Couple who went viral for grand Hindu wedding, now expect first child: 'We won’t be gay parents, we’ll just be parents'
Amit Shah and Aditya Madiraju, who have plans to celebrate occasions such as Mother’s Day, Father’s Day, etc., are excited about the baby due in May and are pleasantly curious about how their lives would transform.
The two had taken the internet by storm with their grand Hindu marriage held in New Jersey, US, in 2019.
And now, the couple -- Amit Shah and Aditya Madiraju, are set to welcome their first baby in May. The partners also had a paternity shoot and its photographs were shared by People magazine on Instagram.
According to a report in The Indian Express, Shah and Madiraju have been learning about the nuances of having biological children -- from understanding the differences between egg donors, surrogates, and gestational carriers to taking a call on which of those partners would be part of the growth of their family.
The duo found that the expenses were higher for them than for heterosexual couples.
Nevertheless, they had the happy news confirmed after four rounds of in-vitro fertilisation after finding the egg donor.
“We are hoping us having a baby normalises it even more, that it doesn’t matter if you’re a same-sex couple, you can just lead the life you want. I want this to be a guide for those who are trying because so many have gotten married after we have, and they have reached out to us thanking us because they figured out how to convince their parents and families because of us. So this might very well help too," Madiraju told People.
The couple have plans to celebrate family occasions such as Mother's Day, Father's Day, and all other holidays. They are excited about the baby and are pleasantly curious about how their lives would become once it arrives.
"We won’t be talking about gay couples like we do now. We’ll just be talking about couples," Shah said.
“We won’t be gay parents, we’ll just be parents,” his partner said.
The couple also celebrated their third wedding anniversary and Madiraju wrote on the occasion on Instagram, “I had a dream and it came true. Now I cherish and hold on to it with love. And I thank the universe everyday that he made you for me @amit_aatma.”
“If someone told me that a Telugu boy from New Delhi would marry a Gujarati American from New Jersey I would have learnt to make Dhokla sooner. Thank you for putting up with my drama and thank you for making me a part of your dreams and goals. Cheers to 3 years. Ps – It will happen! Let’s have FAITH!” he added.
The two had met in 2016 through a mutual friend and there was no looking back since then.
“We met three years ago in a small Lower East Side bar for a friend’s birthday. Since that night, we have been together,” Vogue quoted Shah as saying in 2020.
“Although we have completely different personalities, thanks to our similar interests we hit it off instantly. Aditya is very creative. For me, being in performing arts, that was very important. I desired a partner who is passionate," Shah added.
A TEAM of ten officials from India's aviation safety watchdog is visiting Air India headquarters for an annual audit, according to a government memo.
The visit comes as the airline faces scrutiny following a plane crash on June 12 that killed 271 people.
Although the audit is not connected to the crash, Air India has received warning notices for compliance lapses in recent days. The airline has also reduced its routes, citing the need for "operational stability" after the crash involving a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner in Ahmedabad.
The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) team will inspect documents related to Air India's operations, previous audit findings, and action-taken reports, the memo seen by Reuters stated.
The audit team includes several flight operation inspectors and will be led by Adhiraj Yadav, a deputy chief flight operations inspector. Two members of the team are assigned to check compliance with cabin safety norms.
The audit, described as an "annual surveillance and regulatory audit", will be conducted from June 24 to 26. The memo noted that the presence of senior Air India executives is mandatory during the process.
On Saturday, the DGCA issued a warning to Air India for "repeated and serious violations" of pilot duty scheduling rules. The airline was directed to remove three company executives involved in crew scheduling.
Air India said it has complied with the directive.
The airline, which was taken over by the Tata Group in 2022, continues to face challenges in rebuilding its reputation after years of passenger complaints.
Last week, Reuters also reported that Air India was warned for safety rule breaches after three of its Airbus aircraft operated flights despite being overdue for emergency equipment checks related to escape slides.
The cause of the June 12 crash remains under investigation.
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The memorial will be located in St James's Park, next to Buckingham Palace. (Photo credit: Foster and partners)
BRITISH architect Norman Foster has been selected to design the national memorial for Queen Elizabeth.
Foster, 90, known for work that blends technology with nature in modern urban settings, described the opportunity as an "honour and a privilege".
The memorial will include two statues of the late Queen—one on horseback, and another showing her walking arm in arm with her husband Prince Philip.
Queen Elizabeth, the UK's longest-serving monarch, died in September 2022 at the age of 96, after more than 70 years on the throne. She was succeeded by her eldest son, now King Charles.
The memorial will be located in St James's Park, next to Buckingham Palace. A glass bridge inspired by the Queen’s wedding tiara will also form part of the design.
"At the heart of our masterplan is a translucent bridge symbolic of her majesty as a unifying force, bringing together nations, countries, the Commonwealth, charities and the armed forces," Foster said in a statement.
Foster began shaping city landscapes in the 1960s and received the Pritzker Prize in 1999, considered one of the highest honours in architecture.
His notable projects include Apple’s circular headquarters in California, the Millennium Bridge and Wembley Stadium in London, and the Reichstag in Berlin.
In 1997, Queen Elizabeth personally appointed Foster to the Order of Merit, a group limited to 24 individuals recognised for contributions to the arts, literature, science, and learning.
Final plans for the memorial are expected to be revealed next year.
(With inputs from agencies)
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Health secretary Wes Streeting attends an event to launch “NHS Day of Action” on March 28, 2025 in Runcorn, England.(Photo by Cameron Smith/Getty Images)
HEALTH SECRETARY Wes Streeting has revealed there is no money in the budget to set up an assisted dying service, just days after MPs voted to support the controversial law.
The new legislation passed by a narrow margin of 23 votes last Friday (20), but Streeting - who opposed the bill - said the government hasn't allocated any funds to make it work, the BBC reported.
Writing on Facebook, Streeting explained his concerns about the vote. He pointed out that the NHS is already struggling with money problems and many people can't get proper end-of-life care. He worries this could put extra pressure on dying patients.
"The truth is that creating those conditions will take time and money," Streeting wrote. He added that even if the service might save money in the long run, "setting up this service will also take time and money that is in short supply."
"There isn't a budget for this," he said. "Politics is about prioritising. It is a daily series of choices and trade-offs. I fear we've made the wrong one."
Despite his opposition, Streeting promised to work properly on the technical details if the law goes through. He said he has "enormous respect" for those who support the bill.
A government report from May looked at the costs and potential savings. It found the NHS could save between £919,000 and £10.3 million in the first six months alone. After ten years, savings could reach £5.84m to £59.6m.
But there would be significant costs too. Running the service could cost over £10m a year within ten years, and training staff could cost more than £11m in just the first six months.
The bill now goes to the House of Lords for detailed examination. Supporters say it will give terminally ill people choice over how they die and prevent suffering. Critics worry people might be pressured into choosing assisted dying.
Campaigner Dame Esther Rantzen, who has terminal cancer herself, told BBC Radio 4 that Lords should examine the bill closely but not try to overturn what MPs decided.
"Their job is to scrutinise, to ask questions, but not to oppose," she said. Dame Esther admitted she might have to travel to Switzerland's Dignitas clinic because the new law probably won't be ready in time for her.
Paralympian Baroness Tanni Grey-Thompson, who opposes the plans, wants stronger safeguards added. "We've been told it's the strongest bill in the world, but to be honest, it's not a very high bar," she said.
Tory peer Lord Shinkwin called for "forensic scrutiny" of the bill, saying many MPs would want another look at the safeguards for vulnerable people like disabled and elderly people. The bill could still fail if it gets stuck in the House of Lords for too long.
But Labour MP Kim Leadbeater, who brought the bill forward, warned she would be "upset to think that anybody was playing games with such an important and such an emotional issue."
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The UK has started the week with a noticeable drop in temperatures after the recent spell of hot weather
UK sees a cooler start to the week after recent heatwave
Temperatures forecast to rise again by Wednesday in parts of England
Midlands, eastern and southeastern England could see highs of 30°C
Overnight humidity may lead to heavy, thundery showers midweek
Glastonbury and Wimbledon expected to enjoy mostly dry, warm weather
Warm spell returns after short-lived fresher weather
The UK has started the week with a noticeable drop in temperatures after the recent spell of hot weather. However, this break from the heat is expected to be brief, with forecasters predicting a second rise in temperatures for parts of England by midweek.
A south-westerly airflow replacing the recent westerlies will begin drawing warmer air back into the country. This shift means areas in central and southeastern England could again see temperatures reaching the high twenties by Wednesday, bringing the possibility of a second UK heatwave, especially across eastern regions.
Cooler conditions to begin the week
Monday and Tuesday will feel much fresher across most of the UK, with daytime highs ranging between 17°C and 24°C, closer to the seasonal norm for June. A mix of sunny spells and scattered showers is expected, and brisk winds may affect northern and western areas.
These conditions are typical for a British summer, with overnight rain possibly delaying Tuesday’s cricket at Headingley.
Temperatures to climb again by midweek
From Wednesday, the wind direction will shift to a south-westerly flow, bringing warmer and more humid air into parts of England. The Midlands, eastern and southeastern regions are likely to see temperatures rise rapidly to between 26°C and 29°C.
The early part of next week looks set to continue the warm trendMET Office
By Friday, some locations could reach 30°C (86°F), especially in eastern England. While not all areas will meet the Met Office’s heatwave criteria (three consecutive days above threshold temperatures), a second UK heatwave weather forecast remains possible for certain regions.
Rain and thunderstorms possible midweek
The increasing humidity could trigger a band of heavy, thundery showers on Wednesday night, spreading from west to east. Overnight temperatures in the east may remain high, between 15°C and 17°C, making sleeping conditions uncomfortable for some.
Thursday dip followed by warmer weekend
Thursday is likely to feel fresher again, with temperatures dipping slightly before warmer weather returns towards the weekend. The Midlands and southeast could again see highs in the high twenties or low thirties, while the rest of the UK experiences more moderate temperatures.
Glastonbury set for dry spells after wet start
Festivalgoers heading to Glastonbury will enjoy a warm and dry start on Wednesday, with temperatures around 25°C. However, the overnight thundery band of rain may result in a muddy start to Thursday. Conditions are forecast to improve later in the day, settling into a pattern of dry, sunny spells for the remainder of the festival.
Wimbledon to enjoy fine opening week
The start of Wimbledon next week is also expected to benefit from favourable weather. Highs in the high twenties are likely on Monday, easing slightly to the mid-twenties for the rest of the week. While there’s always a chance of brief interruptions, the overall outlook remains dry and warm.
Outlook into next week
The early part of next week looks set to continue the warm trend, especially in the south and east. Although not widespread, the second UK heatwave weather forecast suggests that high temperatures and dry spells may persist in some regions.
For accurate and up-to-date information, the Met Office continues to monitor conditions and will issue official heatwave alerts if thresholds are met.
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Mourners carry the coffins of victims who died in the Air India Flight 171 crash, for funeral ceremony in Ahmedabad on June 21, 2025. (Photo: Getty Images)
AUTHORITIES in Gujarat said on Tuesday they had identified 259 out of the 260 victims recovered after the Air India plane crash in Ahmedabad earlier this month.
The Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner was heading to London’s Gatwick Airport when it crashed shortly after take-off on June 12.
The aircraft, which had 242 people on board, lost height moments after taking off from Ahmedabad and crashed into a medical college hostel, leading to a fire.
One person on the plane survived. The crash also killed 19 people on the ground.
The current death toll stands at 260, lower than the earlier estimate of 270, though officials said the final number could still change.
"We have identified 259 victims. They include 240 passengers and 19 non-passengers. DNA test result of one passenger is still awaited," said Rakesh Joshi, superintendent of Ahmedabad civil hospital.
Search and clearance operations ongoing
Joshi added, "The site of the crash is still being cleared. Unless we are certain that no additional victims are going to be found, we cannot declare the final death toll."