "aggression" against Ukraine, winning praise from Moscow for its "independent…
TRS FOODS celebrated National Chilli Day on Thursday (24) by sharing an at-home migraine/headache relief remedy and the top three facts about Chillies. National Chili Day is widely celebrated with many restaurants offering free samples of their own unique recipes. "Rich in heritage and history, chillies are consumed worldwide and…
RUSSIA'S president Vladimir Putin met Pakistan prime minister Imran Khan in Moscow on Thursday (24) in his first face-to-face talks since the start of a special military operation in eastern Ukraine. During their meeting in the Kremlin, the leaders discussed bilateral cooperation and current regional topics, including developments in south…
PAKISTAN’S prime minister Imran Khan said on Tuesday (22) he would like to have a televised debate with his Indian counterpart, Narendra Modi, to resolve differences between the two neighbours."I would love to debate with Narendra Modi on TV," Khan told Russia Today in an interview, adding that it would…
INDIAN filmmaker Onir wanted to direct a movie inspired by a gay army major who resigned and came out in a blaze of publicity -- but despite the country's democratic status the military stopped it being made. Prime minister Narendra Modi's Hindu-nationalist government has been repeatedly accused of ramping up…
GLOBAL automaker Toyota Motor and fast food chain Domino's Pizza are among half a dozen companies that have apologised to India for social media posts from their Pakistani partners expressing support for disputed Kashmir, as more companies got caught up in the diplomatic fracas. The apology comes after a rare…
Inspired by true events, the upcoming Bollywood film The Kashmir Files has booked a new release date for its theatrical release. Directed by acclaimed filmmaker Vivek Agnihotri, the film was earlier set to enter cinemas on January 26, 2022. It will now release on March 11. The film has been…
INDIA said on Tuesday (8) it had summoned South Korea's ambassador to express displeasure over a social media post by a Pakistan partner of Hyundai Motor over disputed Kashmir.The foreign ministers of India and South Korea also spoke over the telephone as the car company faced a backlash in India…
South Korea's Hyundai Motor faced calls on Monday (7) for a boycott of its cars from Indians incensed over a tweet from the account of its Pakistan partner that expressed solidarity for the people of Kashmir.The row erupted last Sunday (6), a day after Pakistan marked the annual Kashmir Solidarity…
A) Governance All Central laws have been extended to the UT including legislations meant for protecting and promoting social, economic and political rights of women, children, under-privileged sections as well as those for ensuring transparent and accountable governance. These include the Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education Act,…
IN a shocking development, frontline health workers engaged in India’s Covid vaccination drive have said that people are being officially certified as double vaccinated even when they have not completed the course of two jabs in order to meet government targets. According to a report by The Guardian, the workers…
AT the age of four, Arif Mohammad Khan put on skis for the first time, just a few kilometres from the Line of Control that divides the disputed, conflict-ridden region of Kashmir. It was to be the start of a difficult journey that will culminate in him being the only…
A US Congressman has urged president Joe Biden to reject Pakistan’s ambassador-designate Masood Khan’s diplomatic credentials and termed him a “bona fide terrorist sympathiser” working to undermine America’s interests in the region. Republican Congressman Scott Perry also alleged that Khan had encouraged young men to emulate jihadists and praised foreign…
PAKISTAN prime minister Imran Khan has said all "outstanding issues" like the Kashmir dispute should be resolved through dialogue and diplomacy.It is essential that a "strategic balance" is maintained in the region for "enduring peace" in south Asia, he said.In an article published in China's state-run Global Times on Friday…
INDIAN troops on Sunday (30) killed five militants, including a top commander from the Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM) group, in stepped-up anti-militancy operations in Kashmir, police said. The militants were killed in two separate overnight operations by Indian troops south of Srinagar, said Kashmir Police chief Vijay Kumar. "We had launched two…
The de facto head of India's main opposition party has complained to Twitter about "strange" activity on his account, accusing the US giant of being the "unwitting" ally of the government in curbing free speech. Rahul Gandhi of the Congress party told Twitter's CEO in a letter that growth in…
ACTRESS Urmila Matondkar turns a year older and celebrates her 48th birthday on February 4. The popular leading lady began her film journey as a child star and has delivered many memorable moments. Eastern Eye decided to celebrate that cinematic journey by delivering an all you need to know A…
Renowned filmmaker Vivek Ranjan Agnihotri’s upcoming film The Kashmir Files makes India proud at the global level on Republic Day as it dominates Times Square in New York. Vivek Ranjan Agnihotri feels honoured and privileged that his hugely-anticipated film The Kashmir Files has become the first one to dominate the…
THIS year's Republic Day parade will have 16 marching contingents, 17 military bands and 25 tableaux of various states, departments and armed forces, a statement on Saturday said. The Army will be represented by a mounted column of cavalry, 14 mechanised columns, six marching contingents and a flypast by advanced…
INDIA and Pakistan will lock horns in a blockbuster T20 World Cup group clash for the second year running after the fixtures for the October-November 2022 tournament in Australia were announced on Friday. The arch-rivals will lock horns at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) on October 23, a day after…
Lockdown sparks rise in demand for ethnic-inspired British treats SOUTH ASIAN cafes which have opened since the lockdown have seen a boom in trade. Owners said the trend is down to more people working away from offices during the pandemic, and people reuniting with relatives and friends after restrictions were…
PRIME minister Imran Khan on Friday (14) launched Pakistan's first-ever National Security Policy based on a citizen-centric framework.It focuses on boosting the country's flagging economy and its standing in the world, unlike the previous one-dimensional security policy deeply rooted in the development of military capabilities.Unveiling the public version of the…
DIVERSE CINEMA ACROSS DIFFERENT GENRES AND LANGUAGES THAT ROSE ABOVE THE REST, ACROSS THE PAST 12 MONTHS IT MAY have been a horrible year for Bollywood, but that didn’t stop the various regional Indian film industries from delivering delightful gems, across a wide variety of genres. This resulted in one…
TWELVE people were crushed to death in a stampede at an Indian religious shrine in the early hours of Saturday (1) as tens of thousands of pilgrims massed to offer prayers, officials said. The disaster unfolded in darkness at around 3:00 am (2130 GMT) on the packed route to the…
SIX suspected rebels and a soldier were killed during two separate clashes in Indian-administered Kashmir overnight, police said Thursday (30), rounding off another bloody year in the disputed territory. Indian police said the six killed in two villages belonged to the Pakistan-based Islamist group Jaish-e-Mohammad, claiming two of them were…
When Pakistan and India agreed to restore peace along the highly volatile Line of Control (LoC) in February 2021, it appeared that they were again ready to take a turn on the bumpy road of animosity and mistrust. The ensuing months, however, showed that it was yet another mirage. The…
Toward the end of 2020, Indian-American singer-songwriter-filmmaker Amanda Sodhi found herself feeling increasingly isolated, having outgrown cities she had previously lived in, as well as most of her friendships. Alone in Srinagar, as she sat in a shikara at Dal on a rainy Diwali evening, it dawned upon her -…
CURRENTLY, an unprecedented, politically driven commitment towards the transformation of the India-UK relationship is taking place. This began with the virtual summit between the two prime ministers Boris Johnson and Narendra Modi on May 4, 2021. The new UK foreign secretary, Liz Truss, visited New Delhi and Mumbai in late…
SUSPECTED rebels ambushed a police bus in Indian-administered Kashmir on Monday (13), leaving two officers dead and a dozen others wounded, officials said -- just hours after government forces killed a pair of militants in a shootout. Shortly after darkness fell, gunmen sprayed the bus -- which was transporting an…
MATTHEW KRISHANU DISCUSSES HIS WORK AND USING ART TO MAKE SENSE OF LIFE TALENTED painter Matthew Krishanu has become an important voice in British art, and whether it has been solo exhibitions or as part of a larger group shows, he has delivered eye-catching works that have created thought-provoking moments.…
Renowned singer Monali Thakur has started shooting for an upcoming Hindi film, titled Dukaan. Thakur, who made her acting debut with the 2007 film Krishnakanter Will, won rave reviews for her powerful performance in Nagesh Kukunoor’s 2014 film Lakshmi. She was also seen in a special appearance as a Kashmiri…
India's Bipin Rawat was an outspoken, polarising but hugely popular "soldier's general" who was wounded in a border battle and survived an aircraft crash before dying in a helicopter accident on Wednesday (8). The military in the world's largest democracy has traditionally stayed well clear of political debates, unlike neighbouring…
INDIAN defence chief General Bipin Rawat and 12 other people were killed in a helicopter crash on Wednesday (8), with one survivor being treated for his injuries. Rawat was India's first chief of defence staff, a position that the government established in 2019, and was seen as close to prime…
NEW research has revealed that British Indians, who, along with most other ethnic minorities, have long been core Labour party voters, are defecting in sizeable numbers, reported The Guardian. The report, based on a recent survey, added that a shift in the diaspora’s voting patterns would be significant in UK.…
Award-winning Indian filmmaker Onir says that WE ARE, the upcoming sequel to his National Award-winning film I AM (2011), is a first-of-its-kind film to explore and celebrate queer lives. Like his original film, WE ARE also includes four stories set in the same four parts of India – Kashmir, Kolkata,…
RIGHTS groups including the UN have criticised the arrest of a prominent activist in Indian-administered Kashmir on terror funding charges. Khurram Parvez was arrested late on Monday (22) by India's federal National Investigation Agency (NIA), an Indian official briefed on the situation said. . His residence and office were searched…
INDIAN Air Force pilot Abhinandan Varthaman was on Monday (22) accorded the Vir Chakra by president Ram Nath Kovind in an investiture ceremony in New Delhi. He was honoured for shooting down a Pakistani F-16 fighter aircraft during an aerial combat on February 27, 2019, a day after the airstrikes…
INDIA has sent thousands more paramilitary troops into its section of Kashmir, already one of the world's most militarised zones, after a string of targeted killings by suspected rebels in recent weeks, officials said. New Delhi has for decades stationed at least 500,000 soldiers in the divided Himalayan territory, which…
Headlined by Ajay Devgn and directed by Rohit Shetty, Singham is one of the most successful film franchises of Bollywood. The franchise has seen the release of two films so far – Singham (2011) and Singham 2 (2014) – and both films did phenomenally well at the box office. The…
Buoyed up by the terrific response that his latest directorial Sooryavanshi (2021) has received at the box office, filmmaker Rohit Shetty has decided to take his cop universe forward with Ajay Devgn as the duo is set to commence work on Singham 3 soon. As per reports, the third installment…
A year after deadly high-altitude clashes with Chinese soldiers, India is ramping up its border defences along a treacherous mountain range that has long been a flashpoint between the two countries. Arunachal Pradesh straddles the other side of the Himalayas from Tibet and shares a common Buddhist cultural heritage with…
Indian and Persian rugs set to go under the hammer A KASHMIR carpet from the late 19th century has been included in a Christie’s auction due to be held on Thursday (28). It is part of the auction of the “Art of the Islamic and Indian Worlds Including Oriental Rugs…
COMMUNITY leaders from the Indian-American diaspora met Congressman James McGovern and discussed the spike in atrocities on Hindus in various parts of the world, including Pakistan and Bangladesh. McGovern, who is the chairman of the House Rules Committee and the Democratic co-chair of the bipartisan Tom Lantos Human Rights Commission,…
INDIAN police have arrested three Muslim students and a teacher for celebrating the Pakistan cricket team's crushing victory over arch-rivals India at the Twenty20 World Cup, officials said on Thursday (28). The students, originally from Kashmir, were taken into custody on Wednesday (27) in the northern city of Agra for…
Police have launched an investigation after several hundred students in Indian-administered Kashmir celebrated India's recent defeat to Pakistan in the cricket World Cup, officials said on Wednesday. Anti-India sentiment is widespread and deep in the Muslim-majority territory where an armed rebellion has raged for decades by Kashmiris wanting independence or…
VIRENDRA SHARMA and other Asian-origin MPs in Britain have spoken about the threat facing them following the murder last week of Sir David Amess, the Conservative member for Southend West, who was stabbed 17 times in a frenzied attack. British politicians have to decide whether their traditional approach of freely…
Facebook was well aware that hate speech was spreading on its site in India which could exacerbate ethnic violence, and did not deploy resources to curb the phenomenon, US media reported, citing internal documents. The so-called Facebook Papers, leaked by whistleblower Frances Haugen, have already revealed the impact of Facebook…
A torrent of social media abuse was aimed at India's only Muslim player, the bowler Mohammed Shami, after his side were thrashed by arch-rivals Pakistan at the T20 World Cup. Cricket clashes India and Pakistan usually heighten tensions between the neighbours, who have fought three wars since their independence in…
FACEBOOK was well aware that hate speech was spreading on its site in India which could exacerbate ethnic violence, and did not deploy resources to curb the phenomenon, US media reported, citing internal documents. The so-called Facebook Papers, leaked by whistleblower Frances Haugen, have already revealed the impact of Facebook…
Cricket tensions between India and Pakistan have been heightened by boycott calls in India ahead of their T20 World Cup clash on Sunday. A series of killings in the disputed Kashmir region has set off the anger, even though the Indian board has insisted the national team cannot withdraw from…
Hundreds of Sikhs in Indian-administered Kashmir marched on Friday at the funeral of a teacher from the minority group killed by suspected anti-Indian militants along with a member of the region's Hindu community. Supinder Kour, 46, was shot dead with colleague Deepak Chand in their school on Thursday, the third…
PAKISTAN is the biggest perpetrator and supporter of terrorism while the country masquerades as its victim, India said at the UN. Islamabad should also stop "cleansing its own minorities including Hindus, Christians, Sikhs, and Buddhists", India added. New Delhi's assertion came at the UN General Assembly’s Sixth Committee (Legal) meeting on measures to eliminate international terrorism after Islamabad raised Kashmir at the global…
A FORMER US national security advisor has said America should not provide any fresh aid to Pakistan as it has “had it both ways” for too long. General (retired) HR McMaster, who advised former US president Donald Trump, said America should hold Pakistan prime minister Imran Khan accountable for his comments apparently hailing…
AT LEAST 20 people were killed and dozens injured when a shallow earthquake hit southwestern Pakistan in the early hours of Thursday (7), with rescuers trying to reach coal miners reportedly trapped underground. Many of the victims died when the roofs and walls of their mud-brick houses collapsed after the…
SUSPECTED anti-Indian gunmen killed three civilians in separate street shootings within 90 minutes of each other Tuesday (5) in Indian-administered Kashmir, police said. Two men, one a prominent medical shop owner and the other a street hawker from the Indian state of Bihar, were killed in the space of an…
India has undertaken an ambitious project to drill tunnels and construct bridges to connect the Kashmir Valley with Ladakh, a cold desert which is strategically key. The project holds significance given the fact that Jammu and Kashmir borders two of the country's hostile neighbours -- Pakistan and China. ABC News…
THERE is, of course, a risk that some of the violent politics of Afghanistan will spill over on to the streets of Britain. Those refugees coming to Britain from Afghanistan will include people strongly opposed to the Taliban. If they set up opposition groups in Britain, supporters of the Taliban,…
Vivek Agnihotri’s The Tashkent Files starring Shweta Basu Prasad, Naseeruddin Shah, Mithun Chakraborty, Pallavi Joshi, and others released in 2019. The film received mixed reviews from the critics and won India’s two National Awards, Best Supporting Actress (Joshi) and Best Dialogues (Agnihotri). After The Tashkent Files, the filmmaker announced his…
Mobile services in Indian Kashmir were restored late on Friday, two days after they were suspended following the death of a veteran secessionist leader in the disputed Himalayan region, a police official told Reuters. However, curbs on mobile internet and restrictions on the movement of people in the Kashmir valley…
CHINA has expressed hope to extend its multi-billion-dollar Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) into Afghanistan, saying the “Taliban believes” the initiative is good for development and prosperity in the war-ravaged country and the broader region. China in the recent past outlined plans to extend its $60 billion (£43.27 bn) China-Pakistan…
PAKISTAN remains cognizant of the threats posed by various terror groups operating from Afghanistan and it will strengthen intelligence sharing, counter-terrorism cooperation with China post-US withdrawal, the country's envoy to China has said. The Taliban seized power in Afghanistan on August 15, two weeks before the US was set to…
PRO-PAKISTAN separatist Syed Ali Shah Geelani was buried in Srinagar overnight (1-2) in a quiet funeral organised by Indian authorities. There was tight security with mobile connectivity by and large snapped in Indian Kashmir. Geelani, 91, was buried at a mosque near his home, according to his wishes, his close…
RAJNI KAUL, who was married to Mahendra Kaul of the BBC and was a talented and well-read broadcaster in her own right, died on Tuesday (31), aged 92, in Faridabad near Delhi. Her death was announced in London by her circuit judge daughter, Her Honour Judge Kalyani Kaul QC, who…
INDIA’S ambassador to Qatar held talks with a top Taliban leader on Tuesday (31), the Indian foreign ministry said, the first formal diplomatic engagement since the hardline Islamist group took over Afghanistan. The envoy, Deepak Mittal, met Sher Mohammad Abbas Stanekzai, the head of the Taliban’s political office in Doha,…
South star Jyotika was not on any social media platform. However, on Tuesday (31), she joined Instagram and in just a few hours the actress already has more than a million followers. In her first post, Jyotika wrote, “Hello everyone! On social media for the very first time ! A…
At least three Indian states are denying passports and government jobs to people because of their social media posts or participation in protests, human rights activists said. In a move that could jeopardise the futures of tens of thousands of vocal young Indians, authorities in Jammu and Kashmir, Bihar and…
WHEN I flew into Kabul, I was told there was intelligence that there would be a suicide car bomb attack against an Indian embassy car that week. Nine months earlier the Haqqani network, the most feared terror group affiliated to the Taliban, had carried out the deadliest attack against the…
The top commander of a militant group and his deputy, allegedly involved in dozens of target killings, died in a shootout, Indian police in Kashmir said on Monday. Abbas Sheikh, chief of the militant group The Resistance Front (TRF), and Saqib Manzoor were killed during a shootout in Srinagar, the…
Public protests in Indian-controlled Kashmir were once an almost weekly occurrence but two years after New Delhi imposed direct rule on the region, locals say arbitrary arrests and intimidation by security forces wielding batons and snatching phones have left many too scared to voice dissent. A week before the region's…
THE US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has lowered India's travel advisory to "Level 2: moderate," while the state department eased its India rating to "Level 2: exercise increased caution." The new advisory level, which is considered safe, came in the wake of the significant improvement in the…
India, the largest democracy in the world, is celebrating its 75th Independence Day today on August 15, 2021. In a normal scenario, all countrymen would revel in a host of activities to celebrate the occasion. But since we are in the middle of a pandemic, celebrations are bound to be…
In an exclusive interview with Eastern Eye, India’s High Commissioner to the UK, Gaitri Issar Kumar, reveals the change in dynamics of British-Indian ties and plans to celebrate the 75th anniversary of India’s independence. You came to Britain came in the midst of the pandemic; how did you settle in…
Adivi Sesh will next be seen in the film Major which is a based on the life of Major Sandeep Unnikrishnan. It is a Telugu-Hindi bilingual film, and will mark Sesh’s Hindi debut. The movie was earlier slated to release on 2nd July 2021, but was postponed due to the…
Why Ed Husain hopes his new book will help readers understand muslims better AN AUTHOR who visited mosques across Britain for his new book has revealed his concerns for the future of Islam in this country and cautioned against the drawbacks of identity based solely on faith. Ed Husain also…
INDIA’S biggest reality series Bigg Boss enjoyed recordbreaking success in season 13 and that is why life hasn’t been the same for participant Paras Chhabra since then. In the past 18 months he has enjoyed a lot of popularity, which has included starring in music videos that have clocked up…
THE journalist Ann Morrow, who has died, aged 86, was close to some of India’s premier princes, resulting in her readable 1986 book, Highness: The Maharajahs of India. Although not a conventional history of the princely order, the book gives an insight into how 565 princes, who ruled a third…
A long serving Walsall councillor has been suspended by Labour after being accused of Islamophobia. A complaint has been made against Blakenall ward member Ian Robertson, which is currently being investigated by party officials. It is understood he is administratively suspended by the party, although this does not prevent him…
WAKEFIELD'S South Asian community has been urged to get involved in the district’s City of Culture bid. Wakefield Council is vying to become the UK’s next holder of the coveted title in 2025, but has said it will have a cultural celebration regardless of whether or not it wins. This…
HUNDREDS of extra police and troops were deployed in Indian-administered Kashmir on Thursday as separatist groups called for a shutdown to mark a "black day" on the second anniversary of New Delhi ending its special status. Prime minister Narendra Modi's government scrapped the Muslim-majority region's partial autonomy on August 5,…
AN Asian author has expressed hope her debut graphic memoir will “become a safe space” for others. Sabba Khan’s The Roles We Play is described as a “vivid snapshot of contemporary British Asian life” which “investigates the complex shifts experienced by different generations within migrant communities.” It explores her Mirpuri…
THE mastermind behind a 2019 attack that killed 40 Indian paramilitary troops has been killed in a shootout with security forces, Indian police in Kashmir said. Mohammad Ismail Alvi, the commander of militant organization Jaish-e-Mohammad was killed south of the regional capital Srinagar, Vijay Kumar, the police chief of Kashmir…
Pakistan’s largest city, Karachi, is to undergo a week-long partial lockdown starting on Saturday to curb the spread of the coronavirus Delta variant, as the city’s hospitals are close to saturation levels, the provincial chief minister said on Friday (31). A day earlier, Pakistan's federal government announced a ban on…
Dulquer Salmaan has some interesting projects lined up and one of them is filmmaker Hanu Raghavapudi’s next in which he plays the role of Lieutenant Ram. On Wednesday (28), Dulquer celebrates his 35th birthday, so the makers shared a glimpse of the actor from the movie. Vyjayanthi Movies took to…
SAUDI Arabia's foreign minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al-Saud will visit Pakistan on Tuesday (27) amid efforts to repair the relations between the two countries that faced some stress in recent times. The minister will be accompanied by a delegation comprising senior officials of the Saudi government, Pakistan's foreign office…
PRIME Minister Imran Khan's Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party is set to form the next government in Pakistan-administered Kashmir as it emerged as the largest political party in the legislative assembly election. However, the democratic exercise was marred by allegations of irregularities and violence. PTI has won 23 out of the…
PAKISTAN'S opposition leader Shehbaz Sharif on Saturday (24) rejected prime minister Imran Khan's remarks that Islamabad would let the people of Kashmir decide if they want to join Pakistan or become an "independent state". He said Khan was deviating from the country's "historical and constitutional position" by proposing a second…
PAKISTAN’S largest city Karachi is experiencing a rapid spread of the Delta variant of the coronavirus on the eve of the Eid al Adha holiday as public and some private sector hospitals are reaching capacity and have started refusing patients, medical officials said on Tuesday (20). During the past 24…
The Indian government has ordered authorities in Kashmir to ban the slaughter of all animals in the Muslim majority region for the Islamic festival of Eid al-Adha. The order by the Hindu nationalist government, released late on Thursday, is likely to heighten tensions in Indian Kashmir where anxiety has deepened…
US President Joe Biden on Friday nominated Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti, an ambitious star in his Democratic Party, to be ambassador to India, with which the US has an increasingly close relationship. Garcetti, who has led the country's second-largest city since 2013 with a focus on improving transportation and sustainability,…
POLITICAL analysts have detected a dangerous jihadi strain in the Conservative party first detected in Westminster. Those infected with this deadly mutation say: “We want all Covid restrictions lifted, no matter what the cost. Raising alarms about the 25,000 people a day testing positive for the Delta strain from India…
“BATLEY and Spen” were the words on the rosette of a pumped-up Labour leader, Sir Keir Starmer, and “Battered and Spent” on a frazzled prime minister Boris Johnson’s. The Times cartoonist had clearly prepared his material so it could be flipped, either way, depending on the actual result. And by 323…
LABOUR has been urged to engage with Asian communities and “treat them as individuals”, as polls suggest its popularity with Muslim voters is dwindling. The call comes after the party’s victory in the Batley and Spen by-election last week, with candidate Kim Leadbeater, the younger sister of Jo Cox, who…
PAKISTAN'S anti-corruption watchdog has established an anti-money laundering and terror financing cell to check financial crimes and illegal transfer of resources. Paris-based Financial Action Task Force (FATF) placed Pakistan on the grey list in June 2018 and asked Islamabad to implement a plan of action to curb money laundering and…
INDIA ended a 149-year-old tradition of moving the government of Jammu & Kashmir state between the winter capital in Jammu, to its summer base in Srinagar last week, according to a report in The Times. The 'office shifting', with an expense of £20 million per move, involved the difficulty of…
By AMIT ROY THE Labour Party has dragged India’s prime minister Narendra Modi into Thursday’s (1) Batley and Spen by-election by issuing a leaflet which says prime minister Boris Johnson has failed to condemn the Indian leader for his policies in Kashmir. The literature has been widely condemned by many…
The Labour Party has dragged India’s prime minister Narendra Modi into Thursday’s (1) Batley and Spen by-election by issuing a leaflet which says prime minister Boris Johnson has failed to condemn the Indian leader for his policies in Kashmir. The literature has been widely condemned by many of Labour’s Indian…
LABOUR activists were pelted with eggs and “kicked in the head” by a group of young men in Batley on Sunday (27), the region's mayor said, while they were on a campaign trail for the upcoming by-election in the region. Newly-elected West Yorkshire mayor Tracey Brabin claimed that she…
IN what was called a drone attack by Pakistan-based terrorists for the first time, two bombs were dropped at the Indian Air Force (IAF) station in Jammu airport in the early hours of Sunday (June 27), officials said. The airport where the blasts took place is used for VVIP movements…
PAKISTAN is seeking a "civilised" and "even-handed" relationship with Washington like the one that existed between the US and the UK or with India "right now", prime minister Imran Khan has said, underlining the role Islamabad could play in the region, including in Afghanistan after America leaves the war-torn country.…
THERE has been a drop in the number of active Pakistani terrorists in Kashmir over the years due to several reasons, including pressure from financing watchdog FATF, a senior Indian army officer said on Friday (25). He said the neighbouring country's attempt to project the situation in the Valley as…
Kim Leadbeater, Jo Cox’s sister and Labour’s candidate in the upcoming Batley and Spen by-election, was heckled and chased on Friday (25) while she was on a campaign trail by a group of men, in an incident which party president Keir Starmer has described as “disgraceful”. In a video uploaded…
INDIA prime minister Narendra Modi told leaders from Jammu & Kashmir that elections would be held there after the region's constituencies were reconfigured following the revocation of its semi-autonomous statehood, meeting participants said. The talks on Thursday (24) were the first between Modi and Kashmiri leaders since the government scrapped…
A LABOUR official’s reported claim, that antisemitism among Muslims was responsible for the party’s bad polling, is not being taken well by Muslim voters in Batley and Spen, media reports claim, who are now looking for options other than Labour party, proposing a major shift in vote share. Upset…
According to reports, Bollywood star Akshay Kumar has donated approximately £97,694 for building a school in a remote village situated along the LoC in the Bandipora district of Jammu and Kashmir. The school will be named after his father Hari Om. Kumar visited the Bandipora district on Thursday and met…
Starring Sunny Deol, Ameesha Patel, and Amrish Puri in lead roles, Gadar: Ek Prem Katha completes 20 years of its release on Tuesday. Directed by Anil Sharma, the film hit the marquee on June 15, 2001, and smashed several box-office records during its theatrical run. It is considered a classic…
A leading charity has joined efforts in combating the Covid-19 pandemic and alleviating the suffering in India during the second wave. BAPS Charities, through its global network and partner hospitals, has so far supported the treatment of over 3,800 victims to full recovery from Covid-19 in the country, a statement…
THEY both are promising economies and with mammoth populations on either side of the border, these two neighbours can aspire to be world beaters in decades to come. But in reality, India and China have been more at odds than in unity. From border to political to geostrategic, the two…
EDUCATION leader Hamid Patel, charity boss Javed Khan and period poverty campaigner Amika George are among prominent British Asians named in the Queen’s Birthday Honours List unveiled this evening (11). Patel, chief executive officer of Star Academics in Blackburn, a multi-academy trust which operates 30 free schools and academies, is…
WHEN Pakistan and England take the field at Edgbaston in the third ODI of their bilateral series on July 13, the Warwickshire County Cricket Club intends to make it an occasion to celebrate the Pakistan culture. Its CEO Stuart Cain said it will be an opportunity to celebrate the UK’s…
SRISHTI BAKSHI DISCUSSES HER INSPIRING JOURNEY ACROSS THE LENGTH OF INDIA AND RESULTING DOCUMENTARY ONE DAY during a bus ride in Hong Kong, Srishti Bakshi read an article about the gangrape of a mother and daughter in front of the father in India. She had always been vocal about women’s…
PAKISTAN prime minister Imran Khan said he will resume talks with India if New Delhi provides a roadmap towards restoring the previous status of Kashmir. India and Pakistan control parts of Kashmir but claim it in full. In 2019, India withdrew Jammu and Kashmir's autonomy, sparking outrage in Pakistan, the…
Known for making powerful films with strong female protagonists, Mani Ratnam is hands down one of the finest filmmakers that Indian cinema has ever produced. In a career spanning four decades, the filmmaker has made a string of remarkable films in Tamil, Telugu and Hindi. His technical ingenuity and eye…
THE Pakistan People's Party (PPP) has rejected the government's suggestion to delay the upcoming polls in Pakistani Kashmir due to Covid-19, former Pakistan prime minister Raja Pervaiz Ashraf said on Monday (1). Ashraf said the PPP would not let the government "steal the people's mandate", reported The News International. "PPP rejects…
NORMALISING relations with India would be a betrayal to the people of Kashmir, Pakistan's prime minister Imran Khan said on Sunday (30). In a live Q and A session with the public on Sunday, Khan said re-establishing ties with India would be ignoring all the struggle of Kashmiris and the…
PEACE, stability and prosperity in south Asia depend on the "normalisation of relations" between Pakistan and India, a top UN official said as he urged the neighbours to work for a peaceful solution to the Kashmir issue. UN General Assembly president Volkan Bozkir, a former Turkish diplomat and politician, is…
by LAUREN CODLING AN AUTHOR has reflected upon her eight-year journey across India’s disputed land borders, meeting individuals affected by the divisions. Described as the “first true people’s history of modern India”, Midnight’s Borders explores the untold stories of those affected by the country’s many contested borders. From Pakistan to…
A COURT in Jammu has denied bail to two illegal Rohingya immigrants stating they might be involved in criminal and militant activities. Ashiqur Rahman and Abdul Gafoor were arrested in March when they were found in possession of fake documents showing Indian citizenship, during a drive to verify the legal…
CHINA on Monday (24) defended its controversial $60 billion (£42 bn) CPEC project with Pakistan despite India's protests, saying it is an economic initiative and has not affected its principled stand on Kashmir. Chinese and Pakistani leaders have praised the progress of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) in recent days…
By Amit Roy AUTHOR Andrew Lownie has spoken to Eastern Eye about his so far unsuccessful four-year battle with Southampton University to secure access to the letters and diaries of Lord Louis Mountbatten, the last Viceroy of India at the time of Partition in 1947, and his wife, Lady…
By Murtuza Iqbal It’s the festival of Eid today, and we are sure people would be celebrating it with their friends and family. So, here’s a list of five songs that should be there in your playlist this Eid… Mubarak Eid Mubarak https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qfangPUrjBM An Eid is incomplete without a Salman Khan…
PAKISTAN cautiously celebrated Eid ul-Fitr with religious fervour on Thursday (13) amid the third wave of the coronavirus pandemic. After initial confusion, the Central Ruet-i-Hilal Committee announced the sighting of the Shawwal moon in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Balochistan and Sindh. Prayers were held in open areas of mosques and Eidgahs across…
SOTHEBY's auction in Geneva took to a new high this year with million-dollar auctions of some rare jewels. The main highlights of this year’s event were a historically significant Savoy royal tiara, which everyone could try on via Instagram, and the largest Kashmir sapphire ever auctioned. Made of 11 natural…
SAUDI ARABIA has announced 118 humanitarian projects worth more than $123 million for cash-strapped Pakistan in food security, health, education, and water during prime minister Imran Khan’s two-day visit to the country. Khan arrived in Saudi Arabia last Friday (7) for a visit aimed at enhancing ties after months of…
PAKISTAN prime minister Imran Khan has ruled out any negotiations with India until the special status of Jammu and Kashmir which New Delhi scrapped in August 2019 is revoked. “Pakistan will not hold talks with India until it rescinds the illegal steps (abrogation of the special status of Jammu and…
The 2021 Scottish Parliament election has witnessed the victory of some ethnic minorities, elected as the Member of Scottish Parliament. Read about them below: FOYSOL CHOUDHURY: First Bangladeshi origin to mark presence in Scottish Parliament Scottish Labour’s Foysol Choudhury becomes the first ethnic minority MSP in the Lothians. He is a…
By Pooja Shrivastava Shabana Mahmood MP (Birmingham- Ladywood)- National Campaign Coordinator Labour MP Shabana Mahmood has represented Birmingham-Ladywood since 2010. She was appointed as the party’s National Campaign Coordinator in the Shadow Cabinet. [caption id="attachment_139470" align="aligncenter" width="551"] Shabana_Mahmood (Pic from Wikimedia Ccommons)[/caption] Born and brought up in Birmingham, Mahmood traces…
BHARAT BIOTECH has commenced direct supply of its Covid-19 vaccine 'Covaxin' to 14 states, including Delhi and Maharashtra, with effect from May 1, according to the company's joint managing director, Suchitra Ella. The Hyderabad-based firm has started supplying its Covid-19 treatment vaccine to the states based on the allocations received…
By Pooja Shrivastava Over a series of several agreements signed today, Saudi Arabia and Pakistan have vowed to reset ties strained by months of disagreement over policy on the Kashmir dispute. "They affirmed the depth of relations between the two brotherly countries and underscored the importance of expanding and intensifying…
THE president of the UN general assembly has encouraged India and Pakistan to resolve the Kashmir issue 'through peaceful means'. Volkan Bozkir has said that he supports dialogue and diplomacy, recalling the 1972 Simla Agreement between the two countries. The position of the UN on Jammu and Kashmir is governed…
LOOKING BACK AT THE TALENTED ACTOR’S FINEST WORK ON HIS FIRST DEATH ANNIVERSARY by ASJAD NAZIR LEGENDARY actor Rishi Kapoor passed away on April 30, 2020, at the age of 67 after a long battle with leukemia. He left behind an incredible body of work that has delighted different generations…
IMAGINE a scene in which Paula Vennells has her knee pressed on Seema Misra’s neck so she cannot breathe. This is effectively what Vennels, chief executive of the Post Office, and her senior staff did when pursuing a malicious prosecution of Seema, a subpostmaster in West Byfleet, Surrey. Seema, who…
JUSTICE NV Ramana took oath as the 48th Chief Justice of India on Saturday (24). He will hold the post for sixteen months, until August 26, 2022. Justice Ramana succeeds Justice S A Bobde who demitted office on April 23. Indian president Ram Nath Kovind administered the oath at a…
India's capital New Delhi on Sunday extended its lockdown as the country's Covid-19 crisis grew with infections and deaths hitting record highs. The announcement came as the healthcare system struggled to cope with the huge surge, with reports of severe oxygen and medicine shortages and patients' families pleading for help…
By: Mohnish Singh Popular actress Hina Khan, who lost her father on April 20 to a cardiac arrest, has decided to take a break from social media. On Saturday, Khan took to her Instagram stories and expressed her gratitude to all those who checked on her and her family in…
PAKISTAN foreign minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi on Saturday (24) expressed support to the people of India in the wake of a massive surge in Covid-19 cases in the country. Qureshi said the Covid-19 crisis is yet another reminder that humanitarian issues require responses beyond political consideration. "We express our support…
A consortium of Indian banks led by the State Bank of India (SBI) was back for a High Court hearing in London on Friday in pursuit of a bankruptcy order against embattled liquor tycoon Vijay Mallya, as they attempt recovery of debt from loans paid out to his now-defunct Kingfisher…
FROM INSPIRING LYRICS TO CATCHY BEATS, THE FEEL-GOOD TRACKS TO HELP YOU COPE WITH ISOLATION by ASJAD NAZIR LOCKDOWN not ending and all the negativity that comes with it has resulted in a lot of people getting demoralised. A perfect pick-me-up for those who are feeling down is great motivational…
By: Mohnish Singh Malayalam superstar Dulquer Salmaan, who was last seen in Tamil-language heist comic-caper Kannum Kannum Kollaiyadithaal (2020), has started shooting for his next Telugu film. Hanu Raghavapudi is directing the yet-to-be-titled project. Today, the team revealed the name of the character that Salmaan essays in the forthcoming film.…
PAKISTAN'S foreign minister has welcomed mediation efforts by the United Arab Emirates between his country and India but said he was not planning to meet his Indian counterpart in the UAE, according to newspaper Khaleej Times. Pakistani foreign minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi and Indian foreign minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar are visiting…
The foreign ministers of India and Pakistan made crossover visits to the United Arab Emirates this weekend, after it was revealed the Gulf nation has been mediating between the hostile neighbours. "Good to be in the #UAE," Pakistan's Shah Mahmood Qureshi tweeted late Saturday, after announcing a three-day trip which…
By Lord Navnit Dholakia SHIRLEY WILLIAMS, one of the foremost post-war politicians in the UK and the first president of the Social Democratic Party, was better known as one of the Gang of Four who split from the Labour party and was ultimately instrumental in creating the Liberal Democratic party.…
THE United Arab Emirates' (UAE) envoy to Washington confirmed the Gulf state is mediating between India and Pakistan to help the nuclear-armed rivals reach a 'healthy and functional' relationship. Top intelligence officers from India and Pakistan held secret talks in Dubai in January in a new effort to calm military…
PRINCE PHILIP, husband of the Queen and a leading figure in the British royal family for almost seven decades, has died aged 99, Buckingham Palace said on Friday (9). The Duke of Edinburgh, as he was officially known, had been by his wife’s side throughout her 69-year reign, the longest…
Pakistan lifted a nearly two-year ban on sugar and cotton imports from arch-rival India on Wednesday, the finance minister said, a step towards reviving suspended trade between the two nuclear-armed neighbours. Pakistan's Economic Coordination Council (ECC), a top decision-making body, allowed the private sector to import 0.5 million tonnes of…
PAKISTAN lifted a nearly two-year old ban on Indian sugar and cotton imports, government sources said, a step towards reviving suspended trade between the two nuclear-armed neighbours. Pakistan's Economic Coordination Council, a top decision-making body, on Wednesday (31) allowed the private sector to import 0.5 million tonnes of white sugar…
PAKISTANI prime minister Imran Khan replied to a letter written by his Indian counterpart Narendra Modi, and said Islamabad desires peaceful relations with New Delhi, an official source said. Modi had written to Khan on the occasion of Pakistan's Republic Day on March 23, also calling for peaceful relations between…
A British-born militant sentenced to death for the murder of American journalist Daniel Pearl was ordered to be let out of prison Thursday (25) by Pakistan's Supreme Court in the latest twist to a legal saga spanning nearly two decades. The court said, however, that Ahmed Omar Saeed Sheikh should…
PAKISTANI prime minister Imran Khan received a letter of goodwill from his Indian counterpart Narendra Modi on Tuesday (23), a Pakistani senior cabinet minister said, as relations thaw between the two nuclear-armed neighbours. India and Pakistan have fought three wars and have shared a fractious relationship since the two gained…
THE unresolved hydroelectric projects on the shared Indus river between India and Pakistan are unlikely to make any breakthrough during the ongoing talks, an Indian official said on Tuesday (23). Pakistan feels India's plans for hydroelectric plants in the Himalayan region of Kashmir will affect the flow of the river…
THE joint commitment by India and Pakistan last month to respect a 2003 cease-fire agreement was brokered by top United Arab Emirates (UAE) Royals, reported The Bloomberg. The cease-fire statement marked a milestone in secret talks brokered by the UAE that began months earlier, and is only the beginning of…
India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi wished his Pakistani arch-rival Imran Khan a "speedy recovery" from Covid-19 on Saturday, in a new sign of a thaw between the neighbours. Since agreeing to halt hostilities on their disputed Kashmir border last month, the nuclear-armed rivals have shown signs of wanting to improve…
PAKISTAN army chief General Qamar Javed Bajwa on Thursday (18) said that it is time for India and Pakistan to 'bury the past and move forward' as it would help to 'unlock' the potential of South and Central Asia. While addressing a session of the first-ever Islamabad security dialogue, General…
PAKISTAN prime minister Imran Khan has said that his government, after coming to power in 2018, did everything for better ties with India and it was for India to reciprocate. While delivering the inaugural address at the launch of the two-day Islamabad security dialogue, Khan added that India would reap…
Hundreds of stone-throwing protesters clashed with police in Indian-administered Kashmir on Friday after authorities reversed a decision to release the region's chief Islamic cleric from house arrest, police and witnesses said. Authorities have confined Mirwaiz Umar Farooq to his home since August 2019, when New Delhi imposed direct rule on…
By: Mohnish Singh Dulquer Salmaan, who is one of the most sought-after actors in Malayalam cinema, is gearing up to kick-start the first shooting schedule of his next film in April. Joining him on the lead cast will be critically acclaimed actress Mrunal Thakur. The untitled film, which was announced…
A 19-YEAR-OLD Pakistani student who shot to fame after her five-second video went viral on social media across the subcontinent, hopes numerous renditions of her monologue will translate into more dialogue between rival neighbours India and Pakistan. The short video shot by Dananeer Mobeen in the Nathaigali mountains of northern…
Villagers living on both sides of the Line of Control dividing the Himalayan region of Kashmir welcomed an agreement between long-time foes India and Pakistan to stop shelling from each side, but some were sceptical it would hold. The nuclear-armed neighbours signed a ceasefire agreement along the Line of Control…
The militaries of India and Pakistan said in a rare joint statement on Thursday that they had agreed to observe a ceasefire along the disputed border in Kashmir, having exchanged fire hundreds of times in recent months. The nuclear-armed neighbours signed a ceasefire agreement along the Line of Control (LoC)…
PAKISTAN and India on Thursday(25) pledged to end all firing along their disputed Kashmir frontier, according to a joint statement from their militaries, after months of violence between the nuclear-armed rivals. The two nations regularly exchange artillery and machine-gun fire along the ceasefire line known as the Line of Control…